The Los Angeles Clippers may finally have some stability after former owner Donald Sterling nearly ruined one of the league's best teams.
After Sterling was caught on tape making racist statements, and subsequently banned for life and forced to sell the team, Steve Ballmer stepped in and forked over $2 billion for ownership.
So now, let's assume everyone will be staying put and proud to put on a Clippers uniform.
This team owned the third-best record in the NBA last season and really won't be losing much. Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and most of the nucleus will return for Doc Rivers' squad that was eliminated in the second round by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The only major departure could be Darren Collison, who is a free agent. He became a more important piece as the season wore on as his defense set a tone for LA.
If he were to leave, replacing him could be Connecticut's Shabazz Napier. The leader of the national champions may not be there when the Clips choose at 28th, but if he is, he'd be perfect.
Most of the other quality point guards will be long gone by the time Commissioner Adam Silver calls out the Clippers name.
If Danny Granger and Glen Davis both exercise their player options, forward help could be in order, especially one with size. Switzerland's Clint Capela is an option, or Mitch McGary from Michigan.
The Clippers could also stash someone in Europe for when reinforcements are needed in later years. Capela, or Jusuf Nurkic of Bosnia all fit that bill.
Players under contract: G Chris Paul; F Blake Griffin; C DeAndre Jordan; G J.J. Redick; G Jamal Crawford; F Jared Dudley; F Matt Barnes; G Willie Green; G Reggie Bullock
Free agents: F Hedo Turkoglu; C Ryan Hollins; G Darren Collison (player option); F Danny Granger (player option); F Glen Davis (player option)
Recent Draft History 2013: Reggie Bullock (25)
2012: Furkan Aldemir (53)
2011: Trey Thompkins (37), Travis Leslie (47)
2010: Al-Farouq Aminu (8), Willie Warren (54)
2009: Blake Griffin (1)
[SportsNetwork.com]
