Los Angeles Clippers: Ranking new players from free agency
By Tom West
1. Marreese Speights
Marreese Speights appearing as the crown jewel in the Los Angeles Clippers’ handful of summer signings shouldn’t be surprising.
It’s not just because of his level of skill and production in an age where three-point shooting bigs are desired by everyone either. With more importance to the Clippers than any of the team’s other signings, especially because he needs to attempt to fill the large shoes of Cole Aldrich, Speights’ value and need deservedly places him at the top of these rankings.
It all comes down to spacing. I’ve detailed the hit to the second unit’s interior here now that Aldrich is gone, so the need for Speights to be efficient and productive from range is key to him balancing out weaker rim protection with superior three-point play and ball movement. Aldrich ranked 4th in the NBA last season in defensive real-plus minus, which leaves a rather noticeable void around the basket.
A career-high 38.7 three-point stroke became a genuine feature of Speights’ game last season. Once he got the green light to fire from that range as 2016 progressed, he wound up making one per 36 minutes for the regular season and a slightly gaudy 3.2 for the playoffs at a 41.9 percent rate. Not bad for a backup center, right?
If he can show more as an option in the post who can create one-on-one at times with turnaround jumpers or bruising against mismatches (doing more is what Speights intends to do), even better.
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That’s the kind of play the Clippers are banking on Speights’ continuing in L.A. He doesn’t need to jack up threes endlessly and he shouldn’t. Flashbacks to Josh Smith (albeit a far worse shooter) aren’t wanted.
However, with a 45.5 percent stroke from between 16 feet and the arc and that newfound three-point success, Speights can stretch defenses in ways that Aldrich simply couldn’t with hook shots and the odd pick-and-roll.
As a pick-and-pop option, simple catch-and-shoot threat, and someone who can be a kick out shooter when Rivers and Crawford look to drive and draw defenders inside, Speights really can help offensively.
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He’s a solid rebounder, too. Maybe not quite on Aldrich’s level, but Speights can certainly help on the boards after averaging 10.3 rebounds per 36 minutes last season. Plus, as a strong body in the post and someone who at least blocked 1.5 shots per 36 minutes in 2015-16, Speights won’t be a complete liability on defense.
The issues arise when he’s draw away from the basket (‘Mo Buckets isn’t the most agile defender out there) or required to anchor a lineup, which is where Aldrich’s presence will really be missed next season. Speights simply can’t protect the rim like Aldrich.
Everything with Speights’ value to the Los Angeles Clippers comes down to offense. There’s no denying that going from someone who can barely hit a shot nearly 10 feet away to a genuine three-point threat is an upgrade, but how the perimeter defense and power forward rotation supports Speights to balance the second unit will be key.
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All things considered, though, in terms of his offensive importance, skill, production, and bargain price at just $1,403,611 next season, Speights has to top this list.