The release of Mark Madsen is just another move in what has been an unpredictably busy offseason for the Clippers. Madsen was scheduled to make 2.8 million dollars this year, but his release will save the Clippers an unspecified amount off that figure. This move was not made for monetary reasons however, regardless of the actual dollar amount that the Clippers saved. The motivation behind releasing Madsen is that it creates another open roster space, bringing the Clippers roster down to 12 players. That leaves 2 open spots for Dunleavy, who typically enters the season with a 14 man roster.
Regarded as one of the league’s nicest guys, Madsen undoubtedly would have had a positive influence on the Clippers locker room. However, without a clear path to playing time in the crowded frontcourt, the probability of Madsen making an actual impact with his play was highly unlikely. The Clippers simply have too many needs to justify holding onto a backup who wasn’t slated to play any minutes, even if said backup could have helped positively alter team chemistry. Remember, the Clippers could really use another backup point guard, and a shooter off the bench, and Madsen is neither of those things.
This is where Ramon Sessions comes back into the picture. We’ve speculated all summer long about Sessions, but Madsen’s release appears to be another fallen domino. You have to imagine that this will intensify talks if nothing else; it’s unlikely that management would waive Madsen if they didn’t have a plan for his roster spot. After all, when is the last time Clippers management paid someone not to play for them? For a historically frugal franchise, this move signals a step in the right direction. Madsen’s value was unlikely to manifest itself in terms of on-court production, so the Clippers released him to bring in someone who has a better chance at producing and helping the team on the floor. That makes sense, and it’s hard to argue that Mark Madsen, even with his expiring contract as a trade chip, is more valuable than a Ramon Sessions or Steve Novak.
That’s not to say Madsen’s release doesn’t raise some interesting questions. For example, why was Mark Madsen released instead of Ricky Davis? Davis has a 2.4 million deal that expires this year, so both players have very similar contracts. Ricky Davis doesn’t exactly carry the reputation of being a guy good chemistry guy like Madsen does, although Ricky is unquestionably more talented. But if you had the choice for a 12th man who will rarely see the floor, it’s a pretty easy decision, right? You pick the energetic, encouraging, towel waving goofball. Madsen has to be an easier expiring contract to trade as well – Ricky Davis is about as popular as the plague amongst NBA GM’s. I may be jumping to conclusions, but releasing Madsen instead of Davis tells me that Dunleavy plans on giving Ricky a nice chunk of playing time, health permitting. It’s the only conclusion that really makes any sense. Why else would you let Ricky Davis hang around your basketball team?
Even if they may have targeted the wrong player, releasing Madsen was probably the right thing to do. Steve Novak is likely headed back to Los Angeles now, and an additional mystery player will be joining him. Sessions seems like the obvious candidate for the spot, but it is possible he still has little interest in fighting for a second string spot with Sebastian Telfair. Some of the additional free agents we previously listed have now headed off to Europe, such as Maurice Ager and Von Wafer. One player who hasn’t gone to Europe is Allen Iverson, and the possibility of him becoming a Clipper still looms. Perhaps a more realistic scenario would be the Clippers bringing back Mike Taylor. He knows the players, coach, and system, and is still young. He’s obviously not option number one, but don’t rule him out if Sessions happens to become unavailable.
By waiving Madsen, the Clippers lose a great character guy and a trading chip, but they gain valuable roster flexibility and something all good GM’s crave: Options.
42 Responses
Six weeks ago a former NBA General Manager of the Year told me that the Clippers biggest problem is that Zack Randolph is untradeable. You say Ricky Davis is untradeable. If you were a G.M. who would you consider picking up a male cheerleader or a formerly dangerous offensive player who may still have a jump-shot. Do you really think that even the 2009 Summer Clippers would dump a contract that they had any decent chance of unloading for some value as they are about to complete their powerful offseason make-over?
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Posted on August 21st, 2009 at 10:37 pm
all summer the clippers were supposedly interested in Sessions….yet all summer NOTHING happened!!! anytime it was reported that another team wanted Sessions, along came the Clippers name as a potential suitor, make something happen already!!! personally I’d rather that they get Iverson, he’s a proven scorer who can be a monster option off of the bench….imagine, resting Baron and replacing him in a game with Iverson, omg!!! NOt only that, Davis has been prone to injury eery single year, why not get a Proven former All-Star who’s still got the goods and he’s still a player that people want to see!!!
