Atlanta and LA Blockbuster

[Evermore]

To Atlanta: Marcus Camby, Ricky Davis and a 1st round pick

To the Clippers: Josh Smith


Case for the Hawks: Camby significantly upgrades their frontcourt...allowing Horford to slide to his natural position of PF. Davis would be waived immediately. And personally, with the emergence of Marvin Williams at SF...I think the Hawks wouldn't mind moving Smith's longterm deal

Bibby
Joe Johnson/Crawford
Marvin Williams
Horford
Camby

Case for the Clippers: They get a young, exciting player to add to their already young and exciting core. And all it costs them is Ricky Davis and a 35+ year old center. Oh yeah, and that damn lotto pick...but with this trade and a healthy Davis and Kaman...this Clips team is headed to the playoffs

Baron Davis
Gordon
Josh Smith/Thornton
Griffin/ Josh Smith
Kaman




Thoughts?

[WizardsWorld]

Cant see the Hawks doing this AT ALL... They give up a nice young player for an older Camby and a pick... Only way I could see them moving him is if they got a younger center... And Im not sure Kaman/Pick is good enough to warrant Smith either...

[killbuckner]

The value comes down to the pick. The problem is that Atlanta is in win now mode- they don't want to take a step back and rebuild with a draftpick. If the Hawks season went way south and they were out of playoff contention then maybe it could be revisted but still I don't know why they would give up on Smith.

[Evermore]

The value comes down to the pick. The problem is that Atlanta is in win now mode- they don't want to take a step back and rebuild with a draftpick. If the Hawks season went way south and they were out of playoff contention then maybe it could be revisted but still I don't know why they would give up on Smith.

Agreed.

Camby gives them a better chance at a title next season...then he's off the books. So there's value in the expiring contract as well...not just the pick

In theory...Atlanta could make the trade to improve their starting lineup...win a championship...get the 1st overall pick...AND have enough cash to sign a center like Boozer


Bibby, Johnson, Williams, Smith, Horford

or

Bibby, Johnson, Williams, Horford, Camby


Which is the better starting 5?

Keeping in mind...a championshiop run by the Hawks would likely mean going through Howard and the Magic or O'Neal and the Cavs

I think Camby's defense would be much needed

[azuresou1]

ROFL Cotton Camby plays no defense at all, he just provides weak-side blocks, which Josh Smith already does.

Just because Camby tore up the non-existent front line of Amare of Channing Frye doesn't mean he has any value.

[Nutty Nats Fan]

The value comes down to the pick. The problem is that Atlanta is in win now mode- they don't want to take a step back and rebuild with a draftpick. If the Hawks season went way south and they were out of playoff contention then maybe it could be revisted but still I don't know why they would give up on Smith.

Agreed.

Camby gives them a better chance at a title next season...then he's off the books. So there's value in the expiring contract as well...not just the pick

In theory...Atlanta could make the trade to improve their starting lineup...win a championship...get the 1st overall pick...AND have enough cash to sign a center like Boozer


Bibby, Johnson, Williams, Smith, Horford

or

Bibby, Johnson, Williams, Horford, Camby


Which is the better starting 5?

Keeping in mind...a championshiop run by the Hawks would likely mean going through Howard and the Magic or O'Neal and the Cavs

I think Camby's defense would be much needed

Umm.. Camby we be no help against Shaq or Howard. Any big body center, one without any skills, can own Camby. The Hawks are definitely better with the lineup that he isn't in. Camby also cares too much about his own stats and not about team ball.

[Evermore]

The value comes down to the pick. The problem is that Atlanta is in win now mode- they don't want to take a step back and rebuild with a draftpick. If the Hawks season went way south and they were out of playoff contention then maybe it could be revisted but still I don't know why they would give up on Smith.

Agreed.

Camby gives them a better chance at a title next season...then he's off the books. So there's value in the expiring contract as well...not just the pick

In theory...Atlanta could make the trade to improve their starting lineup...win a championship...get the 1st overall pick...AND have enough cash to sign a center like Boozer


Bibby, Johnson, Williams, Smith, Horford

or

Bibby, Johnson, Williams, Horford, Camby


Which is the better starting 5?

Keeping in mind...a championshiop run by the Hawks would likely mean going through Howard and the Magic or O'Neal and the Cavs

I think Camby's defense would be much needed

Umm.. Camby we be no help against Shaq or Howard. Any big body center, one without any skills, can own Camby. The Hawks are definitely better with the lineup that he isn't in. Camby also cares too much about his own stats and not about team ball.

Josh Smith aint exactly winning team MVP...

[pdub15]

At first it looks like a bad trade for the Hawks. Than you look at the other top teams in the East and the big lineups the Hawks could face in the Playoffs (Cavs, Celtics, Magic) and it actually helps them match up better against those lineups.

Vs Magic. Al H defends Dwight (not with great success) & Camby's length could possibly really get to Lewis.

Vs Cavs. Al H, Camby, & Shaq clogging up middle "might" take away a lot of driving lanes for King James.

Vs Boston. Possible one more 7 game series with every block and rebound being a battle. ????????

Definately something the Hawks would want to think about.

As far as the Clippers side of the trade. Hmmm? Moving Thorton to the bench does help their depth. Telfair, Butler, Thorton is a nice 3 off bench giving a good solid 8 man rotation. 9 man if Smith can play well.

Overall it is definitely something both teams might want to take a hard look at.

[azuresou1]

No, it's a terrible, terrible trade for Atlanta.

