You’ve heard the rumors. Carmelo Anthony wants out of Denver, and the Clippers have emerged as one of the likely destinations. Could a marriage between Melo and Los Angeles work?
When considering a potential deal, there’s a couple of things to keep in mind. First off, Anthony would absolutely have to sign a contract extension. I’d say it’s safe to assume that the Clippers would have no interest in forfeiting future and current assets for a one year rental on Anthony. If the Clippers make a move towards Anthony he’d have to sign the 3-year, $65 million dollar contract extension as part of the deal. That’s the first hurdle. Is Anthony willing to lock into a long-term deal with the Clippers as opposed to hitting free agency?
For argument’s sake, let’s assume Anthony is enticed by the Clippers core and the bright lights of Los Angeles, which offer far more opportunities for him and his wife in the offseason. What do the Clippers give up to get him?
If there’s one thing you come away with after reading this, let it be this: Blake Griffin is untouchable. He’s not going anywhere. If Carmelo is the acquired target, you could probably put Eric Gordon in that category as well, although that’s not as certain as Griffin is. If Griffin and Gordon aren’t being moved, what do the Clippers have to offer?
Because of Carmelo’s $17 million dollar contract the Clippers would simply have to move Baron Davis or Chris Kaman to make the salaries match. The Clippers can’t trade anyone signed this offseason until December, and if Anthony has his way, he’ll force his way out long before then. Even if Carmelo remains on the market until December, the Clippers don’t have many salaries to trade that will add up to that big deal. So while we’re making assumptions, it’s also probably safe to say that to acquire Anthony, Kaman or Davis would have to be involved in some capacity.
And that presents another hurdle. It’s hard to believe the Nuggets have interest in Baron, as they already have Chauncey Billups and their point guard of the future waiting in the wings in Ty Lawson. Acquiring Baron just doesn’t make sense for them. If it’s Baron being traded, a third team would almost certainly have to get involved. Maybe a team like Charlotte, who would probably take a chance on Baron, could serve as a potential trading partner. The list of teams without their starting point guard penciled in is slim even when you don’t consider the length and money left on Baron’s contract. Moving Baron to get Anthony would be extremely difficult, even if his reputation around the league is much better than some members of Clippers Nación would like to believe.
If Baron is out of the equation, that leaves Chris Kaman as the lone piece who could make it work. Enter hurdle number three. Do the Nuggets really want or even need Kaman? Kenyon Martin’s gargantuan contract expires next year so there is an empty hole in the Nuggets frontcourt rotation. It’s debatable whether Nene and Kaman could co-exist but we’ll move past that for now. If the Nuggets are rebuilding, and trading Anthony would seem to indicate that they are, what good will Kaman and his contract do them? If their goal is to build around young and cheap talent (like Lawson and Afflalo) while maintaining cap flexibility and acquiring draft picks, Kaman helps them in neither area. Since Kaman alone doesn’t seem to do Denver a whole lot of good, again the Clippers would be looking at involving a third team, perhaps a team like Detroit or another team starved for a center. If the Clippers don’t involve a third team they would likely have to give up much more than just Kaman or just Baron to get the Nuggets to bite, most likely in the form of draft picks. The good news there is that the Clippers have a doozy of a draft pick in their pocket.
The Minnesota pick, which is top 10 protected this year and completely unprotected in 2012, looks like one of the most valuable draft picks around the league. Timberwolves GM David Kahn has put together an odd group in Minnesota and the prospects of that team getting out of the early lottery range in the next two years seem highly unlikely. That’s the gem Denver would likely look to acquire in all of this.
