Los Angeles Clippers eyeing David West?

[mkwest]

The Pacers' veteran leader openly loves his situation in Indiana, which certainly gives Indy justified cause for optimism when it comes to re-signing the 32-year-old this summer. Yet the whispers are already swirling that Chris Paul's Los Angeles Clippers, in particular, are going to make a hard run at West in the offseason.

Indy will certainly have the ability to pay West more to convince its locker-room sage to stay, given that the Clips would presumably have to structure an offer with the $5.15 million midlevel exception available to non-tax teams. But you have to figure that the former Hornet -- who rose to All-Star prominence playing alongside CP3 -- is going to want to hear the details of a proposal pitching a reunion with his old point guard ... as long as Paul himself, of course, has decided to stay. If Paul re-signs with the Clips as most league insiders continue to expect, L.A. will then be seeking to add the final piece or two to cement itself as a contender with some staying power.

Yet it has to give Indy's brass some reassurance when it hears West say things like he did in the wake of the New York series when he described the Pacers as "the most together group I've ever been a part of."

Marc Stein, ESPN

[mkwest]

Indiana could offer him more money and they are doing pretty well despite Granger missing practically the entire season. West would be a very nice addition, but he's going to want more than the MLE. If we were to go after him, a S&T would likely be necessary to pull it off imo.

He has a nice starting role on one of the best teams in the East. If he comes here, he's either coming off of the bench or we have an undersized starting front court. I know that the Paul-factor is in play, but I don't see this as something that is all that likely.

[mj_shoefanatic]

Griffin and West play the same position.

He'd be a great pickup as a backup PF nonetheless.

[wizardg]

this seems to be a case of a journalist being lazy and not knowing wrf he's talking about, lol

This just doesn't make sense because of the salary and positional conflicts already stated. Granger makes more sense even with his bad knee.

[Don Tommy]

I said months ago this was the pickup I most wanted this offseason. With our salary cap I don't see much of a way to sign a starting 2, so giving CP3 his stretch 4, especially one he knows, is the best thing for the team. Coming off the bench will help extend his career, and if Odom was getting 4th quarter minutes this year, why couldn't someone with actual game?

[mike3]

I don't like the idea of getting another Starter off the bench, it just reminds me of the problem we dealt with this year of having too many players deserving mins

[og15]

Clippers wouldn't get West to be a backup, they would get him to be a starter, I just can't see him as a backup making sense unless it's like a 6th man, but it would be expensive without moving Butler. It makes the front court smaller in terms of bulk, but not length. West has a 7'4 wingspan 9'0.5" standing reach, so it certainly isnt like having two Blake's out there defensively.

He would be a very good fit next to Paul and Blake though. Really interesting, but he also can't be had for the MLE, so I'm wondering what the idea in getting him is.

[pageC4]

I said months ago this was the pickup I most wanted this offseason. With our salary cap I don't see much of a way to sign a starting 2, so giving CP3 his stretch 4, especially one he knows, is the best thing for the team. Coming off the bench will help extend his career, and if Odom was getting 4th quarter minutes this year, why couldn't someone with actual game?

If we get West it would have to be at the right price. We are paying Lamar Odom 8 million a year, so if we cut Lamar and then sign West for 8 mill or less then im all for it, but i just cant see this happening. West seems like he could get so much more in free agency than what we could offer, and right now he's getting paid $10,000,000 per year. Unless he would be cool with a paycut and a bench role I dont think West will go for it.
But assuming he does go for it, could you imagine how stacked our front court would be.

[pageC4]

Indiana could offer him more money and they are doing pretty well despite Granger missing practically the entire season. West would be a very nice addition, but he's going to want more than the MLE. If we were to go after him, a S&T would likely be necessary to pull it off imo.

He has a nice starting role on one of the best teams in the East. If he comes here, he's either coming off of the bench or we have an undersized starting front court. I know that the Paul-factor is in play, but I don't see this as something that is all that likely.

MK, if we didnt resign Lamar we have 8 million freed up dont we? Could we use that money on West, or are there any restrictions on making something like this work?

[mkwest]

MK, if we didnt resign Lamar we have 8 million freed up dont we? Could we use that money on West, or are there any restrictions on making something like this work?

We have approximately $46M in guaranteed salary for the contracts of (BG, DJ, Butler, Crawford, Hill and our pick). Willie Green and DaJuan Summers are unguaranteed. If we keep Green, we're approximately up to $48M. Re-signing Paul will put us over whatever the final salary cap number is. As a result, we'll only be able to use the Mid-Level Exception (MLE), bird rights for returning players and veteran minimum contracts for new players.

Lamar's salary doesn't really effect any other player. We have his full bird rights which means that we can be over the cap and re-sign him to more than the minimum or above the MLE if we chose to do so. If we don't bring him back, then it just means that he's gone. We can't use that $8M to sign any other player.

In terms of total team salary, Blake's new contract kicks in next season. He made $7M last season and will be around $16M or so this upcoming season. So, we're not really gaining any kind of cap relief if we don't re-sign Odom. In order to make any significant roster additions that cost more than the minimum (~$854K) or the MLE ($5.15M), we'd have to make a trade.

