How much of Baron Davis’ homecoming to Los Angeles was predicated on Elton Brand’s presence on the left block remains a mystery. Davis has been politic when asked about whether Brand left him in the lurch by signing with the Sixers after Davis inked his deal with the Clippers. On the court, Davis has struggled. He’s shooting below 37% from the field, and his rebounding and FTA numbers are down precipitously.
Now there’s word from Davis’ former teammate, Stephen Jackson, that the Clippers’ point guard would love nothing more than to press rewind on the past six months and return to Oakland. From Marcus Thompson II at the San Jose Merc:
The Warriors came to Hollywood a day before Sunday’s game, giving Stephen Jackson a chance Saturday to hang out with former teammate Baron Davis. And discuss the possibility of Davis rejoining the Warriors.
“That’s all we talked about,” Jackson said. “I went to his house, spent some time with his mom and his grandmother. He wants to come back. And if he wants to come back, I want him back.” Davis opted out of the final year of his Warriors contract in July and signed a five-year, $65 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, who are 8-21.
It is feasible that the Warriors and the Clippers could pull off a deal. It would have to involve Warriors forward Corey Maggette (for salary-cap reasons) and/or guard Jamal Crawford (to make room in the backcourt).
Clippers owner Donald Sterling said last season that he had wanted Maggette around long term.
“I think that would be great for us,” Jackson said. “Coach (Don Nelson) loves him. Him and (guard) Monta (Ellis) have good chemistry. If they could work that out, that would be great for the organization.”
From Davis’ body language, it’s clear he’s unhappy in Mike Dunleavy’s system. But it’s also clear that the Clippers have little interest in reacquiring Corey Maggette. Hypotheticals have a funny way of flourishing when you’re visiting with old friends over the holidays. Once the soft lights come down and the world resumes its workaday rhythm, those conversations recede pretty quickly.
This was always the hazard with Baron Davis — that he was a temperamental time bomb who would mentally check once the reality of the situation became apparent.
It’s hard to challenge the idea that Baron would like to be elsewhere. But if that’s Baron’s goal, he’s creating a very impractical problem for himself. His apathy is taking a toll on his numbers. And those numbers are gradually making Baron Davis one of the most untradeable contracts in the game at 5 years/$65M.
37 Responses
Baron is to blame for some of the team’s struggles. You dont think the Clippers are having buyer’s remorse as well?
He has been playing horrible basketball. He didnt even score in the first half! I love the little stunt he pulled at the end of the game. He intentionally fouled someone just so he could get out of the game (it was his 6th foul). What a douchebag.
You cant trade Baron Davis. You MUST get a new coach in here.
Monthly Trade Reply:
December 29th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Why can’t we trade Baron?
We need a sacrificial lamb. Let it be HIM.
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Davis is such a quitter. Pretty disappointing, but we need a new coach. These guys are not playing with any passion, except for Camby.
Sigh, whose availble on the free agent market next year?
andrew Reply:
December 29th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
i dont think camby wants to be here either, hes just that professional.
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Why not exchange Baron for Azubuike+future draft pick?
andrew Reply:
December 29th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
because in the nba, theres something called a salary cap. and thats a horrible trade. Give me marcus williams, crawford and 9 first round draft picks.
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 10:44 am
If Baron wants out that badly, especially if there’s any truth in this article, then send his ass packing. In fact, this organization should be cleaned-out, from top to bottom…get rid of all of this garbage. Another embarassing home blow-out to a short-handed Dallas team, and Baron only “played hard” for 1 1/2 quarters, when the game was pretty much decided. I do feel bad for Marcus Camby, he’s playing his ass off and he has NO HELP underneath the boards…it was very mind-numbing seeing the Mavs swallowing up offensive rebounds, and everyone else in Clipper white is just ball-watching.
If Sterling and his boy-wonder have any balls and some ounce of pride…they should completely clean house, and while they’re at it, they should get rid of themselves too.
Azubuike for Baron? Reply:
December 29th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Baron’s behavior has been unprofessional. He’s an emotional child; like Chris Wilcox. Looks like he needs a baby-bottle in his mouth 24/7.
Just get him out of LA.
Jax Reply:
December 29th, 2008 at 11:52 am
That’s ridiculous. Baron isn’t going anywhere. He’s won elsewhere, and the Clipper “braintrust” (i.e., Dunleavy) brought him in knowing exactly who he is. Dunleavy called him “elite” or something similar.