Is Carmelo Anthony worth that pick and the additional assets that would have to go with it? The snap reaction is probably yes, but there’s been a lot of smart basketball people pointing out that Carmelo isn’t nearly as elite as you would think. While the argument against Carmelo is a compelling one, there are periphereals that have to be considered. The Clippers have had two winning seasons in 27 years in Los Angeles. Carmelo Anthony has led the Nuggets to seven straight winning seasons and has never been part of a losing one. The Clippers have been to the playoffs four times since they’ve been in Los Angeles. Carmelo? Seven seasons played, seven playoff appearances. That should, despite his inefficient shooting and Twitter issues, count for something.
It makes sense that the Clippers would want a player like Anthony. For years and years they’ve had a giant hole at the small forward position. Since Elton Brand and Sam Cassell left, they’ve desperately needed a player who could bail the team out on the offensive end with timely buckets. And for even longer the Clippers haven’t had a marquee player, a face to market, a guy who can bring immediate relevancy to a franchise starved for it. Sure, there’s a good chance Blake Griffin might become that guy, but Carmelo already is.
Despite all the obvious hurdles, the union appears to make sense on paper. Of course, the reputation a player carries isn’t nearly as important as his actual on court performance, and that’s something we’ll dig into in detail later this week.
83 Responses
Knowing Sterling he’ll balk and on want to give up something stupid. If Carmelo leaves I see him going to the Nets which might still help the Clippers…
Likely playoff teams with Anthony out of the West…
Lakers
Mavericks
Oklahoma City
Phoenix
Portland
Spurs
Houston (assuming Yao plays 50 games)
Denver would be out. I’m guessing Utah would be fighting with New Orleans, Memphis and possibly the Clippers for the 7 and 8 spots. Um, that’s still a win for us right? Right???
Sigh.
Jumane Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 12:37 pm
I don’t know why you think Phoenix is a likely playoff team. They got a lot worse without Amar’e and there’s no guarantee that Turkgolu/Childress are going to fill that hole.
Plus, Portland isn’t necessarily a lock either. We still aren’t sure how good of a player Brandon Roy is and whether he has any lingering issues with that hammy.
Posted on September 1st, 2010 at 12:52 am
Bill Simmons mentioned on his podcast last week something very intriguing. He said that Donald Sterling has NEVER traded away a future first round draft pick. He knows that by holding on to that draft pick, that the Clippers fans hold a slight glimpse of hope and something to look forward to.
MannyA Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 6:47 am
Yeah, Simmons said that recently, but didn’t the Clippers just trade a future first round pick to OKC?
Pez Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 10:07 am
I believe Simmons’s insight into Sterlings motivations wasn’t that DTS likes first round picks because of the glimpse of hope, but rather because they typically represent a very good ROI.
Bestclipfan Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 1:06 pm
I am pretty sure DTS would love having Melo, who would put lots of butts in the seats.
Respect Griffin Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 11:54 pm
Bill Simmons is an idiot and this is an inaccurate fact!!!! The Clippers traded their 2006 first round pick to the Nets when we were trying to clear cap space for Kobe
Moist Tushy Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 12:53 pm
You’re an idiot.
Respect Griffin Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 2:24 pm
your moms an idiot
TNT57 Reply:
September 5th, 2010 at 8:53 pm
Ah, Clipper Nation speaks! BTW, for the record, you’re both idiots.
Respect Griffin Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 12:39 am
why would this moron Moist Tushy call me an idiot for stating a fact? What a piece of trash he/she is
Bagel Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 11:22 am
BTW if DTS likes a good ROI then I got to say TMI for all the LOL in the PCP and get a girl with good DSL’s because I’m trying to AGBFKTWLS
Posted on September 1st, 2010 at 4:22 am
Eric Gordon might be untouchable in a trade involving Carmelo Anthony??? That sounds about right for the Clippers. Good luck with that kind of thinking.
Clipped Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 8:25 am
He’s still a rookie. And salaries don’t match. And he’s not on trading block.
MannyA Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 8:36 am
If it was Carmelo for Gordon straight up, it’s one thing, but to make salaries match, we’d have to include Kaman. Gordon plus an Allstar center is a steep price. Then consider Minnys pick, which I’m sure is gonna be Included in any trade for Melo, then it’s wayyy to much!
