Los Angeles Clippers rumors: Clippers interested in Andray Blatche, Emeka Okafor
Although the Clippers have a fantastic duo in center DeAndre Jordan and power forward Blake Griffin and brought in Cleveland Cavaliers’ free agent Spencer Hawes earlier this summer, they’d like more of a defensive presence they can bring off of the bench in their front court.
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On Tuesday a report surfaced the Clippers were going to be working out a pair of big men, Indiana Pacers’ free agent center Andrew Bynum and Miami Heat center Greg Oden. Both players are very talented but both have a very extensive injury history. In fact, Bynum may even be considering sitting out the entire 2014-2015 season to get ready for a comeback the following year.
In addition to Bynum and Oden, the Clippers are also after Brooklyn Nets’ free agent big man Andray Blatche and Phoenix Suns’ free agent center Emeka Okafor. Blatche is coming off a very good season but hasn’t gotten a lot of interest while Okafor didn’t play last season.
In 26 total games last season, Bynum put up 8.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 41.8% from the field and 75.5% from the free throw line. Okafor played in every game during 2012-2013 season, averaging 9.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting 47.7% from the field and 57.1% from the free throw line. Okafor, who was selected by the Charlotte Bobcats (Hornets) with the number two overall pick in the first round of the 2004 NBA Draft (behind center Dwight Howard, who was selected by the Orlando Magic). He played for the Suns (well he’s never appeared in a game), Bobcats and New Orleans Hornets (Pelicans). Blatche averaged 11.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 47.6% from the field, 27.8% from beyond the arc and 74.2% from the charity stripe for the Nets last season. Oden appeared in 29 games for the Heat. He averaged 2.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.6 blocks per game and shot 55.1% from the field and 56.5% from the free throw line.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have also shown interested in Okafor.