Clippers Free Agency: 5 big men L.A. need to pursue

2. Darrell Arthur

Last summer, Darrell Arthur emerged as someone the Clippers almost signed. Given their lack of big men and longing for improved floor spacing, Arthur seemed like the ideal target. He’s somewhat undersized as a power forward at 6’9” and won’t be protecting the rim in the way that Aldrich can, but he’s a strong, agile defender who can switch well onto the perimeter and he can get by on the boards (seven per 36 minutes).

Instead, the Clippers ended up with the likes of Aldrich and Paul Pierce in 2015, seemingly completing a roster that was destined for far more success. And while Aldrich shattered all expectations to probably be the team’s most important (and certainly most overlooked) bench player, Pierce was an utter disappointment and liability at both ends of the floor. We knew he wasn’t going to be the defender he once was, but the fact that his three-point shot from the previous season simply disappeared was nothing but frustrating for the Clippers all year long.

Arthur may help in this regard, and he’ll certainly be a far better option at power forward than Pierce or any other small option that Doc Rivers can place out of their comfort zone at the four.

This season, Arthur made 1.1 threes per 36 minutes at a 38.5 percent rate. So, while that isn’t a prolific element of his game and it shouldn’t be forced, he can comfortably step out from range. It’s his mid-range game that should also have the Clippers’ full attention. From 16 feet to the three-point line, he shot a brilliant 45.5 percent, and 44.6 percent from 10-16 feet.

Whether players can drive and kick the ball out, run quick pick-and-pops, or the team utilizes a smaller lineup with Griffin at center, Arthur can contribute offensively and help space the floor well while actually contributing some defense — unlike Pierce. Plus, with other streaky options such as Wesley Johnson and particularly Jeff Green being used at power forward, the consistency of Arthur’s shooting and improved defense should be favored.

The downfall with this idea is how attainable Arthur is. The mid-level exception may not quite be enough, so it depends how much money he’s looking for and whether or not he’s willing to take a lower salary (despite the rising cap) to leap from the struggling Nuggets to the contending Clippers.

Next: More versatility, rebounding and shooting