I want Melo, but if the proposed trade of Kaman, Aminu and Minnys pick is not enough, I’ll be ok with not getting him.
Pez Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 10:08 am
Gordon has a great attitude, is a tough defender, and is very young. Not the same basketball player Melo is, but look at how melo is shitting all over the denver organization right now…doesn’t seem like something that EJ would do. Considering these factors you’d have to think twice.
FD Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Yeah, Elton Brand wouldn’t screw the Clippers over either.
Posted on September 1st, 2010 at 6:32 am
As nice of an addition Carmelo would be to the Clippers squad, I feel like trading assets in some sort of combination of Gordon, Kaman, B. Davis, and dare I say, Blake Griffin seems a bit moot. Despite the team troubles, I don’t really want to see any of those guys go until we can see what those 4 can do on the court together.
As well, if Carmelo really wants to come to LA, he’s only a season away, so we might as well wait it out.
Isaac Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 1:12 pm
eff that.. if you can swap baron or kaman out for melo.. you do it.. i would trade gordon for melo, but not throw in kaman or the minnesota pick.. i’d throw in aminu or dj.
griffin is the only untouchable asset imo
Posted on September 1st, 2010 at 6:41 am
Kaman and Aminu to Philly
Iguodala and Minnesota’s 2012 draft pick to Denver
Carmelo and Speights to the Clippers
I’m not the biggest fan of Carmelo, but I think if you can acquire him without parting with Gordon and Griffin you have to do it.
Posted on September 1st, 2010 at 7:09 am
Trading Kaman is the right thing to do. Minutes are going to be a rare commodity as several talented rookies need more exposure. Can’t afford to keep Kaman. With Carmelo, Griffin and Gordon, we don’t need his services.
Pez Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 10:09 am
I agree, doesn’t seem particularly likely…but if Melo wanted to play here and we traded away a package primarily consisting of Kaman and the minny pick I’d do it.
RAM Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 11:25 am
I agree!
Posted on September 1st, 2010 at 8:31 am
Nice piece DJ. I’ll be looking forward to your thoughts on the character issues that may be involved with Melo. For now I tend to agree with Curtis and might want to see what this core can do before pulling the trigger.
Posted on September 1st, 2010 at 8:46 am
Send Baron Davis and DeAndre Jordan to Denver.
CLIP4LIFE Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 9:57 am
WISH IT WAS THAT EASY…
Posted on September 1st, 2010 at 8:59 am
After that quote in the LA Times about Sterling not knowing the players the Clippers signed, Oshley or who ever is in charge might be desperate to get Carmelo. Given the current roster I doubt Oshely will continue as the Clippers GM if they don’t make the playoffs. But if he got Carmelo and missed the playoffs, he’d probably still have a job.
RL Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 11:26 am
IF we get Carmelo without losing Gordon and Griffin, and still miss the playoffs… then there is a curse… I’ll be a believer.
MannyA Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 12:51 pm
There’s no way they miss the playoffs with that roster. If they do, He’ll ya Clips are cursed!!!
Bestclipfan Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 1:07 pm
If we get Melo without giving up Griffin or Gordon then Olshey gets put into executive of the year discussion.
Posted on September 1st, 2010 at 10:37 am
Great breakdown. I agree with pretty much everything you wrote.
If they can get Melo for Kaman and the TWolves pick, the Clips have to do it. The franchise is just starved for a player with Melo’s abilities and cache.
Plus, Melo’s only 26 yrs. old. He and Griffin would be a pretty dangerous combo for years.
Posted on September 1st, 2010 at 11:41 am
First of all great analisys DJ, it is complicated situation to deal with it and at the end we can lost more that what we gain. but Melo with the Diva (BD) is not going to work not even in paper, first we need BD out then we can start thinking to add players of this caliber to the roster otherwise everything will finish with another great frustation, curse? that is in your mind is the bad decisions that make bad things happen.
