With all the uncertainty surrounding the immediate future of the Los Angeles Clippers franchise, the players on the current roster have been put in a tough position heading into the off-season.
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Although the majority of the players on squad are under contract for next season, Darren Collison is one of the few with an option to get out of his deal in order to test free agency. The former UCLA standout will be opting out, according to Chris Haynnes of CSNNW.com:
Darren Collison of the Los Angeles Clippers will forgo the second year of his contract that would have paid him $1.9 million to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, a league source informed CSNNW.com….
The source’s response to our inquire was, “Darren is definitely opting out.”
With the Los Angeles Lakers potentially looking for help at the point guard position, the team could show some interest in Collison. The soon-to-be 27-year-old has bounced around quite a bit since being drafted out of UCLA back in 2009, but has been a solid contributor for all four teams he’s played for in the last five seasons.
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In a backup role behind superstar Chris Paul, Collison averaged 11.4 points, 3.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 37.6 percent from beyond the arc. Although it is yet to be determined what the market will be for Collison, the former Bruin will definitely receive some interest from teams around the league looking to bolster their backcourt.
Collison may not be a great defender, but the veteran point guard will likely find a new home this summer if the Clippers aren’t willing to pay his asking price.
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