LA Clippers Reportedly Close to Deal with Antawn Jamison

Two-time NBA All-Star forward Antawn Jamison is rumored to be nearing a free-agent deal with the Los Angeles Clippers.

A source told ESPN Los Angeles’ Ramona Shelburne on Sunday that the Clippers were “closing in” on acquiring the 37-year-old veteran. Shelburne notes that Jamison has been adamant about playing for a championship contender as he enters the twilight of his career, which has lasted 15 years to date.

A little more than a week ago, Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports reported that Jamison was “led to believe” he was going to the Clippers before being informed they preferred to bring back Lamar Odom, who played all 82 games for the Clippers in 2012-13.

Since Odom’s troubled personal life and alleged drug abuse has recently come to light, it appears the team is moving forward with Jamison in fortifying their frontcourt. The versatility Jamison offers on offense makes him an asset as a role player, even though the former UNC star is well past his prime.

With his unconventional release points on his shots, his ability to be a solid three-point shooter as a stretch 4 and little leverage to negotiate a substantially lucrative contract, Jamison is a bargain to come off the bench. No one in the current projected Clippers frontcourt rotation—which includes Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, Ryan Hollins and Byron Mullens—can spread the floor quite like the 6’8″ Jamison can.

Jamison played with torn ligaments in his wrist for much of the second half of last season and saw a career-low 21.5 minutes per contest for the Lakers.

In spite of that, he still managed to put up averages of 9.4 points and 4.8 rebounds in 76 games in his lone season in the Purple and Gold. He will now seek his first NBA title with the rival Clippers while still remaining in the City of Angels.