Azubuike Signs Clippers Offer Sheet

[PlinkingPanda]

There are a few things left to do

1. Assess the development of Fazekas, Davis, and Williams.
2. Decide whether to re-up Ross.
3. Decide whether to sign Mike Taylor. Was he signed already? I forget. I think he was, actually...
4. See if Livingston should or would come back.
5. Fill out the rest of the roster for vet. min. Sign someone like Foyle or Magloire.
6. Explore trade possibilities with Knight, Mobley, or Thomas.

Taylor was signed. Foyle and Magloire would be nice for the vet. min. Unless we get another PG in return I'd rather keep Knight. He's a nice backup PG.. Mobley is still effective, but overpaid. I wouldn't mind getting rid of Thomas though. If we manage to keep them both along with Camby I think it would still be good cause we'd have a lot of cap space in 2 years for the big FAs.

[Tucker74]

In addition to all the positives everyone has listed, I like this move for the following reasons:

-It shows a commitment to winning even more so than the signing of B-diddy or the Camby trade. The big moves are easy to justify - have the cap room, need to make up for the Brand debacle, need to fill seats at Staples... but the Azuibuke signing is the type of offer we've shied away from in the past. The type of offer that is forward thinking, doesn't break the bank but isn't on the cheap, and finally acknowledges that you need a bench not just of CBA/NBDL rejects but of solid veterans in order to compete in this league.

-Less PT for TT. He may still get some minutes at PF given our lack of depth up front, but with Al and Azubuike at the SF means less chance of a TT airball or defensive lapse. That's definitely a good thing.

-Hurts a division rival. Not that GS was relying on Azubuike, but any time you take away depth from a potential playoff competitor it's a good move.

[cinnamon]

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So Tucker, do you still want a refund on your season's tickets?

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[madmaxmedia]

I think we should probably just keep TT and Mobley for now, since they do produce and are only somewhat overpaid.

Next year they become much better trade assets, as other teams scramble to clear cap space. I harbor no hopes that the Clippers are going t land LeBron or someone like that, but I do think there's a great chance we could trade both together to get someone else's salary dump (along the lines of Pau Gasol, if not as good a player.)

If we swing that, then we are hopefully looking to play competitive ball next year, and then perhaps even a solid playoff spot (say a 5 or 6) the year after that.

[PlinkingPanda]

I think we should probably just keep TT and Mobley for now, since they do produce and are only somewhat overpaid.

Next year they become much better trade assets, as other teams scramble to clear cap space. I harbor no hopes that the Clippers are going t land LeBron or someone like that, but I do think there's a great chance we could trade both together to get someone else's salary dump (along the lines of Pau Gasol, if not as good a player.)

If we swing that, then we are hopefully looking to play competitive ball next year, and then perhaps even a solid playoff spot (say a 5 or 6) the year after that.

Even if its impossible to get Lebron, there are still a lot of good FAs available that year. If there isn't anything good to offer then I think it's best to keep them and let all 3 expire and go after someone. We'll still have our core players Kaman, Thornton(RFA), Gordon, Davis in '10.

[madmaxmedia]

In theory I totally agree with you. And if that's what the Clippers really want to do, I hope they go for it. I guess what I am afraid of is that they let TT and Mobley go, and then don't really make a realistic push at a big FA after that. But I guess if they let Camby go too, then there will be money to spare.

If it does end up that they bite on a trade to bring in a top-line guy (if not LeBron) to play alongside BDiddy, Kaman, and retain Camby, that would be a great second option. Especially if Thornton and Gordon develop.

I'm not saying Thornton can't still be great. But I see him as more of a known quantity at this point. The big wildcard right now is Gordon. If he blows up, then I'm not sure the Clippers would go make an extended max-contract offer in 2 years.

But either way we're in the driver's seat, so that's a great thing.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

Good move by the Clippers to sign Azubuike to an offer sheet. I hope the Warriors don't match, but I have a feeling they might.

I'm sure Baron would love to reunite with Azubukie

[floppymoose]

Kelenna is a cheap Maggette. He rebounds, he shoots well, he drives into contact and scores or gets to the line. Runs the floor well.

[mkwest]

Kelenna is a cheap Maggette. He rebounds, he shoots well, he drives into contact and scores or gets to the line. Runs the floor well.

How would you describe his defense?

[GuyverX]

Kelenna is a cheap Maggette. He rebounds, he shoots well, he drives into contact and scores or gets to the line. Runs the floor well.

How would you describe his defense?

I hope his defense isn't a cheap version of Maggette's.

[mj_shoefanatic]

Buike actually plays some D unlike Corey

[illastrate]

Buike actually plays some D unlike Corey

Bookie will make 1/3 of Corey's annual salary, and yet, if given starter's minutes, I'd be hard pressed to not say he would be as productive, if not more productive than Corey.

One thing's for sure, at least we know Ross (Dunleavy's pet) is not coming back, fortunately.

[mj_shoefanatic]

One thing's for sure, at least we know Ross (Dunleavy's pet) is not coming back, fortunately.

Is that confirmed yet?

[adiedanny]

He can always sign for the min.

[Det the Threat]

One thing's for sure, at least we know Ross (Dunleavy's pet) is not coming back, fortunately.

Is that confirmed yet?

Nope, and i wouldn't bet my money on him not returning...