Posted on September 1st, 2010 at 11:48 am
You lose Kaman ( 18.5 ppg & 8 rbs ) , add Melo ( atleast 22ppg & 4 rbs) , looks like
a trade off. Melo can go for 30, 40 + on any night.
I am going to assume that LA starts the season as currently structured, and not get caught up with all the what ifs .I already drained myself from the Lebron sweepstakes.
Bongstradamus Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 8:27 pm
Kaman WILL NOT average 18.5 points a game this season for one reason: Blake Griffin. All those touches that went to Kaman last year will now be going to Blake. We are more than likely looking at decreased production for Kaman this year.
chris. Reply:
September 3rd, 2010 at 8:27 am
Why not? Kaman had Camby for the first half of the season and he was doing great and eventually made the all-star team. Griffin is more hustle but Kaman is probably a better spot up shooter for now. Our front-court is going to be killer with those 2.
Bongstradamus Reply:
September 3rd, 2010 at 4:48 pm
Camby wasnt a scorer. Griffin is. Thats the difference. My point was he will not be getting the same amount of shots, therefore his offensive production will decrease. His rebounds should stay the same, possibly improve, but scoring will not be the same.
Posted on September 1st, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Kaman is proof positive that stats are misleading. His lack of defense, lack of court awareness , lack of brain wattage in general & turnovers(especially at crunch time) make him a negative no matter what the numbers. To mention him in the same breath as Melo is laughable. Gordon is not a bad player,but will never come close to being a superstar. Melo is a young superstar who could have a long career ahead of him. He can make any team a contender. Get him!
TNT57 Reply:
September 5th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Plus Kaman might be the only one handed baller by next 4th of July. He really does make me ashamed to be a white man.
Posted on September 1st, 2010 at 12:56 pm
We’re going to have include Gordon in any deal. They will want a valuable young player outside of the pick.
Bestclipfan Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 1:31 pm
I don’t think we have to include Gordon, they aren’t going to get anything better then Kaman+Aminu+Mini pick from any other team. No need to sweeten a pot that is already very sweet.
FD Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 3:11 pm
I’d probably rather have Aminu and Minn’s pick, but to win now, but for the next couple years Gordon will have more value to the Clippers.
What do the Knicks have to offer?
Bongstradamus Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 3:29 pm
The offer on Hoopshype has the deal as Kaman and Gordon for Carmelo straight across.
ClipperMarc Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Agreed. Kaman and the minny’s pick is all the Clips need to give up. No more!
Respect Griffin Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 11:59 pm
why should we add aminu in the deal? That’s two 10 ten picks. Kaman and Mini’s pick is more then enough
chris. Reply:
September 3rd, 2010 at 8:29 am
not salary cap wise
Posted on September 1st, 2010 at 1:13 pm
Who replaces Kaman if traded? DJ? With a deal involving Kaman we’d be missing a center.
Dump Davis Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 4:28 pm
This is a key point. DeAndre Jordan is nowhere near good enough to start at center in the NBA. He can’t do anything but dunk. Kaman on the other hand is the best center in the Western conference, at least he was last year and likely will again be this year.
Dump Davis Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 4:42 pm
True, the Rockets say Yao will play this year, but I’ll believe it when I see it. I truly hope Yao does play and plays as he once did. If he does, he would be the best center in the West. But the odds are long.
I’m strongly aware of this quote Yao himself made *last month*:
“If the foot injury does not heal next season,” Yao said in an interview with Chinese state media, “I might choose to call it quits.”
Yao’s foot injuries have been an ongoing problem for several years.
TNT57 Reply:
September 5th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Unless Yao suddenly loses 6 inches and 100 pounds there’s no way that foot doesn’t crumble by the All star break.
Pez Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 5:39 pm
What made Kaman the best center in the western conference?
