LA Clippers trade: - Marcus Camby --6'10''-- C/PF ( $7,650,000 / 1year )
- Steve Blake --6'3''-- PG ( $4,000,000 / 1 year )
- Travis Outlaw --6'9''-- SF/PF ( $3,600,000 / 1 year )
- $3,000,000 cash
Total Traded Salaries Confirmed:
Clippers Send: $7,650,000 | Blazers send $7,600,000
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Clippers and Blazers
winners in trade...
Clippers Send: $7,650,000 | Blazers send $7,600,000
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Clippers and Blazers
winners in trade...
I obviously love this trade to be typing about it now, weeks after the actual trade happened. And it's not to say that "Player A is putting up MONSTER numbers" or anything of that sort. It's just about how trading role players (or glorified role players), who are also all expiring's can really make a team better, and not just for the short term and just this season, but for the future and next summer as well. I really like where both these teams are at, and feel the management and GM really have a brain-trust that is working well. So the Blazers FINALLY made a trade that I had been expecting a month prior, similar to this trade ( I also thought it possible to get Okafor for Blake, Outlaw, and a 1st rounder and New Orleans clears mad cap-space, but that probably wouldn't of happened, and is probably why this did. So let's take a look overall starting with the LA Clippers and see what is going on with them after the trade...
Getting Steve Blake is a starting caliber PG, low turnovers, top 3pt% shooter, decent defender, and all-around good, smart player. I think Blake is quite consistently underrated. He is a great backup PG to have for the Clippers, and not only that but he could play next to a big guard in Baron Davis or Eric Gordon and that would be a solid back-court combo. Blake has played 61 games in 2009-2010, and is very consistent, though his minutes have been down due to young, second year player Jerryd Bayless who has become a player this year and plays PG and SG. His numbers are still legit though:
Then the other main piece, along with over $3 million in cash from Portland, is another future Unrestricted Free Agent, but if he fits in well the Clippers could have an advantage in signing him. Now overall Outlaw's basketball IQ and awareness on the court really need improvement, but his raw athleticism is still amazing and he's proven that he can score the ball in the 4th quarter; he's a very clutch player offensively. The problem can be he plays every minute like it's the last possession, and that can result in brain-dead errors or bad shots.
Travis Outlaw comes in to basically replace Al Thornton's role who was traded to the Wizards in another deal for the Clippers. That pretty much gives him the same role that he had in Portland: he's a 6th man scorer pretty much that is good to come in off the bench and score 10-20 points on any given night in 26 or so minutes. Now Outlaw has tried starting at SF, and PF, but he really is the definition of a "tweener" forward. I personally think he's at his best playing with the 2nd unit and getting time at both forward spots depending on match-ups. But overall he's a solid 6th man'ish type of player to have and come in at either forward spot and give your team much more offense, especially when he plays PF and the team goes small with Travis playing next to Kaman.
Outlaw has had a tough year this year, especially when you consider that it is a contract year for him and this summer is all about the "stars" in Free Agency. He only played 11 games with the Blazers before being traded, and his minutes were quite limited to get him back into game shape. He's been playing games since the 22nd of February since going down on November 14th in 2009. That means he's only played 8 games this year, 2010, so he's still getting a feel for the game, especially with this new Clippers team. While he hasn't had the best shot selection, he's still a pretty efficient player:
Travis Outlaw - 2009-20010 Averages:
Steve Blake - 2009-20010 Averages:
- 7.1 ppg, 4.3 apg, 1.3 to, 0.7 spg, 3ptFG: 38%
- Per 26,9 mpg
Now that we see he plays about 26-27 minutes a game this season, and he is likely to remain in that range with the Clippers, as the main backup PG that is guaranteed 12+ minutes per game, along with minutes next to B-Diddy and Gordon that will probably range around another 8-12 more minutes or so, but he really helps them in the things you can't see on paper; his veteran leadership and poise and amazing assist : TO ratio is the tops in the league and should help the Clippers keep their poise when Baron is out or having a bad game.
