CLIPPERS BIG MAN SIGNS WITH SUNS
In one of the last moves to close out the first day of NBA free agency (June 30th), the Phoenix Suns have signed 6’11” Mason Plumlee. The deal is only for one year, meaning that he could be on to a new team as soon as 2025. Let’s break the move down for the Suns, and analyze what it means for the Clippers:
Clippers Big Man Signs with Suns
Plumlee most recently spent two seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers. Splitting minutes with Ivica Zubac, Plumlee helped anchor the Clippers’ defense and guard the opposing team’s center. His numbers were modest, averaging 5.3 points and 5.1 rebounds, but he shot 56.9% from the field. Considering that he isn’t a stretch big (none of his shots are three-pointers), this means that he’s very efficient around the basket. Plumlee can catch lobs, finish pick and rolls, and deter shots around the paint.
The Suns Perspective
Jusuf Nurkic is the only center for the Suns at the moment, which means that the team needs a backup big man. With so much money going to their big three (Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal), it was important that the team acquire a reliable backup that wouldn’t break the bank, and that’s where Mason Plumlee comes in for the Suns. He’s 34 years old, a veteran with 11 years of NBA experience.
Similar to the Nets in 2021, the Suns are attempting to stockpile veterans on cheap deals to help bolster their roster. The Nets big three consisted of Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving. The team surrounded them with veterans such as LaMarcus Aldridge, Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond, Paul Millsap, and Patty Mills. The Suns could be trying to replicate something similar around their core of stars.
Where Does This Leave the Clippers?
The Clippers have lost one of their centers, and are now left with Zubac as the only other true center. Daniel Theis can double as a center when needed, but he also plays power forward. Both of them are solid big men, yet they may struggle against some of the star bigs in the Western Conference, such as Nikola Jokic, Rudy Gobert, and Anthony Davis.
Since the Clippers likely won’t sign another big man in free agency, they’ll have to further bolster their roster at guard, or with some power forwards. The team does have their two exceptions (the Mid-Level Exception and Bi-Annual Exception) to use to land help for Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, so we’ll have to wait and see how those land.
Even with a lack of huge superstars on the move, this offseason is shaping up to be a most interesting one.
More must-reads:
2024-07-01T03:57:40Z dg43tfdfdgfd