Breaking News: Baron verbally agrees w/Clips

[Heat11114]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3470016

Sources told ESPN.com that Davis, 29, will receive a five-year deal worth an estimated $65 million.

Forward Elton Brand also opted out of his contract with the Clippers on Monday, and speculation quickly began that the team would try to keep Brand and sign Davis. This scenario is only possible if the Clippers renounce the rights of Corey Maggette and Brand takes a slight pay cut.

Sources say the Clippers are expected to do just that and quickly reach a verbal agreement to bring back Brand.

[Carolina Heat]

believe it when i see it (as far as Brand), but if true even as to Davis then you gotta wonder how much Baron really does hate Nellie...

[Flash3]

How are they going to pay both?

[Heat11114]

How are they going to pay both?

They have somewhere around 26-28 million in space. 5 years 65 million is only around 11.5 to start, that leaves 14.5-16.5 million for Brand to start. Thats almost 100 million over 6 years.

[Carolina Heat]

That's a dam steal if true.

I mean, pg the new 'it girl' in the nba. Way more than a hometown discount, that a hometown mugging.

Seriously, if true, Baron has really put his money where his mouth was -- let's hope Brand was just saying the pc thing, and doesn't actually believe in the Clippers!

[perz260]

Supposedly once the clippers renounce magette and all their other fa (livingston, etc) they would have between 22-25 million dollars to split between brand and davis. I think it makes sense for brand to stay, he produces movies in la and is really into that, recently davis has produced a documentary about street gangs too. They both have interest in LA and teaming up in a large market like la would make sense for both of them.

[Wade-GOAT]

That's a dam steal if true.

I mean, pg the new 'it girl' in the nba. Way more than a hometown discount, that a hometown mugging.

Seriously, if true, Baron has really put his money where his mouth was -- let's hope Brand was just saying the pc thing, and doesn't actually believe in the Clippers!

Don't be naive. There is no way Baron agrees to that little without already knowing Brand is also going to go back to LAC as well. The Clippers are officially a contender.

[Carolina Heat]

^ just like Boozer promised his boy lbj that he was all good in cleveland?

when money is involved nothing is certain.

That said, i fear you will be made correct soon...

[perz260]

Yep i think its pretty much a package deal and probably was agreed to before he opted out; it'll be funny if davis comes out and talks to espn today and mentions something about a previous conversation with brand regarding teaming up together. just like alonzo stuck his foot in his mouth on espn when we signed Juwan Howard.

[CaliHeat]

Yea Clippers are contenders:

Davis / Knight
Gordon / Mobley / Mike Taylor (I think, he's a rookie)
Thorton / Thomas
Brand / Thomas
Kaman / Paul Davis / DeAndre Jordon

Very solid team, I would actually think about starting Mobley and having Eric Gordon as the 6th man.

[miamivice]

i don't know if they're instant contenders. they need to mature a little bit. their depth will be suspect. thornton is great but still growing, kaman is ok, mobley is fine but nothing special. i don't think it's critical mass for contending but rather a second round exit from the play offs...

[Heat11114]

i don't know if they're instant contenders. they need to mature a little bit. their depth will be suspect. thornton is great but still growing, kaman is ok, mobley is fine but nothing special. i don't think it's critical mass for contending but rather a second round exit from the play offs...

Depth will be a concern, but Kaman is ok? 28 teams would piss their pants if they got 15.7-12.7 and 2.8 blocks from the center position. If he could stay healthy they have the best 4/5 combo in the league. Hell they made a 2nd round exit 2 seasons ago when healthy with rougly the same roster sans Davis.

[HeatSince88]

They're not up there with the Lakers, but this puts the Clips in the large second tier out West.

I say a #6 or #7 seed, replacing either Dallas or Denver in the playoffs.

[Mr. Kite]

Does this squash the Brand to the Heat rumors?

[BBallFreak]

Does this squash the Brand to the Heat rumors?

I would imagine so.

the question I have now is what about the rumor that they want Marion? That might have some basis in fact, especially now...

[Harry Heinous]

Clippers vs. Celtics '09 Finals

[miamivice]

i don't know if they're instant contenders. they need to mature a little bit. their depth will be suspect. thornton is great but still growing, kaman is ok, mobley is fine but nothing special. i don't think it's critical mass for contending but rather a second round exit from the play offs...

Depth will be a concern, but Kaman is ok? 28 teams would piss their pants if they got 15.7-12.7 and 2.8 blocks from the center position. If he could stay healthy they have the best 4/5 combo in the league. Hell they made a 2nd round exit 2 seasons ago when healthy with rougly the same roster sans Davis.

i live in la and watch the clippers when they're on tv. there's something lacking in his play when it comes to consistency, hustle, bball iq, and defense. i'm used to seeing him manhandled by the opposing team despite his stats...

[Hoops23]

Baron to the Clipps is a big loss for the Warriors. I still remember in the past how they propose a trade of Marion for Baron and asking a sweetener because they think Baron is better. Arenas is also believe to sign back with the Wiz. I think this moves are good for the Heat.

[HIF]

Damn 65mill for Earl Barron.