Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Clippers reinforced their bench Wednesday with a pair of journeymen hoping to get their careers on track, signing swingman Chris Douglas-Roberts and forward-centre Ekpe Udoh to one-year contracts for the veteran minimum of $1 million (Dh3.67 million).
The additions give the Clippers 13 players on their roster, satisfying the league minimum. They also are expected to re-sign forward Hedo Turkoglu and are believed to be interested in Ray Allen should the veteran sharpshooter decide to play one more season.
The 6-foot-7 Douglas-Roberts, 27, played in 49 games for the Charlotte Bobcats last season after being signed as an injury replacement for Jeff Taylor in December. He averaged 6.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 20.7 minutes per game. The Clippers will be Douglas-Roberts’ fifth NBA team in six seasons. He is an above-average defender who can play both the small forward and shooting guard positions.
The 6-10 Udoh, 27, played in 42 games for the Milwaukee Bucks last season after being sidelined because of surgery on his right knee and subsequent swelling. He averaged 3.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 19.1 minutes per game. A former first-round draft pick of the Golden State Warriors in 2010 (sixth overall), Udoh will have played for three teams in five NBA seasons when he makes his Clippers debut.
“Chris and Ekpe are two versatile players who bring depth and a strong presence to our team,” Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said in a statement. “We are excited to add them to the roster.”
Udoh’s agent, Michael Silverman, said his client was also courted by the Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers but decided on the Clippers because he wanted to play for a winning team and “a defensive-minded coach who understands what he brings to the table.” Udoh has averaged 2.6 blocks per 36 minutes in his NBA career.
Udoh becomes the fifth big man on the Clippers’ roster, joining starters Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan and reserves Spencer Hawes and Glen Davis.
