Who should stay & who should go? This coming off-season the Clippers have a lot of decisions to make with their free agents. If the salary cap remains at $45M the Clippers will have $11M to spend. Below is a list of their free agents this summer. -- Bobby Simmons <u>Pros</u> Bobby Simmons is in the running for Most Improved Player this year. He got off on a quick start on opening night, dropping 30 points on the team who drafted him, the Sonics. He's provided a consistent mid-range jumper all season long for the Clippers and shoots a high percentage from the field and behind the arc. Simmons emerged as the 3rd option on offense for the Clippers behind Brand and Maggette. Simmons has also been a decent defender and has been a help on the rebounds averaging 6 per game. <u>Cons</u> The question mark is if Simmons can repeat this type of performance the next 4 or 5 years. Also, is Simmons willing to remain the 3rd option or will he look for more playing time on a team rebuilding or an expansion team. If the Clippers bring back Jaric and put Livingston as the starting PG, Simmons will likely be the odd man out. Is he willing to come off the bench? -- Marko Jaric <u>Pros</u> Marko Jaric is the best perimeter defender for the Clippers. He also hits timely 3pt baskets and has a great feel for what his role is on the team. Jaric has improved every year and makes the most of the opportunities given to him. <u>Cons</u> Can he co-exist with Shaun Livingston in the backcourt? Can he stay healthy? -- Kerry Kittles <u>Pros</u> When healthy Kittles is one of the better shooters in the league. He would give the Clippers a veteran with playoff experience. He can help spread the offense coming off the bench to free up the paint for Kaman or Wilcox when the second team comes in. <u>Cons</u> How serious has the injury been to Kittles? He's old and the Clippers usually play their younger guys over their vets. Is he willing to be a part of the Clippers rebuilding process? -- Mikki Moore <u>Pros</u> Mikki Moore is a great 'bang for the buck' player. He plays with a lot of energy off the bench and battles inside despite his skinny frame. He gives the Clippers even more depth for the big men on their roster and is one of the better shot blockers on the team. He's also a legit 7 footer. <u>Cons</u> He might want more than what the Clippers are willing to offer. Do the Clippers have enough minutes to accomodate him, Brand, Kaman, Wilcox, and Rebraca? Not a good offensive player -- Rick Brunson <u>Pros</u> Provides veteran leadership and is capable of stepping in as a starter. <u>Cons</u> Brunson is a journeyman and isn't getting any younger. He might want to play for a contender instead of sticking it out with the Clippers. Depending on who leaves and comesback could make Brunson 4th or 5th on the depth chart. -- Lionel Chalmers <u>Pros</u> Great upside. Provides youth and depth at PG. <u>Cons</u> Needs to improve his shot selection and shoot a lot better than 29%. Can he improve his defense to earn more minutes? -- Quinton Ross <u>Pros</u> Quinton Ross has been a nice surprise for the Clippers. Going undrafted, the Clippers took a chance on Ross and he actually played well as a starter when Maggette was injured. Ross is one of the few players on the team who puts defense ahead of his offense. <u>Cons</u> Similar to Mikki Moore's situation. With the log jam of talent at the guard position, assuming the Clippers bring back their main free agents and can stay healthy, is their enought PT to satisfy Ross?
You missed Chris Wilcox I wouldn't call Jaric the best perimeter defender on the team, he's the best off-ball perimeter defender, but Simmons is the best overall defender, Livingston has been the best on ball defender at PG, and Maggette's on ball defense is also a little better than Jaric's. <u>Need to Re-sign</u> Bobby Simmons - He should be given about 30% more than MLE, so a contract starting at about 6 million a year would be what he should get. He's a very good player, and though I like Maggette, I prefer Bobby Simmons' game to his. Mikki Moore and Rebracca - Resign the 2 big men, they've played very well this season, and they shouldn't cost too much <u>Let Go or S&T</u> Marko Jaric - Explore sign and trade options with him, sign him for MLE, and then ship him out of here, his injury problems are just too much, and the team needs more of a change of pace PG, a good quick guy like Earl Watson, Speedy Claxton, maybe Brevin Knight etc.. Chris Wilcox - Explore sign and trade options with him, he's a bad fit for the team, and if he can also be packaged with Maggette to get Ray Allen and something else from the Sonics, it would be great. Lionel Chalmers - He could be re-signed as a 3rd PG, but re-signing him is no neccesity, he's not a true PG, and his skills really don't fit into anything the team needs. Kerry Kittles - He's the cap space, he's been injured all this season, and hasn't helped at all, he would be okay to sign to an MLE or less contract, but the Clippers should be looking for sign and trades involving Maggette to bring back a SG who can shoot and pass better than Corey, and can also be a go to guy. Ray Allen and Michael Redd are the prime choices. Joe Johnson is also a good choice, but he's not an upgrade over Corey talent wise, though his game would fit the team better. Rick Brunson - He's played very well this season, but next season, Livingston should be taking the reigns at PG. Brunson doesn't fit the role of a change of pace or defensive PG, and though a good veteran, his game isn't something the team needs. <u>Players to go after [trade or S&T]:</u> Ray Allen, Michael Redd, Paul Pierce, Speedy Claxton Maybe: Joe Johnson, Larry Hughes <u>Players to go after [FA's]:</u> Earl Watson, Brevin Knight, Dan Dickau, Steve Blake, Bo Outlaw, Matt Bonner, Vladimir Radmonovic, Raja Bell, Richie Frahm, Maybe: Juan Dixon, Casey Jacobsen, Kareem Rush
According to hoopshype Wilcox is locked in for one more season. He was in the 2002 draft class so he should be a free agent the same time as Yao and Amare. Link Simmons is a good defender, but I still think Jaric defends the perimeter the best on and off the ball. He knows how to slide through picks better than Livingston and he has better anticipation to get steals. Livingston's length allows him to make up for a lot of mistakes, but he doesn't use his body and foot positioning well yet. I rarely see Jaric get beat off the dribble, and he does a great job of forcing his man right into to Brand or Wilcox if they try to penetrate. He's not the fastest or most athletic defender, but he makes up for that by being smart on defense.
I'd hold onto Simmons, Moore, and Ross. I'd then go out and sign a veteran PG who can actually play (man, I hate Brunson with a passion). I'd also look to get something for Wilcox. I wished they would have traded him last year, when he was carrying more value. Right now, what's holding the Clippers back is a lack of a PG, and lack of depth. This team will do some things once they address these issues.
I would like to see Marko Jaric resigned to a 3 year deal because he's my favorite Clipper Nah, its just because I feel he's an established guard (can't call him a POINT just yet) that's willing to make the dishes and shoot the open shots. He's a terrific player that defends, and like you mentioned, is willing to accept a smaller role. I don't know HOW small of a role he's going to be put in, but I feel he'd be comfortable doing it. His health REALLY pisses me off, but when healthy he's a great player to have.
I think this thread and other old ones should be taken off by the mods from this site. They are outdated and it is confusing for members; plus it is irrelevent now.
