It’s not official yet, but let’s take a look at the trade as it stands now and break down the pros and cons of the deal.
Pros:
- Money. First and foremost, that’s what this trade is all about. We’re not sure how much the Clippers will receive in the deal, but that’s likely the prime motivator behind it.
- Player Development. DeAndre Jordan needs floor time and consistent minutes to grow, and he’ll get that with Marcus Camby’s 31 minutes per game going by the wayside. At the very least, DeAndre can further showcase his potential and increase his trade value around the league.
- Politics. When Sebastian Telfair eventually returns from injury, it would look peculiar if Bobby Brown were getting minutes over him. Steve Blake, while not a world-beater, is a serviceable point guard who has shown he’s deserving of NBA minutes. Essentially, Steve Blake allows Kim Hughes to sufficiently bury Sebastian Telfair. Remember, Telfair’s contract has a player option next year, meaning it’s up to him whether he stays or goes. Think he’ll be more inclined to leave if he doesn’t see any burn for the rest of the season?
- More Politics. Marcus Camby is apparently upset with the news, but that will likely change once he’s logging playoff minutes for the wonderful fans in Portland. Ultimately, it makes the Clippers look good as an organization because they’re letting a veteran chase a ring. I’m not saying Kevin Pritchard “owes” Dunleavy one after this, but it’s not a bad idea to get on the good side of one of the more active GM’s in the league.
- A Free Look. No one thinks Travis Outlaw is the long term answer at Small Forward, but if he impresses and the Clippers strike out in free agency, who knows what can happen? There was essentially no way that Marcus Camby was being retained this Summer, with that likely being a mutual decision between player and team. Could Outlaw or Blake come back next year? It’s not likely, but it’s not improbable either.
- Bird Rights. The Clippers can now go over the cap to retain Outlaw or Blake next season without being charged luxury tax. What are the chances a Donald Sterling owned team goes over the cap ever, especially in this economy? Pretty slim. If it does happen though, you could do worse than filling out your bench with Outlaw and/or Blake. Although the Clippers had Bird Rights with Camby, the team likely would have renounced him (and the rights) so they could have the space cleared to make offers to other free agents.
Cons
- The Haul. Travis Outlaw, Steve Blake, and cash savings are probably not what Clippers’ fans had in mind for Marcus Camby. As one of the more attractive players and contracts on the trade market, you’d expect the return could have been more substantial. If there were no available trades for big pieces, it seems the Clippers could have at least picked up some draft picks in a deal, even though a first round pick does equal another guaranteed contract. Basically, this trade implies that cash has a higher value than draft picks, which may be tough for some to swallow.
- Chemistry. By all accounts, Marcus Camby was the “big brother” for a lot of these guys, and there have already been some reported grumblings in the locker room about Camby being moved. This season is shot, but finishing with some positive momentum may have helped aid the reloading process next year.
- On Court. It’s tough to tell the effect Outlaw and Blake will have, but one thing we do know for certain is that the Clippers were a much, much worse team with Marcus Camby off the floor. From strictly a basketball standpoint, the Clippers appeared to have downgraded quite a bit. In some ways, that could be listed as a pro…if you catch my drift.
- Timing. This deal, or one similar to it, would have likely been available for the Clippers come Wednesday. Why move before any of the other pieces had fallen? Was this rushed, or does Dunleavy have more moves in mind other than just this one?
- Lateral Movement. By not including Sebastian Telfair or Al Thornton in this deal the Clippers remain incapable of offering a max-contract this offseason. Their best shot at pawning off one of those undesirable contracts to get further under the cap? Marcus Camby.
- Market Value. We’ll see how the trade market plays out, but it certainly feels as if the demand for Camby should have been a bit higher. The Clippers acquired no future assets outside of cash in this deal, which isn’t exactly the ideal return for one of the league’s best rebounders and defenders.
There are still a lot of unknowns, but your initial opinion of this proposed trade likely hinges on something we’ll never know: Could the Clippers have received more for Marcus Camby?
53 Responses
How do you figure that the Clippers wouldn’t have Camby’s bird rights? We should have obtained them when we acquired him by trade.
D.J. Foster Reply:
February 16th, 2010 at 1:46 am
BRJ – Thank you for pointing this out. I was a little rusty with my Bird Rights info – I updated all the posts and the comments section. The Clippers do have Bird Rights with Marcus Camby.
