The Los Angeles Clippers were looking to solidify their depth among the front court and the team did so on Thursday with the signing of free agent big man Solomon Jones. The details of the contract were not released, although the deal is likely around the league minimum.
A second-round pick (33rd overall) of the Atlanta Hawks in the 2006 NBA Draft, the 6-foot-10 Jones has played for Atlanta and Indiana in his five-year career, according to this press release out of L.A.. In 39 games with the Pacers last season, Jones averaged 3.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 13.5 minutes. The 27-year old Jones has appeared in 247 career games, making 10 starts and bringing career averages of 3.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.6 blocks to the Clippers. Jones has appeared in 16 playoff games with Atlanta in 2008 and 2009.
Through the first few weeks of the season, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan have done a solid job for the Clippers. Brian Cook has done a solid job off the bench and is averaging a little more than 13 minutes a game. Outside of these three, though, Los Angeles basically has no other serviceable options to play in the paint. If worst came to worst, Jones would at least provide the coaching staff a big man to throw onto the court for a few minutes, especially with Reggie Evans continuing to recover from a sprained right foot.
Not a huge move for the Clippers, but it's probably a smart one.
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