The future of Marcus Camby

[donemilio21]

There has been a lot of trade speculations going on about Camby since the beginning of the season. Of course it is very understanable that the performance he puts on the floor and his expiring contract makes him a target of a lot of teams. Therefor the trade rumors are all very "normal".

But why many Clipper fans keep putting trade ideas that involves dealing Camby? I understand his ambitions to get a ring, but has he ever mentioned (like Sam Cassell did) that he wants to be dealt to a contender? I know from his recent interviews that he doesn't like moving, and as a person who really appreciates Cambys value I really would like to see him in Clipper uniform for at least another 2 years.

I think it sums up to this. What do you think about our chance to resign Marcus Camby, if he doesn't get traded?

[PlinkingPanda]

He hasn't. I think the main thing is that we aren't really in contention for a championship. We set some standard goals of just reaching the playoffs. To just be a successful franchise, get rid of the losing mentality, and become a respectable team.

I don't mind keeping him. A front court rotation of Kaman/Blake/Camby is quite impressive, but we'd lose out on Jordan and Smith. Is it worth the short term benefits of Camby for the loss of Jordan and Smith? I think Jordan understands he's still a big work in progress, so I don't think he'll mind keeping his butt on the seat, but I'm unsure of what will happen with Craig. The man loves it here since he's from So. Cal, but I don't know how he feels about his limited playing time. It'll practically go to 0 once Blake plays.

[mkwest]

I'm kind of split on the situation. I don't think there's a whole lot that we get in return for him that would really be worth our while. If we add salary, we lose cap flexibility in the off season. If we get a pick, it's likely going to be a low 1st/borderline 2nd if it's a contending team.

I do like his presence on the team, and he is still capable of contributing. He's said all of the right things in the media and we've seen how he can get attached to teammates and cities before. So those comments about wanting to stay here could very well be true. Like Panda pointed out, DJ will have a hard time seeing minutes if Camby is here next season. Smith is a free-agent as well, so it is a good possibility that he is not here either next season. I'm sure he loves being in his hometown, but I'm sure he'd love getting play time even more than that. I'm sure he would draw interest from quite a few teams this summer.

If we can actually get a big player in FA (preferably a 3), then we need to do that whatever else it takes to improve the team. If not, then maybe we re-sign Camby for 2 years and add depth. If he wanted out, I personally would not mind seeing him moved at the deadline, but I would rather keep him and make a decision after the season.

[PerkinsFor3]

I'd ask Camby what he wants most himself. Does he wish to play for a contender? Help him find the right deal and try to get a pick or a young talent back.

It's not only about what you get back right away, but it's a also a sign of goodwill. Agents will like it, and players will appreciate it.

[DangerCurtis]

I really like Camby a lot, and he's a tremendous asset to the team. Aside from his production, he's a great leader and an ideal role model to our younger core, especially Griffin and Jordan.

A lot of this is going to be about what he wants. Does he want to stay with the Clippers and help them reach the next level, or does he want to go somewhere else and get a ring before he's forced to retire?

Whatever his decisions are, I sure hope we'll be able to retain either him or Rhino. They'll both be great back-ups to Blake when he gets in the flow.

This is a bit off topic, but I'm curious about what we'll do with Butler once the season is over. His contract expires as well, and we've made a commitment to Thornton by resigning him. So does that mean we're going to let Rasual go once the season is over?

[Det the Threat]

Honestly guys, just look at it like you're Marcus.

You're soon to be 36 years of age, still productive, yet never won a championship and there are quite some contenders out there trying to sign you for something around the MLE. Then there's the Clippers, who you played for 2 season, but they still have to fight to even make the playoffs, if they don't make another significant upgrade(preferred at sf), and are pretty young.

What do you do?

Of course L.A. is nice and you might like the team and your teammates, but you can earn about as much and go play for a championship in San Antonio, Dallas, Orlando, Boston, Cleveland(if they retailn LeBron) etc...


That's why we should look what's available at the deadline and why we mention Camby in possible trades. I mean, we could get some picks or young talent and still keep the financial flexibilty this summer(which means trading him for expirings and picks/talent) if we send him to a contender. Or we could add something else to his expiring and trade for an upgrade(most likely at the sf spot), cause other teams might want to save money or start over.
Though, if there ain't anything solid offered, then we'll just keep him and his veteran leadership for the rest of the season(if doesn't asks later to be released, cause he wants to sign with some contender this year already).

BTW: The thing loot mentioned also shouldn't be overlooked. It's a players league and if you can make a player and his agent happy, by doing him a favour, then you could've helped yourself for the future as well.