Here is where I’m getting my current information: http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#Q29
My mistake guys – thanks for helping out.
bongstradamus Reply:
February 16th, 2010 at 1:49 am
Oh this even makes me more mad then.
swamigusto Reply:
February 16th, 2010 at 9:00 am
But how valuable are Camby’s Bird rights? Not very. He’s thirty-five, nobody’s signing him for anything longer than a two year deal anyway.
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 1:18 am
I think most of your pros are wishful thinking sir. These aren’t talking points from someone in the Clips PR office are they?
D.J. Foster Reply:
February 16th, 2010 at 1:49 am
You could make the argument that just clearing up the time for DeAndre makes the trade worth it. Personally, I wouldn’t make that argument, but I’m saying you could.
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 1:27 am
Fire Dunleavy.
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 1:30 am
i like the trade.Once caron butler was off the market, i felt the clips needed to start focusing on the offseason. I do not think it is a coincidence that blake and outlaw play the same positions as thornton and telfair. Maybe the knicks would be interested for their hometown legend telfair, an athletic project in thornton, and an expiring brian skinner for an expiring chris duhon.
Even if the clips do not have the 14 million for a max salary, i still feel they will try to sign rudy gay to a back-ended restricted free agent offer sheet. 10 million the first year (to fit the cap) and then have it increase. hopefully memphis wont match it.
baron-gordon-gay-griffin-kaman that would be a nice 5.
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 1:34 am
D.J.,
Does this trade mean that the Clippers will try to sign Big Sofo in the summer?
D.J. Foster Reply:
February 16th, 2010 at 1:50 am
Rod,
I really hope so. Sofo looked great this Summer, and the thought of potentially teaming him up with Craig Smith for a “Bash Brother” type frontline makes me absolutely giddy.
D.J. Foster Reply:
February 16th, 2010 at 1:51 am
If there’s any time to do it, it will be this offseason. Clippers will probably be short on players and Sofo isn’t getting any younger. Now or never type of thing.
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 1:39 am
I’m so mad right now. The teams mad and they should be, Camby was a great defensive presence and mentor. We had chemistry with him, he was a playmaker and a defensive stopper. Kim Hughes should be pissed too that Dunleavy is screwing his only shot at head coaching. Theres no upside to this but money. We get nothing for the future except some cash to overpay for even more mediocre talent this offseason.
Its like trading in an iPod for a Zune and a Snickers bar. Im pissed and all the fans should be too.
TNT57 Reply:
February 16th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Hey Bong, check the record dude! This team has zero chemistry, period. Camby made ZERO difference. Have you even been watching these games? How can you get angry? Trade everybody and start over, it couldn’t be any worse than this bunch of dogs.
TNT57 Reply:
February 16th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
If you want to be mad think about giving up an ALL-Star for nothing. That’s what we did when we dumped Z Randolph, who I read is the team leader in Memphis. I think he’s in Memphis.
bongstradamus Reply:
February 16th, 2010 at 10:27 pm
Camby made ZERO difference? Yes i’ve been watching the games. I saw Camby running the defense, Camby sometimes running the offense, I saw Camby with the second highest rebounds in the league. I saw Camby swat shots, lead the defensive intensity and keep us in games we would have blown last season. He didnt complain about Dunleavy, he didnt throw the ball away, he passed out of double teams, he did everything he was supposed to do.
Have YOU been watching? Camby more than pulled his weight and was a great role model for the other guys. Its not his fault Dunleavy sucked and called every other play for Kaveman nor is it his fault that Baron would turn over the ball or chuck it from 30 feet.
We could have easily gotten more for Camby than Blake and Outlaw and no picks. Miami’s put Beasley on the table, Memphis is considering moving Conley and Gay, Boston has Ray Allen on the block, Minnesota has Love and Jefferson on the table, Washington is ready to blow up the whole team. There are a lot of solid assets and young players with tons of upside that teams are willing to let go. Camby is the type of player playoff teams drool over.
We were in the drivers seat and somehow managed to give him away for nothing.
benoit benjamin's two left shoes Reply:
February 16th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
“Its like trading in an iPod for a Zune and a Snickers bar.”
Too funny. Too true.
