The Clippers converted Amir Coffey two-way contract to a standard NBA contract on Saturday, hence putting him in the active playoff and play-in roster. The 24-year old wing got his regular contract after playing 62 games, which included his last match with the Clippers, where he led the team with 21 points.
Coffey is one of the most improved players, and the Clippers’ coach, Tyronn Lue acknowledged it. “Him coming in and playing the way he has just shows that he is ready for a deal, he is ready for a contract,” he said.
Coffey heatin' up.🔥
📺 @BallySportWest | @coffeyshop_ pic.twitter.com/CoFbBFAXlq
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) March 26, 2022
As a result, the two-way spot is vacant and the Clippers will sign Xavier Moon to fill in. The 6-foot-2 point guard managed to impress the Clippers with his production and maturity. This shows in his records of average 5.5 points and 1.7 assists in 13.8 minutes per contest.
While playing in the G League, Moon was shooting 46% from the floor and 38% from three-point range. He holds the records of average 18.8 points, 6.2 assists, and 1.8 steals per game with Agua Caliente.
“How much he’s been about the team. He’s come in, he’s gotten better every day, hasn’t complained, fears no one, doesn’t back down, so it’s been fun to watch him compete. He’s just always positive, optimistic. Not B.S,” said fellow teammate Reggie Jackson.
“It’s nothing overdone, you can just tell he’s very optimistic, he’s very confident in what he does, and he definitely has a belief in the group, and it sucks that his time with us is over.”
However, the Clippers needed to make room on the roster for Coffey, so the team decided to waive Semi Ojele. The 6-6 forward had played 10 games for the Clippers and averaged 4.1 points and 1.6 rebounds.
Clippers’ recent performances
Despite the happy news of Coffey contract conversion, the Clippers had to accept the loss from its last match against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The star duo of James Harden and Joel Embiid brought victory to the 76ers with a 122-97 score on Friday. Harden led the team with 29 points, and Embiid had 27 points and 10 rebounds. This match gave the Clippers its fifth losing streak.
Lue stated that his team might be too exhausted due to previous games. “Because being so short-handed all season and the way we’ve played and the way we’ve competed every single night, some nights you’re just going to be overmatched,” he said. “And tonight, I thought we were overmatched.”
In this match, Coffey was playing while still on his two-way contract and managed to score 21 points, which made him the highest scorer. Following Coffey was Isaiah Hartenstein who scored 16 points.
Regardless of the losing streak, the Clippers managed to sit still in eighth place in Western Conference. The team still has seven games left and will compete against the Jazz on Tuesday and the Bulls on Thursday.
Paul George, who had experienced an elbow injury, is close to returning fully to the team. His return is expected to bring hope to the Clippers.
More Paul George warming up. This is his first time warming up pregame at home, I believe. #Clippers pic.twitter.com/ACUT16uk94
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) March 26, 2022
“Just having that hope that he has a chance to come back, that gives you a lot of hope. The job the team has done this year, it’s phenomenal. But we could use an extra little bump right now,” Lue added.