Clippers sign Free Agents Knight And Powell

The Los Angeles Clippers announced on Tuesday that they have signed two free agents. The Clippers have reached an agreement with veteran point guard Brevin Knight, terms of the deal were not?disclosed. Knight who played for the Charlotte Bobcats the last couple of seasons was originally drafted in 1997 ?by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the number 16 pick in the first round. Knight had succcess in his rookie year, as he and teammates Derek Anderson, Cedric Henderson, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas made the NBA All-Star Rookie team, although Anderson was hurt and did not play.?The Cavaliers with that group along with recently imported Sean Kemp made the playoffs in 1998, the last time they would until the 2005-2006 campaign. The next year Ilgauskas was out with what would be the start of a string of foot injuries, that would render him effective for the next few seasons. Kemp came into camp fat and out of shape, and was out the door not much later. Anderson was soon traded to the Clippers, for Lamond Murray a man who was more concerned with his jersey not being sold in the team shop, than winning games. Cedric Henderson who told this reporter that the only pressure he ever felt in his NBA career was acquiring that first big payday, soon refelected that attitude on the hardwood, and was not long for the league. The Cavaliers then drafted Utah point guard Andre Miller, and in Miller’s second season Knight was traded to Atlanta for Jimmy Jackson.

The other signing was free agent power forward Josh Powell who played last season for Golden State and the year before for the Mavericks. Powell was signed to a three year deal was considered a necessity by Los Angeles after starter Elton Brand had Achilles tendon surgery, and may be lost for the season.