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 1:40 am
Your analysis sounds like Dunleavy’s probable muddled excuse absent his recent cracks that he knows more about basketball and/or the Clipper players then anybody. Two months to go and the front office raises the surrender flag. This move is guaranteed to depress the Clipper player a Dunleavy specialty. If Camby’s gone expect another pathetic loss. Once Dunleavy lost the coaching job but retained the GM role there was no question he was going to make player moves whether good or bad be cause his ego will not allow him not to. His record as coach was horrible and his GM record is no better. He’s stupid. Korelev anyone? Losing Brand was all his fault and compounded many times over including getting the already evil David Falk insane by going behind his back to negotiate with Falk’s client Brand. Baron Davis? If you are Dunleavy a notorious controlling coach with the largest “Playbook” in the league why sign Davis a notoriously freewheeling Point Guard who is at his terrific best when the coach gives him his head and who has famously had dust ups with less controlling coaches then Dunleavy? You’d (Dunleavy) have to be an ego maniacal fool. Remember he had to be stopped from making a deal to get his son Mike Jr. on the Clippers and stopped from dumping a then injured Maggette. Sterling insists he wants to win lol but you don’t blow up the season two months before the last game for cash. Not if you are as rich as Sterling claims he is. Sterling is 76 he has only a few moments to improve his basketball legacy if he actually gives a shit. Only plus is as you said much deserved playing time for Deandre Jordan who if he gets time will be terrific – see Kaman after seven seasons on the floor, finally.
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 1:40 am
What a horrible more by a stupid stupid man. He gave up a guy who everyone likes and who is a true professional for a couple of bums and some cash for a multi multi millionaire. Why anyone roots for this team or even watches them is beyond understanding. What a pathetic organization and most of all what a pathetic owner and GM.
TNT57 Reply:
February 16th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
Maybe Dunleavy made a deal with Sterling to get him some cash to off set his salary? These guys a natural born crooks. And racists to boot. Sterling anyway. What a circus.
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 1:54 am
There are no pro’s, just con’s, unless lining an already rich man’s pocket can be considered a “pro”.
Jordan isn’t a power forward so he isn’t going to get more minutes by this move. Putting Jordan and Kaman out there together is not going to accomplish anything.
First2One00 Reply:
February 16th, 2010 at 2:19 am
true, sounds like a recipe for disaster lol
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 1:57 am
wow….this trade does not look good at all….#1 a trade within the conference and worse yet within the division…#2 nothing back that is useful…outlaw is just about as good as thornton, plays the same position and is on an expiring contract…no draft picks or prospects….blake is good but rather lost as an experienced back-up for a non-playoff team…..#3 dunleavy seems to be sulking now and has decided to make people pay attention to him by giving away one of the most influential trade peices in the league….think that Camby was not going to make a contender look better?…..
This is just disappointing……..the only good is that we can now see De Andre Jordan play a little more
Jed Reply:
February 16th, 2010 at 2:54 am
Outlaw is a BALLER.
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 2:16 am
You think Telfair is willing to walk away in 2.7 million in guaranteed money? By not playing the rest of this season that only hurts his stock to where he’ll exercise his option. The market is pretty soft for small point guards who can’t shoot well and have had off court issues.
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 3:54 am
who is big sofo?
jgroove Reply:
February 16th, 2010 at 10:53 am
Stanley Roberts of the 21st Century
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 6:56 am
I guess clips are just trying to earn karma points by sending camby to a happy place.
Besides, camby should be happy that he got traded for a player this time around. He was traded for a second pick that may never ever happen because of all the restrictions.
I’ll wait for the official word, ric Bucher is the guy who once stated Kobe was a 100% gone as a laker
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 7:22 am
Clippers were playing great & positioning itself to go over the top, Then came the news of trading CAMBY to Wizards for Caron Butler. That incident did the ultimate damage. As I remember, it happened during that Memphis game.
Nuggets sent Camby to a losing team. Then Clippers wanted to trade him to another losing team. No wonder Camby gave up on Clippers. Unfortunately rest of his teammates gave up too.
Then came KIM HHUGHES alongwith his senseless comments about the integrity of players. Who wants to play for a coach who doesn’t value their commitment?
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 7:33 am
As much as I don’t like this trade, I’m going to wait until the end of the trading deadline to see what the final result is.
Remember the ZRandolph for QRich trade turned into Craig Smith and Seb Telfair. Well, we got the trade exception and Smith for that (Telfair not so much!).
