The Clippers continue to make roster moves.
It's been a year of change for the Los Angeles Clippers, and they continued to make moves this past week.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports that the Clippers have signed Jalen Pickett to a two-way deal.
Pickett can split time this season between the Los Angeles Clippers and the San Diego Clippers of the G-League.
Pickett spent last season on the Denver Nuggets, playing in 50 games and drawing 18 starts. He averaged 5.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists on 42% shooting from the field at 38% shooting from three on 2.5 attempts per game. In 126 career games, Pickett is averaged four points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists.
Pickett's Journey
Pickett was selected in the second round, 32nd overall, in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers, but was part of a draft-night trade that sent him to the Nuggets.
He played in 27 games as a rookie, but averaged less than five minutes per game. In his second season, he played in 49 games, drawing four starts, playing in 13.6 minutes per game, and averaging 4.1 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists.
Last season, he gained more opportunities as the Nuggets battled injuries to some of their top players like Christian Braun, Nikola Jokic, Peyton Watson, and Aaron Gordon.
The Nuggets declined his team option, which would have paid him $2.4 million this season, in order to maintain cap and roster flexibility as they navigated the second apron with Watson, who is due a raise based on his performance this past season, being a restricted free agent and Christian Braun's new contract worth $25 million per season kicking in.
Pickett On The Clippers
Pickett is a low-risk opportunity for the Clippers as they continue to revamp their roster after trading away James Harden, Ivica Zubac, and having a trade in place for Kawhi Leonard.
He'll turn 27 in October, putting him in his physical prime and on the same timeline as Darius Garland, Bennedict Mathurin, Rui Hachimura, and Brandon Ingram.
He's on a two-way deal, so there's no urgency to play him, and he'd have trouble earning playing time over Garland, Mathurin, rookie Keaton Wagler, Gradey Dick, Kris Dunn, and Kobe Sanders.
If there are injuries to any of those players, Pickett has proven to be an NBA rotation player who can step in and fill the void.
Overall, this is a good low-cost depth pick up for the Clippers in an eventful offseason for the club.