[mike3]

so what, West would start at Center? I like West, don't get me wrong but it'd be a undersized front court

[adiedanny]

MK, if we didnt resign Lamar we have 8 million freed up dont we? Could we use that money on West, or are there any restrictions on making something like this work?

We have approximately $46M in guaranteed salary for the contracts of (BG, DJ, Butler, Crawford, Hill and our pick). Willie Green and DaJuan Summers are unguaranteed. If we keep Green, we're approximately up to $48M. Re-signing Paul will put us over whatever the final salary cap number is. As a result, we'll only be able to use the Mid-Level Exception (MLE), bird rights for returning players and veteran minimum contracts for new players.

Lamar's salary doesn't really effect any other player. We have his full bird rights which means that we can be over the cap and re-sign him to more than the minimum or above the MLE if we chose to do so. If we don't bring him back, then it just means that he's gone. We can't use that $8M to sign any other player.

In terms of total team salary, Blake's new contract kicks in next season. He made $7M last season and will be around $16M or so this upcoming season. So, we're not really gaining any kind of cap relief if we don't re-sign Odom. In order to make any significant roster additions that cost more than the minimum (~$854K) or the MLE ($5.15M), we'd have to make a trade.

only thing we can benefit in LO's salary is a possible sign and trade but dont count on teams lining up to pay him 8mil or more. I can see him getting more than the min and us possibly trading him. sort of like how we handled Reggie last off-season but I think with our salary situation I think it will be more likely we will retain LO at a much lower salary.

[azncorruptedo17]

no idea how this works?

[Clip34life]

I said months ago this was the pickup I most wanted this offseason. With our salary cap I don't see much of a way to sign a starting 2, so giving CP3 his stretch 4, especially one he knows, is the best thing for the team. Coming off the bench will help extend his career, and if Odom was getting 4th quarter minutes this year, why couldn't someone with actual game?

If we get West it would have to be at the right price. We are paying Lamar Odom 8 million a year, so if we cut Lamar and then sign West for 8 mill or less then im all for it, but i just cant see this happening. West seems like he could get so much more in free agency than what we could offer, and right now he's getting paid $10,000,000 per year. Unless he would be cool with a paycut and a bench role I dont think West will go for it.
But assuming he does go for it, could you imagine how stacked our front court would be.

LO's contract has expired. there's no need to cut him. We also couldn't afford to sign West for that price outright. Can only offer him MLE. He's not coming here unfortunately.

[pageC4]

LO's contract has expired. there's no need to cut him. We also couldn't afford to sign West for that price outright. Can only offer him MLE. He's not coming here unfortunately.

Sweet. At least we have the 8 million off the books from letting LOs contract expire. Im not so saavy on the salary cap issue and details. MK just gave me some good info on the current situation

[pageC4]

We have approximately $46M in guaranteed salary for the contracts of (BG, DJ, Butler, Crawford, Hill and our pick). Willie Green and DaJuan Summers are unguaranteed. If we keep Green, we're approximately up to $48M. Re-signing Paul will put us over whatever the final salary cap number is. As a result, we'll only be able to use the Mid-Level Exception (MLE), bird rights for returning players and veteran minimum contracts for new players.

Lamar's salary doesn't really effect any other player. We have his full bird rights which means that we can be over the cap and re-sign him to more than the minimum or above the MLE if we chose to do so. If we don't bring him back, then it just means that he's gone. We can't use that $8M to sign any other player.

In terms of total team salary, Blake's new contract kicks in next season. He made $7M last season and will be around $16M or so this upcoming season. So, we're not really gaining any kind of cap relief if we don't re-sign Odom. In order to make any significant roster additions that cost more than the minimum (~$854K) or the MLE ($5.15M), we'd have to make a trade.

Thanks MK. I hope we find a trade partner for Butler, DJ, and Hill. Those are contracts we really cant afford to keep right now given their productivity

[pageC4]

only thing we can benefit in LO's salary is a possible sign and trade but dont count on teams lining up to pay him 8mil or more. I can see him getting more than the min and us possibly trading him. sort of like how we handled Reggie last off-season but I think with our salary situation I think it will be more likely we will retain LO at a much lower salary.

I like this idea. And theres always a chance we can trade for a good player that is signed long term. Sometimes teams are looking to rebuild, and thats the type of team we need to do business with. LO's short contract status will be appealing to some people who want to rid themselves of long contracts and just start again..the problem is who fits that mold

[Angel strike1]

Get al Jefferson trade dj

[mkwest]

only thing we can benefit in LO's salary is a possible sign and trade but dont count on teams lining up to pay him 8mil or more. I can see him getting more than the min and us possibly trading him. sort of like how we handled Reggie last off-season but I think with our salary situation I think it will be more likely we will retain LO at a much lower salary.

It is true that we could do a S&T, but I just don't know how likely it is. A sticking point with him is location. We know that he'll willingly play in Los Angeles, but where else? I think a New York team could be a possibility for him, but outside of those 2 cities it becomes a little more tricky. I also agree that he'll probably re-sign here for much less.

[Neddy]

lamlam won't leave LA and will beg the fakers to sign him for vets minimum if not retained by us. having his bird rights mean we can offer him anything? i say we offer 10% above vet's minimum as our initial offer.