The LA Clippers were the most active team at the trade deadline, as they traded and waived nearly half of their roster. One of the more under-the-radar moves the team made was the addition of nine-year veteran, Garrett Temple.
With trades going down nearly every minute on Thursday, it was easy to miss one or two. After trading away their leading scorer in Tobias Harris, almost all the focus was centered on that trade, and deservingly so. However, the Clippers made another move before the deadline, that quietly could be one of their best.
The Clippers traded away Avery Bradley for JaMychal Green and Garrett Temple. It was a trade thought of as just a way to dump Bradley and his contract, and pick up some expiring contracts in the meantime.
It was a good move for LA. They got some salary relief, and picked up what most people considered to be two decent bench additions. Though this is true, it looks as if it could be another one of those sneaky good Jerry West moves.
For whatever reason, Temple has struggled to find a home in the NBA. He’s 32, and this will be the eighth team he’s suited up for in his career. Though he only averages 9.5 points a game, which by the way is the highest of his career, Temple gives LA a veteran presence in the starting lineup, as well as potential shooter off the bench.
Temple is a career 35 percent from beyond the arc, and has quietly been one of the more slept on shooters over the course of his career.
Shooting wise, Temple is actually having the best of his career. He’s knocking down more than half his shots from inside the arc, connecting on 52 percent of them.
After missing around two weeks with an injury, Temple made his debut with the Clippers on Saturday night. Getting the start, he looked as if he was fully healthy. He played 20 minutes, scoring 11 points and knocking down two from deep. When Wilson Chandler returns from injury, it’s unclear if he’ll slide into the lineup and Temple will head to the bench, or Temple will take over one of the starting guards jobs.
Regardless of Temple’s role, or how many minutes he plays, there’s no question he gives the Clippers a veteran presence a team as young as them needs. Oh, it also helps that he’s a reliable scorer and knockdown shooter as well.