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It's days like today when we're reminded why the Clippers are the worst franchise in all of professional sports. What are they thinking?ESPN.com is reporting that the Clippers will not match Quentin Richardson's offer sheet from the Suns and instead acquire Kerry Kittles from the Nets for a second round draft pick.
LAist has written on several occassions that we like Richardson, and think he's a rising NBA star. A six-year $42 million contract is almost a bargain for the young athletic scorer, and Donald Sterling would still have plenty of cap space to acquire a veteran point guard. But instead the Clippers have acquired an overpriced 30-year old mediocrity, whose inconsistent shooting won't improve with Marko Jaric instead of Jason Kidd at the point.
Clippers fans may look on the bright side, and see that Kittles has just one year and $10 million on his contract which gives them plenty of cap space for next year's free agent market. But what are the odds that they'll actually use that cap space? Donald Sterling hasn't been known to spend big bucks on players, and free agents don't exactly line up outside the Sterling World Plaza in Beverly Hills clammoring to wear the Red and Blue. The Clippers only have Elton Brand and Corey Maggette because they signed offer sheets in an attempt to go elsewhere. Unfortunately, their talents (along with Chris Wilcox) are being completely wasted.
With just six players under contract next year, thanks to a futile effort to sign Kobe Bryant, LAist sees another long season ahead for Clipper fans.
