The LA Clippers have NBA free agent targets in Andray Blatche, Greg Oden, Andrew Bynum, Emeka Okafor and Michael Beasley and teams like the Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers also could be interested in signing some of those names, as the free agency market is getting thin and other players to watch include Jordan Crawford and Ramon Sessions.
Blatche spent last season with the Brooklyn Nets and had a solid year, while Greg Oden was with Miami and made some small contributions in limited time. Bynum was in and out and may sit for the entire season after he was with the Cavaliers and Pacers, but he did not contribute much, while Emeka Okafor missed last season with an injury and could return this year. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Clippers are working out that group of players this week and there is a good chance they sign at least one of those names. The Pacers need help after Paul George was injured, while Miami and the Lakers are looking at Beasley.
The Clippers are looking for some depth behind DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin and Doc Rivers likes having players that can play on both ends of the floor. While Bynum and Oden have been injured and so has Okafor, if they show they are healthy they could be solid options at a low price and could be low risk, high reward players for the team. The Clips already signed Spencer Hawes so they are not looking for tons of minutes and that could be perfect for that group of players.
According to ESPN.com, the Clippers want a solid backup center and that is why Blatche could be a fit, as he has shown he is a solid shot blocker and rebounder. Bynum has not looked good in his last three stints with the Sixers, Cavs and Pacers, but playing for someone like Rivers could snap him into shape. The Clippers want to get Jordan and Griffin out of playing so many minutes and adding someone like Blatche could help that.
Okafor was traded in the Marcin Gortat deal and did not play at all last season, but he could be a great bench option if he is healthy this year. The Raptors also were looking at Blatche and he could be a nice fit for Rivers if he is signed. Hawes signed a four-year, $23 million deal this offseason and that was big for the Clippers and now they have the chance to add even more.
The team has been dealing with the Donald Sterling situation and they have had some issues with free agents, but with the sale looking like it's going through, the team should have an easier time signing players. Rivers may not want to deal with a head case like Bynum, but having Oden could be solid as well. Last season Oden did not play much, but with Hawes and Jordan in the fold Rivers won't be asking for much and that could be perfect for a player like Oden.
