LA Clippers: Evaluating players with 2020 expiring contracts

Patrick Patterson

The 31-year-old veteran is spending his first year in Los Angeles after signing a one-year minimum contract for $2.3 million last offseason. He is currently averaging 4.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in just under 12 minutes-per-game.

Patterson recently spoke to the LA Times about his love for film, and how he feels like a great fit in Los Angeles not only on, but off the court saying “It was a perfect opportunity to put myself in a position to do what I want to do outside of basketball when my career is over. Now is the perfect time for me to be out here in L.A.”

It certainly sounds like Patterson is thinking about the end of his career, and making moves for his post-basketball life.

“I’ve met with a few people in the industry and have had meetings and lunches and exchanged e-mails. I want to do this when I’m done playing,” he told the LA Times. “Basketball is the most important thing, but while I’m out here I want to take advantage of this opportunity of being here in L.A. where a lot of filmmakers and creative people live.”

It seems like the Clippers would be able to retain Patterson on another veteran minimum contract, and if that’s the case we don’t see any harm in bringing him back to Los Angeles for another season. They might not be able to find another player on the market with Patterson’s combination of a veteran presence, quality minutes, and bargain price.

We’re all for giving Patterson the chance to wind down one career as a Clipper as he starts his next in Los Angeles.