National Basketball Association

LA Clippers Rumors: Xavier Munford signing training camp deal

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The LA Clippers are reportedly signing 24-year-old shooting guard Xavier Munford to a training camp deal.

News surrounding the LA Clippers‘ training camp has been silent until this point. The bench was rounded out in NBA free agency with new veteran’s minimum acquisitions, highlighted by Marreese Speights and Raymond Felton, and the chance for others to make the team isn’t exactly a pressing question. Even the team’s own young players will have a hard time cracking a regular spot in the rotation, let alone guys brought into training camp.

Nevertheless, the Clippers are looking at the option as any team does, and are signing 6’3″ shooting guard Xavier Munford to a training camp deal, according to Shams Charania of The Vertical.

If you haven’t heard of Xavier Munford, that would be understandable. He’s started out his professional basketball career in the D-League, and it wasn’t until the Memphis Grizzlies were attacked by injury after injury last season that he made an NBA roster.

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In 2015-16 in the D-League, Munford made his name as a capable playmaker, energetic scorer, solid defender and potent three-point threat, shooting 41.2 percent from three. He averaged 20.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 6.4 assists and one steal per game, shooting an impressive 49 percent from the field.

To gain more experience prior to training camp this year, Munford played for the Los Angeles Lakers in Summer League.

With the Grizzlies, Munford had some promising moments. I remember catching some of his games and being impressed by his energy at both ends and his scoring inside and out, whether he helped with the odd three or a floater. He new he needed to prove himself and he was visibly determined to do so. That’s one of the most vital assets to have for a young player in training camp.

Munford was obviously playing in a small role out of injury based necessity in Memphis, but averaged 5.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in his 17.4 minutes per game, maintaining a 39.1 percent stroke from three.

The chance of Munford making the LA Clippers roster is low to say the least, with proven guards like J.J. Redick, reigning Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford, and Austin Rivers taking most of the playing time at his position. Even still, it can’t hurt for Doc Rivers and Co. to try out a younger talent and see what Munford has to offer.

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