I stuck up for Kaman a lot last summer, but I think we’re overvaluing him now. I believe him to be an above average center (which is a rare commodity, granted)–but he certainly isn’t able to lift this bad team up and create wins.
By some metrics, in fact, Kaman is one of the most overrated players in the league. http://dberri.wordpress.com/2010/09/01/who-was-the-most-overrated-in-2009-10/
I don’t think WP48 tells the whole story, I certainly don’t believe Kaman is the most overrated player in the league. However, I think within a year DJ might have a more positive impact on games than Kaman does now through defense, rebounding and efficiency.
Bongstradamus Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 8:31 pm
Between Rhino, Blake, DJ and Blakely we should be okay.
If all else fails, we have Sofos rights still.
Posted on September 1st, 2010 at 3:44 pm
We should NOT i repeat NOT give up eric gordon in any deal for carmelo. Eric is younger, cheaper, a better teammate, a better defender, arguably a better shooter, and a better person. The clippers have done a lot of stupid things over the years, but if they bail on EJ right now, while his confidence is sky high with the national team i may never forgive them.
Clipped Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 4:42 pm
There’s no way anyone ‘including’ DTS would approve a deal that includes ERIC GORDON.
Posted on September 1st, 2010 at 3:45 pm
I believe that ESPN’s Simmons is wrong. Didn’t the San Diego Clippers trade a draft pick to get Joe “Jelly Bean” Bryant? I think that this pick ended up being Barkley.
Posted on September 1st, 2010 at 4:14 pm
The signings of Gomes, Foye and Cook look worse every day, and the signings looked bad the first day. That’s about $10 million of cap space down the drain this year and next. No salaries come off after this season, so the Clippers now have no chance of getting Anthony as a free agent after this season. Unfortunately. Also these players can’t be included in any trade for him now, so that smacks down that plan. What a goof-up!
Anthony’s salary this year is $17.149 million. Kaman’s is $11.300 miillion and Davis’s is $13.050 million. The rule is that a team can’t get back more thatn 125% of the salary it’s giving up. 125% of Kaman’s is only $14.12 million. 125% of Davis’ is $16.31 million.
So Davis for Anthony is short about 3/4 of a million dollars. Ought to be able to work that one out. But Kaman is short three million dollars, and the Clippers don’t have anybody else to throw in to make up the difference except a rookie, unless they were total fools and threw in Gordon.
Big mistake not to keep Griffin, Gordon and Kaman. Almost as big of a mistake not to keep the Minnisota #1.
Any deal should be around Davis and one or two of our #1 picks and a third team, because Denver doesn’t need a point guard.
Of course it may be that Davis is untradeable because he’s so terrible. I personally can’t imagin anybody in their right mind taking him, but thankfully the NBA has people in it not in their right mind. If he is tradeable, the deal should be made around him.
SamMays Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 7:47 am
We’re still under the cap, so we can take back more salary. The trade would work.
Dump Davis Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 2:58 pm
I see what you mean about how the trade would still fit. But still the signings of Gomes, Foye and Cook make it impossible to sign Anthony as a free agent next year, and that would have been the ideal way to go.
Between Kaman and Davis, the one to trade is definitely Davis, using a third team.
Posted on September 1st, 2010 at 4:23 pm
Fascinating analysis, R.J. Thanks.
You wrote that The Clippers can’t trade anyone signed this offseason until December. Does that statement refer to free agent signings and draft picks or just free agent signings? I ask for clarification because Aminu’s name has been mentioned as a possible trading chip for Melo and I don’t know if that’s workable. Is it?
MannyA Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 7:55 pm
That’s just the free agents. Rookies can be traded 30 days after they are signed. Clipper rookies are tradeable now.
Posted on September 1st, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Here’s the ideal 3 team trade
Davis to Charlotte (They need a PG and want to trade Dampier)
Anthony to Clippers
Dampier to Denver (Insurance for Nene and he comes off the books to give them cap space)
RL Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 7:02 pm
You have got to be kidding me. Denver basically trades Anthony for Dampier straight up? I dunno what you’re smoking, but I might need to get your dealer’s info.
