Ramona Shelburne of the Los Angeles Daily News reports that the Randolph deal will be done in short order:
The Clippers have agreed to a trade for New York Knicks forward Zach Randolph in exchange for guard Cuttino Mobley and forward Tim Thomas, a league source told the Daily News Friday afternoon.
Randolph is a dominant low post threat, having averaged 16.4 points and 8.2 rebounds in his eight seasons in the NBA. This season with the Knicks, he’s excelled in new coach Mike D’Antoni’s system, averaging 20.5 points and a career-high 12.5 rebounds.
Mobley is averaging 13.7 points this season, Thomas is averaging 9.5 points and 4.6 rebounds.
The Clippers have long-admired Randolph’s athleticism and offensive game.
And with the team averaging a paltry 90.9 points a game, better only than three other teams in the league, the Clippers jumped at the chance to acquire him.They tried to land Randolph in the summer as well, offering the Knicks a similar salary-saving deal they later offered Denver for center Marcus Camby. The Knicks passed on that deal, preferring to hold Randolph for real assets, as opposed to just salary-cap relief.
By acquiring Mobley and Thomas, whose contracts both expire in two seasons, the Knicks better position themselves as players for the wild free agent summer of 2010, when stars like LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade will be free agents.
Randolph’s contract has three years and approximately $48 million remaining on it.
Notice how the Knicks’ motivation here is strategic, while the Clippers’ thinking is purely infantile? The Clips like Randolph’s offensive game. That’s terrific. I like Irish Wolfhounds. That doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to bring one home to my smallish two-bedroom house where I live alone, travel a lot, and have no fenced-in yard.
For the sake of moderation and rational discussion, let’s be fair. Randolph is a huge talent on the block and a vicious rebounder when he wants to be. If he works himself position down low — and that’s often — he’s automatic with his left. He has also successfully expanded his face-up game to beyond 15-feet. He’s learned to work himself 6 FTAs a game, and can hit them at an 80% clip. In other words, 18 and 10 is not an unreasonable expectation from Randolph, if he starts.
But Randolph is also a black hole in the post, incapable of recognizing or passing out of the double-team. He and Thronton together might be the worst passing starting forward tandem the NBA has seen in years [and I welcome other nominations in the comments section]. Above everything else, Zach Randolph seems to care very little. That’s always the impression I have watching him ball.
If this report is accurate and Randolph is, indeed, on his way to the Clips, it can only mean that the Clippers have a deal in the works to move either Kaman or Camby. Given the term of the contracts, it’s more likely the former.
Either way, the Knicks have found their sucker.
42 Responses
I hope it’s not Kaman…he is just started to blossom into 2.0 mode…
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 1:32 pm
i don’t know what the team is trying to do now. they were clearly in win-now mode, but now they’ve forced themselves into a win IMMEDIATELY mode. if this doesn’t work out, and most likely it won’t, they don’t have the flexibility to do anything about it. honestly, do they think z-bo paired with baron will take this team to the top? even if they do end up playing .500 ball for this season, that just puts them in no-man’s land. this is the definition of fail.
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Suckers. That is the exact word that comes to mind.
New York is laughing at us. I can feel it.
'93clippers Reply:
November 21st, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Don’t know why you’d think that…
http://www.knickerblogger.net/?p=1050
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 1:39 pm
I don’t get the Z-Bo hate. He’s perfect for Baron. You now have a team.
Randolph’s contract is a couple of million more than he’s worth, but wouldn’t you want the guy at $11m per? If you say no, you’re crazy.
Your season just got a lot more interesting. Be happy.
—–
The Knicks have a different calculus, and you’re reaping the rewards of their LBJ focus.
I mean, seriously, what’s the concern here? Did you want the #1 draft pick instead? Without Elgin to attend the lottery, what fun would that have been?
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 1:48 pm
And you get Mardy, who’s a nice low price player to have around for a while…
'93clippers Reply:
November 21st, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Mardy Collins was the worst player in the NBA last year.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/players/hollinger?playerId=2997&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2fplayers%2fhollinger%3fplayerId%3d2997
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Let me get this straight………..we’re suckers for choosing to pay 27 year old Zach Randolph for 3 years instead of wanting to pay an over the hill Cat Mobley and a worthless Tim Thomas for 2 years??? I think thats a little bit of an over-reaction if you ask me. Especially when we are 2-9 with Thomas/Mobley and there are 15 or so other teams ready to create max contract cap space in 2010.
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Another thing………why do you automatically assume that we will trade Kaman or Camby? There are more than enough minutes to go around for all three players. Take last game for example:
Camby 30 mins, Kaman 38 mins, Thomas/Skinner/Novak 28 mins.
Replace Thomas/Skinner/Novak with Zach Randolph, knock Kaman down to 36 mins and you have Camby 30 mins, Kaman 36 mins, Randolph 30 mins…………how is that not a huge upgrade??? (Not to mention the fact that Eric Gordon finally has the opportunity for playing time now).
