- Ramona Shelburne posts a smart distillation of the Brand drama. The before-the-jump tease:
“At the time Elton opted out of his contract on June 30, his intention was to return to the Clippers. He and David Falk said it multiple times.His intention was so strong, he spent the next day or two helping to court Baron Davis to sign with the Clippers. Davis, the third player in this dramatic triad, decided to opt out of the final year of his contract with the Warriors at the 11th hour, when it became clear the Warriors would not give him an extension. Subsequent reports out of the Bay Area indicate the Warriors had offered Baron and extension, then pulled it back.Needless to say, when Baron opted out of his contract, everything changed.Udrih was no longer the primary target. Davis was, and Brand had several conversations with him trying to woo him.One problem: The Clippers had approximately $27 million in salary cap space. If Brand wanted $15 million a season, that left only $12 million for Udrih/Davis/Maggette. Maggette wanted $10 or $11 million, Udrih was looking for a full mid-level exception deal (approximately $5.5 million a season), Davis’ market value was somewhere in the $12-$15 million a season range as well.
The question was: would any of those players settle for less to be together?Very quickly, it appeared Brand and Davis had worked it out amongst themselves. Brand verbally agreeing to take $14 million a season (five years, $70 million) Baron agreeing to $13 million a season (five years, $65 million).”
- Asked by Lisa Dillman of the LAT about facing Elton Brand on the court tonight in Philadelphia, Baron replies, “”I’ve got nothing to say to him”: “Davis hasn’t spoken to Brand, and said he doesn’t plan to do so, because the former Clipper recruited Davis to come join him in Los Angeles and then Brand did a quick cut and run, heading East for a bigger bag of money, a five-year deal worth almost $80 million.”
- The AP finds that Tim Thomas’ grievances with Brand end with the Saturday home listings: “‘No hard feelings. I’m mad at Elton because he didn’t buy my house,’ said smiling Clippers forward and former Villanova standout Tim Thomas. ‘That’s about it. This is a business. Elton made a decision to play back East, closer to home. That’s about it. You can’t be mad at him.’”
- Brand tells The Philadelphia Inquirer he’s more concerned about the Sixers’ 5-6 record than any reunion with the Clippers.
- The most interesting question — and one being asked only by a few cranky Sixers fans — is whether the 29-year-old Elton Brand will justify his $82 million contract over the next five years.
- UPDATE: Alan Hahn, who blogs on the Knicks for Newsday, reports:“The Knicks, Warriors and Clippers are talking about a three-way deal that would involve Jamal Crawford, Zach Randolph and Mardy Collins being sent in a cap-space clearing move that would bring in Tim Thomas, Cuttino Mobley and Al Harrington. The contracts on all three incoming players expire in 2010. Trying to confirm this now.”Discuss.
- UPDATE: Frank Isola reports, “Unless another player is thrown into the trade, there is a possibility that the Knicks will recruit a third team to make the Randolph deal work. The Clippers are still hoping to acquire Randolph for Tim Thomas and Cuttino Mobley.”
Question: Why would the Clippers be eager to take on a massive contract that runs through 2011 at a position where they’re well-situated through 2010?
Discuss further.
13 Responses
trade rumors coming out of new york…tim thomas and cat and al harrington in exchange for jamal crawford and z randolph both going to golden state….ok so the clippers shave off a ton of money from the books, we still need someone to hit it from way downtown to open it up for the big fella inside…
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Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 9:13 am
don’t like cat gone but would be ok if gordon blows up nice.
done with TT no problem.
who the hell is mardy collins?
sounds like a cruise ship comedian
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Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 9:44 am
Does that mean that the Clippres get Al Harrington? It would help Eric Gordon develpoe. As of late , he has been the only Clipper attacking the rim and drawing fouls. Baron has done also done it but not often. It appears that LA does not need Tim Thomas and Cat is getting too many touches.
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Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 9:50 am
Reports suggest Knicks may not be done today, which leads me to believe they are still working out a Randolph to the Clips deal.
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Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 10:31 am
Discuss indeed.
ESPN’s Kevin Arnovitz?
Congrats?
Are you getting Simmons’ money?
[Reply]
Kevin Arnovitz Reply:
November 21st, 2008 at 11:26 am
Thanks, John.
Cedric Simmons money, alas.
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Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 11:06 am
We need to make a run at Shawn Marion!!!
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Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 11:31 am
Knicks are trying to get the Mavs to take Zach Randolph off their hands. Quickly Clippers: get into the bidding!!!
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Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 11:38 am
Yes, if we trade with NY we end up with zbo not Harrington. So what’s marcus camby going to ? I don’t mind trade tim but mobley has been saving our ass as of late and you can’t deny that when he’s hot he hits everything. Zach is playing well think he’s averaging a double double but how well will he play under Dumbleavy ? We know he doesn’t play defense
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Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 11:47 am
if we acquire zbo then i lose all faith in management. they’re just starting to put together pieces that don’t fit together. you can’t MAKE them fit together. sorry dunleavy. no matter how hard you try, it’s not going to work.
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Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 12:20 pm
z-BO IS 20 AND 10. LOCK IT UP. The Clippers have ZERO chance of getting any of the prized free agents in 2010…so why not take advantage of clubs that are dying to get rid of their best players?
I would trade Cat and TT for Randolph every day of the week, even if it was a jewish holiday. lock it up!!!
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'93clippers Reply:
November 21st, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Not 20-10. Try 20.5 – 12.5.
Randolph is putting up all NBA first team numbers so far this season. And his team has a winning record. He’s been in shape playing D’Antoni’s fast paced system. He’s stayed out of trouble with his teammates and the law. There are very few strikes against Randolph at this point. The Clipper’s should have made the move in July when it would have only cost them a 2nd rounder. But CAT and TT is a small price to pay.
Looks like the Bobcats still want to be involved in a Wallace – Kaman deal. 3 way trade perhaps?
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Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 12:40 pm
It’s done.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2008/11/21/2008-11-21_knicks_trade_jamal_crawford_for_al_harri.html
[Reply]
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 1:31 pm
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