Clippers Retain A Key Veteran In Free Agency

Over the last few weeks, the Los Angeles Clippers have been a team mentioned in a few trade rumors, with Steve Ballmer and company wanting to put a winning team on the floor before the franchise moves into the Intuit Dome next year.

With the Clippers linked to superstars Damian Lillard and James Harden, the franchise is hoping to build another Big 3 in the Western Conference, with hopes of the team competing for a championship for the foreseeable future.

All signs point to the Clippers making a blockbuster trade at some point this summer, with Harden being the most likely superstar to head to Los Angeles.

Although the team’s top priority is getting a deal done, the Clippers still need to make moves to address their roster needs, and the team did just that on Monday with veteran center Mason Plumlee agreeing to return on a one-year deal, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Free agent C Mason Plumlee has agreed on a one-year, $5 million deal to return to the LA Clippers, agent Mark Bartelstein of @Prioritysports tells ESPN. Plumlee landed with Clippers at deadline and decides to stay with LA despite bigger financial offers elsewhere. pic.twitter.com/YrYpYUAGLm

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 3, 2023

Plumlee isn’t a game-changer for the Clippers, but he does give the team some depth in the frontcourt and could be massively important if the team ends up trading longtime starting center Ivica Zubac.

Along with re-signing Plumlee, the Clippers recently re-signed former NBA MVP and future Hall-of-Famer Russell Westbrook, giving the team some backcourt depth.

It’ll be interesting to see what moves might be next for the Clippers or if they stand pat for the time being until the dust settles on the trade speculation surrounding Harden and Lillard, as this team needs to continue to upgrade if it wants to contend in the Western Conference.

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Skip Bayless Questions Russell Westbrook’s Contract With Clippers