Los Angeles Clippers: Clips Sign Joe Ingles

Tuesday morning the Los Angeles Clippers acquired Australian forward Joe Ingles. ESPN’s Marc Stein was first to break the story.

ESPN sources say that Aussie swingman Joe Ingles is signing a one-year deal with the LA Clippers
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) September 16, 2014

Although no specifics were released, it’s believed the deal for Ingles is a one-year minimum salary contract valued around $875,000.

More from LA Clippers

The Clippers roster now stands at 15 players with the addition of Ingles, who was given a fully guaranteed deal. It’s unlikely Rivers will make more moves (before training camp).

Ingles turned heads in the 2014 FIBA World Cup. He averaged 11.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game while pushing Australia the into round of 16 before losing to Turkey. Ingles also hit 69.7 percent of his shots over five games played.

He’s prepared to be the ninth Aussie in the league–the eight others include Dante Exum (Utah Jazz), Andrew Bogut (Golden State Warriors), Cameron Bairstow (Chicago Bulls), Brock Motum (Utah Jazz), Matthew Dellavedova (Cleveland Cavaliers), Patrick Mills (San Antonio Spurs), and Aron Baynes (San Antonio Spurs, free agent).

At 26 years old, Ingles has spent time in both Spanish and Israeli leagues. Standing 6-foot-8, Ingles spent three seasons in Barcelona before playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv for the past two seasons under new Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt. Part of what made him such a coveted potential acquisition after his FIBA performance was his rich history with some of Europe’s best teams.

Although this is his first NBA deal, and has never been drafted Ingles also performed for the Golden State Warriors summer league team in 2009 and 2010. He failed to receive a contract offer from the Warriors.

Reminiscent of retired NBA star Toni Kukoc, Ingles has a long wingspan, a quick jumper and great passing ability. Should he crack Rivers’ rotation, he’ll be a nice addition on what is already going to be a talented wing for the Clippers.

His body is long and lean like Tayshaun Prince, and he’s a lefty — same as Prince, but with quickness like Goran Dragic. Ingles has his work cut out for him if he plans on making a good enough impression on Doc Rivers in the interest of seeing time on the floor during the regular season.

In what will be likely be their last signing of the offseason, Ingles comes into the Clippers organization most likely last on the depth chart. Although he’s 6’8 Ingles is relatively thin and unreliable to play the post. As it stands now he’ll most likely sit behind newly acquired guard/forward Chris Douglas-Roberts, returning veteran Matt Barnes, rookie C.J. Wilcox, re-signed forward Hedo Turkoglu, newcomer DeAndre Liggins and second year swing man Reggie Bullock.

When the Clippers open training camp in Las Vegas, If Ingles gives any performance somewhat close to the show he put on in the FIBA world cup he’ll see his fair share of minutes on the floor. His natural skill set as a “3-and-d” player presents an opportunity to contribute valuable minutes to the Clippers team as they push towards contending for an NBA championship. He has good bounce off the floor, is capable of driving hard to the paint and finishing well above the rim.

As of right now Ingles is dead last on the Clippers depth chart. Look for him to fit somewhere in the middle of the rotation averaging anywhere between 10-15 minutes when the season opens.

Home/LA Clippers