Clippers still need to clear two roster spots after adding Max Strus

The Clippers said goodbye to Bennedict Mathurin. They’re apparently not done saying goodbye.

Los Angeles still has some roster trimming ahead after withdrawing Mathurin’s qualifying offer, clearing the way for him to sign his two-year, $16 million deal with the Pelicans.

As Cem Yolbulan of NBA on SI notes, the Clippers could have 17 players on standard contracts if their proposed Kawhi Leonard trade with Toronto is completed. NBA teams can carry only 15 into the regular season.

So two more would have to go. One obvious candidate is Cam Christie, whose $2.3 million salary is non-guaranteed. The Clippers could attempt to trade him before simply waiving him.

The second decision could be considerably more interesting.

Yolbulan identifies Kris Dunn, Derrick Jones Jr., Brook Lopez, Gradey Dick, Isaiah Jackson and Johni Broome as possibilities, though some would be much more difficult to replace than others.

Dick would arrive from Toronto as part of the proposed Leonard deal, while Broome was acquired from Philadelphia earlier this offseason.

Of course, the Clippers’ roster crunch is partially a result of adding Max Strus from the Cavaliers in the five-team Peyton Watson trade. They also drafted Keaton Wagler and re-signed Bradley Beal. That’s a lot of bodies. 

So Mathurin’s departure solved one issue. Lawrence Frank still has a couple more to figure out before opening night.