Steve Blake - 2009-2010 Per36 Averages:
- 9. 6ppg, 5.7 apg, 1.0 spg, 1.8to, 3ptFG: 38%
- Per 36.0 mpg
Travis Outlaw comes in to basically replace Al Thornton's role who was traded to the Wizards in another deal for the Clippers. That pretty much gives him the same role that he had in Portland: he's a 6th man scorer pretty much that is good to come in off the bench and score 10-20 points on any given night in 26 or so minutes. Now Outlaw has tried starting at SF, and PF, but he really is the definition of a "tweener" forward. I personally think he's at his best playing with the 2nd unit and getting time at both forward spots depending on match-ups. But overall he's a solid 6th man'ish type of player to have and come in at either forward spot and give your team much more offense, especially when he plays PF and the team goes small with Travis playing next to Kaman.
Outlaw has had a tough year this year, especially when you consider that it is a contract year for him and this summer is all about the "stars" in Free Agency. He only played 11 games with the Blazers before being traded, and his minutes were quite limited to get him back into game shape. He's been playing games since the 22nd of February since going down on November 14th in 2009. That means he's only played 8 games this year, 2010, so he's still getting a feel for the game, especially with this new Clippers team. While he hasn't had the best shot selection, he's still a pretty efficient player:
Travis Outlaw - 2009-20010 Averages:
- 9.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 38%3PT, 80%FT
- Per 20.0 mpg
Now that we see he plays about 26-27 minutes a game this season, and he is likely to remain in that range with the Clippers, as the main backup PG that is guaranteed 12+ minutes per game, along with minutes next to B-Diddy and Gordon that will probably range around another 8-12 more minutes or so, but he really helps them in the things you can't see on paper; his veteran leadership and poise and amazing assist : TO ratio is the tops in the league and should help the Clippers keep their poise when Baron is out or having a bad game.
Travis Outlaw - 2009-2010 Per36 Averages:
- 16.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg apg, 1.2 spg, 1.0 bpg, 3ptFG: 38%, 80%FT
- Per 36.0 mpg
This season Chris Kaman made it obvious he is the Center/PF for the Clippers putting up great numbers ( 21.1 ppg, 9.2 rpg, and 2+bpg; not too shabby... I mean he was only a 2010 All-Star reserve. Then you have youngin' Deandre Jordan who has really picked up his game and is a competent back up for now. He is not exactly consistent, but that will come with age. Then of course, I couldn't end this analysis without mentioning that Blake Griffin will be a "rookie" in essence next year, but he will get worked in slowly next year, and I really like this idea, though he might get into the full rotation quicker than I think ( mostly because the Clippers played it VERY safe shutting him down for the year; so he should be good to go come training camp, or summer league. The Clippers are a good team without him, with a lot baring on B-Diddy, and Griffin will determine their improvement. I forgot to say that Camby will be a Laker after this season. Seems like a good idea. Partial - MLE or even bi-annual style. Lakers can have Odom behind Gasol at PF and Artest at SF and Camby behind Bynum. Talk about a legit front-court rotation.
Anyway, I love it for Portland right now. It gives them a much improved approach to the playoffs now, and if Camby is healthy for them come playoff time, they are going to be a threat for sure; they do need to make up the scoring from Outlaw at SF/PF and that PG/SG combo guard spot Blake played. That's gotta be something like 25 points together? 30 maybe?
Camby's defense is gonna be so welcomed in Portland. While they do still have Joel Przybilla nad young, yet still a prospect Greg Oden who seems injury prone, sort of like Andrew Bynum was/is. But Camby still brings them a shot-blocking element they have never had. I really hope he likes it there and is a good, calm veteran presence that decides to re-sign with the team for an obvious reduction in pay, but still a solid contract... let's say $5,000,000'ish a year or so for 3 years guaranteed; I'm sure that's his range, and at his age 3 guaranteed years is tough to come on (he's like 35/36); that's far older than Turkolgu when he signed his contract last summer; like 6 years difference, haha. But Camby brings his element to any team and is worth a decent amount of money until he shows he can't still do it. This season Camby seems to be doing pretty solid as usual, and he's played 58 total games which shows his body is holding up well.
