Clippers bringing back center Mason Plumlee on one-year deal
Free agent Mason Plumlee, a veteran center acquired by the Clippers at the close of business in February, agreed Monday to a one-year deal with a payment of $1,000, according to a person with knowledge of the agreement who is not authorized to speak publicly $ 5 million to return to the team on this issue.
The Clippers had spent the first half of last season without a true center rotation, instead relying on starter Ivica Zubac and a combination of forwards used in smaller lineups, along with Moses Brown, a 7-footer, who was used as an interim measure because he had a two-way contract. The team didn’t want to start the 2023/24 season with such uncertainty with their big men.
The acquisition of the 33-year-old Plumlee balanced the mid-season rotation while providing a deft half-field passer who also pushed the ball up on rebounds. For those reasons, the Clippers wanted him to re-sign and have stayed in touch with Plumlee since day one of free agency on Friday.
As the center market dried up, Plumlee decided to return. Contracts can be finalized and signed on Thursday.
Plumlee is averaging 7.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 23 regular-season games with the Clippers after averaging career-high points (10.4) and rebounds in 56 games last season as a starter for the Charlotte Hornets (9.3) had achieved.
The 10-year veteran has career averages of 8.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting 59.5% from the field and 56.7% from the free throw line. He switched to shooting free throws with his left hand and converted 72.7% for the Clippers.
