The Los Angeles Clippers have been looking for one more veteran forward to add to the rotation to officially finish off their roster for the 2013 season. The team was targeting size along with quality, hoping to get someone that could give a few quality minutes in place of Eric Bledsoe who left in the offseason. After targeting Lamar Odom and even offering him a contract, the team will likely now sign Antawn Jamison.
The Clippers had looked at both Odom and Jamison in free agent. The team went as far as telling Jamison that they were waiting to hear from Odom before making a decision. Head coach Doc Rivers was a reported fan of Odom after watching game tape. They had offered the forward the veteran's minimum of $1.4 million, likely the best offer Odom would receive.
However, Odom's off-the-court issues have led the team to look elsewhere. As of now, the New York Post is reporting Odom has been missing for three days while the family fears he is on a drug bender. The Post writes Odom's wife Khloe Kardashian staged an intervention with the basketball star and kicked him out of the house until he sought treatment. Kardashian took to Twitter to deny all the claims about her husband.
The Clippers have decided to back away from the Odom deal and sign Jamison. ESPN Los Angeles reports the two sides are finishing negotiations on a deal. The 37-year-old played for the Lakers last season, appearing in 76 games throughout the season. He averaged 9.4 points and 4.8 reboundsi n 21.5 minutes per game which is exactly the kind of production the Clippers want.
Jamison is currently rehabbing after undergoing offseason surgery. He battled torn wrist ligaments throughout most of 2012. He is expected to add to the Clippers corps of shooters already on the roster. JJ Redick and Jared Dudley were added in the offseason to fill the 3-point need for Los Angeles. Matt Barnes was re-signed to also help in the sharp shooting. Jamison would be good off the bench. He shot 36.1 percent from beyond the arc last year.
