The Los Angeles Clippers are not done making roster moves despite getting DeAndre Jordan back with the team. In order to stay competitive in the Western Conference, the Clippers are trying to load themselves up with depth in order to avoid a defeat again in the playoffs. Is Josh Smith the next player to be added?
After giving Jordan the max contract, signing Paul Pierce and bringing on Lance Stephenson in a trade, the Clippers are still not satisfied. They are playing for a championship and loading up with as much talent to do so. According to ESPN's Marc Stein, that talent include Josh Smith who remains on the market unsigned. Stein writes that Smith has been in contact with several teams over the past week, but is not yet satisfied with his contract options. The versatile forward helped up his value during a successful stint with the Houston Rockets, but he is not seeing that reflected in money in the offseason. The Clippers certainly will not offer him a break-the-bank kind of deal, but they would put him on a team poised for the NBA Finals.
Los Angeles is well over the salary cap at the moment and must make adjustments if they really want Smith. According to Stein, the team's next priority is getting a trade deal done for Jamal Crawford who is still available after bringing back Jordan. The Clippers appeared to be getting a deal done with either the Cleveland Cavaliers or Miami Heat, but those talks have cooled off in recent days leaving Crawford still available.
According to Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal, the Cavaliers could still be interested in Crawford, but only if they do not bring back JR Smith. They could easily offer up Brendan Haywood and a non-guaranteed contract to the Clippers which could free up cap space for Los Angeles and allow them to sign Smith. Until then they will be hard-pressed to make any sort of moves for roster additions.
The Clippers have also brought on Branden Dawson, Cole Aldrich and Wesley Johnson for bench depth. Smith would find playing time hard to come by should he sign with Los Angeles. According to the Houston Chronicle, the Rockets have also talked with Smith about a return while the Dallas Mavericks are also in play. Smith was hoping to get a bigger deal headed his way, but the Clippers might be the best landing spot if he wants a championship.
