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The Clippers’ first free agency moves became official late Wednesday after the team announced contracts for strikers Marcus Morris, Patrick Patterson and versatile great man Serge Ibaka.
The signings came just hours after the team began closing another deal, with second-year guard Ky Bowman. The 6-foot tall Bowman, sacked on Nov. 20 by the Golden State after averaging 7.4 points and 2.9 assists last season while on a two-way deal with the Warriors, will compete for a spot on the roster when the training camp will start early next month. Due to the NBA’s COVID-19 restrictions, the Clippers are expected to begin individual training at their training facility on December 1, before moving on to group training about a week later.
Such moves are not expected to be the team’s last as they attempt to refresh the roster following the disappointing September second-round exit from the postseason after losing a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series to Denver. The team is known to be monitoring the commercial market, but executives across the NBA told the Times that finding suitors for the players, including reserve guard Lou Williams and starting guard Patrick Beverley, might be easier said. than to do because of the age, contracts and performance of the players during the resumption of the championship.
Morris and Patterson have been re-signed by the team, with Morris accepting a four-year $ 64 million contract and Patterson signing for what should be the veteran’s minimum.
“We are delighted that Marcus has chosen to continue his career with the Clippers,” said team president Lawrence Frank in a statement announcing the signing. “Obviously we depend on his score, his shooting ability and his defensive versatility. With his experience, his tenacity and his approach to the team, we will also look to him as a leader. “
Ibaka signed a two-year deal using the team’s mid-tier exception worth $ 9.3 million next season, a decision that helped lure him from Toronto, where he won a championship in 2019 alongside the star. of the Clippers Kawhi Leonard. Ibaka is expected to start the season as a reserve but, given his 144 post-season games, he could become a candidate for the team’s final formations in high-power matchups.
“We are thrilled to have Serge, a proven veteran with NBA championship experience, join the Clippers,” said Frank. “His offensive versatility and defensive intensity will suit this team well.”
Using the full average tier on Ibaka also leaves the Clippers unable to break through the league’s $ 138.9 million cap. The team currently has 11 players with guaranteed contracts in addition to the Joakim Noah center contract which guarantees on December 22, the first day of the season. This does not include Bowman’s contract, which has yet to be formalized.
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