The Clippers have the best classic point guard in the game in Chris Paul, but they have been searching for someone who can competently take the helm while they get him some rest during games. And I’m far from sold Austin Rivers is the answer.
Pablo Prigioni has been brought in as insurance.
Prigioni was traded from Houston to Denver in the Ty Lawson deal; then the Nuggets promptly waived him and his non-guaranteed contract (well, they tried to trade him first but that didn’t go anywhere). He cleared waivers to become a free agent and quickly signed with Doc Rivers and the Clippers, something first reported by Shams Charania of Real GM.
Free agent guard Pablo Prigioni has reached agreement on a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, league source tells RealGM.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 22, 2015
Prigioni struggled some after being traded from the Knicks to the Rockets, he scored just 3 points per game, but count in his time with the Knicks and he had a true shooting percentage of 55.7 percent (better than the league average) and he shot 34.3 percent from three. He plays a smart game and doesn’t turn the ball over much. At age 38 the Argentinian is not getting better, but as a third point guard in the rotation and at a minimum contract he’s a good fit.
The Clippers certainly addressed their depth issues from last season. Prigioni will join guys like Jamal Crawford, Josh Smith, Lance Stephenson, and Cole Aldrich on the second unit (that assumes Paul Pierce starts). Doc Rivers the GM had a good summer.
