My initial thought was to start with Eric Gordon, as his inclusion in the Team USA roster makes him the most newsworthy. But leading with any of the starting five might dampen interest in the later entries, so we’re going to start with one of the newest Clippers, G Randy Foye.

Foye is a fifth-year guard from Villanova who was selected seventh overall by Boston in the 2006 draft – but who then watched as his rights were first traded to Portland and then later to Minnesota on draft night in moves that had to be a quick wake-up call as to the business realities of the NBA.

In Minnesota, Foye increased his scoring average every year, from just over 10 points per game his rookie year to just over 13 points per game his second year to just over 16 points per his third and final year on the Timberwolves. He was traded again that summer to Washington, where he saw his minutes and scoring decline on a team that started the season with a guard heavy roster.

This summer, he was a sought after free agent who signed a two-year deal with the Clippers for a reported $8.5 million.

Foye provides an experienced combo guard off the bench for the Clippers, someone who has the ability to bring the ball up the floor to spell Baron Davis at the point and who has the size and shooting skill needed to give Eric Gordon relief at the two guard spot. His career shooting percentage is a respectable 41.9% and he has proven that he has the ability to get to the rim and finish or draw a foul and get to the line.

Foye’s presence on the roster means the team will not have to pin their back up PG hopes on rookie Eric Bledsoe nor their back up combo guard on rookie Willie Warren, good things as those guys adjust to the pro game and find their niche this season.

The signing of Foye barely raised eyebrows in the national media, let alone here in Clipperland, but the Neil Olshey and the front office have shown that they have a plan for this team and signing a proven guy who can provide offense off the bench to a cap-friendly contract is a good move towards providing some stability on a roster that has been devoid of stability of late.

But the Clippers were active today, signing Randy Foye and Ryan Gomes, most recently from the Wizards and Timberwolves, respectively.

From USA Today:

The deals were announced Thursday night, shortly after LeBron James said he was leaving Cleveland for the Miami Heat. The Clippers were among the teams that made a pitch to James.

Foye, who has played for four season, averaged 10.1 points, 3.3 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 70 games for the Washington Wizards last season.

Gomes, who has played for five seasons, averaged 10.9 points and 4.6 rebounds in 76 games for Minnesota last season. He was traded by Minnesota to Portland on draft day last month, and was waived by the Trail Blazers on June 29.

Terms of the deals weren’t announced.

Not exactly the thrilling moves we were hoping for in free agency but I’m reserving judgement until the weekend.