Brand,Maggette and Baron opt out. Rumor: Artest doesn't

[TylersLakers]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-cli ... 4796.story

Clippers forward Elton Brand joined teammate Corey Maggette today in opting out of the final season of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent.

Brand, who sat out all but eight games last season while recovering from a ruptured Achilles' tendon, immediately becomes one of the most attractive big men in the market.

He was owed $16.4 million had he stayed in the final year of his Clippers contract.

Maggette, the longest-tenured Clipper, also is one of the most attractive free agents in this off-season's market.

Brand is a little surprising.

One thing that could be interesting about that. Pure speculation on my part, is that if Brand goes to Philadelphia, maybe they would trade off Reggie Evans. Maybe the trade on my Off-Season thread might work then. Lol.. Radmanovic, 2nd round pick for Reggie Evans and filler.

http://www.news10.net/news/local/story. ... 20&catid=2

Also, according to that, Ron Artest will not be opting out. Apparently, some Sacramento radio station said that he hasn't told the Kings yes or no yet, so we'll see.

[dockingsched]

the sixers do not have the type of cap space to seriously go after brand. elton brand is going to sign a rich long term deal with the clips and secure his future.

[Rox_Nix_Nox]

If the Artest thing is true we should go after James Posey.

[Squirrel Boy]

I'd bag Maggette

[TylersLakers]

Totally agree with James Posey. ESPN is now saying he will not opt out, so.. that puts an end to that unless we trade for Ron Ron.

James Posey, here we come.

[Tommy Udo 6]

Baron Davis is out too

[Dr Aki]

davis maybe trying to force a trade to a contender?

or is this a ploy to get a max contract?

[Rox_Nix_Nox]

So the artest thing is legit...If we get posey I'd be happy

[LLcoleJ]

wow, Baron opted out? Hmm.. I always thought GS was kind of luke warm on giving him an long term extension. Interesting.

[LLcoleJ]

leSurprised that Baron opted out.


Baron Opts out

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Golden State point guard Baron Davis elected to become a free agent Monday night, opting out of the final year of his contract with the Warriors in a surprise move.




Davis

Davis had until Monday night to decide whether to turn down his $17.8 million contract for next season, the final year of a six-year deal. The Warriors didn't expect him to opt out of the deal despite little progress in the parties' long-term contract negotiation, but club spokesman Raymond Ridder said they received a letter from Davis' agent, Todd Ramasar, late Monday indicating his intentions.

Davis still could return to Golden State as a free agent, but his opt-out clause was his only bit of leverage in forcing contract talks with the Warriors before next summer. The former All-Star also is now free to negotiate with other clubs, possibly facilitating a sign-and-trade deal with Golden State.

[Slava]

Hope Baron doesn't land in Cleveland or Miami. That could be a dangerous combo up there but its good as long as they give the Celtics more trouble. He's not old enough to be signing for MLE to play on a contender so could be interesting as to see where he goes to.

[DubaLakers]

Baron wasn't happy Phil. Coach wasn't giving him enough PT for his liking. I'm not surprised Brand opted out either. He's given the Clips so much, time for a change, cuz they aren't changing anytime soon.

One thing Baron does more than any other guard in the L is eat like a teenager, he plays with a boiler. If he was more dedicated to his workout and nutrition, he wouldn't be leaving #1 or losing PT.

[LLcoleJ]

I dont care how much cheeseburgers dude eats.. he just walked from 17.5 million. If he wasnt in the long term plans of the org. then he atleast should have showed up and got traded. Now, unless there is a sign and trade out there -- which are difficult because Baron doesnt have any leverage.

So unless, he is counting on a S&T and pretty much anywhere but there... which is odd. Regardless of how his PT was impacted.( He still could have worked it in his favor but not opting out)

That or, he is going to take less somewhere else, or where he wants to go. <- which is the hardest part to imagine.

[Slava]

It'd be interesting to see what other options Nelly has at point for his system to work in GS. May be move Ellis to PG? Could be a serious risk considering that he isn't as safe with the ball as you'd like and may be resigning Baron could be their best option. Like it was reported previously, he must have been very hurt with getting benched in a vital playoff game. Well the free agency looks like is going to make up for the disappointment of the draft night.

[milesfides]

Baron Davis opting out is exciting, because as you guys mentioned, B Diddy wasn't shown the love since last year.

Baron Davis has hardcore L.A. roots. He's a film producer, he keeps in touch with all the L.A. people, and of course, he apparently talked with Kobe Bryant about coming to L.A. back when he was trying to leave the Charlotte Hornets (and, according to Kobe, the Lakers passed on him due to concerns about his knee).

You're right, Phil, If he felt he had a future in Golden State, he'd pick up the payload this final year and renegotiate next year. Why lose the money if he's going to stay in Golden State anyways?

Because he's not.

On that note, same with Brand. He wants to win according to his agent, so I think his stated desire to stay with the Clips is really lip service. I don't think Sterling will do it, especially without a point guard. They have no chance in the West without a PG. I think the Clips are most likely going to start over again, and trading for Marion's expiring contract and Beasley would be the perfect start.

Back to Baron. All things being equal, if the Lakers are willing, he's for the taking. There's no question he wants to play for the Lakers. And because it's going to be a sign-and-trade scenario, he does have some say which team he wants to go to.

But Buss must be willing to pay. Odom + Farmar is the right deal. No other team can give up as talented a point guard, especially on a rookie contract, and a major expiring contract, who may also have a future with the team, considering Odom's fit with Nelson's run-and-gun style of play. It is the perfect deal.