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I cant believe us clipper fans aren’t having similar celebrations over someone taking the pathetic TT away from us? WTF has he done?
I’d take the black hole down low for 100,000 TT contested and wide-open 3-pt looks that clang off the rim.
— Oh wait, TT has the ball and there is a driving lane? shit wait, no its a 3 pointer – CLANG!
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 2:04 pm
BTW, what is the fuss over 2010 anyway?
Name ONE of those free agents that will come here on their own volition.
What can we lure them with? The only way we can compete for free agents is if they want to come here already (i.e. BARON DAVIS, thank god LA is his hometown)
2010 LBJ (and others) sweepstakes is something we need to concede; stop being so diluted.
– Oh and EB can suck a …..
Wade Reply:
November 21st, 2008 at 2:19 pm
None. None of those people is coming to the Clippers. NONE.
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 2:13 pm
I hope they start to play Gordon more. Why the fuck did we even pick him if we’re gonna have him rot on the pine. I tend to agree with the pluses out there. TT sucks. Cat is cool, and playing really well, but he’s a little aged. I think it is now time for the VC move that is coming.
B.Diddy V. Carter
Thornton Camby Randolph
I gotta tell you, that’s a pretty sick starting lineup.
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Kevin. If you are asuming that the clips have a deal in place to move camby or kaman, why not reserve judgement until later?
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Well, can’t get much worse than 2-9. I like the fact that Gordon will get more minutes.
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 2:37 pm
If were looking for high priced, bad contract’d no defense playing ball hogs, why not vince carter ?
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 2:49 pm
I’m fine with Z-Bo in the post. Isn’t it true that we also get Mardy Collins? That guy is a pretty decent defender, and I think he’ll mesh well with coach’s game plan. Regarding the possible trade, are we thinking that Gerald Wallace would be a factor?
Z-Bo Reply:
November 21st, 2008 at 3:11 pm
If you think Mardy Collins is the silver lining to this deal, you have never seen the Knicks play. Collins is not an NBA caliber player. (So I guess he’ll do just fine on the Clippers).
The Knicks just dumped their two least desirable assets on us: the worst player in the NBA and the most over paid player in the NBA. Well done!
Trapp Reply:
November 21st, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Apparently you’ve never heard of Eddy Curry, Quentin Richardson, Jerome James or Jared Jeffries if you think Randolph was their worst asset.
JM Reply:
November 21st, 2008 at 3:27 pm
That statement kinda takes the edge off. Well played.
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 3:07 pm
“If were looking for high priced, bad contract’d no defense playing ball hogs, why not vince carter ?”
Because the Nets aren’t willing to give VC away for bad contracts expiring in two years.
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Any chance of not trading Kaman or Camby or playing all three of them? Instead, maybe we have something in the works to send Zach off? Just throwing darts in the dark… I’m glad we got rid of Tim Thomas, but for what price?
With all the change, I don’t even know whats good or bad for us anymore?
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Kevin,
You are way off. One of the biggest problems the Clips have had is scoring and bulk in the paint. Yes, Randolph has his faults, but he’s a huge upgrade who can’t be left open. He’s also in great running shape, having been in D’Antonini’s training camp.
And Collins is NOT a throw away. He’s a talented, young defender. Imagine a taller Quintin Ross who can actually get to the hoop and has a better jumper.
Honestly, I am much more optomistic about this trade. I’m not saying playoffs, but it’s a nice move. If we can get a premier off guard for Camby, I’m happy.
Clipper Derrick Reply:
November 21st, 2008 at 3:37 pm
jgroove: I totally agree with your assessment of Collins. He’s Ross, with an offensive game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXqLFWx4bqY&feature=PlayList&p=B1D4F4581DD0B9BE&playnext=1&index=63
Z-Bo Reply:
November 21st, 2008 at 3:44 pm
A better jumper?! Seriously– follow that link above to Hollinger’s assessment of Mardy Collins. An excerpt:
“Collins was so bad in so many ways that it’s hard to know where to start, but that 32.6 percent shooting mark seems as good a place as any. Collins had the worst conversion rate in the NBA on inside shots (see chart) and finished dead last at his position in true shooting percentage. He achieved a rare double, however, by also posting the worst turnover ratio at his position. Taken together, he was a model of inefficiency, and making matters worse was his bewilderingly high rate of shot attempts — his usage rate was near the league average for shooting guards, despite that this was about the last guy on earth you wanted using a possession. Collins is a third-year player, but he’s already 24 and has done absolutely zilch in his first two seasons. With a new administration that isn’t wedded to the mistakes of the past, it seems only a matter of time before he’s either bought out, released or included as a scrap in a trade, because he looks out of his depth in this league. ”
Scrap in a trade. To us.
jgroove Reply:
November 21st, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Z-BO,as has been chronicled well before, Hollinger is not the best judge of talent. If the guy had been a professional scout, coach or player for a majority of his career I’d take him a lot more seriously.
No one is saying Collins is the second coming, but if I had to put a team together and had to pick Ross over Collins, I’d pick Collins without question.
