NBA Free Agency 2017: 15 free agent targets for the Clippers

Apr 6, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) reacts after a play during their game against the Boston Celtics at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) reacts after a play during their game against the Boston Celtics at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Lakers Rumors
May 3, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) reacts in the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game two of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Kyle Lowry

The Clippers are easily the Toronto Raptors of the Western Conference. Often looked at as a potential threat to get to the NBA Finals, but never good enough when it actually counts.

Not to mention being the best in their respective places at choking in the playoffs.

Toronto has always run into LeBron James, while the Clippers can’t seem to stop tripping over themselves. With Lowry open to exploring the free agency market, Los Angeles would be wise to at least test the waters with the veteran.

Compared to Patty Mills, Lowry could be in play for the starting gig with the Clippers and get a nice salary if he’s willing to move. Also, given that Golden State might still be good for a few more seasons — free agency changes things, obviously — that’d be the real competition for Los Angeles.

Lowry could also be the one to stop the bleeding if Chris Paul is the first to leave, should San Antonio or somewhere else pick up. It could make the Clippers more inclined to give the best deals to Griffin and Redick if they know they’ll have a strong veteran running the point.

It’s not that he’s been bad with the Raptors, but as a team they haven’t been clutch. And it’s been repetitive enough to be considered a pattern.

Going to the Clippers gets him out of Toronto while at the same time offering him a chance to show how far he could really carry a team.