Clippers add 7-foot-5 Jamarion Sharp on a two-way deal as they plan for Victor Wembanyama

The Los Angeles Clippers announced they have signed center Jamarion Sharp, listed at 7-foot-5, to a two-way contract, a move framed as part of the team’s long-term plan for San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama. With Wembanyama’s presence continuing to define the Spurs’ defensive identity and the matchup landscape across the NBA, the Clippers’ newest roster addition indicates a deliberate emphasis on size and rim protection as training camp approaches.

Sharp’s deal is notable because two-way contracts are often used as bridge options, giving teams flexibility while developing a player who can contribute if matchups demand it. In that context, adding a center with rare height gives Los Angeles another body to throw at bigger lineups, especially when opponents want to extend possessions with size, length at the point of attack, and lobs in the half court.

Wembanyama, entering his prime as one of the NBA’s most recognizable defensive and rebounding threats, has been a consistent stress test for teams that struggle to protect the basket without compromising spacing. For the Clippers, that creates a clear operational problem: they need defensive answers that can deter shots at the rim and contest passing angles, without turning every possession into a tradeoff between interior defense and perimeter coverage.

The Clippers’ approach, at least on paper, shifts toward adding height rather than relying solely on smaller athletic defenders or scheme tweaks. Sharp’s listed 7-foot-5 frame offers a different look from typical rotation centers, and the two-way structure suggests the team intends to evaluate his development and readiness in practice, then decide how much he can take on in real game minutes based on matchup needs.

This is also a reminder that the NBA’s annual offseason chess match is increasingly about building for specific elite opponents. Even when a team has a complete roster, stars like Wembanyama can force coaches to choose between style changes and personnel changes, and Los Angeles has chosen to add a body that can potentially fit into those matchup plans immediately, even if his day-to-day role is still being shaped.

What to watch next is how the Clippers integrate Sharp into their frontcourt rotation during the lead-up to the regular season. If he is used in spot minutes against teams that emphasize rim pressure and high-post creation, it would indicate that the signing is already serving its matchup purpose. Equally important will be whether Sharp’s defensive presence translates to game speed, including his ability to stay disciplined on contests and avoid fouls when defending in space.