Livingston to become Unrestricted Free Agent

[jgustav1]

It what may not be a surprise, word is the Los Angeles Clippers will not make point guard Shaun Livingston a qualifying offer by the end of the month to make him a restricted free agent. This means Livingston will be free to sign with whomever he likes, though considering he is still recovering from that horrible knee injury it's doubtful teams will be lining up to offer him big money. Or maybe any money. What wouldn't be a surprise is if Livingston then re-signed with the Clippers, but at something much lower than the qualifying offer for a former #2 draft pick

[jgustav1]

I don't see Livingston making it in the league as a SF/SG. He doesn't shoot it from the outside well enough and wouldn't have a length advantage over other players like he has at PG. He also doesn't have the strength to make the transition to SF. Unfourtunately, I don't think he can make it at another position.

[JJ LoDuca]

I agree. Shaun is a PG, and nothing else. This doesn't seem to be good news to me...apparently the brass hasn't seen enough progress from him...at least not $6 mil worth (understandable). But allowing him to become an UFA is the first step in the contract re-negotiation process; it's possible that the club and Livingston's agent have an agreement in mind already. I really hope the Clippers have some sort of plan to retain him (so he doesn't get scooped up by some daring team desperate for a PG), and he comes back and plays well, proving everyone wrong.

[mkwest]

I agree. Shaun is a PG, and nothing else. This doesn't seem to be good news to me...apparently the brass hasn't seen enough progress from him...at least not $6 mil worth (understandable). But allowing him to become an UFA is the first step in the contract re-negotiation process; it's possible that the club and Livingston's agent have an agreement in mind already. I really hope the Clippers have some sort of plan to retain him (so he doesn't get scooped up by some daring team desperate for a PG), and he comes back and plays well, proving everyone wrong.

I'm leaning towards the belief that the organization is just opting to negotiate a more favorable contract with him given the circumstances. I'm still not 100% sold on this report since it is just coming from "an NBA source" in an East Coast publication.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

I think that this is the smarter move to offer him less money and see what he can do. If he can come back to form great if not it won't hurt us that bad financially.

[loflin3hree5ive]

I'm still not 100% sold on this report since it is just coming from "an NBA source" in an East Coast publication.

[madmaxmedia]

Reportedly, Livingston has been doing more explosive work lately but Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy and vice president of basketball operations Elgin Baylor both said Tuesday that as of yet, Livingston has not done anything besides skills work.

When asked where the Clippers were in terms of making a decision on Livingston, Dunleavy said,

[madmaxmedia]

As posted in the rehab thread, Livingston expects to be back on the court participating in contract drills in about 2-3 weeks (end of June).

He and the Clippers are currently inactive in negotiating talks

[loflin3hree5ive]

I've got faith in the kid.

[madmaxmedia]

It would be nice if the Clippers proactively offered a reasonable 2-year deal to Livingston sooner than later. They don't have to, but I think if Livingston comes back and does well it will make it a LOT easier to re-sign him down the road.

Worst case scenario, we're out a reasonably small sum of money.

OTOH I haven't seen him rehab or practice or whatever. Maybe there's very good reason for the Clippers to hold back until later in the summer.