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The starting backcourt of 2012-13 has officially dispersed. First came Mayo's three year, $24 million deal with Milwaukee, and now Darren Collison has departed Dallas to sign with the LA Clippers.
Darren Collison, I'm told, is going to the Clippers. Done deal. Two-year deal, player option in Year 2
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 7, 2013
With no sign-and-trade workable between Mavs and Clips, Collison opting to take portion of Clippers' MLE for chance to go back to LA area
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 7, 2013
This move will put Collison behind Chris Paul again, after being drafted and spending his first year in New Orleans (pre-Pelicans, of course).
The Mavericks never showed any interest in resigning Collison, a fact that was further shown when they signed a trio of point guards in free agency.
Personally, I'm happy for Collison. The Clippers offense will be much more conducive for his transition- and isolation-based game, and his defensive weaknesses won't be as noticeable with rim protection behind him. A back-up role on a good team puts him in a position to succeed much more than his role with the Mavericks did.
Best of luck, DC. Dust off the alley-oop pass and watch out for flying objects.