Los Angeles Clippers

Now that the 2020 free-agency period is officially underway, the Los Angeles Clippers have a chance to revamp in pursuit of a championship. 

The Clippers have a lot to prove next season. The highly touted team was an early favorite to win the first NBA title in franchise history. Instead, they suffered a disappointing loss to the Denver Nuggets in the second round and made a premature exit.

After a disappointing postseason performance, it's essential for the organization to make a splash this offseason to right the ship. So far, the team has lost the 2020 Sixth Man of the Year, Montrezl Harrell, to the Los Angeles Lakers and JaMychal Green to the Nuggets, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. However, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Clippers re-signed Patrick Patterson for another year and Marcus Morris to a four-year deal. 

Morris was clearly a priority to the front office, and it was a safe bet that they would come to an agreement. Nevertheless, the team's frontcourt took a big hit this week, and Harrell's absence will create a void on offense. As such, the organization will probably look to add another scoring option before training camp starts. 

Evan Fournier shows interest in joining the Clippers

Los Angeles could use a reliable playmaker, and Evan Fournier fits the bill. Apparently, the French guard is looking for a new home even though he recently exercised his option to return to Orlando. 

According to Zach Harper of The Athletic, "League sources say Evan Fournier is trying to find his way to a team like the Clippers, Suns or Nuggets."

As noted, the 11-year veteran opted in for the remainder of his five-year contract with the Orlando Magic. He would've left $17 million on the table, which is possibly why he opted in as opposed to testing an uncertain open market.

Last season, Fournier averaged 18.5 points per game, shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 39.9 percent from beyond the arc. While he won't fix the team's lack of a pure point guard, Fournier would add some versatility to the Clippers backcourt. 

Los Angeles pursues a trade for Terry Rozier

Point guard was probably the Clippers' weakest position last season. Patrick Beverley offers the team a scrappy defender, but he isn't a scorer or someone who can effectively run the offense. 

Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated reported, "Rajon Rondo is on L.A.'s radar, though Rondo could command a larger salary than the capped out Clippers can afford. L.A. has also explored a deal for Charlotte's Terry Rozier, per league source."

Although Rondo might be the better option because he brings more experience and leadership skills, Rozier isn't a bad choice either. The 26-year-old stepped in to replace Kemba Walker for the Hornets last season and delivered some solid numbers. He averaged 18 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, shooting 42.3 percent and 40.7 percent from the outside.

Rozier is in the second year of a three-year, $56.7 million contract with the Hornets, which will possibly make Rondo a cheaper alternative. Rozier would also add another ball-dominant player to the team, but he would undeniably be an impactful addition nevertheless. 

Veteran forward Marcus Morris Sr. will return to the Los Angeles Clippers after agreeing to a four-year, $64 million contract, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

In July last year, the 31-year-old hammered out a deal with the San Antonio Spurs worth $20 million. He never officially signed the contract, though, and instead inked a one-year, $15 million deal with the New York Knicks.

After failing to land Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the Knicks pivoted by going after veteran forwards on short-term contracts.

Morris didn't improve the team much on the court but did provide New York with a trade asset, which it cashed in last February. As part of a three-team trade, he went to the Clippers and the Knicks received Moe Harkless, a 2020 first-round pick and a 2021 second-round pick.

Morris was averaging a career-best 19.6 points and shooting 43.9 percent from beyond the arc through 43 games with the Knicks. He was also averaging 5.4 rebounds.

Not surprisingly, his numbers declined with the Clippers as his role diminished. In 19 games with Los Angeles, he averaged 10.1 points and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 31.0 percent from the perimeter. His move backward in efficiency was surprising since shooting should've theoretically been easier on a better team with more scoring threats.

The Clippers lost 112-103 to the Los Angeles Lakers on March 8. Morris missed all nine of his shot attempts, including an 0-of-7 clip from three-point territory.

Two nights later, he went 3-of-4 for nine points in L.A.'s 131-107 victory over the Golden State Warriors. Following the game, head coach Doc Rivers thought the former Kansas Jayhawk was turning a corner, per The Athletic's Jovan Buha:

"I thought we got so much out of that and I thought Marcus, showing his highlights, which were not great, in the Laker game, and offensively, he made some points, 'Man, I gotta move the ball here.'" And one of our other players, 'Yeah, man, that's what you could do in New York, right now, this is what we need.'"

The obvious irony is that the NBA shut down shortly thereafter—as Morris was perhaps finding his footing—due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Few teams were probably hurt more by the lengthy hiatus than the Clippers as the chemistry problems they experienced lingered into the restart. The wheels fell off as Los Angeles threw away a 3-1 series lead to the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs.

That led to some soul-searching, with Rivers quickly dispatched and Ty Lue hired in his place. Some tough decisions would be required on the roster side as well.

