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Los Angeles Clippers should pursue a Laker free agent

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 05: Lou Williams #23 of the Los Angeles Clippers drives against JaVale McGee #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Staples Center on April 05, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 05: Lou Williams #23 of the Los Angeles Clippers drives against JaVale McGee #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Staples Center on April 05, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Clippers are going to be one of the most exciting teams to keep track of this summer, which includes big signings and small signings.

The Los Angeles Clippers have enough cap space to bring in two max contracts with some minor shaving and are undoubtedly primed to bring in at least one star. Every report and rumor is pointing to that star being Kawhi Leonard but to avoid disappointment, fans should wait until it is a for-sure thing to get excited.

Superstars are not the only thing the Clippers have to pursue this summer as the team has some roster spots to fill out. A result of clearing up cap space, the Clippers have just eight players signed on the roster for next season, two of which averaged under 10 minutes per game last season.

The biggest positional need for the Clippers this summer is the center position. Right now, the Clippers have no true center on the roster with Montrezl Harrell being the only potential option.

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Ivica Zubac, who was acquired at the trade deadline from the Los Angeles Lakers, is a restricted free agent and can easily be brought back by the team. However, there is a chance some team offers him more than the Clippers are willing to match and he is not in LA next season.

Either way, with or without Zubac, the Clippers need depth at the center position. If Zubac stays, they need someone to split minutes with him. If he leaves and the Clippers pursue a bigger name at the position, say Nikola Vucevic, they still need a rotational piece behind him.

The Clippers should look at another former Laker as a potential option, which would give the team its third former Laker if Zubac stays. The Los Angeles Clippers should be interested in JaVale McGee to help fill out the depth at the center position.

McGee had a great season with the Lakers last season and proved then, and with the Golden State Warriors, that he can be a valuable piece to a title-contending team. McGee averaged a career-high 12 points alongside two blocks and 7.5 rebounds per game last season.

He did all of that in just 22.3 minutes per game as well. That is all the Clippers would really need out of him and getting someone that can go 12/7/2 on a nightly basis off the bench would have a massive impact not only on the grind of the regular season but in a playoff series as well.

The best part is that McGee is not going to break the bank. He took a veteran minimum last year with the Lakers and all the Clippers need to do is offer him slightly more than the Lakers. McGee gets the comfort of staying in LA, will obviously still contend for a title and make some more money in the process.

With Anthony Davis now in LA, the Lakers probably wouldn’t budge at offering more than the minimum to McGee as they can find another veteran minimum center to eat minutes behind Davis.

Next. Clippers' goal is not to one-up the Lakers. dark

The door is open for the Los Angeles Clippers and the front office should undoubtedly take a look. At the very worst, McGee is a veteran presence off the bench that can at least be a rim protector. With a potentially high reward and minimal risk, JaVale McGee is a great signing for the Clippers.

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