Let’s see Dunleavy EARN his $6M / year salary for once.
andrew Reply:
December 29th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
you mean twice.
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 10:46 am
This team can play better without a star PG. Collins, Gordon, Taylor and Hart can handle the task just fine.
Thornton & Gordon shouldn’t be starting. They can play 30 min.ppg. But should be coming off the bench.
For now, start Collins & Ricky Davis. Thornton & Gordon coming off the bench will instantly boost our bench production.
kenji Reply:
December 29th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
start collins and rivky davis? you must be kidding. any person who says mardy collins should start has got to be joking. if not, you need to get the hell outta here. ricky davis could start…but not the way he had been playing since joining the clips. thornton off hte bench? let me guess, you’ll say start novak instead of thornton now. thats crap.
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Hey Clip Nation…just checkin around, trying to stir things up a little bit. How does this trade scenario work for you guys??
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=2753~2776~1026~378~497~3039~194~1982&teams=12~12~9~30~12~12~9~30&te=cash
ben sandoval Reply:
December 29th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
its not that horrible a trade but really
I DONT CARE WHAT HAPPENS AS LONG AS WE START GETTING SOME WINS
andrew Reply:
December 29th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
thats a horrible trade. we end up with 4 scrubs while giving up two players who would start in 90% of teams.
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 11:53 am
This 3-team trade makes sense. All teams will get better.
Send the proposal to Mike Dunleavy.
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
you’ve got to be kidding me…
Kaman and Baron Davis for Corey Maggette and garbage? I think we’ve established that Maggs IS garbage and that Golden State regrets that signing more than the Clipps are regretting the B.Diddy signing.
You’ve got to be out of your mind. Stop the insanity.
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
How about Clippers making trade every month just to keep fans happy?
And hire Sam Cassell as an assistant coach + Executive Officer of Player Relations.
Just do something, you………
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Does Ricky D still play for the Clipps? I didn’t see him yesterday at Staples and I was seating right behind the bench.
Yeah yesterday was brutal and for my first game back since I’ve been out of town for a month visiting Asia.
Lawler's Law Reply:
December 29th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
LOS ANGELES — Clippers swing man Ricky Davis was suspended five games Monday for violating terms of the NBA’s drug program.
The suspension will begin Tuesday night when the Clippers face Sacramento. He will be eligible to return Jan. 8 at San Antonio.
Davis, who has been sidelined with a sore left knee, is averaging 4.3 points in 13 games in his first season with the Clippers.
The 29-year-old Davis signed as an unrestricted free agent after averaging 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 82 games for the Miami Heat last season. He has also played for Charlotte, Cleveland, Boston and Minnesota.
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Terrible 3-way trade. Sean May wwould only add to the long list of front court players. Marcus Williams is trash and would never see the time of day behind Gordon, Hart, Ricky Davis, Mike Taylor and Felton. Felton would be a decent pick-up but we’re losing out if we get rid of Baron Davis in his place. And lets not make that mistake with Maggette again. If Baron can’t play here, what makes you think Maggette can.
Get rid of Dunleavy. It’s not that players can’t play in his system. It’s that he can’t coach in theirs…
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Well said…though I do think BD still has solid trade value, if we wait for the right deal to come along.
I’m sure there will be more than a few teams interested in acquiring him, especially come play-off time. His numbers might hinder his trade value a little, but any competent GM/ scout can see why they are down. If anything, he’s losing value mostly because he’s now a proven malcontent, but put him in the right situation and he could make that contract look reasonable.
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
This is crazy talk. Maurdy Collins & Ricky Davis starting and Eric Gordon and Al Thornton off the bench. Are we serious here?
Baron is suffering from “I Hate My F***ing Boss Syndrome”. Every employee has had this some point or another. Dunleavy is a poor leader and should be ousted.
Just put yourself in Baron’s shoes for once. Ok, yes he’s getting paid $65 million, but you were signed to bring light into a dark franchise. You come in with great expectations. And then from day one, you are constantly bombarded with loud commands by Dunleavy from the Clipper bench during the games. How would you feel if your boss is constantly yelling in your ear on how to do your job? Wouldn’t you eventually feel like crap and begin to lose interest?
I know I will. I’m losing interest as fan just hearing that stuff from the television. Imagine working for the guy!
Dunleavy is probably a nice guy, but he’s old and outdated. He’s gotta go!
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
if i were baron i would demand demand a trade
set an ultimatum either bring in a new coach or get me out of here….
