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NBA Free Agency: Grading all 30 teams on signings and trades

By Josh Cornelissen

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 29: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors waves to his family during a game against the Sacramento Kings at Amalie Arena on January 29, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 29: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors waves to his family during a game against the Sacramento Kings at Amalie Arena on January 29, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. /
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NBA Free Agency
NBA free agency Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images /

2021 NBA Free Agency Grades: LA Clippers

Key Additions: Justice Winslow (2-yr, undisclosed)

Brought Back: Kawhi Leonard (undisclosed); Nic Batum (2-yr, $6.3 million); Reggie Jackson (2-yr, $22 million)

Kawhi Leonard’s partial ACL tear is having ripple effects across multiple seasons. It left them without the talent they needed to pursue a title last year, and it casts a huge shadow of uncertainty onto next year. Will Leonard be back by the playoffs? Should the Clippers be holding the line for their star to return, or consolidating for a season off from title contention?

Leonard didn’t do the Clippers any favors, opting out of his contract to inject more confusion into the situation and denying the Clippers the ability to apply for a disabled player exception. In the end, it looks like it hasn’t mattered in bringing back the gang, as both Reggie Jackson and especially Nic Batum came back on the contracts the Clippers could offer based on early bird and non-bird rights, respectively. Jackson is probably a good value given his postseason play this past season; Batum is a steal.

The LA Clippers kicked the tires this offseason on making some bigger splashes, including offering their taxpayer mid-level exception to a number of veteran players. Whether it was Kawhi Leonard’s uncertain situation or the allure of other teams but the only outside player to sign with the Clippers has been Justice Winslow, a player talented enough to deserve a roster spot somewhere but not someone who can be counted on.

Grade: B+

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