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Clippers Roundtable: Grading every 2015 free agency signing

By Pete D. Camarillo

Jul 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers players pose with jerseys at press conference at Staples Center. From left: Branden Dawson (22), DeAndre Jordan (6), Austin Rivers (25), coach Doc Rivers and Josh Smith (5), Cole Aldrich (45), Paul Pierce (34) and Wesley Johnson (33). Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers players pose with jerseys at press conference at Staples Center. From left: Branden Dawson (22), DeAndre Jordan (6), Austin Rivers (25), coach Doc Rivers and Josh Smith (5), Cole Aldrich (45), Paul Pierce (34) and Wesley Johnson (33). Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 7, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) reacts to a foul call during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) reacts to a foul call during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Bringing back DeAndre Jordan

Grade: A+

Tim Hiley: Ah, the 3rd July will stick in the minds of Clipper Nation for a long time. The day our chances for a title completely went up in smoke.

For weeks leading up to free agency, I heard plenty of talk about DeAndre’s unhappiness, his differences with Chris Paul and I just never took it seriously, as rarely have I seen a Point Guard and Center more in sync than those two.

DeAndre Jordan was taken for granted, his concerns largely dismissed, leading him to agree to sign with the Dallas Mavericks. It was a devastating blow for Clippers fans.

As the days went on, the Clippers’ options had dwindled, that they were looking at starting JaVale McGee or Kendrick Perkins. At least Shaqtin’ a Fool would have a lot of Clippers content.

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Then came the craziest day in the history of free agency. The day before free agents were eligible to be signed, came the news that DeAndre was having second thoughts. Over the twelve hours or so that followed just epitomized sport in the social media age. Emojis, banana boats, clipart and an epic kidnapping tale later, DeAndre Jordan was a Clipper again.

Instead of McGee and Perkins, the Clippers had their dominant defensive anchor back, and what a difference he made. Jordan finished a stellar season, which led to him being named in the NBA All-First Team and All-Defensive First Team.

Re-signing Jordan was the most important thing they had to do last season because it gives the Clippers an elite center. Should Los Angeles decide to go in another direction, they could acquire a more than suitable replacement.

This was not an option last summer, due to owning Jordan’s bird rights, the Clippers couldn’t afford to sign an alternative center out-right. Either way, I don’t see the Clippers getting a better center than the elite force that Jordan is. Hence, his resigning is the most important signing we’ve made in a long time.

Next: The signing we'd like to forget

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