The Los Angeles Clippers have reportedly matched the offer sheet for free agent Tyrone Wallace.
It didn’t happen when their fans were crying out for it towards the end of last season.
It didn’t happen before they drafted two guards in the first round of the draft.
However, the Los Angeles Clippers have finally decided to keep 24-year-old Tyrone Wallace around for a further two years after Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported the team would match New Orleans’ offer sheet for the former University of California, Berkeley product.
Clippers are matching New Orleans' two-year offer sheet to restricted free agent forward Tyrone Wallace, league source tells ESPN
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 6, 2018
The decision to keep Wallace on the books heading into the 2018/19 season remains an interesting one considering the unprecedented amount of depth that Doc Rivers has at the guard position.
From the young Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to the ageing Milos Teodosic, it appears likely that the Clippers will have to cut and/or trade a pair of guards prior to the commencement of the season as their roster currently tops out at 17, two above the maximum of 15 allocated spots.
Their plans going forward remain somewhat cloudy, however, as Bobby Marks of ESPN pointed out, this signing ensures Clippers have options with a little bit of time on their side.
Matching the Tyrone Wallace offer sheet makes sense for 2 reasons:
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) September 6, 2018
1. Great contract: $300K protection this year (if not waived by 9/12) and non-guaranteed with no trigger dates in 19/20. Total of $2.9M.
2. Clippers have enough time in 5 weeks to get the roster in order.
Though Wallace was productive during his 30 appearances last season, averaging 9.7 points on 45% shooting from the field, endearing himself to fans with a hard-nosed style of play, it remains to be seen where Rivers will find minutes for him behind Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Avery Bradley along with the ever impressive young duo of Gilgeous-Alexander and Jerome Robinson, both of whom appear to be in the Clippers plans for the long-term.
There are a number of different scenarios facing the Clippers, as we previously alluded to, however it is currently anyone’s guess as to who makes the final roster come opening night against Denver.