With a gaping hole in their front court caused by the injury to power forward Elton Brand, the Clippers made a stop-gap move by signing free-agent forward Ruben Patterson.

Last season, his ninth in the NBA, the 32-year-old Patterson had a career year with the Bucks, his fifth team. He played in 81 games, averaged a career-high 14.7 points, and equaled his career high with 5.4 rebounds. He shot a career-high 55% from the floor.

Brand ruptured his left Achilles' tendon earlier this month and is expected to miss at least the first few months of the season.

"I am really excited by our signing of Ruben Patterson," Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy said. "He is a great competitor. I have always admired the intensity he brings from game to game."