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 8:41 am
Wow that’s it? I’d rather just have a high first round pick. All this time to trade Camby and this is all the Dunce comes up with. At least give Camby to a team that has a better chance to beat the Lakers.
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 8:45 am
This was done for one reason… Ca$h. The 3 million added is why the clips did the deal. I can’t tell you how pissed I am as a STH. Nice to give up Camby for garbage to line the pockets of Sterling. I’ve stuck around for the butchery of the past 2 seasons, but this may be the final straw.
Charles Reply:
February 16th, 2010 at 11:01 am
I feel you Pedro, I think I’m done not only as a Season Ticket Holder but as a fan. I’ll probably just give away the rest of my tickets this year.
Chris McDougall Reply:
February 16th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
You can give them to me if you want. I’ll gladly take them.
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 8:58 am
Baron Davis – Steve Blake
Eric Gordon – Al Thornton
Rasual Butler – Travis Outlaw*
Blake Giffin* – Craig Smith
Chris Kaman – Deandre Jordan
That isn’t a too bad of looking team. Granted I agree we could probably get a lot more with Camby’s expiring contract, but also, our team looks much better fleshed out. Dunleavy really needs to push to package Telfair in this deal.
Curtis Reply:
February 16th, 2010 at 9:35 am
The great thing about this is that is that we have the Bird Rights to Outlaw and Blake, which will allow us to sign another quality free agent along with our 2010 draft picks. This will be a pretty deep team for the 10 – 11 season assuming this is how it’ll work out.
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 9:30 am
I’ll wait to pass a verdict once: a) this trade is signed, sealed, and delivered; and, b) the trade deadline has passed and any additional moves have been made (or not made, as the case may be). But, at first glance, I don’t like it. The Clippers should have either held onto him and taken the cap space or traded him ONLY if they were absolutely bowled over by a deal. Blake and Outlaw (plus cash) doesn’t really qualify as the latter.
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 9:36 am
there may not be anything else out there. what contenders truly want camby? he is a half season rental. portland is the ONLY top ten team that can offer him substantial minutes, ie a starting spot. phoenix could use him but he doesnt fit their style as he is no threat on offense or in the pick and roll. lakers, cavs, jazz, spurs, magic, celtics, hawks and raptors all have there big rotation set with productive all around players. i think he would be a great fit for the thunder. however, they are committed to their youngsters and have a younger (20 yrs old) version of camby, serge ibaka who is playing well and has similar per/48 min #s as camby.
i truly dont know that with players like jamison, stoudemire, illgauskas, beasley, hickson, etc all being thrown around in trade talk, that camby could draw much more. sure dunleavy could have held out for a pick. but as stated earlier, 1st rounders have cap holds and any contender’s pick will fall somewhere in the mid 20′s of a weak draft.
we have no shot at the playoffs this year and there is no PRO to holding onto camby. two more months of a solid locker room presence or mentorship for our young guys, will not work wonders for their careers. yeah, he may help us win a couple of games, but honestly at this point does 35 – 47 feel much better than 30 – 52?
where i would have loved to package telfair in the deal, i see great benefit in picking up two players that if re-signed will be rotation players next year. i also wish we could have snatched fernandez, batum, or bayless. holding out until wednesday MAY have garnered such an outcome. the current deal is zero risk (cap hit) and does benefit us in several ways. in my opinion there are no tangible ‘cons’ to this deal. everything is based on speculation. yeah our on court play and chemistry may take a hit, but is this a terrible thing? personally, i dont think it could be much worse. i value marcus as a player and a professional, but i would much rather finish the season watching outlaw (when he returns from injury), blake, and deandre take the minutes of a frustrated camby, ricky davis and bobby brown.
we need to think about next season, and a two month trial for players at positions of need is a step in that direction. had we waited until wednesday, we may not have been able to find a deal that returned two players at positions of need with expiring contracts. now, we will get a test drive of sorts to see if they fit in with our group as currently constituted. outlaw, when healthy, is better than any of the small forwards on our roster and blake would be the first solid backup PG we have had since livingston. blake could start in a pinch at the 1 or 2 without a huge fall-off. on top of that, after sitting in on several portland practices over the past couple of years, i can say that both of these guys are fun individuals that are well liked and respected by their teammates and members of the organization.
other positives of this trade follow:
1) deandre is now going to be thrown into the rotation. all of us talk of his potential, a potential that will now be more quickly realized with the responsibility of consistently playing meaningful minutes.