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Posted on August 22nd, 2009 at 6:27 am
If the Clips can add one more weapon. Iverson, Sessions. I think we can win 50+ games. If that does not happen we really need to figure that has to do with coaching the cemestry. On paper the team looks deap. Go Clips
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Posted on August 22nd, 2009 at 8:01 am
This has been a great offseason. I find myself checking the blog more often then ever not knowing what may have happened on the clip front. Its a strange feeling I am getting here as the owner may in fact want to win.
On a side note keeping Novak would be a great move. When it comes to late game situations where you need a bucket coming out of a TO he is a person you want on the floor. The spacing he creates very valuable. Leave him and its 3. For a 10 to 12th man I’ll take that kind of contribution
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Ian Reply:
August 22nd, 2009 at 10:53 pm
The owner has wanted to win for (at least) the last 4 years….
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Posted on August 22nd, 2009 at 8:20 am
Iverson would ruin the chemistry of this team. Look what he did in Denver and Detroit. He is bad news and thinks that he is better than he is ala Gary Sheffield.
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Posted on August 22nd, 2009 at 9:43 am
Madsen’s contract was fully guaranteed and there were no indications that he agreed to a buyout. So it’s likely that the Clippers didn’t save any money by waiving him. It was probably just a situation where Dunleavy said. “I know what he brings and I’m just not going to play him. So let’s just cut him.”
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D.J. Foster Reply:
August 22nd, 2009 at 10:11 am
We’re still not sure what the financial terms of Madsen’s release are, but we’ll make sure we update it for everyone as soon as it becomes available.
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Posted on August 22nd, 2009 at 9:48 am
This Sessions thing has dragged on way to f’n long. We’re talking about Ramon Sessions. Razor Ramon Sessions. Just pick a damn place to play and get it over with.
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jgroove Reply:
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:46 am
Agreed. This guy is getting way too much love. If he were that good, half the playoff teams in the league would be trying to get him on their roster. Wouldn’t Flip Murray help us more?
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FIRE DUNLEAVY PLEASE!!! Reply:
August 22nd, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Sessions is actually VERY good…most teams dont have the kind of cap flexibility to sign the guy, but believe me…he’s the real deal. We’re gonna have to give most if not all of our MLE to pry him from the Bucks and Dumbleavy is probably hoping to spend the exception on a washed up, lazy, me-first kind of player to continue the losing cycle…
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Ian Reply:
August 22nd, 2009 at 10:54 pm
I like Sessions bc he’s Baron Davis insurance (and the policy covers both injury and laziness).
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VH Reply:
August 23rd, 2009 at 11:27 pm
A lack of patience is how players like Eric Dampier end up with a 7yr $73MM contract. The clippers have shown great prudence this off season. If they continue to do so, it could be a sign of a brighter things to come. Now if Dunleavy would just leave coaching to do what he is good at full time we might really make some waves.
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Posted on August 22nd, 2009 at 10:52 am
theres a reason why the pistons didnt do good and its allen iverson. that guys a cancer on the team and the reason why we didnt sign sessions is because his camp is asking for too much. dunleavy can easily sign him for their asking price or a s&t wid a pick but that would be giving up too much. mdsr the GM is doing a good job waiting this out to get the most value of the salary cap. every mil counts and i believe hes trying to get the most he can come next summer.
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Posted on August 22nd, 2009 at 11:40 am
If we could sign Sessions (not sign and trade) and lock up Novack we would be sweet. If we get the team chemistry thing going and stay healthy, the playoffs will follow.
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Posted on August 22nd, 2009 at 12:21 pm
I’m sure we’ll just use the rest of the trade exception to acquire another player. We’ll get a player and cash to pay that players contract, just like we did with Butler. This way the cheap organization won’t be out any extra money.
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Posted on August 22nd, 2009 at 1:00 pm
trade ricky davis for raja bell so iverson can join the bobcats. We get a great backup 2 guard. Top 3pt shooter in the league and great defender. Resign novak. The beauty of it is you have a 13 man roster leaving sessions still a possibility or a player through the trade exception(my pick is still michael finlay).
the lineup:
Davis-Telfare-Collins
Gordon-Bell
Butler+Thornton
Griffin-Smith-Novak
Kaman-Camby-Jordan
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brian Reply:
August 22nd, 2009 at 2:44 pm
they will never accept bricky davis for raja bell
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Adam H Reply:
August 22nd, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Sorry, won’t happen, Chris Wallace is not the GM of the Bobcats.