Clipper Derrick Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 1:19 am
Agreed. Dampier is garbage. This wouldn’t happen.
JaySee Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 1:21 am
This would be the basics and the ideal. Of course they’ll throw in picks, bench players, or money in the deal.
Posted on September 1st, 2010 at 6:50 pm
The Clips need to wait until December and then make a decision. If the Clips are in the best position to make the trade then lets wait and see what little Denver will take.
Bongstradamus Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 8:49 pm
We have interesting pieces, but that is starting the conversation with Kaman and Gordon and a pick.
The Nets have said Denver can have anything except Brook as well as a handful of picks.
Put it this way…Denver’s phone is ringing off the hook.
Posted on September 1st, 2010 at 8:33 pm
Great insight DJ ! keep em coming!
I also wonder who would we put at the Center position if Kaman gets traded?
Its not on Denver’s best interest to want to wait till contract expires. What did Cleveland get for James?(nada) so its either december or now!! (unless im mistaken)
Do it Olshey! The Donald is not impressed and wants a name on a clips jersey that he might know! lmao
I can’t imagine the 3 musketeers Grifin, Gordon, and Melo running down the court. That’d be awesome! (Deandre can dunk all day for all i care at this point)
griffin Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 9:38 pm
We would get eric dampier expiring contract
Posted on September 1st, 2010 at 8:46 pm
(at that point)
Posted on September 1st, 2010 at 8:48 pm
Kaman is going to have to be included just to get the contracts to work.
Kaman/Aminu/Minny’s pick might be enough to count as a serious offer. Aminu definitely has to be included to give Denver another young player as a hedge in case Minny’s pick doesn’t end up being as valuable as expected.
If Gordon is included with Kaman, then Aminu and the draft pick get taken off the table.
I think I would do Gordon and Kaman. Gordon’s a nice player but it’s unlikely that he is ever going to be as good as Carmelo and I don’t think Carmelo’s even a top 10 player, more like no.14 or so. It’s ridiculous to think he’s top 5 as that means he’s better than Howard and Paul. Kaman’s alright but pretty overrated. The raw numbers are good but he’s inefficient offensively due to shooting a low percentage for a big guy and infrequently getting to the line. 18.5 points on 15.8 shots isn’t all that good. Since he’s also turnover prone and a poor passer, feeding him the ball constantly is not a winning proposition. He’s best as a role player.
Gordon alone might be too much for people to give up but he doesn’t represent a knockout offer. He’s still projection more than actual production so he’s risky. Atlanta could beat the offer by giving up Josh Smith. New Jersey might as well by including Favors, who while very raw, has too much tantalizing upside as a big men and unblemished no.3 pick to pass up. The problem with NJ is that they’re going to be in NJ for the next two years but more importantly, Carmelo might not want to sign an extension with a team that won 12 games and only added a slew of role players in the offseason.
griffin Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 12:07 am
Why would atlanta trade smith for carmelo thats just stupid joe johnson runs that team
Posted on September 1st, 2010 at 11:16 pm
Melo, griffin, gordon, eric bledsoe (in 1-2 yrs before he shows that hes a good pg ) and it really doesnt matter who we had as a center we could even use old shaq and still come up as one of the top teams in the west just dont give gordon or griffin up.
I would rather have baron davis go than chris kaman to be honest though
Posted on September 2nd, 2010 at 12:03 am
I still think a 3 team trade with the Pistons would be a good fit.
Kaman ($11 Million (“M”)) and a Clipper first round pick to Pistons
Melo ($17M) to Clippers
Aminu ($2.5M), a Clipper 1st round pick, Greg Monroe ($2.7M), Jason Maxiell ($5M), and either Tayshaun Prince ($11M last year of his contract) or Ben Gordon ($10M) to Denver.
