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Los Angeles Clippers (53-29)
*Photo via Getty Images
Recap:
The Clippers had a very unfortunate end to their season, when both Blake Griffin and Chris Paul got injured in the first round of the playoffs, resulting in their eventual defeat. The Clippers seem to have the same issues that have always plagued them since acquiring Paul. In Paul, Griffin, JJ Redick, and DeAndre Jordan the Clips are set at 4 positions. The problem is they once again had a weak bench and a glaring hole at small forward. Will this finally be the year that Doc Rivers is able to acquire the pieces the Clippers need to truly contend in the West?
Free Agents:
Unrestricted:
Jeff Green
Jamal Crawford
Austin Rivers
Wes Johnson
Cole Aldrich
Who Leaves,Who Stays:
*Photo via Slam Online
The Clippers free agency plans all start with Kevin Durant. The Clippers are one of the select teams KD will meet with, but as their roster currently stands the Clips do not have enough money to offer him a max deal. In order to sign Durant, the Clippers will most likely have to trade at least one of their big 4 players and let all of their key free agents walk. If Durant chooses to go else where, which will most likely be the case, then the Clippers will probably turn to resigning their own free agents. Contracts will be inflated throughout the league, which means the Clippers somewhat limited salary cap (about $16 million in cap space) will hinder their ability to resign all of their free agents. Since the Clippers just gave up a 1st round pick this past February to acquire Jeff Green, he would likely be their main priority when it comes to retaining their own free agents
Team Needs:
Small forward
Bench help/depth
Possible Targets:
*Photo via USA Today
Aaron Brooks
DJ Augustin
Kendrick Perkins
Steve Blake
Anderson Varejao
Jordan Hill
Jason Terry
Gerald Green
Randy Foye