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pel Reply:
August 22nd, 2009 at 6:19 pm
charlotte wants to save money, larry brown wants to reunite with AI, and the franchise is for sale!This quote by Rick Bonnell sums up AI’s pretty nicely
“With the Bobcats inching toward the luxury-tax threshold, it’s problematic to make Iverson a fair offer, even in a depressed economy. Minutes are another issue: With Raja Bell, D.J. Augustin and restricted free agent Raymond Felton on the roster, where would Brown find sufficient playing time for a nine-time All-Star who averaged nearly 42 minutes his first 12 NBA seasons?”
I’m gonna give some reasons why i think this trade makes sense.1) Charlotte is one of the teams hardest hit by the bad economy and could make alot of money off this2)Bell’s contract is more that double that of davis. 3)They can waive ricky.4)AI only would have gerald henderson to compete with for minutes at the 2 and could find some time at the point.4)If Ricky can contribute, he has the size and ability to guard the two’s iverson can’t(all of them)
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Posted on August 22nd, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Iverson = high volume, low percentage shooter. Not interested in defense. Not interested in being coached. Not interested in fitting in with the team, but with the team fitting around him… Malingers when unhappy, which is much of the time. Believes he is a a major superstar no matter how poor his performance… We already get all those qualities from Baron Davis…
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Posted on August 22nd, 2009 at 4:57 pm
^^^ And from Mike Dumbass.
If we get Sessions we have to find a way to move Telfair.
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jgroove Reply:
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:56 pm
Where did that come from? I hadn’t heard him say that in public…
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Posted on August 22nd, 2009 at 6:47 pm
All this talk about Sessions is stupid. The Clips have put their chips in Baron Davis’s basket, a very big basket. What up and coming point would want to back up him and possibly Telfair? Mike Taylor is very talented, just needs to be reigned in from time to time..Madsen, adios, you got 10+ seasons out of minimal talent. Good luck wherever you may be, on the court or off-a class guy. I still looks for the Clips to sign a minimal guy, like Dionte Christmas..
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FJ Reply:
August 22nd, 2009 at 10:20 pm
The minimal guy idea is good , but dionte sucked in summer league, Nik Caner-Medley reminded me of a white tayshaun prince so i would pick up him.
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SamMays Reply:
August 23rd, 2009 at 8:40 am
Baron showed last year that we would be very foolish putting all our chips in his basket. His shooting was poor, his decision making was worse and his effort level revealed a lack of character and leadership qualities.
You can sign Dionte Christmas if you want. I think we should be out looking for a potential replacement for Baron in the event he whines and quits again, which is more than a remote possibility.
Having been through a season with Baron as the only option at PG, I doubt Dunleavy wants to put himself in that position again… And I don’t think Telfair, while an improvement over Taylor, is that guy. And Taylor may be talented, but to play PG you have to also be very smart. Taylor isn’t.
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Posted on August 22nd, 2009 at 9:39 pm
We could have thirteen 1992 Michael Jordan’s on the roster. It would make no tangible difference, our training staff couldn’t keep a roided’ up German Olympic Women’s swim team off the IR.
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Posted on August 23rd, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Clips need to do good this season and court King James Next summer. Yes I realize what I just wrote and no I am not on drugs…..
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Posted on August 23rd, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Trade Kaman away for Expiring contracts and offer Lebron James a Max contract.
Pros
Los Angeles
State of the art training facility 24/7
Young , very Talented Clipper team led by Baron Davis
Franchise on the rise
Battle Kobe Bryant 4 times per season for LA dominance!
Staples center
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epaminandis Reply:
August 24th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Dream on Petey…
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EricGordonsAnkleBrace Reply:
August 25th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Trade Novak for LeBron before the start of the season so Cleveland gets something before he leaves as a free agent.
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Posted on August 23rd, 2009 at 6:05 pm
If the coach is counting on Ricky Davis the Clips are in BIG trouble….
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bongstradamus Reply:
August 25th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Im wondering if all this sign and trade talk with the Bucks is an effort to offload Ricky Davis + change.
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Posted on August 24th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Does the CBA permit the Clips to purchase the “rights” to Sessions from the Bucks ?
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Posted on August 25th, 2009 at 8:44 am
i believe the only ways to acquire rights is to buy them from a team post draft and before contract, or acquire them through trade before their RFA period and the end of their rookie deal. If at any time they are waived and become a free agent, I believe they no longer qualify for Bird Rights. So in this case, Sessions rights belong solely to the Bucks and cant be sold because he’s still under his rookie contract. Milwaukee either has to match an offer sheet he receives from another team or they get to keep him at the qualifying offer.