Thoughts?
Bongstradamus Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 9:32 am
That actually has some merit. Theres 2 things we know about Denver. 1 is they want something in return for Carmelo. 2 is they hate JR Smith so they are shopping for ANY SG that is a lateral move or an upgrade. 3 – they have problems keeping their bigs healthy.
Denver might go for this deal to get Gordon. Karl would love Tayshaun (so would Chauncey). Monroe is a great big with upside.
Thing is, why would we need to be in the trade? Detroit has all the pieces they need to buy direct.
JaySee Reply:
September 3rd, 2010 at 9:55 am
Because Detroit needs a big. I don’t think Denver would give one up.
Bongstradamus Reply:
September 3rd, 2010 at 4:54 pm
I dont think theyd want to give up Monroe in the first place. Their offer would start with Tayshaun and Rip and morph from there. Their sales pitch would be “instant chemistry and soon to be expiring deals”. A trade with Detroit is appealing since they have Billups and he knows those players very well. They wouldnt need as long a period to adjust in a new environment and they are the perfect players for George Karl to coach. They could also get rid of JR Smith at the same time.
I dont see us providing anything of value in this arrangement. Just a first round pick is enough to get Denver to bite on a Tayshaun/Rip deal since Detroit is on the decline and most likely headed toward the lottery.
Clipper Derrick Reply:
September 3rd, 2010 at 6:07 pm
I was thinking that if Denver wanted to invest in young talent, our Minny first round pick would be extremely attractive…
Respect Griffin Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 12:42 am
this is stupid, we’d be giving up way too much. An all-star center, two first round picks, one that will surely be top 5 (Minny’s), and you want to throw in Aminu as well? For Carmelo? whose unrestricted in 2012?
NO WAY
Posted on September 2nd, 2010 at 1:54 am
Kaman, Aminu and two firsts go out for Carmelo… One first too many, I think.
Posted on September 2nd, 2010 at 7:51 am
Some of the best deals made are those that never take place.
Posted on September 2nd, 2010 at 8:16 am
The Clippers don’t need his scoring with Kaman, Blake and EJ starting.
The thing that has to change for the Clippers offense in 10-11 is Baron Davis needs to pass the ball more when he has it near the end of a quarter or when the shot clock is running down.
He should be the 4th option in the starting unit. He shoots way too much and passes way to little with the clock running down.
Changing that one thing along with the addition of Blake to the Clippers starting lineup would improve their ppg by at least 5 ppg over last season.
Dump Davis Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 2:51 pm
But there is absolutely no reason to think that “one thing” would change. It hasn’t changed in the two years he’s been here. Davis is Davis. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks, and Davis is an old dog. Don’t forget Davis’s closing comments on the season when he said that his first season was about Dunleavy’s thing and his second season was about Kaman, and he wanted the next season to be about him so he could show people what he can do when given the chance “to roam”.
Does that sound like someone who’s planning to shoot a lot less this season?
The single best thing the Clippers can do before the start of the season is to dump him.
Posted on September 2nd, 2010 at 11:32 am
I agree with JaySee about a three team trade sending Davis to Charlotte. The Clippers also could include to Denver either one or two of their own number one picks (not Minnesota’s) and a couple of role players. And Denver also would get something from Charlotte. Actually. Denver would get a significant haul out of that deal, especially compared to what they’ll get for Anthony after the season.
Stephan Jackson plays in Charlotte, and he’s a big fan of playing with Davis. The Bobcats really do need a point guard. So, all in all, that ought to work.
Posted on September 2nd, 2010 at 3:11 pm
you go for carmelo if you can get him dude. I’m fed up with stat geeks pushing their agenda on the internet. I’m an avid basketball fan who does music for a living. I do believe i would woop almost any reporter (claiming carmelo is not an elite basketball player!!!) in a game of basketball! 4343 leimert blvd los angeles ca. 90008
Posted on September 4th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
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