Clippers continue their search to fill wing void

[mkwest]

Chauncey should be joining the team on the sidelines soon, however I don't know exactly when. His presence on the bench should be a huge motivational factor for them.

[easiestplayfts]

Chauncey should be joining the team on the sidelines soon, however I don't know exactly when. His presence on the bench should be a huge motivational factor for them.

Thanks and I agree with you.

[ClipperDomination]

The Blazers and Clips are discussing a deal that would send Jamal Crawford to L.A. for Eric Bledsoe and Ryan Gomes, sources say.

Via Ken Berger's Twitter

I hope this isn't true, especially after Bledsoe's performance last night.

[mkwest]

Clippers still looking for the right move

While the Clippers have inquired about the availability of several "available" shooting guards after the season-ending injury to Chauncey Billups, they are reluctant to pay too steep a price unless they can find a deal that moves them closer to contending for a title this year and in the future, general manager Neil Olshey told ESPNLosAngeles.com.

"We're willing to do anything we can to move needle this year," Olshey said. "But unless it's piece for the future that also gives us to win a championship this year, we're not going to give up our longterm flexibility and assets to do that."

The price for the top shooting guards being mentioned in trade talks this spring -- Boston's Ray Allen, Portland's Jamal Crawford and Washington's Nick Young -- has so far been too high for the Clippers.

Most teams have asked for some combination of young point guard Eric Bledsoe, a future first-round pick and the expiring contracts of Randy Foye or Brian Cook.

That's a steep price to pay for players the team could simply pursue as free agents this summer. Only Crawford could potentially be under contract next year, but he'd have to amend his contract and terminate his player option for 2012-13 similar to the way Williams did when he was acquired in a trade with Cleveland last February.

Although Bledsoe has seen limited action this year due to injury (knee) and playing behind Chris Paul, Billups and Mo Williams, his value around the league is high with so many teams looking for young point guards and the dearth of them in the upcoming draft.

It's for that reason the Clippers fought so hard to exclude Bledsoe from the trade with the New Orleans Hornets that brought Paul to Los Angeles back in December. He's also an important insurance policy for the Clippers should Williams opt-out of the final year of his contract this summer.

Ramona Shelburne, ESPN Los Angeles

[Det the Threat]

The Blazers and Clips are discussing a deal that would send Jamal Crawford to L.A. for Eric Bledsoe and Ryan Gomes, sources say.

Via Ken Berger's Twitter

I hope this isn't true, especially after Bledsoe's performance last night.

I'm torn on this one.

Bledsoe's still very young and showed last night, that he's got quite some upside.
That could possibly net us a solid pick in this years draft or we could keep him as the main backup for CP3.

On the other hand we'd get an instand upgrade at the sg spot, while also creating more cap room for the summer, thanks to getting rid of Gomes contract.

[mkwest]

On the other hand we'd get an instand upgrade at the sg spot, while also creating more cap room for the summer, thanks to getting rid of Gomes contract.

Do you recall what the rumored cap for next season was going to be? I've read that it would possibly be $61M and I've also read that it could very well stay around $58M. At $58M, removing Gomes contract (in addition to Bledsoe) gives us around $4M (give or take a couple $100K) in cap space provided all FA's are renounced.

[mkwest]

Clippers Reluctant to Deal Bledsoe

As previously mentioned, league sources have told HOOPSWORLD’s Alex Kennedy that Portland Trail Blazers guard Jamal Crawford won’t pick up his option this summer. And since he’s on the verge of becoming a free agent, sources said he’s likely to be dealt before Thursday’s deadline.

However, the Clippers aren’t interested in a rental, which is why they’re reluctant to part with Bledsoe.

And why are the Clippers being so hesitant?

Well Bledsoe is the team’s only guard who’s signed beyond the 2012-2013 season. Mo Williams has a player option for 2012-2013, Chris Paul’s deal expires after that season and both Randy Foye and Billups are set to become a free agents after this season. And considering that Crawford is intent on becoming a free agent this summer (a good decision considering the dearth of shooting guards around the league) the Clippers aren’t willing to deal a prospect such as Bledsoe for a few months of Crawford.

Alex Raskin, HoopsWorld

[mike3]

I dont mind that we are reluctant, maybe Crawford isn't the right guy if he wants to become a free agent. I think dealing Bledsoe is about the only option we have (or Mo?) and for the right Shooting Guard there both worth it, who that is, its hard to say, but its obvious we need a change. I just hope we don't stuff anything up.

[ejftw]

"According to the New York Daily News, there are "discussions for the Jazz to send Bell to the Clippers for the $3.8 million trade exemption Clips got in Eric Gordon deal."

https://twitter.com/#!/nydninternets/st ... 0031413248

[Det the Threat]

Clippers Shopping Bledsoe In Search Of 'Big Guard'

The Clippers are shopping Eric Bledsoe in search of a "big guard", according to sources.

Los Angeles has several smaller guards behind Chris Paul in Randy Foye, Mo Williams and Bledsoe, but lack a traditional shooting guard.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/21 ... _Big_Guard

If this indeed is true then I'd want a longterm fix at the 2 guard spot with a guy in the mold of Wesley Matthews.

I think it would be a mistake to give Bledsoe away for a shortterm guy like Crawford etc.

[DoubleTech]

Clippers Shopping Bledsoe In Search Of 'Big Guard'

The Clippers are shopping Eric Bledsoe in search of a "big guard", according to sources.

Los Angeles has several smaller guards behind Chris Paul in Randy Foye, Mo Williams and Bledsoe, but lack a traditional shooting guard.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/21 ... _Big_Guard

If this indeed is true then I'd want a longterm fix at the 2 guard spot with a guy in the mold of Wesley Matthews.

I think it would be a mistake to give Bledsoe away for a shortterm guy like Crawford etc.

Bledsoe could not have picked a better game to blow up in. Lat night was too perfect.

The timing is impeccable.
I'm sure his value around the league is pretty darn high at the moment.

[VolumeControl]

Sixers fired Nocioni. Could he be Clippers reserve SF?

[adiedanny]

Sixers fired Nocioni. Could he be Clippers reserve SF?

My thoughts exactly as I read the headline.

[og15]

I can see how there were no minutes at all for him, but I wonder what his effectiveness level is right now as a 32 year old. What was his injury last season?

He was a high energy guy who could shoot the three ball, but he did get a little too wild and committed a few too many turnovers, and his defense was never very good after he left Chicago, though I always did feel that he was trying.

[mj_shoefanatic]

I wish we could amnesty Gomes and sign Nocioni outright but I know that is a pipe dream.