@DangerCurts:
We made no commitment to Thornton. We just used the option we had on his rookie deal and kept him for his 4th season, on the cheap, as well. He'll be a restricted free agent in 2011 and could even be used as a sweetener in a deal that nets us something else.

As far as Rasual Butler goes. I think we'll wait till the summer with him. Some contending team might want him, but if we offer him something solid(like 3 years and 10 - 12 mil), then we could re-sign him.

[RiversideClips]

I think LOOT is right on Target, ask Marcus want he wants.
The NHL has a history of trading a good vet near the trade dead line to a true contender. A lot of times that vet will finish with the contender, his old team gets good valu (usually a young player/prospect) or money. At the end of the season the vet commonly re-signs w/ his old team for a year PLUS an option: do you think Marcus is willing?
who to?
The Clips will be good next year & I would pay Camby 7 million to sit on the bench & mentor young players + I think he is better than McDyess (& I think the world of him!)

[cinnamon]

I agree fully with those who say he should get what he wants, stay or go.
But if he wants to stay, I'd be very happy about that. I find him an anchoring veteran presence, a character guy, and a great role model, not to mention the pleasure we get from watching his professional contributions --- which in the last couple of games have included points, rebounds, blocks, assists and steals, as well as those things that help the team but don;t show up in the stats. Can't ask for much more than that. I think he is pretty amazing.

[PerkinsFor3]

Most important thing: he stays focused and works hard all the time. If Kaman and younger players can get 0.1% of that ethic they'd improve a lot. Let's not overlook Camby's influence on Kaman.

[RiversideClips]

True-Said on Camby teaching Kaman how to be a Professional Big Man in the NBA

[badonkadonkdonk]

someone on the knicksboard postet a source about a camby trade rumor. this one seems huge for the clippers, as it is camby for caron butler straight up!

obviously camby is a great mentor and locker room presence, but with kaman getting it together, smith proving servicable and griffin on the horizon it seems like a great move to me.
butler has recently slumped, but who wouldn't under these circumstances in wash... he always seemed like one of the more professional wizards and a change of place could really get him going again.

with a great 2way player at the 3 the clips just look awesome. rasul getting most of the backup minutes seems just too good.

hope this proves as right and the clips take it deep into the playoffs!

edit: the source was supposedly the washington post

[PlinkingPanda]

Here's the quote to it.

I also heard another rumor involving Butler and the Los Angeles Clippers, with the Wizards getting back Marcus Camby and his expiring contract. Since no player on the team is untouchable, I was informed that Brendan Haywood, Nick Young or anyone else could be had right now, but the Wizards don't want to take back salary. The team is not hesitating in its attempts to toss a grenade on the roster.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizard ... atter.html

I think I would do this. As badonkadonk.. said. Smith will be serviceable whether he starts or comes off the bench for Griffin. DJ will get extended minutes to develop, and we can move Rasual down to backup SG while having Al play backup SF to Caron.

I actually hope this happens. I'll really miss Camby for all his effort, but getting someone like Caron in return is definitely a good option.

[PerkinsFor3]

I dont think Camby would like going to Was so I dont see this happening.

[Det the Threat]

I dont think Camby would like going to Was so I dont see this happening.

Yeah, he wouldn't like it, but it would be a really good deal for us.

Though, i think a 3 team trade would be the best thing with him going to some team like the Spurs.

Still, if this would get done the Wizards could still flip Camby to some other team, within 48 hours, and get themselves something else. Or they could do the noble thing and release him/arrange a buyout so he could join another team.
In the end, they're biggest interest seems to be saving some money and that would happen with such a deal.

[clipperdrew]

I say we KEEP Camby. He's a definite fit on our team. Unless Marcus wants out, we have to keep him.

[adiedanny]

I say we KEEP Camby. He's a definite fit on our team. Unless Marcus wants out, we have to keep him.

I agree with you but of all the trade scenarios for Camby, this has been the best so far. I still think Dunleavy has plans of playing Blake at the 3. I don't think they will move Camby until Blake is clear to play but you never know. This is a very hard trade to pass up especially if they throw in another player for R.Davis, Rush, Madsen rights or TPE.

[TheNewEra]

This is a tough one but I would like to move him for picks and prospects.

[loflin3hree5ive]

I think the Clips can make a playoff push. Unless its an overwhelmingly good deal, the Clips will keep Camby. Dunleavy has no intention on throwing in the towel on this season.

[mkwest]

Clipper source shot down Caron Butler spec bright and early. Why it had been almost three days without any Marcus Camby trade rumors:-)

Lisa Dillman via Twitter