The NBA Free Agent period began on July 1, the Lakers faced tough losses and a stand-out center gave the Clippers a second chance.
The Lakers pursued forward LaMarcus Aldridge of the Portland Trailblazers and had two meetings with him, according to ESPN. However, Aldridge also took his talents to Texas, signing a four-year deal with the San Antonio Spurs.
Free agent center DeAndre Jordan decided to a four-year contract with the Dallas Mavericks on July 3, according to the Associated Press. Representatives of the Clippers franchise, including head coach Doc Rivers and point guard Chris Paul, traveled to Jordan’s hometown in Texas to convince him to stay in Los Angeles, according to the NBA.
Both Jordan and Aldridge played for only one team during their entire careers. Jordan was drafted to the Clippers as the 35th overall pick in 2008. The Chicago Bulls got Aldridge in the draft as a second overall pick in 2006. However, they traded Aldridge to the Trailblazers shortly after.
The Lakers have been focusing on players in the eastern conference, meeting with the Pacers to trade center Roy Hibbert.
Hibbert averaged 10.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game last season. He also shot at 44.6 percent in field goals and 82.4 percent from the free throw line, according to the NBA.
The Lakers also landed a three-year deal with guard Lou Williams from the Toronto Raptors for $21 million, according to ESPN. Williams was elected as Sixth Man of the Year this past season, according to the NBA.
In his lone season with the Raptors, Williams helped break the franchise record of games won in a season by winning 49 games. He averaged 15.5 points and shoots at 40 percent in field goals, according to the NBA.
Another player the Lakers signed was Celtics forward-center Brandon Brass, a 10-year veteran who produced an average of 10.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.
The Clippers agreed to sign small forward Wesley Johnson after two years with the Lakers, according to the LA Times. The Lakers also lost guard Jeremy Lin to a two-year contract with the Charlotte Hornets, according to CBS Sports.
The Clippers have talked with centers Amar’e Stoudemire and JaVale McGee. Stoudemire earned an average of 11.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, according to ESPN.
McGee suffered from injures in recent years, he missed games last season due to a stress fracture in the leg, according to NBC Sports. The seven-footer has achieved a career average of 8.4 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, according to ESPN.
Free Agents from the Clippers include Glen Davis, Austin Rivers and Hedo Turkoglu, according to the team website.