Baron Land Reply:
December 29th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
I’d rather see Baron go. He reminds me of Andre Miller.
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
man some of you guys are missing the point of that trade for the clip show. The clippers dont get the best talent in the world, but you do get some favorable, expiring contracts in Williams (1 year) and May (1 year). You get rid of Kaman’s terrible contract as well as Baron’s, while only having to absorb Maggette’s. Felton will probably be a much better point guard for the clippers than baron would, and if he’s not, then his contract will be expiring as well and the Clippers will have a good chunck of change to use to bring someone in. Baron thrives off a free flowin, run and gun style offense, like he had with the warriors. Any team that would trade for him would have to have that system in place, or, as many GM’s should know, Baron will just keep playin as bad as he is now. I like the trade for all involved as it gets teams out of contracts they dont want and puts players in a new position to exceed
andrew Reply:
December 29th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
LOL gtfo
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
OK. Bring them on. This season is already in the dumpster. We can absorb 65 tons of extra garbage.
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Please no more panic moves this season.
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
i say dunleavy leaves before baron does. if baron is traded, i would trade him to the worst possible team so he can be in misery. not that the warriors arnt that team but i wouldnt givve him the satisfaction.
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
What the fuck is the Raymond Felton love about? You guys are absurd if you’re serious… we’re talking about a guy that consistenly shoots lower than (or around) 40% AND is a poor, turnover-prone playmaker — i thought inefficiency is the reason that we are so mad at baron. Look, i’m as upset with baron as the next guy, but his passing has REALLY REALLY helped this team. He’s definitely hurt us with his defense and shot selection, but suggesting that we’d be better if we dumped him for garbage and bad contracts is ridiculous. We don’t need maggs either! We need to start getting rid of all of the big contract guys that hate defense and make poor decisions (Ricky D, ZBO, Al Thornton, etc.) and start bringing in more guys that play D, make good decisions and want to win (EJ, Mardy, Camby (so long as he’s playing center)). I like Baron, and think he could be a good fit, but think he wants to win. Everyone is placing too much emphasis on Dunleavy… the fact of the matter is, baron’s been saddled with a bunch of losers (and guys playing out of position (see Kaman/Camby)) and has started to give up. Remember, he’s not a young man, and although he’s been on some bad teams, he also pulled off one of the biggest upsets in nba history 2 years ago, and was on a 45+ (or was it 50?) win team that barely missed the playoffs last year. He’s not a winner but he’s been winning recently, and is probably finds this assortment of losers galling.
andrew Reply:
December 29th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
what are you talking about. Baron Davis should be leading this team to wins. Thats why hes the star player. thats why hes getting paid 65 million dollars.
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
This is taken completely out of context… plus, Stephen Jackson was probably high and talking out of his ass, as usual. Even if Baron was saying some of what was quoted, it was probably just ‘talking shit’ between good friends. And to suggest that the Clips would even consider trading Diddy back to GSW for Corey is just plain absurd.
Get a players’ type of coach with a more uptempo system installed and Baron will be fine.
FireDunleavy.com Reply:
December 29th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
Good point. Why is he even running his mouth? Stephen Jackson pulled a Kobe move.
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Baron will never be on this team what he was when he was on the warriors. At least the trade I proposed will get the clips out of bad contracts, get them decent talent in return and will give them tons of cap room to work with. People think that keeping baron is the smart move…the guy has led you to an 8-21 record, so unless you give him some type of drastic change, I dont see how this can actually turn around. yeah, Ian, Felton may not be the answer, but he aint makin $65 mill over the next five years, and im betting that his numbers are not horribly different from that of BD’s. In fact, here you go: felton = 13.1 ppg, 6 apg, 1.5 spg, .308 3 pt %. Davis = 17.7 ppg, 8 apg, 1.8 spg, .295 3 pt%. Is an extra 4 points and 0.3 steals per game worth and extra $6 million this year, and an extra $54 million over the next 4 years…i would doubt it. Like i said, maybe this trade really isnt that bad when you think of what the Clippers really get rid of and what they really get in return
FireDunleavy.com Reply:
December 30th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Maggette would veto that trade (I would think he could, dunno his contract). He’d rather play in Europe than for Dunleavy, and I doubt Dunleavy would want him back.
Posted on December 30th, 2008 at 1:57 am
trade baron davis to GSW for belinelli and injured monta ellis.
Posted on December 30th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
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