The Los Angeles Clippers appear to be the top team in the city of Angels after making a number of moves this offseason like signing Chris Paul and trading for JJ Redick and now the team will push ahead of the Lakers even more, as they are close to a deal with Byron Mullens to add more depth to the roster.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, Mullens is close to signing with the team and that would give the Clippers some much needed frontcourt depth as Greg Oden and Lamar Odom are also options. The team is looking at a two-year deal that includes a player option and that would help make up for the loss of Ronny Turiaf to Minnesota as well. Mullens isn't going to be an elite player like Dwight Howard, but he did average 10.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game last season with the Bobcats and along with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, the frontcourt is solid.
The Clippers also have Ryan Hollins and now Mullens will come in and get the chance to work on his defense as the team tries to make a championship run. Odom would be a solid addition to the team and the move could help inspire him to play his best basketball in a few years since leaving the Lakers. He ended up back with the Clippers and also spent a disastrous time with the Mavericks, while Jamison last was with the Lakers and could just move locker rooms.
Paul and company feel that they have a championship team in LA and along with Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and Jamal Crawford, the Clippers have one of the most talented rosters in the Western conference. Some of the players arrived in the trade for Eric Bledsoe and Caron Butler and now the Clips are looking at names like Lamar Odom and Antawn Jamison to add depth to the roster. Collison and the rest are all veterans and with Paul leading the way, Rivers sees a team that can contend for a title.
Paul and the Clippers played a tough series against the Memphis Grizzlies in the playoffs and were eliminated in Game 6 after the Grizzlies won 118-105 to finish the series 4-2 and Paul finished the game with 28 points and eight assists. Paul had an excellent season for the Clippers, averaging 17 points with nearly 10 assists and 2.4 steals per game, which was ranked first in the league and now he is looking to win a title.
