On July 1, Beijing time, the Los Angeles Clippers were the most active team in the player signing market today. Today, the Clippers not only completed three formal signings, but also made two major decisions. This makes the Clippers' roster for the season largely finalized. Just wait for the start of the new season, and the Clippers will once again challenge for the championship under the leadership of Leonard and Harden.
The Clippers made the following three formal signings today:
One: Signed Kevin Porter Jr. on a two-year contract
According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, the Los Angeles Clippers are set to sign Kevin Porter Jr., who has been suspended for one year by the NBA, to a two-year contract.
In September 2023, the NYPD arrested Porter Jr. on suspicion of assault. A month later, the Rockets traded him to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who quickly cut him and Porter Jr. joined the Greek basketball tournament.
Two: 3 years and $30 million to sign Derek Jones
According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, the Clippers are set to sign free agent forward Derrick Jones to a three-year, $30 million contract. This is a fully guaranteed agreement that does not involve player or team options.
Derrick Jones played in 76 regular season games for the Dallas Mavericks last season, starting 66 of them, averaging 8.3 points and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 48.3 percent from the field, 34.3 percent from three-point range and 71.3 percent from the free throw line. Jones averaged 9.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 rebounds per game in the playoffs while shooting 18.1 percent from the field, 36.9 percent from three-point range and 73.3 percent from the free-throw line, and he was often sent to defend opposing top scorers. Acquiring a top-tier role player from the NBA Finals roster will play an important role in the Clippers' championship race.
With Paul George officially leaving the Clippers to sign with another team as a free agent, Derrick Jones will fill that void.
Three: James Harden signed a two-year, $70 million extension
After weeks of deliberation, the Los Angeles Clippers locked in James Harden, one of the team's best players, before the free agent trade market opened. According to The Athletic, James Harden will return to the team on a two-year, $70 million contract.
Harden played in 72 games for the Clippers last season, averaging 16.6 points per game, a career-low single-season scoring record, but averaging 8.5 assists per game, the fourth-highest in the league, effectively reducing the pressure on Leonard and Paul George.
As Harden enters the twilight of his career, is it the best option for a championship-hungry team to sign him at such a high price? It's safe to say that the Clippers are overpaying a player who is going downhill.
Harden has never lacked ways to cause trouble. In order to force the Rockets to trade him to the Nets, Harden deliberately underperformed on the court to improve his odds of being traded. Two years ago, he was snubbed in the All-Star Game, which led to a dramatic change in his style of play, which resulted in a sharp drop in the Philadelphia 76ers' ranking and a playoff exit.
Harden was a superstar in the regular season and the best point guard in the NBA, delivering fantastic assists but not a consistent scoring in the playoffs. It's hard to imagine him being the second- or third-best player on a championship team, which means that if the Clippers really want to get a championship ring, the combination of Leonard and Harden alone won't be there.
Here are two important decisions:
The Clippers decided to trade Russell Westbrook
With the Clippers' three signings reached, Westbrook is less and less likely to stay with the team. George has decided to become a free agent and Leonard has signed a contract extension, leaving one player in Los Angeles with an uncertain future: Russell Westbrook. The former MVP opted for the $4 million player option today and decided to stay with the Clippers. According to NBA insider Shams Charania, Westbrook will be traded by the Clippers to the Nuggets.
Chris Haynes of the Athletic followed up by reporting that the Clippers and Westbrook are working together to find a trade partner that would be beneficial to both parties. So the news of Wei Shao's joining the Nuggets spread quickly.
Wei Shao is approaching the twilight of his career, he no longer has the scoring ability he used to have, and playing with a world-class talent like Nikola Jokic is the best option for Wei Shao. He can play more off-ball games and can take assists from Nikola Jokic and dunk.
The Clippers gave up Harden's best buddy, Mason Plumlee
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Athletic, Harden's best partner Mason Plumlee has signed a one-year contract with the Phoenix Suns. Wojnarowski did not reveal details of the signing, but he added that the Suns are looking to add depth to their frontcourt with the deal.
The loss of Mason Plumlee is a huge loss for the Clippers, who were an important part of the Clippers' rotation last season and was the biggest beneficiary of James Harden's assist when Ivica Zubac was injured. Mason Plumlee averaged 5.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game last season while shooting 70 percent from the field.
After signing and trading, the Clippers will form a championship-contention roster of Leonard, Harden, Zubac, Jones, Porter Jr. and Powell. For the West, which is full of powerhouses, the Clippers will have to make a bigger trade and find an All-Star if they want to make a breakthrough next season.