Buha reported in February the Clippers were open to re-signing both Morris and Montrezl Harrell, another unrestricted free agent who has since signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. He also noted the team had the ability to offer him as much as $18 million due to controlling his non-Bird rights.

That made things relatively straightforward for the purposes of Morris' free agency.

By staying in Los Angeles, he could earn a market-level deal while still suiting up for a title contender. The Clippers, meanwhile, would've struggled to replace him with a player of similar quality given their lack of salary-cap space this summer.

Morris is a solid floor-spacer and rebounder who can guard multiple positions. Those skills make him a valuable piece of their rotation going forward.

Patrick Patterson agreed to re-sign with the Los Angeles Clippers on a one-year deal, his agent confirmed to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Friday.

Patterson averaged 4.9 points and 2.6 rebounds in 59 appearances with the team last season. He also shot a career-high 39 percent from three-point range.

Per Bobby Marks of ESPN, the 31-year-old will get the veteran's minimum ($2.3 million).

Following the Clippers' embarrassing collapse during the playoffs, many are curious to see how they'll respond. What appeared to be a deep roster failed to deliver when it counted the most. Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams in particular saw their performances dip significantly once the postseason got underway.

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George aren't going anywhere. Beyond that, nothing is a given with this roster. Los Angeles already traded Landry Shamet in a three-team deal, getting Luke Kennard from the Detroit Pistons as part of the return.

Back in September, The Athletic's John Hollinger made the case for a moderate offseason approach.

"This is the reality for most teams—even most championship teams," he wrote. "They have to endure some postseason hardship before breaking through."

One could argue Patterson was expendable and that the Clippers should've found an upgrade. But the former Kentucky star is a solid long-range shooter and rebounder on a reasonable contract. He's a good piece to have in the frontcourt, assuming Los Angeles re-signs Marcus Morris Sr. or brings in another power forward.

As the Los Angeles Clippers explore ways to upgrade their roster this offseason, Terry Rozier has reportedly popped up on their radar. 

Per Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix, the Clippers have explored a deal with the Charlotte Hornets for the 26-year-old point guard. 

The Clippers have already been active in the trade market this week. 

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Los Angeles sent Landry Shamet to the Brooklyn Nets for the 19th pick in the 2020 NBA draft. Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium added the Clippers sent that pick to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Luke Kennard.

Point guard is a position the Clippers appear to be looking to change. Frank Isola of SiriusXM NBA Radio reported that Rajon Rondo is "focused" on potentially signing with Los Angeles as a free agent. 

Patrick Beverley and Lou Williams are the primary options at point guard currently on the Clippers roster. Beverley averaged 7.9 points and 5.2 rebounds in 51 games (50 starts) last season. Williams contributed 18.2 points in 63 games, primarily off the bench. 

Rozier signed a three-year, $56.7 million contract with the Hornets last offseason. He averaged a career-high 18 points per game on 40.7 percent three-point shooting in 2019-20. 

JaMychal Green reportedly is going to test the free-agent market after declining his player option with the Los Angeles Clippers for next season.

Per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the 30-year-old turned down $5 million to become a free agent. 

Green signed a two-year deal worth $9,772,350 million with the Clippers in July 2019. He was originally acquired by the team from the Memphis Grizzlies at the trade deadline in February 2019. 

Former head coach Doc Rivers used Green almost exclusively off the bench last season. He averaged 6.5 points per game and shot 38.7 percent from three-point range. He also ranked fourth on the team with 6.2 rebounds per contest. 

One area of strength for the Clippers was depth, as the Alabama product was one of 10 players who averaged at least 20 minutes per game in 2019-20. Incoming coach Tyronn Lue will be tasked with figuring out the best rotations for this team after they came up short in the playoffs by blowing a 3-1 lead to the Utah Jazz in the second round.

Potentially losing Green from the rotation will change things for the Clippers, but they are still strong enough across the board that his absence won't hurt. 

If the former Crimson Tide star reverts to his 2018-19 form when he shot 40.3 percent from three-point range, he could end up being a bargain for the team that signs him this offseason. 

Jay Scrubb, who averaged 21.9 points per game for John A. Logan College last year, was selected by the Brooklyn Nets at No. 55 overall in the NBA draft Wednesday. However, he was soon dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers, per Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.

Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report

Player: Jay Scrubb

Position: SG/SF

Height: 6'6"

Weight: 200

Pro Comparison: Jordan Clarkson

Scouting Report: The No. 1 JUCO player in the country, Scrubb had teams' attention with his 6'6" frame and three-level scoring. He's tough to evaluate given the competition he faced, but the eye test sees an NBA body, creation and shot-making skills and plenty of confidence.

