Clippers news: 2+1 defender joins, Jordan Miller returns, defensive assistant coach may be poached

2+1 defender joins

Today, according to ESPN reporter shams, the Clippers signed free agent Taytai Washington with a one-year training camp contract. Washington, 23, is 1.93m tall and weighs 90kg. He plays as a defender on the court. He has the 29th pick in the first round of 22 years. Last season, Tedah Washington played 16 regular season games for the Suns, averaging 2.2 points, 0.8 rebounds and 1 assist per game in 7.4 minutes, with three shooting percentages of 31.1%, 19% and 50%. It is worth mentioning that the Clippers will also become the fourth stop of their young Washington NBA career.

Perhaps some fans don't understand why the Clippers are signing such a player with mediocre statistics and wandering around the league at this critical moment? The author believes that there are three reasons: 1. Taitai is a bit unacceptable in the NBA, but is very strong in the Development League. Last season, he averaged 20+ in the regular season and had a single game of 30+ and 40+ in the playoffs. The Clippers hope that Taitai can be the competitiveness of the Development League team; 2. The Clippers' lineup is too old in the new season and needs young blood like Taitai to provide passion and competitive awareness in training; 3. Taitai signed a training camp non-guarantee contract. If it is suitable, he can become the team's third lineup substitute. If it is not suitable, just cut it directly. This is a nearly zero-cost scratch.

Jordan Miller returns

Today, according to famous reporter Scotto, the Clippers have cut off the team's forward Baldwin and signed old player Jordan Miller with the free two-way quota. Last season, Miller finally got a formal NBA guarantee contract through his own efforts ($830,000 for 4 years), but the Clippers chose to cut Miller this summer in order to sign Bill and Paul. Subsequently, Miller played in the summer league for the Clippers, averaging 22 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, shooting 53% from the field and 39% from the three-point shooting percentage, and successfully selected for the first team.

Although the level of confrontation and competition in the summer league is far less than that in the NBA main game, after watching a few games, Miller's progress is visible to the naked eye. First, Miller improved his maximum short-term external projection level; secondly, Miller's speed and athletic ability have also improved; finally, Miller's defensive awareness has improved, no longer just watching the ball but not the people, and the scene of being distracted and being passed by one step is basically invisible. I believe these are also the reasons why the Clippers decided to re-sign a two-way contract with Miller. For Miller, he must adjust his mindset and strive to prove himself in training and games. In this team with most veterans, Miller still has the opportunity to make a counterattack.

Defensive assistant coach may be poached

Today, according to Knicks' reporter Ian Begley, the Knicks are actively looking for defensive assistant coaches. Begley said the team's primary goal is Timberwolves assistant coach Prigioni. Although the Knicks offered a considerable reward, after communication, Prigioni stayed with the Timberwolves due to family reasons. Then, the Knicks launched the B Program and prepared to poach the Clippers assistant coach Brendan O'Connor. It is worth mentioning that O'Connor has been working in the Clippers for the past 11 years, and he is also the oldest existing coach assistant in the league.

Last season, the reason why the Clippers became the top three defensive team in the league was not only related to the tough defensive system brought by chief assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy, but also closely related to O'Connor's diligence. Many people who have worked with O'Connor said that O'Connor is a typical workaholic, he is very rigorous and responsible in his work, and sometimes he even goes to the point of forgetting to eat and sleep in order to watch videos and study game plans, which also makes him very accomplished and insightful in defense. For the Clippers, if O'Connor is poached by the Knicks, it will have a significant impact on the team.