Marcus Camby in 2009-20010 has averaged:
Then Oden and Przybilla both coming back to Portland next season most likely (they could be traded to re-sign Camby, you never know). Camby can play both Center and Power-Forward like he did next to Kaman with the Clippers, as well as earlier in his career. It would be nice for them to be able to sit both Aldridge AND Oden (to work him back in VERY slowly) while Camby and big Przybilla hold down the fort at PF and C. Now that's now a great scoring duo up front, but for 5 minutes rest you have 2 players who block shots and play defense; their defensive tendencies complement each other greatly. Camby loves blocking shots off the ball while Przybilla(or Oden) both play great on-the-ball defense down low in the post, making it tough to get a good shot off. Imagine having Oden guard your center while Camby was playing weakside help and you tried to go up for a layup or shot; Camby would be all over that... and in opponents heads.
So yes, I obviously love this trade for the Blazers. They lose two solid role players, one expiring (Blake) and the other expiring / Restricted Free Agent (Outlaw), and gain a top 15 C/PF in the NBA who is also expiring with his $7,650,000 contract this season. The move keeps both the Blazers and Clippers the same financially with the nearly $8 million in expiring contracts still in hand but just different pieces. These are the pieces that fill the wholes each team has ( especially the Blazers, but Clippers too ). The Blazers had ZERO interior defensive presence with Aldridge at PF and Juwan Howard (really a PF) playing Center. They had no shot in the playoffs with that lineup. They simply saw that Jerryd Bayless had stepped up his game tremendously, not only with his scoring and efficiency with free-throws, but his overall game at PG. This allowed Blake to be put on the block. Martell Webster back playing healthy, and now Nicolas Batum back from injury they have plenty of players capable of playing both SF and PF, which allowed Outlaw to become expendable. Their new rotation is very solid, and I have to say that I really think the Blazers could be a scare in the playoffs if they are close to 100% healthy ( especially Roy and Camby ).
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-SF- Nicolas Batum - ( 24 minutes) | Martell Webster (24 mins )
-PF- LaMarcus Aldridge - ( 36 minutes) | D. Cummingham ( 12 mins)
-C- Marcus Camby - ( 34 minutes) | Juwan Howard - ( 14 mins)
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-6th Man- Martell Webster
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All around this is a very complementary lineup, and when Brandon Roy is at full health and playing at his best, this team is still straight up going to compete with any team in the NBA. When I look at how they match-up with certain teams now, I think they could even, at least, "scare" a team like the Lakers in the Playoffs if Camby is healthy and out of foul trouble while Roy leads the charge and Aldridge plays second fiddle. It's weird to say with Oden AND Przybilla out, but the Blazers are still one of the strongest rotations with Bayless, Batum, Howard, and Cummingham ( a surprise rookie ) all off the bench. Of course, this team comes down to Brandon Roy in the end, and if he's doing his thing efficiently, and LMA can shoot over 50% and stay consistent as the 2nd option, this team is dangerous. Dre at PG adds another dimension and guy that can put up 30 on any given night as well, while both Batum and Webster can go for 20+ any game. Then of course Camby will block 5 shots on a great night, grab 15 rebounds, and hopefully keep the opposing Center around 10 points if possible.
Anyway, I love it for Portland right now. It gives them a much improved approach to the playoffs now, and if Camby is healthy for them come playoff time, they are going to be a threat for sure; they do need to make up the scoring from Outlaw at SF/PF and that PG/SG combo guard spot Blake played. That's gotta be something like 25 points together? 30 maybe?
Camby's defense is gonna be so welcomed in Portland. While they do still have Joel Przybilla nad young, yet still a prospect Greg Oden who seems injury prone, sort of like Andrew Bynum was/is. But Camby still brings them a shot-blocking element they have never had. I really hope he likes it there and is a good, calm veteran presence that decides to re-sign with the team for an obvious reduction in pay, but still a solid contract... let's say $5,000,000'ish a year or so for 3 years guaranteed; I'm sure that's his range, and at his age 3 guaranteed years is tough to come on (he's like 35/36); that's far older than Turkolgu when he signed his contract last summer; like 6 years difference, haha. But Camby brings his element to any team and is worth a decent amount of money until he shows he can't still do it. This season Camby seems to be doing pretty solid as usual, and he's played 58 total games which shows his body is holding up well.
