In need of a back-up point guard after trading Eric Bledsoe to the Phoenix Suns, ESPN's Marc Stein reports the Clippers have agreed to a two-year deal with former Dallas Mavericks point guard Darren Collison.
NBA Free Agency: Clippers agree to deal with Darren Collison
The deal, reportedly a two-year deal, is reportedly only for a portion of the Clippers’ Mid-Level Exception.
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While Stein notes that the deal will only be for a portion of the Clippers’ Mid-Level Exception and has a player option for the second year, USA Today’s Sam Amick reports Collison will come at an affordable price: about $1.9 million
A couple things are in play here. As Stein notes, Collison is from Southern California and went to school at UCLA, so this is an opportunity for him to return home. Also, this reunites Collison with Chris Paul, who he backed up for half of the 2009-10 season before Paul went down with a season-ending knee injury. That season, Collison filled in admirably for Paul, guiding the Hornets to the playoffs, averaging 12.4 points and 5.7 assists per game.
Collison played 81 games for the Mavericks last year and began the year as their starter, averaging 12 points and 5.1 assists per game. His signing should conclude what's been an overhaul of the Clippers' back court. Gone are Bledsoe and Chauncey Billups, in are J.J. Redick, Jared Dudley and, now, Collison.
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