The Los Angeles Clippers have officially signed big man Ekpe Udoh and swingman Chris-Douglas Roberts. Sources reveal that both deals are one-year, veteran's minimum contracts. Udoh and Roberts are expected to provide the Clippers roster with more depth and versatility as they enter the season as one of the better teams in the tough Western Conference.
"Chris and Ekpe are two versatile players who bring depth and a strong presence to our team," Clippers President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Doc Rivers said. "We are excited to add them to the roster." Per Arash Markazi of ESPNLosAngeles.com
Several teams including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat and Sacramento Kings were also in pursuit of Udoh this offseason but the No.6 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft by Golden State eventually decided to sign with the Clippers with the prospect of playing for Doc Rivers and in winning organization and on a team with a defensive mentality a source told Yahoo Sports.
Udoh who holds a career average of 1.3 blocks in 18.7 minutes per game and James Herbert of CBS Sports believes that his signing was a great move for a Clippers team in need of some interior protection:
As a minimum-salary signing, this is a steal for the Clippers. It addresses the team's most glaring need: interior defense. Udoh has been under the radar in a crowded Milwaukee Bucks rotation for the past few years, but he's a gifted pick-and-roll defender and rim protector.
The Clippers added some skill up front when they signed Spencer Hawes early in the summer, but that did nothing to address the defensive issues that sprung up every time DeAndre Jordan went to the bench last year.
The 26 year old Roberts, meanwhile, will provide the Clippers roster with some energy and versatility in the wing. He averaged 6.9 points and 2.4 rebounds for the Charlotte Bobcats last December including eight starts.
Last season, the Clippers had the NBA's best offense and were a top 7 team in defense thanks primarily to its formidable starting line-up. The team, however, looked like one of the worst teams in the league in both ends of the floor once Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan rested on the bench. They clealry needed some serviceable bigs off the bench and adding Spencer Hawes was a huge step forward. Bringing in Udoh and Roberts provides even more depth both in the frontcourt and on the wing. Expect a noticeably improved Clippers team with one of the deepest and most versatile roster heading into the 2014-15 season.
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