Sessions could opt to play overseas, but Milwaukee would retain his rights until his next contract is signed in the NBA. So next year he would be in the same situation, Milwaukee would have first right of refusal.
Sadly though, for how good he is, I’m surprised no team has actually thrown him an offer. They are all trying to spend as little as possible to acquire him. People are that concerned about their cap going into next year. Even Ray Felton hasnt gotten a fair deal from anyone.
If I was Pat Riley, I’d give Sessions a deal just to make the Clippers and Knicks react and hopefully respond with their own. Maybe he gets the point guard he’s always wanted, or maybe he gets his two main competitors in next years FA market to strain their cap.
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Posted on August 25th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Kevin or DJ: On Facebook, Ralph Lawler mentions that some newpaper in Racine, WI states that the Clips are still in the hunt and trying to work on a sign and trade with Milwaukee. Any updates?
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Posted on August 26th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Hey Derrick – I’m going to put a post up today updating the Sessions situation.
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Posted on August 26th, 2009 at 11:28 am
hmmmmm
i was hoping Mark Madsen could by like the energy type player we have ALWAYS missed…lift the guys spirits when they are down…etc…
but apparently not someone else is going to have to fill that role cause shit
its annoying when our guys get down and they look dead out there….
WE NEED A VOICE …and i cant realy think of a voice we have in the locker room unless it becomes BLAKE?
at this point id rather trade Chris Kaman than Ricky Davis…..
(because that means DJ will get more PT…..)
and if we do get Steve NOvak AAAND sessions (or iverson)
and with the roster we have if we dont atleast finish over 500 next season
Dunleavy needs to go and realize he lost these guys…..
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Posted on August 26th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Dunleavy’s done a nice job making up for his blunder of acquiring Zack Randolph by acquiring the players mentioned above, but he still has a lot of work to do. Here’s what I what I would do if I were running the clips;
1) Sign Sessions for close to the full MLE. That might seem a bit much given the Buck’s financial situation and his lack of suitors, but there’s no sense losing out on a really good point guard by risking overpaying him a bit for a year or two. Sessions will be well worth it.
At 6′3”, 190 lbs, he has very good size for a point guard. He’s proven to be a capable scorer (12.7 ppg) and defender (1.1 spg), as well as an adequate rebounder for his position (3.4 rpg). Most importantly he’s not only a good passer, but a willing one that takes good care of the ball. He averaged 5.7 apg last year to only 1.9 tpg. That’s nearly a 3 to 1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Very solid. He’s also gets to the line – 4.5 times per game last year – and makes nearly 80 percent of his free throws when he gets there. The only area of his game that he really struggles is his shooting (a horrible 17.6% on three’s last year). But he only attempted 34 last year so at least he’s not chucking from there.
In sum, Session’s is definitely worth close to the MLE.
2) Trade Baron Davis to the Knicks for Eddy Curry and either Jordan Hill or Wilson Chandler.
This trade works numbers wise and makes a ton of sense for both teams. Davis excels in a free-flowing uptempo offensive system as proven by his success with Golden State. I have no doubt that he’d be back to his old all-star caliber self if he went to the Knicks. The Knicks do this trade because they’ve basically traded Curry (someone who might not even crack the rotation) for Davis – a star player that excels in an uptempo system and will help recruit free agents to the Knicks next offseason. The Knicks get a star player without putting a sizable (if any) dent in their 2010 capspace and only have to give up either an uproven power forward with potential (Jordan Hill) or a player that plays the same position as their 2008 lottery pick Ganillo (Wilson Chandler).
The Clips do it to open up a starting spot for Sessions, spare the team of any bad moral caused by tension between the Dunleavy and Davis, and save themselves nearly 30 million over the final three years of Davis’ contract. In addition, they pick up another good complimentary piece in Hill or Chandler. They can save a little more money by buying out Curry who wouldn’t crack the rotation.
It’s a win-win for both teams.
3) At some point during the season before the trade deadline they should trade Kaman for either Kirk Hinrich or Gortat and Brandon Bass. Kaman would have to prove he’s health and produce like he did before he did before he was injured for either trade to go down.
The Bulls do this trade because although Hinrich is a valuable player, they have Derrick Rose and John Salmons (and Pargo off the bench) at the 1 and 2 (making him expendable) and a huge need for low post scoring. If healthy, Kaman can provide that.
