The Los Angeles Clippers now find themselves in a bind with the exit of DeAndre Jordan, who is taking his act to the Dallas Mavericks.
After beefing up their small forward roster with Lance Stephenson and veteran Paul Pierce, the Clippers are now without a starting center, and at a time when other NBA teams have already taken in most of the high-profile big men.
The Clippers need to act fast to make sure they don't end up with less ceiling and open the NBA season without an effective man in the middle.
They are reportedly considering Amare Stoudemire, JaVale McGee and Carlos Boozer. It is not clear if head coach Doc Rivers and the Clippers have contacted any of them.
With their current roster, the only players who could step up in the place of Jordan are Glenn Davis and Ekpe Udoh, who have proven to be reliable. But the problem facing Rivers is the lack of depth in the center position.
Power forward David West was actually a possible candidate but was ruled out when he opted to join the San Antonio Spurs for the veteran's minimum of $1.4 million despite receiving offers which would have allowed him to make more money.
With most centers taken, McGee seems to be a viable option, though the Clippers could have a decent shot at landing either Boozer or Stoudemire.
The Cleveland Cavaliers' Brendan Haywood could be another option, but that will all depend on whether a deal with the Cavaliers for the Clippers' Jamaal Crawford pushes through.
