The Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly looking to add depth to in their frontcourt.
The Clippers currently have 15 players under contract with 14 players holding fully guaranteed deals. However, only five of those 15 players are power forwards or centers — Blake Griffin, Josh Smith, DeAndre Jordan and Cole Aldrich along with training camp invitee Yannick Moreira. The team’s lack of depth could change soon.
Mark J. Speers of Yahoo Sports is reporting that the Clippers are among three teams interested in unrestricted free agent Ryan Hollins.
Kings free agent center Ryan Hollins is getting interest from Sacramento, Washington & the Clippers, a source said.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) August 27, 2015
Spears’ revelation comes a day after news broke, per Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times , that the Clippers remain interested in re-signing Glen Davis.
Clippers remain interested in Glen Davis returning. Doc Rivers spoke with Baby’s reps earlier this week. No deal yet, however. Per source.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) August 27, 2015
Hollins averaged 3.0 points and 2.2 rebounds while shooting from the field in 46 games for the Sacramento Kings last year.
Davis had a horrific season in Los Angeles last year–posting career lows in about every category. He averaged a career-worst 4.0 points and 2.3 rebounds while playing just 12.2 minutes a game. Davis signed with the Clippers after being bought out of his contract by the Magic midway through the 2013-14 campaign.
Despite his poor season and limited playing time, Davis recently told the Gio and Jones show on CBS Sports Radio that he would welcome a return to the Clippers.
“I would love to go back. Doc and his system works for me. He needs a guy to set picks and do the dirty work and stuff like that. I feel at home there. It’s just about getting (a deal) done.”
It is likely that one of the two will sign with the Clips as both provide exactly what the team is looking for and neither player will likely get more than a one-year deal for the minimum. Davis has the slight advantage due to his relationship with Los Angeles’ President of Basketball Operations/head coach Doc Rivers.
Both players are destin to see limited time as both are good defenders and poor rebounders. Hollins is a shot-blocker who is very limited on the offensive end. Davis is a wide-body who uses his girth to bother taller players. Offensively, Davis has the ability to get deep in the low-post and is good in pick-n-pop situations.
Hollins is also being pursued by Washington and Sacramento. The Wizards already have 15-players with guaranteed contracts though they could use another “big” — Washington’s frontcourt currently consists of Nene, Drew Gooden, Marcin Gortat, Kris Humphries and DeJuan Blair.
Sacramento seems more likely of a destination for Hollins as they have 14 players with guaranteed contracts and they also have a $2.8 million room exception available to use. The Kings only have five “bigs” on their roster — DeMarcus Cousins, Omri Casspi, Quincy Acy, Kostas Koufas along with Willie Cauley Stein.
Davis has also drawn interest from the Dallas Mavericks, who have 20 players under contract — 15 players with fully guaranteed deals and five players with partial guarantees — and a plethora of interior players. He also has gotten interest from teams in China and Europe.
If the Clippers are unable to come terms with either Davis or Hollins, Chuck Hayes may be another option. Hayes’ deal with the Houston Rockets fell through today .
(photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty)
