RealGM

Who should we target in free agency?

I think we still need a backup wing player and maybe a point guard as well.

I think we just have to make a few trades. Get rid of one of our big 3 bigmen and include Ricky Davis(expiring) for a starting SF while moving Thornton to the bench.

Backup PG duties are fine with Collins and Taylor. Still need a backup SG for Gordon as well(although the Taylor/Davis back court combo seemed nice last season). Then get a cheap decent big man to back up whoever is staying..

Afterwards the results of the season are all in Baron's and Dunleavy's hands.. Who will give in to who's system?

Q. Ross and Singleton should make a comeback to the Clippers.

Our team needs (in order):

1a) Bring back James Singleton!
1b) Firing our coach...oh wait.

Okay now onto the list:

1) Trading away one or two of the bigs.

We are clearly not a team who is in win now mode, so we need to give our young bigs all the playing time they need to develop. It's obvious to me that Kaman does not want to player in LA any longer, and that Z-Bo is the one player who if we could trade we SHOULD trade. If we can keep Camby here and extend his contract, he'd be a perfect mentor for DJ and Griffin, especially defensively.

2) Finding a starting SF that will stick with the team long term.

The more I see Thornton play, the more I realize he's best suited as a bench role player who can score in bunches. We do have a few options as to finding that perfect glue guy for our team. Kaman's value can possibly net us a starting caliber SF. We can look to see who we could grab off the FA market. Here's a list of the SF's on the market right now.

Small Forwards
Unrestricted Free Agents

* Shawn Marion
* Lamar Odom
* Ron Artest
* Trevor Ariza
* Walter Herrmann
* Grant Hill
* Ime Udoka
* Stephen Graham
* Matt Barnes
* Darius Miles
* Justin Reed
* Adrian Griffin


Restricted Free Agents

* Marvin Williams
* Ike Diogu
* Jamario Moon
* Josh Childress (If he returns from Greece)


Early Termination Options

* Hidayet Turkoglu
* Kyle Korver
* Devean George
* Yakhouba Diawara

Not a lot of names on this list that would fit the bill. If we trade away two of Z-Bo and/or Kaman for salary dumpers, we would still probably have to wait another year to sign that SF we need (who can be our defensive stopper). We could also give Thornton one more year to prove himself worthy of a starting role on the team, if he learns how to play some defense, rebound the ball, and have vision when on offense and not be so ball dominant. We got our options, let's see if Dun the GM can deliver or not.

3) Find a veteran backup SG who can groom Eric Gordon into a fantastic, complete, all-around player.

Here's a list of the free agent SG's out on the market:

Unrestricted Free Agents

* Allen Iverson
* Wally Szczerbiak
* Bobby Jackson
* Ben Gordon
* Desmond Mason
* Anthony Parker
* Damon Jones
* Keith Bogans
* Rodney Carney
* Ronnie Price
* Morris Almond
* Maurice Ager
* Gerald Green
* James Singleton
* Dahntay Jones
* Von Wafer
* Shannon Brown
* Quinton Ross
* Kareem Rush
* Juan Dixon


Restricted Free Agents

* Rashad McCants
* Joey Graham
* Linas Kleiza
* Carlos Delfino (If he returns from overseas)


Early Termination Options

* Kobe Bryant
* Jamal Crawford
* Quentin Richardson
* Trenton Hassell
* Michael Finley
* Ricky Davis
* Devin Brown

Once again, not too many names on here that I would look to sign with the Clippers. Once again, either we could trade for a package with a backup veteran SG (defensive minded would be nice) using one of our bigs, or we could wait it out another year.

4. Do NOT go after a backup point guard.

This team is a team built for the future. We shouldn't be in win now mode, nor should we look to sign any player that would hurt the development of the youth of our team. That includes Mike Taylor! We've seen flashes of brilliance from this guy, as well as plenty of rookie mistakes, so why not wait it out and let him develop? He is quick as hell, can get anywhere he want to on the court with his handles, goes strong to the hole as a small-sized player, and plays great defense. His offensive game is kind of wild to say the least, and we know he can't shoot, but in order to be a good PG in the league you need to have time to develop. He reminds me of a lesser-talented Rondo, who over time may develop into a starting PG one day. That's how much talent I think MT has in his game.

5. Sign James Singleton!

He is a FA! BRING BACK SINGLETON!


That's all I got.

It would be a dream come true to see James Singleton back on our team..

jflipclip wrote:Q. Ross and Singleton should make a comeback to the Clippers.

I would love to see either of them come back to our team. Like others of you have said we need to find another wing player. If we happen to make a trade it will be easier to find what we need in free agency.

Pargo is a player I'd love to have to come off the bench and provide some scoring as an undersized 2, as he did in New Orleans.

Using the MLE for Matt Barnes or Rodney Carney should also help the Clippers wing position.

Let Skinner and Novak walk then trade Kaman and R.Davis for Hinrich + fillers to solidify our backcourt especially if F.Jones and Collins return. Also, if Singleton or Barnes are available then we should bring either of them back on a short-term contract. I'm sure Matt would love to play with Baron again.

Yeah, you guys have the same train of thought as I do. Singleton and Barnes could really be useful for us. Singleton with his rebounding and overall game, and Barnes with his outside shooting. By bringing in Barnes, it could have a positive effect on Davis. As far as the PG position, I'm kind of indifferent. I'm really hoping Davis can be the PG that we envision him to be, and I think Taylor and Collins can handle back up duties. But bringing in another back up for insurance purposes could also be explored in exchange for one of our big men.

Thornton can definitely still start at 3, but if there's a better option, then go for that. I don't think Barnes is the answer...

We can give Thornton the Maggette treatment by signing Q. Ross and start him over Thornton.

I certainly like to see Mike Taylor develop and pretty much agree with everyone else saying our backup PGs are fine. Better than a Dick[au], Rick Brunson, or Brevin Knight. If it's possible to get Hinrich though, I can see him backing up Eric Gordon. I remember in the Celtics-Bulls series, he was doing a pretty good job defending Pierce. Plus, he's a better ball handler than everyone else we have (except when Baron is motivated). Yeah, I like him and Mike Taylor as our backups. Mmm...

So to sum it up: the team needs another wing player, either to start over Thornton or to backup Thornton/Gordon.

what about Kaman for Marvin Williams. Fits both teams needs, a filler here or there

Nevermind.

Udoka is a nice option. Clips would probably have to overpay for him.

BadWolf wrote:what about Kaman for Marvin Williams. Fits both teams needs, a filler here or there

id do that.

I think we could do better than that. If we did that, I still see Thornton starting. It's not bad, but it's not much of an improvement, is it? Or do people still believe that Marvin Williams has some upside?