The Los Angeles Clippers have added their new shooting guard/small forward after reportedly agreeing to a deal with Alan Anderson.
That’s it. The Los Angeles Clippers’ roster is at 15 and they have their final small forward. After reportedly agreeing to a deal with Alan Anderson, Wesley Johnson, Luc Mbah a Moute and Paul Pierce (providing he doesn’t retire) will be accompanied by another at the three, and the Clippers have another two-way option to utilize.
Dan Woike of the Orange County Register reported the agreement, which will be for the veteran’s minimum as the Clippers have nothing more to offer.
Sources - Clippers have agreed to a deal with G/F Alan Anderson
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) August 2, 2016
Before his injury in 2015-16, Anderson averaged five points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 0.3 steals in 14.8 minutes per game with the Washington Wizards. Over the last two seasons, Anderson has split his playing between fairly evenly between shooting guard and small forward.
It’s another strong signing for the Clippers on a minimum deal. After picking up Marreese Speights, Brandon Bass and Raymond Felton for the minimum, too, the bench is rounding out nicely, with more depth than fans may have expected earlier in the offseason.
While such players don’t take the team over the edge or near the level of the Golden State Warriors (Anderson isn’t quite Kevin Durant, after all), they do provide some reliable play and a new dynamics to the bench (Speights’ floor spacing, for example). Even after the tough loss of Cole Aldrich and his valued interior defense and hustle, Speights’ shooting, Felton’s resurged play at point and now Anderson highlight this summer’s changes.
Injury issues are the primary concern with Anderson, with ankle problems causing him to miss significant amount of time in the past. He also played just 13 games last season, but providing he can stay healthy and the Clippers are happy with his condition for the future, it’s hard to complain with Anderson for such a low cost.
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Two weeks ago, I wrote about why the Clippers needed a small forward and how Anderson could be the top target. While he isn’t a spectacular three-point threat (34.5 percent for his career), he’s reliable enough from range and he can attack close outs fairly well to drive to the rim at times.
Along with his offensive ability and off-ball play — something the team needs alongside the shot creation of players like Jamal Crawford — Anderson has always been a capable defender, offering a reliable two-way option outside of a purely defensive wing such as Mbah a Moute.
Anderson’s signing could encourage some to think that Pierce is retiring, and there’s a chance that could be the case. However, seeing as he’s primarily suited to play at power forward with his lack of speed at this stage of his career and a generally weak rotation at small forward anyway, Anderson was needed. Woike also added in his report that the Clippers are still waiting on Pierce’s decision.
Next: Why Clippers needed a new small forward
Anderson doesn’t jolt the Clippers any further up the Western Conference, but he’s possibly the best wing fans could have hoped for on a minimum deal. There should be nothing but satisfaction for those rooting for L.A.