MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Forward Corey Maggette -- With the near season-long absence of forward Elton Brand, Maggette became the Clippers' primary offensive scoring source. He responded by posting 52 20-point scoring performances in the 70 games that he played.
BIGGEST NEEDS: After needing a guard but taking F Al Thornton in last year's NBA Draft, it is imperative that the Clippers draft a point guard or combo guard next month. Yes, Thornton turned out to be a great pick, earning NBA All-Rookie First Team honors. But the Clippers cannot afford to go into the 2008-2009 season with such uncertainty at the most crucial position on the floor.
FREE AGENT FOCUS: Although Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy touts swingman Quinton Ross as being a stalwart defender, Ross did not receive a single vote for the NBA's all-defensive team. Even Chicago guard Kirk Hinrich got a vote. There is a strong possibility, too, that Ross will depart after four seasons with the Clippers. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and the most money he has made in a season is $826,046.
It is all but certain that journeyman point guard Dan Dickau won't be back after one season with the Clippers. Dickau was slated to be the third point guard in training camp, but a combination of injuries and Sam Cassell's eventual departure elevated Dickau into a late season starting role.
PLAYER NOTES:
--Forward Nick Fazekas, who finished the season with the Clippers, has been working out five days a week at the team's interim Spectrum South practice court. Fazekas has an invitation to play on the Clippers' summer-league team but so far has not committed. Fazekas said his agent is checking out several other possibilities.
--Center Chris Kaman is coming off a breakthrough season in which he averaged 15.7 points and 12.7 rebounds. But Kaman is not resting on his laurels. Instead of spending time back in his home town of Wyoming, Mich., or going deep-sea fishing off the coast of Baja California in his boat, Kaman has been working out at Spectrum South six days a week.
--Forward Elton Brand said his agent, David Falk, is surveying the landscape and a decision is not imminent on whether Brand will opt out of the final year of his contract. Brand, however, who missed all but eight games this season, while recovering from a ruptured Achilles' tendon suffered during the summer, reported that his Achilles' tendon is completely fine. He also has been diligently working out five days a week at Spectrum South.
