Arnovitz and Abbott discuss the deal on TrueHoop: Arnovitz: “In that spirit, I’d tell disappointed Clippers fans something else: They’re going to see a lot more of DeAndre Jordan, and I think that’s a good thing. Jordan will take his lumps and occasionally embarrass himself, but his development is vital for the team’s future. The void left by Camby will potentially give Jordan an intensive two-month boot camp as a rotation NBA center. They’ll also see a bit more of the irrepressible Craig Smith, who can score 1-on-1 from the block in bunches.”
Dave from BlazersEdge explains what Camby brings to the table: “Camby will help cement the Blazers into a lower playoff seed, a crucial achievement for this young team. Outlaw and Blake would not have done that. It’s a no-brainer in that sense.”
ESPN’s John Hollinger likes the trade for the Clippers (Insider): “…(The Clippers) don’t come away from this without assets. Steve Blake is a free agent and presumably won’t be back, but having Travis Outlaw’s Bird rights is a worthwhile asset. There is going to be demand for him on the free-agent market and the Clips, at the very least, can include him in a sign-and-trade deal and get something back in return. He might stick around too. Outlaw wants to go somewhere he can get minutes and shots — i.e., not Portland — and L.A. seems as good a place as any right now.
Advanced statistical expert Wayne Winston gives TrueHoop his impressions: “Winston has his own measure of how a player’s performance affects wins — it rewards, for instance, crunch time performance. He calls it Impact. ‘In Impact rating Blake has been great: ninth in League. Camby is 80th. Past two years Blake averaged +3 adjusted plus/minus and Camby +2. Outlaw averaged -1 adjusted plus/minus last two years. I like this trade for both teams because Blake knows how to win games (good impact) and the Clippers need that.’ “
Kelly Dwyer over at Ball Don’t Lie: “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 amongst 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 some cash.”
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