If Buss wants championships, this is it right here. Talent, veteran experience, athleticism, defense at one our weakest positions. Somebody who can create his own shot, break a defense down, penetrate, hit the outside jumper. Finally Kobe will play next to a better ballhandler, playmaker, and allow him to move to the wing.

This is it, right here. This is the opportunity. The stars are aligned. Time to steal a top 5 point guard.

[lakerholic4life]

Baron Davis opting out is exciting, because as you guys mentioned, B Diddy wasn't shown the love since last year.

Baron Davis has hardcore L.A. roots. He's a film producer, he keeps in touch with all the L.A. people, and of course, he apparently talked with Kobe Bryant about coming to L.A. back when he was trying to leave the Charlotte Hornets (and, according to Kobe, the Lakers passed on him due to concerns about his knee).

You're right, Phil, If he felt he had a future in Golden State, he'd pick up the payload this final year and renegotiate next year. Why lose the money if he's going to stay in Golden State anyways?

Because he's not.

On that note, same with Brand. He wants to win according to his agent, so I think his stated desire to stay with the Clips is really lip service. I don't think Sterling will do it, especially without a point guard. They have no chance in the West without a PG. I think the Clips are most likely going to start over again, and trading for Marion's expiring contract and Beasley would be the perfect start.

Back to Baron. All things being equal, if the Lakers are willing, he's for the taking. There's no question he wants to play for the Lakers. And because it's going to be a sign-and-trade scenario, he does have some say which team he wants to go to.

But Buss must be willing to pay. Odom + Farmar is the right deal. No other team can give up as talented a point guard, especially on a rookie contract, and a major expiring contract, who may also have a future with the team, considering Odom's fit with Nelson's run-and-gun style of play. It is the perfect deal.

If Buss wants championships, this is it right here. Talent, veteran experience, athleticism, defense at one our weakest positions. Somebody who can create his own shot, break a defense down, penetrate, hit the outside jumper. Finally Kobe will play next to a better ballhandler, playmaker, and allow him to move to the wing.

This is it, right here. This is the opportunity. The stars are aligned. Time to steal a top 5 point guard.

Another good post from you dude. Man i hope the lakers do sign baron. I think he could put us ver the top. Then we could move fisher to the bench,and he could settle things down for them. I would hate to lose odom,but we might have to.

[Erik Eleven]

Baron Davis opting out is exciting, because as you guys mentioned, B Diddy wasn't shown the love since last year.

Baron Davis has hardcore L.A. roots. He's a film producer, he keeps in touch with all the L.A. people, and of course, he apparently talked with Kobe Bryant about coming to L.A. back when he was trying to leave the Charlotte Hornets (and, according to Kobe, the Lakers passed on him due to concerns about his knee).

You're right, Phil, If he felt he had a future in Golden State, he'd pick up the payload this final year and renegotiate next year. Why lose the money if he's going to stay in Golden State anyways?

Because he's not.

On that note, same with Brand. He wants to win according to his agent, so I think his stated desire to stay with the Clips is really lip service. I don't think Sterling will do it, especially without a point guard. They have no chance in the West without a PG. I think the Clips are most likely going to start over again, and trading for Marion's expiring contract and Beasley would be the perfect start.

Back to Baron. All things being equal, if the Lakers are willing, he's for the taking. There's no question he wants to play for the Lakers. And because it's going to be a sign-and-trade scenario, he does have some say which team he wants to go to.

But Buss must be willing to pay. Odom + Farmar is the right deal. No other team can give up as talented a point guard, especially on a rookie contract, and a major expiring contract, who may also have a future with the team, considering Odom's fit with Nelson's run-and-gun style of play. It is the perfect deal.

If Buss wants championships, this is it right here. Talent, veteran experience, athleticism, defense at one our weakest positions. Somebody who can create his own shot, break a defense down, penetrate, hit the outside jumper. Finally Kobe will play next to a better ballhandler, playmaker, and allow him to move to the wing.

This is it, right here. This is the opportunity. The stars are aligned. Time to steal a top 5 point guard.

I agree on every point. Do it, Mitch! Bring back show-time to this team. Baron to Bynum, Baron to Gasol, Baron to Kobe, Baron to Posey. All of the above to Baron. This team will be a living highlight reel.

If Mitch pulls this off, he has a very good chance at also landing Posey. Posey could possibly become the starting SF on a contending team, surrounded by Baron Davis, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, and he knows it. Wow. It'll be hard for the Celtics to keep him around.

[kno]

Man, and as I read this, Im working on an Artest-in-a-Laker-uniform sig.

[Gerald3Wallace]

baron
kobe
ariza
gasol
bynum

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH nice

nevermind...forgot fisher lol

[dockingsched]

it'll be interesting to see if the clips will be able to create the necessary capspace (renounce magz) to sign davis outright or at least to absorb most of his contract in a sign n trade (lewis to orlando). davis/mobley/thornton/brand/kaman with rookie eric gordon doesn't look too bad.



http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=a ... &type=lgns

The Los Angeles Clippers are making a hard run at signing free agent Baron Davis, multiple league sources said late Monday night.

Hours before the midnight deadline, the Golden State Warriors point guard opted out of the $17.8 million owed him in the final season of his six-year contract. Davis could still re-sign with the Warriors, but the possibility of returning to Southern California, where he grew up and played at UCLA, must intrigue him.

Davis’ decision stunned league executives and agents late Monday.

“He has to have some kind of a deal somewhere,” an Eastern Conference general manager said. “You just don’t opt out of that kind of money.”