The Los Angeles Clippers might re-sign forward Hedo Turkoglu if they waive the newly acquired Carlos Delfino and Miroslav Raduljica, according to the Orange County Register's Dan Woike.
All signs point to both of them being waived in order to give Los Angeles roster flexibility. To use that flexibility on Turkoglu, though, would be curious. The 14-year veteran did not exactly prove himself to be still capable of contributing last year.
Signed in January, Turkoglu appeared in 38 games for the Clippers, averaging 3.0 points and 2.3 rebounds per game while shooting 38.5 percent from the field. He did make 44 percent of his 3s, which is great, but the team was much better on both ends of the floor with him on the bench.
The 35-year-old can make plays in pick-and-roll situations, and his basketball IQ hasn't gone anywhere. It's just hard to hide him defensively at this point in his career. Los Angeles used him mostly at power forward last season because he can't keep up with wing players anymore.
While bringing back Turkoglu is harmless in a vacuum, it really shouldn't get in the way of other possible additions to the team. The Clippers desperately need defensive help on the inside, and they reportedly worked out free agent Ekpe Udoh. Swingman Chris Douglas-Roberts is also a "strong" possibility, according to USA Today's Sam Amick, and he would also be able to help Los Angeles next season. These are potentially meaningful moves that Los Angeles needs to be considering, even if president and head coach Doc Rivers liked having the veteran Turkoglu around.
