The Los Angeles Clippers are on the constant lookout for more players in order to make this team better than it right now, with Sasha Vujacic and Hedo Turkoglu looking like strong contenders to join the effort of bringing a championship to the less successful side of LA.
The Clippers are currently dealing with the Chris Paul injury and are also monitoring the situation with Andrew Bynum, but there are other concerns as well. Like bringing in another useful piece to their bench, and more importantly, someone who can shoot the ball.
In the middle of January, free agency isn’t littered with options and there aren’t that many trades they’re looking to make, so Vujacic, a two-time NBA champion who has been training and practicing in Los Angeles for the last few months, hoping to get himself an NBA deal by being closer to the action and not play in Europe (where he has spent the last two seasons), is on their radar. Vujacic last played in the NBA with the Nets in 2010-2011 season, averaging 11.4 points per game.
Turkoglu is five years older and with a lot more injury concerns. He is just now clearing waivers after being released by the Orlando Magic, and hasn’t played much in recent years. The Magic waived him Friday to prevent the other half of Turkoglu’s $12 million contract this season from being guaranteed. He played only 11 games last season due to injury and a 20-game suspension for banned substances. At a certain point the Magic preferred having him away from the team and paying him to not play for them.
A lot also depends on Stephen Jackson. He is also on a contract that turns into guaranteed money if the Clippers don’t cut him by 5 P.M on Tuesday. Doc Rivers has mentioned a few times he’s interested in Turkoglu. He’s probably not as good of a shooter as Vujacic, but he has the ability to play both the small forward and power forward positions, while also being better when it comes to passing and managing the game, doing more than just spot up shooting.