The LA Clippers could fill two of their holes based on recent rumors.
With the NBA Draft now behind us, teams will have to turn their attention quickly to free agency. The LA Clippers may have drafted a big man in Daniel Oturu but they still have a potential hole at the backup center and point guard positions. Luckily for them, recent rumors indicate that they might be able to fill both of those needs.
Aron Baynes leaving Phoenix
According to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, executives around the NBA think that Aron Baynes is on his way out of Phoenix. The free agent big man can expect a lot of suitors but his skill set fits exactly what the LA Clippers need.
Standing 6’10” and 260lbs, Baynes is a big body that can clog up the paint defensively. While not a skilled shot-blocker by any means (0.5 career per game average), he can still be a deterrent. At the least, he will take up space and won’t get pushed around.
What Baynes really would bring to the Clippers is a center who can stretch the floor. While Ivica Zubac has been working to extend his range beyond the paint, his game isn’t there quite yet. The same goes for Montrezl Harrell.
The 33-year-old had a career-year from deep, converting 35.1% of his 4.0 attempts. That spacing would give the Clips another wrinkle that Ty Lue could deploy. Baynes could get paid by other contenders but luckily the Clippers were able to free up more money by dealing Rodney McGruder on Draft Night.
George Hill garnering interest from the LA Clippers
The New Orleans Pelicans now seemingly have one too many point guards and George Hill may ultimately be the odd man out. One source claims that the Clippers have an interest in trading for Hill and while the source isn’t verified, it does make some sense.
The twelve-year veteran won’t blow anyone away but would add more experience to this Clippers’ team. Last season in Milwaukee, hill averaged 9.4 points, 3.1 assists, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.8 steals. He shot a career-high 46% from deep on three attempts per game. That’s not sustainable, but his 38.4% career-average is still a good sign.
Hill would come in as the backup point guard for Ty Lue while also being reunited for Paul George. Many also associate Hill with Clippers star Kawhi Leonard as the San Antonio Spurs traded Hill for the draft rights to Leonard. Hill isn’t the flashy signing or trade fans may want but he would be an incremental improvement over the bench point guard situation from last season.
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