Clippers Looking At 4 Restricted Free Agents

July 13, 2008

Now that the Clippers have lost Elton Brand they are looking at using their cap space on Emeka Okafor, Josh Smith, Andre Iguodola, and Luol Deng. All 4 are free agents which mean their respective teams would have 7 days to match the offer. It is very likely that each one of those team would match which means they would tie up their cap space for 7 days and by them more free agents would be off the market.

Okafor would probably be a good pickup because he can rebound and block shots but he and Kaman might not be able to play together. Josh Smith is and athletic do it all player that can play the 3 and 4 but he might get in the way of Thorton’s development. Iguodola would be a better fit at the 3 than Smith because he is a bit smaller, and he is a better ball handler and would seem to fit better next to Josh Smith. Deng also seems to be a very similar player to Thornton.

The Clippers really need another back to the basket player. If they waste all their money on a wing player like Smith or Deng fans will love it but they won’t make the playoffs.