After a disappointing rookie season, it appears the LA Clippers may not be interested in returning Milos Teodosic next season.
According to a report from Sportando Basketball, the LA Clippers are not expected to continue with Milos Teodosic beyond this summer.
Teodosic, a 31-year-old rookie point guard from Serbia, appeared in just 45 games for the Clippers. His debut season in the NBA was shortened due to recurring foot injuries. In 36 starts, Teodosic averaged 9.9 points, 4.7 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in nearly 26 minutes per game.
A league source told Sportando that the Clippers would prefer to add a younger point guard to the team, fearing Teodosic’s foot issue may become troublesome.
Teodosic signed a multi-year contract with LA on July 10, 2017, worth $12.3 million. The deal will not become fully guaranteed until July 15, and Teodosic has until June 24 to make a decision regarding his player option, worth $6.3 million. If he opts-out, he’ll become a free agent and will be off the team’s books. However, if he opts-in, the Clippers will have until July 15 to waive him. In that case, instead of paying him the full $6.3 million he’d be due, they’d only have to pay a third of it.
According to Sportando, there’s a growing feeling in the league that Teodosic will return to Europe if he’s waived. However, other NBA teams may still be interested in signing him.
Teodosic provided plenty of highlight-worthy plays this past season, including this pass against the Bucks.
If he’s waived, expect the Clippers to select a point guard in the upcoming NBA Draft. Both Collin Sexton and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would fit well in LA.
Free agency is another path the team could pursue, but limited assets may stand in the way. The Clippers would need DeAndre Jordan to opt-out, and would likely have to trade Austin Rivers. Even then, the pool of available guards is severely limited.