The major decision of the Clippers off-season is what it would take to move the number one pick. Closely tied to that decision is determining what the difference between Griffin and Ricky Rubio is. If the difference is not very large, in their opinion, then they would have a couple really nice options to trade down. Most likely they will keep the pick.
When that happens they really need to move a big guy. Ideally that guy would be Zach Randolph. He is not a guy that you want young players to be around. The Blazers realized this a couple of years ago when they dumped Randolph for absolutely nothing just so that they could get him out of town and away from their young players. Even if the Clippers get nothing back, like the Blazers, moving Randolph would be a positive. In contrast to Randolph, Marcus Camby is a guy that you want young players to be around. Bottom line, they cannot trade Camby and let Blake Griffin go through his formative NBA years alongside Zach Randolph and Chris Kaman. Somebody has to go and it has to be either Randolph or Kaman.
Current Roster
Baron Davis/Mardy Collins/Mike Taylor
Eric Gordon/Ricky Davis (PO)
Al Thornton
Zach Randolph
Chris Kaman/Marcus Camby/DeAndre Jordan
Salary Cap
- 61 million for 11 Players (53 million for 9 players in 2010)
- Assumes they make at least a top 5 pick
Expiring Contracts
- Marcus Camby (7.6)
- Ricky Davis (2.5 - PO)
- Mardy Collins (1.8 - Restricted)
Players to Re-sign
- None
Needs
- Backup G
- Backup SF
- Move a big
Draft Picks
- 1st - Blake Griffin
Good thoughts Joe, I wonder what type of player Griffin will turn out to be in the league? Any comparisons come to mind?
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