Clippers Active Roster and Average Salary (Expiration Year)

Paul George, SF: $34.2M (2022)

Kawhi Leonard, SF: $34.4M (2022)

Patrick Beverley, PG: $13.3M (2022)

Lou Williams, SG: $8M (2021)

Ivica Zubac, C: $7M (2023)

Luke Kennard, SG, $5.3M (2021)

JaMychal Green, PF: $4.9M (2021)

Terance Mann, SG: $1.4M (2023)

Mfiondu Kabengele, C: $2M (2023)

Free Agents

Marcus Morris, PF: UFA

Montrezl Harrell, PF: UFA

JaMychal Green, PF: Player option

Patrick Patterson, PF: UFA

Reggie Jackson, PG: UFA

Johnathan Motley, PF: RFA

Joakim Noah, C: UFA

Double-double machine and ex-Minnesota big man Daniel Oturu has found an NBA landing spot with the Los Angeles Clippers after going No. 33 overall following a trade with the New York Knicks in the 2020 draft Wednesday.  

Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report

Player: Daniel Oturu

Position: C

Height: 6'10"

Weight: 240

Pro Comparison: Bobby Portis

Scouting Report: One of the most productive prospects in the draft, Daniel Oturu overpowered opponents inside while extending his scoring arsenal out to the arc. He did it from all three levels this season, working as a finisher, post scorer, shooter and driver past closeouts.

Clippers Active Roster and Average Salary (Expiration Year)

Paul George, SF: $34.2M (2022)

Kawhi Leonard, SF: $34.4M (2022)

Patrick Beverley, PG: $13.3M (2022)

Lou Williams, SG: $8M (2021)

Ivica Zubac, C: $7M (2023)

Luke Kennard, SG, $5.3M (2021)

JaMychal Green, PF: $4.9M (2021)

Terance Mann, SG: $1.4M (2023)

Mfiondu Kabengele, C: $2M (2023)

Daniel Oturu, C

Free Agents

Marcus Morris Sr., PF: UFA

Montrezl Harrell, PF: UFA

JaMychal Green, PF: Player option

Patrick Patterson, PF: UFA

Reggie Jackson, PG: UFA

Johnathan Motley, PF: RFA

Joakim Noah, C: UFA

The Clippers should once again be a top contender in 2020-21 but there are significant question marks in the frontcourt with Montrezl Harrell and Marcus Morris becoming free agents.

Oturu provides some insurance as a proven rebounder and shot-blocker who could earn a spot in the rotation next season alongside Ivica Zubac. 

The Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly interested in guard Kris Dunn after K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports reported that the Chicago Bulls don't intend on extending him a qualifying offer. 

Johnson added that the Bulls do intend to extend a qualifying offer to wing Denzel Valentine. 

That qualifying offer would have been for $7 million, an expensive price to pay for a player who averaged 7.3 points and 3.6 rebounds per game last season, shooting just 25.9 percent from three in 51 contests.

Granted, Dunn does offer solid perimeter defense, but if the Bulls have other plans at guard (perhaps with the No. 4 overall pick) moving on from Dunn makes sense, with Coby White and Zach LaVine looking like the current future of the team's backcourt. 

The Clippers would be an interesting suitor, considering their primary need is a true point guard to run the offense. Dunn wouldn't fit that need. Plus, in Patrick Beverley, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers have a number of excellent perimeter and on-ball defenders. It's fair to question if Dunn's inability to space the floor and his mediocre playmaking would be the most natural fit. 

Granted, you can never have too many wings, and Dunn seems like his future role will be as an off-ball cutter on offense and defensive specialist down the other end. If the Clippers want to smother teams defensively, he'd be a good addition, even if he won't offer nearly as much offensively. 

Regardless, he should have several interested teams to choose from in free agency. At just 26, he's entering his prime years, and his athleticism and defense will make him a good addition for contending teams.  

New Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue is filling out his staff, with Chauncey Billups and Larry Drew reportedly finalizing deals to join him as assistant coaches, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. 

The Athletic and Stadium's Shams Charania reported on Oct. 15 that Billups, who won a championship as the Detroit Pistons' starting point guard, would join the staff, while Drew, who took over for Lue after he was let go by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018-19, was rumored to be added a week later, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times. 

Lue was named head coach of the Clippers in October after he assisted the team under Doc Rivers last season. He previously guided the Cavaliers to a 128-83 record and the 2015-16 NBA title.

Billups, whose playing career ended in 2014, was a finalist to take over as head coach of the Indiana Pacers before they settled on Nate Bjorkgren. The 2003-04 Finals MVP was a three-time All-NBA honoree and a five-time All-Star in 17 seasons. According to the Detroit News, Billups had been open to working in an NBA front office. 

Prior to the brief stint with the Cavs during which his team was 19-57, Drew coached the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks, posting a 162-226 overall record. He was also an assistant during all four years of LeBron James' second run in Cleveland that resulted in four straight Finals appearances, including the franchise's lone title.

With that type of championship pedigree among the coaching staff, there will be plenty for the Clippers to model after when they take the court for the 2020-21 season.