The Clips make this trade because Hinrich has playoff experience, can play both the 1 and the 2, knock down the open 3, plays good defense, and provides veteran leadership. He could easily play close to 30 minutes a night backing up both Sessions and Gordon.
Orlando would consider trading Gortat and Bass for Kaman because Kaman provides interior scoring. He’s good insurance at center if Howard gets hurt or in foul trouble. He could also play power forward for 15 minutes a game along side Howard if the Magic want to go big.
The Clips do it because they get a solid defensive center in Gortat that rebounds well and won’t command the ball. They also get a solid, energetic, back up for Griffin when Craig Smith’s contract runs out.
Personally, I like the Chicago trade better because I think Hinrich is the exact type of player they need and DeAndre Jordan could very well develop to the point where Gortat would be redundant.
4) Trade for Trevor Ariza. This may be a bit of a strectch given that Houston just signed him (probably as an eventual replacement for Battier), but at the very least they should inquire about him. I really have no idea what it would take to do the trick, but I’d offer up a combination or either Thorton and Hill or Thorton and Chandler. That might seem like a lot, but my guess is it still wouldn’t be enough for Houston.
Here’s why the Clips should consider it: Ariza has proven that he excels as a complimentary piece on a good team by knocking down open threes at a high percentage, harass the oppossing team’s best perimeter player with his speed, length, and quickness, finish on the break, and knows his role on the team. If Griffin and Gordon live up to their potential and become all-star caliber players, then Ariza is exactly the type of player the Clips will need at the SF position.
5) Be smart in free agency. Do not go overpaying players when they have no clue how they’re going to fit in with the team. Lebron, Wade, Bosh, and Joe Johnson are the exceptions and the only one that might even consider the Clips is Johnson.
And finally, make these trades (except for the Davis one) near the trade deadline. I think these trades will make the team a lot better, but ideally the Clips would miss the playoffs this year while continuing to develop their young players (Gordon, Jordan, Griffin) and land a lottery pick in next year’s promising draft. Ideally, they’d win it again and take Wall, but if they were able to get a top 5 pick, they might be able to trade Sessions and that pick for Wall. Then they’d have Wall, Griffin, Gordan, and Griffin to build around.
This team would be a perennial playoff contender starting next season and a championship contender in no more than 3 seasons from now.
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bootstrenf Reply:
August 27th, 2009 at 9:22 am
a lot of things would have to fall exactly into place for all this to happen….
seriously, what are the chances of snagging griffin and wall in back to back drafts???
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bootstrenf Reply:
August 27th, 2009 at 9:23 am
no GM in their right mind would trade away a player like john wall for a pick and ramon sessions….
that is crazy talk…
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ClipNation3 Reply:
August 27th, 2009 at 10:06 am
You’re right, no GM would trade away Wall for a top 5 pick and Sessions; the Clips would probably have to include Hill and even that might not be enough.
All that said, the model of building the clips still applies. It revolves around solid drafting, player development, and cap management. The Clips already have a potential star in Griffin. They also have players such as Gordon, Thornton, and Jordan, that have shown a lot of promise. If they trade away Davis and sign Sessions they’ll have a really young core. By giving those players a lot of playing time they’ll not only develop them, but they’ll end up with a high lottery pick.
Then, instead of overpaying star free agents to come to their team (Baron Davis) or making panic trades to possible turn the team into a playoff contender (Zack Randolph) they simply sign veteran role players to help the younger players develop. That way, when the time comes to pay the players they drafted they’ll have the money.
Yes, a lot would have to fall into place for what I wrote to happen. But it’s easily conceivable. Kaman could very well be the big man the Bulls need. Sessions would definitely accept a contract with the Clips if they offered him a starting spot and close to the MLE. I’m sure the Knicks wouldn’t mind trading Jordan Hill and/or Wilson Chandler if it meant they got rid of Eddy Curry and received Baron Davis in return. The Ariza deal is unlikely, but it’s probably the least important of the moves I described. You’re right, it’ not likely for the clips to win the lottery again. But if they focus on developing their young players by giving them a lot of playing time then they’ll end up with another promising young player. Next Year’s free agency is the time to add inexpensive veteran role players to round out the team. They could also trade some of their youth for veteran players. Wouldn’t you rather have a team that’s not only a near lock to to make the playoffs every year for 8 years in a row, but also one that has a legitimate chance of making the Finals each year? I would.
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Posted on August 26th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
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