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 3:28 pm
I honestly think Kevin is the single best beat writer in hoops today. I don’t live in LA or really follow the Clips, but I kinda do follow the Clips just because Kevin is writing about them. He understands hoops better than Bethlehem Shoals and Peter Vescey combined.
But Kevin is dead wrong today.
Is Zach the kind of horse you can singlehandedly ride down low to an NBA title? Probably not.
But then again, neither is Carlos Boozer. You folks just got significantly better and significantly more interesting. That beats the way your season was shaping up, and it beats the way your mid-term future was shaping up.
Remember, the team getting rid of Tim Thomas is always the winner in any transaction. And Zach can play.
Maybe Zach turns psycho and shoots up Culver City, but I’ll take the short on that bet.
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 3:38 pm
“jgroove: I totally agree with your assessment of Collins. He’s Ross, with an offensive game.”
Yup.
Minor asset. But given the low salary given to defensive players, it’s nice to have a young one developing on your squad.
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 3:42 pm
i don’t understand this trade. why does the clippers management think that they need zach randolph when they’ve already kaman and camby in the post? the clippers are one of the worst shooting teams in the nba and yet they trade away two solid shooters for another big man.
Kirbs Reply:
November 21st, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Agree re Mobley, he will be missed, solid contributor for the Clippers but won’t lose any sleep on TT, he has been an utter waste of a contract.
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 3:42 pm
And Clippers Nacion should mourn the passing of Cat.
He was the first real free agent to sign with the Clips, y’know. Total pro, Philly kid, and the poor man’s Derek Fisher.
Clipper Derrick Reply:
November 21st, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Pour one for the homies.
I loved watching Cat play (when the shots went in), and will always have the best impression of him. He helped create a little magic a few years ago, and the Nacion should should always cheer him on when he’s in town playing. Dude was a baller …
jgroove Reply:
November 21st, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Cat has really lost a step (or two), but he was a class guy who didn’t pretend to be, (cough, F-Elton). I hope he realizes he has a chance to play in the playoffs this year in NY no matter how much he enjoyed living in LA. I think he’ll really help them down the stretch. He moves into the starting slot with the Crawford trade and he is the one truly respectable veteran (besides Rose) on the squad that the yougner players can look up to.
andrew Reply:
November 21st, 2008 at 3:52 pm
so um is snack randolph riding the bus to the game ? j/w i know hes not suiting up.
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Yes, let us all take a moment of silence to honor Cat’s contributions through the years. I’ll miss him. A true professional.
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Im happy to see TT and Mobley gone. At least Randolph is intimidating and aggressive at the basket. Screw the defense, if he can double-double i’m gonna be happy we have him at 4. The only reason this deal happened is because NY is a serious contender for any of those free agents.
Camby is 33. This is effectively his last season of upside. Hopefully they can move him for something that helps us look to the future. And for once, I agree with them for pulling this trigger, we’d have never been a serious destination for any of the free agents of 2010 at least with the organization as it is. We all know thats the truth.
I think this could be a good deal. Again, it all depends on Dunleavy being able to manage his headcases and getting them to perform for him. Hopefully he can adapt his coaching style to make the best use of Baron and Zach being on the court at the same time. Really, the onus is on Sr, and kudos to him for pulling the trigger. It was really bleak here, but we acquired a true power player and it was something we all knew were missing without Elton. We still need a good backup PG, but between Mike Taylor, Baron, Mardy and Jason Hart we can get through the season.
neiljphx Reply:
November 21st, 2008 at 4:16 pm
I agree to all that except I’m not sure Camby is a yr away from done. He’s 33. Could have 4 good years left. We’ll See.
Got home in time for this one and it’s the Clips feed on the League pass. Nice.
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Finally! This past summer I was on here as one of the few supporters of Zach, now we got him! All you guys that didn’t want him, look at what we have instead – 2 wins? We had to do something and Dunlevy wasn’t going to fire himself! This is the best option to replace “what’s his name”. Cat and Tim were too old, we just got younger!
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 4:28 pm
One of the ironies here is that Mike D’Antoni wins back the Tim Thomas contract that he joked about some team being stupid enough to pay back in ’06…
GF Reply:
November 21st, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Bet he never thought he would be eating his words… LOL.
TT can start building his brick apartment building in new york now.
GF Reply:
November 21st, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Oh and D’Antoni might have to play Marbury tonite because they can only dress 7 players.
It just keeps getting better… i hope starbury posts 50+ just to fuck things up even more.
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 4:28 pm
one problem i am having with the evaluation of the trade — they only want camby playing 30 minutes and kaman 35ish. I am not having trouble carving out an extra 5 or 6 minutes and Zach is playing over 35per game???? I like the trade. Thortons looked good the last 2 as has kaman. The ability to defend the 2 guard is an issue but so is defending the other 4 positions. I have a feeling we’ll see Thortons scoring increase a few points per game.
Posted on November 22nd, 2008 at 1:23 am
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