Different number, same player? Surely the LA Clippers are hoping so, now that Tyrone Wallace is back for more with his first big-league ball club.
Wallace will be wearing No. 9 this season, and he also has a guaranteed contract, meaning he won’t just be available for 45 games this time around. Nope, Wallace is a full-time NBA-er, and he’s done more than earn it.
Last season, Wallace showed just how important the two-way contract can be when he scored double-digits in each of his first three games in Los Angeles, including a 22-point outburst against the Golden State Warriors.
The only other difference for Wallace this season is where he might be playing. Rather than spending all of his time at point guard, it seems Ty could be used as a wing as well, as seen in the preseason.
Like Gilgeous-Alexander and Thornwell, Wallace is a lengthy guard that possesses the ability to effectively play multiple positions on the floor. Not only does this versatility benefit the Clippers, but the players too — rather than being limited to one spot on the rotation, they could be thrown in at almost any time they’re called, depending on the situation.
Wallace’s gritty style of play is what caught me most last season when he first got “called-up” to the NBA. He was always unafraid to drive right at the defense, and he was a strong finisher at the rim.
Assuming he’s improved this summer, Wallace could be a solid two-way threat off the bench for LA.