by Marcel Mutoni / @ marcel_mutoni
Head coach Doc Rivers confirmed reports that the LA Clippers were close to inking 35-year old Stephen Jackson.
Jackson posted a photo of himself on Instagram wearing a Clippers jersey, and it’s only a matter of time until the veteran forward signs on the dotted line.
Per the LA Times:
After saying earlier Monday the Clippers weren’t going to sign “anybody today or probably even” Tuesday, Coach Doc Rivers said later the team was “close” to a deal with free-agent swingman Stephen Jackson. Jackson is expected to join the Clippers in Boston on Tuesday to sign a contract and take a physical.
“We need him in a pinch and we need him like now,” Rivers said. “And that’s a guy that you can bring in and hopefully he can give you something right away with Reggie [Bullock] being out for at least this trip and maybe longer.” Bullock is out because of a sprained left ankle. The Clippers are without shooting guard J.J. Redick, who will be out at least six to eight weeks because of a broken right hand. Backup small forward Matt Barnes will be out even longer than expected because he had a second procedure on his left retina last week. He is not expected to join the team on this trip, which has three games left.
Following an ugly exit from the San Antonio Spurs last season, the ever-defiant Jackson will ink a non-guaranteed deal for the veteran’s minimum of $1.3 million that will be prorated. Rivers hopes that S-Jax can provide the Clippers with some shooting, defense, and above all, toughness.
The NBA is always a little more interesting (and crazier) when Stephen Jackson is involved. Welcome back, Cap’n Jack.