Clippers would do this **** in a heartbeat. Atlanta wouldn't touch this with a 60 meter pole.

[Ian Kognitow]

The trade could be made more intriguing for ATL--by the same logic of wanting another C and having Horford move to PF--by having LAC give up DeAndre Jordan instead of Camby. Something like, Jordan/Davis/Madsen/C. Smith/Pick for Smith could work. Jordan, the pick, plus the considerable cap savings to retain J. Johnson and possibly add another significant player next summer could be enough for ATL to give up Smith.

[azuresou1]

So a bunch of scrubs plus a pick for the 3rd most athletic player in the NBA, who also happens to be only 23, is fair?

[citizen bob]

So a bunch of scrubs plus a pick for the 3rd most athletic player in the NBA, who also happens to be only 23, is fair?

Interesting you say that because as soon as Atlanta mentions DeAndre Jordan the Clippers hang up the phone and laugh themselves to a peaceful sleep.

Smith is a decent player on a ridiculous contract. He could fit in with the Clipper team, but the most we would sacrifice would be Camby plus scrubs. I doubt we would even be amenable to an unprotected pick. Its not that Smith isn't worth it, its just that Camby provides more size, defensive intensity, passing capability, rebounding and veteran leadership. Smith just provides points.

If you are interested in trading JJ, we could open the door to a significantly better deal.

[Evermore]

Camby may not be the best 1-on-1 defender...especially against bigger bodied players like Howard and Shaq...but who is?

Camby would provide the Hawks with a much needed defensive presence in the paint...someone who can block shots and grab boards

[Ian Kognitow]

Interesting you say that because as soon as Atlanta mentions DeAndre Jordan the Clippers hang up the phone and laugh themselves to a peaceful sleep.

Smith is a decent player on a ridiculous contract. He could fit in with the Clipper team, but the most we would sacrifice would be Camby plus scrubs.

--Smith's contract is hardly ridiculous. Particularly with his defense, I'd say he's a far better value than, say, LaMarcus Aldridge or Luol Deng. The problem with ATL is that Smith has never got along well with Woodson and they quite fairly prefer Williams and Horford among their forwards. Trading Smith could not only bring in excellent, rookie-scale salaried, prospects at more needed positions, he's their best option for clearing space to both try and secure Johnson and add another significant piece in free agency.
--I'd think LAC would gladly give up anyone beyond Griffin, Davis, and Gordon. But Kaman would be a talent-downgrade with just as bad of a contract and Thornton even worse talent at a superfluous position for ATL. Jordan would be an unfortunate loss for LA, but to get someone like Smith as a first-rate slasher and defender between Griffin and Gordon? LA would do well to jump at the chance. Gordon and Thornton certainly aren't going to do much to defend against the SF/SG scorers out west like Anthony, Bryant, and Durant.

[ejftw]

I wouldn't give Jordan for Smith, nor an unprotected first. I just don't think Smith will be a good fit with the Clippers and his contract is too big to give it a shot.

[citizen bob]

The Clippers need a "go-to" guy to help them finish off games. I just don't see Josh Smith as being that guy. He will get his points, but we need somebody with major clutch (both in skill and mentality). I accept it will cost more than Camby, but I am sure Camby will be a significant piece of that puzzle. Effective big men are a rarity in the NBA these days. Slashing big SF's are a dime a dozen.

[azuresou1]

This is the same Camby that decided to take a 3 point catapult when they were tied with the Suns with 45 seconds to go, right? The same Camby who is both fragile, and whom is the big man version of a Ricky Davis?

Hawks would laugh at this offer, or any offer with out LEAST Kaman to start, and probably more.

A bunch of scrubs and a pick for a young upper-echelon SF/PF on a cheap contract? Hell no.

[Ian Kognitow]

The Clippers need a "go-to" guy to help them finish off games. I just don't see Josh Smith as being that guy. He will get his points, but we need somebody with major clutch (both in skill and mentality). I accept it will cost more than Camby, but I am sure Camby will be a significant piece of that puzzle. Effective big men are a rarity in the NBA these days. Slashing big SF's are a dime a dozen.

Sure, but ones who are also great defenders and shot-blockers are quite rare. LAC still has Baron Davis who has been a proven clutch player (if not a consistent one in other times). Gordon should become the shooter and 'go-to' player from the wing you describe - and if not, he shouldn't be considered a cornerstone and traded for a worthy game-finisher. Similarly, Griffin should become for them the equivalent interior 'go-to' guy that could be relied upon to get some easy scores and free throws down the stretch. Really, if Griffin/Gordon aren't their 'go-to guys', on top of Davis, the Clippers have far deeper problems at hand. What LAC would seem in far greater need of are guys who can defend the perimeter (the likes of Davis, Gordon, and Thornton are not good for that), force turnovers so they can run, and bring toughness and swagger that LAC has sorely lacked throughout its history. Smith brings all those things at an exceptionally high level.
--As far as retaining big-men, even if Jordan is traded and Camby departs on his own, they would have (1) Kaman locked into a long-term contract and apparently healthy for now; (2) Griffin, presumably as a 40mpg PF; (3) Smith able to switch to PF as necessary. (4) Novak as a perimeter-oriented PF able to draw out interior defenders; (5) Any number of sound backup centers via free agency who would be glad to play in Los Angeles if the Clippers were winning more now -- something they'd very likely do more of with Smith than with Jordan who isn't developed enough yet to crack the rotation.

[raleigh]

I can understand the Clippers not being interested in this player or that, but let's be serious here - the value Atlanta is receiving is pathetic in regards to what they're sending out.