During the first night of free agency, it was announced that JaMychal Green would be leaving the LA Clippers for the Denver Nuggets.
Late at night on Friday, fans of the LA Clippers received the worst news of free agency so far. JaMychal Green, the versatile backup big who took a pay cut to play for the Clips on his last contract, was taking his talents to Denver.
Shams Charania let us know that Green had taken a two year deal worth $15 Million with Denver, where he’ll likely replace Jerami Grant’s minutes at the forward spot.
Free agent JaMychal Green has agreed to a two-year, $15M deal with the Denver Nuggets, with player option in second season, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 21, 2020
This is a tough one for the LA Clippers. Jamyke’s ability to shoot and play solid defense let him play in a variety of lineups, and his contributions will be missed. You have to wonder if the Clippers have his replacement in mind.
As it stands, the backup center behind Ivica Zubac looks to be a committee of Mfiondu Kabengele, Joakim Noah and Daniel Oturu. Two young guys who still have a ways to go before being rotation pieces, and Noah, who played a total of 52 minutes last season.
At $7.5 million per year, you have to think the Clippers could have matched the offer for Green if they wanted. Of course, it may not be that they didn’t want to match; he might have just been drawn to his potential role in Denver.
But you do have to wonder if the Clips have somebody in mind. With Green’s departure, it’s all but assured that they’ll have the full Mid-Level Exception available to them, which gives them $9.25 Million to spend bringing in one or more free agents.
Could the Clippers feel confident that they’re getting somebody like a Serge Ibaka, Nerlens Noel or Aron Baynes to play that backup center role? If so, it will ease the sting of JaMychal leaving, and it will explain why the Clips didn’t pony up to keep JaMychal.
Green was the consummate professional with the Clippers, and his presence will be missed. Clipper nation will always have a soft spot in our hearts for JaMychal Green and we wish him the best, except for when we face off against each other.
There are certainly still questions to be answered as we move further into Free Agency. With a lack of much of a big man rotation, whom would you like to see the LA Clippers go for? Let us know on social media, and follow along here for all things LA Clippers.