2) more movable parts. teams had expressed interest in blake while he was with portland. why not dip our hands into several 3 way trade scenarios and see what we can acquire? while i would be satisfied with the ‘test drive’ of blake and outlaw, i believe dunleavy made this move as a preliminary strike (may be giving him too much credit). miami has expressed interest in blake. why not help them land stoudemire? miami would give phoenix beasley, but apparently they think more highly of hickson. we can throw in some talent to make it more appealing and score beasley in return. yeah, maybe no shot at this, but wouldnt it be nice seeing gordon, beasley, and griffin at the 2,3,4 for the next 10 years?
3) change. obama won the presidency on this platform. any move dunleavy makes is better than nothing. the current product on the floor is garbage. lets get some new blood, continue to build around our youngsters and reevaluate at season’s end. the biggest factors for next year will not be ‘who we got in the camby trade’, it will be finding a player in the draft that can contribute early, plugging holes in free agency and most importantly finding a coach who can change the culture/image of this team and motivate them to play hard, for 4 quarters every night.
stay humble
Krai Reply:
February 16th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Excellent analysis, Humble.
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Looks official from here:
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/35423197/ns/sports-player_news/
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 10:03 am
Why not get at least a serviceable player and a 1st rounder for Camby instead of two reserves who will likely not come back and cash which won’t amount to much if we don’t sign anyone this summer?
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 10:42 am
I though Marcus would bring more but i guess the salary match up was tough.
not even a 2nd rounder tho’ ?
maybe Outlaw will end up a keeper.
All the best to Marcus and I hope he makes the playoffs.
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 10:49 am
I am so disgusted…. Camby is a baller, he is 35, he wants to stay in LA with/for his family… Show some fucking loyalty to a guy who has worked his ass off for a losing team for two years… Selling us all out for $3MM… SHAMEFUL!!!
Curtis Reply:
February 16th, 2010 at 11:04 am
actually it’s $1.5 Million
http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/64739/20100216/camby_dealt_to_blazers/
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 10:58 am
The season, at least, for the Clippers is almost over, In the case, the Clippers will not trade in, do you think they will try to sign him for the next season. By the way, I would like to see him back.
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 11:07 am
Buckets waived!!
WojYahooNBA
The Clippers have waived Ricky Davis.
FireDunleavy .com Reply:
February 16th, 2010 at 11:09 am
They still have to pay him, why did they dump him? Is another team going to pick him up?
FireDunleavy .com Reply:
February 16th, 2010 at 11:11 am
Oh, I think it’s because Dunleavy is making sure Kim doesn’t do a better job than him.
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 11:07 am
You can tell when a player enjoys his surroundings and his teamates. That was Camby, I don’t think it came down to making the playoffs, he’s at that stage where he just wanted to be in a comfortable place. LA was that place, that’s why I figured he would re-sign with us regardless of who we brought in next season. I just finished reading this article and he said the same thing, he loved LA. I feel bad about this trade because he of all our players was playing with heart on most nights and was playing through injuries. Maybe there’s a possibility that he would resign, I honestly wouldn’t be surprised, but it just sucks that the organization did him this way, especially for what they got in return. Here’s more to bard karma..
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=mc-cambytrade021510&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
FireDunleavy .com Reply:
February 16th, 2010 at 11:15 am
I like this quote from that article:
“It’s a lazy trade. The trade deadline isn’t until Thursday, and the going rate for a 7-footer who can dominate on one end and hold his own on the other (to say nothing of his rather helpful expiring contract) should be through the roof. Camby should be among the most sought-after assets in this market, despite the paucity of buyers, and yet the Clippers are about to send him to Portland for something they’d already get even if Camby stuck around past the trade deadline — contracts that expire in June. And $3 million.”
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 11:12 am
I suggest everyone contact the Clippers organization and express their disgust. I did. Year in, year out, management fucks the fans, players, chemistry, etc. Enough is enough.
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 11:23 am
This is just about as lame of a trade as I have ever seen..
Good job dunmbleavy…
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 11:50 am
for marcus on the bright side, he’s at least west coast and probably going to the playoffs to have some fun and make some exta change.
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
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