Marcus Camby in 2009-20010 has averaged:
- 7.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.0 bpg
- Per 30.8 mpg
- 8.4+ ppg, 13.9 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.3+ bpg
- Per 36.0 mpg
Then Oden and Przybilla both coming back to Portland next season most likely (they could be traded to re-sign Camby, you never know). Camby can play both Center and Power-Forward like he did next to Kaman with the Clippers, as well as earlier in his career. It would be nice for them to be able to sit both Aldridge AND Oden (to work him back in VERY slowly) while Camby and big Przybilla hold down the fort at PF and C. Now that's now a great scoring duo up front, but for 5 minutes rest you have 2 players who block shots and play defense; their defensive tendencies complement each other greatly. Camby loves blocking shots off the ball while Przybilla(or Oden) both play great on-the-ball defense down low in the post, making it tough to get a good shot off. Imagine having Oden guard your center while Camby was playing weakside help and you tried to go up for a layup or shot; Camby would be all over that... and in opponents heads. So yes, I obviously love this trade for the Blazers. They lose two solid role players, one expiring (Blake) and the other expiring / Restricted Free Agent (Outlaw), and gain a top 15 C/PF in the NBA who is also expiring with his $7,650,000 contract this season. The move keeps both the Blazers and Clippers the same financially with the nearly $8 million in expiring contracts still in hand but just different pieces. These are the pieces that fill the wholes each team has ( especially the Blazers, but Clippers too ). The Blazers had ZERO interior defensive presence with Aldridge at PF and Juwan Howard (really a PF) playing Center. They had no shot in the playoffs with that lineup. They simply saw that Jerryd Bayless had stepped up his game tremendously, not only with his scoring and efficiency with free-throws, but his overall game at PG. This allowed Blake to be put on the block. Martell Webster back playing healthy, and now Nicolas Batum back from injury they have plenty of players capable of playing both SF and PF, which allowed Outlaw to become expendable. Their new rotation is very solid, and I have to say that I really think the Blazers could be a scare in the playoffs if they are close to 100% healthy ( especially Roy and Camby ).
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- Trade Evaluation -
Portland
Portland
Blazers's rotation (done my way):
-PG- Andre Miller - ( 36 minutes ) | Jerryd Bayless - ( 12 mins )
-SG- Brandon Roy - ( 38 minutes ) | Jerryd Bayless - ( 12 mins )
-PF- LaMarcus Aldridge - ( 36 minutes) | D. Cummingham ( 12 mins)
-C- Marcus Camby - ( 34 minutes) | Juwan Howard - ( 14 mins)
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-6th Man- Martell Webster
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All around this is a very complementary lineup, and when Brandon Roy is at full health and playing at his best, this team is still straight up going to compete with any team in the NBA. When I look at how they match-up with certain teams now, I think they could even, at least, "scare" a team like the Lakers in the Playoffs if Camby is healthy and out of foul trouble while Roy leads the charge and Aldridge plays second fiddle. It's weird to say with Oden AND Przybilla out, but the Blazers are still one of the strongest rotations with Bayless, Batum, Howard, and Cummingham ( a surprise rookie ) all off the bench. Of course, this team comes down to Brandon Roy in the end, and if he's doing his thing efficiently, and LMA can shoot over 50% and stay consistent as the 2nd option, this team is dangerous. Dre at PG adds another dimension and guy that can put up 30 on any given night as well, while both Batum and Webster can go for 20+ any game. Then of course Camby will block 5 shots on a great night, grab 15 rebounds, and hopefully keep the opposing Center around 10 points if possible.
- Portland TrailBlazers -
8.5 / 10.0
-trade note: I love the trade for Portland and think it's close to a 9.5, but when I heard they had to also pay over $3,000,000 in cash to get it done I was thinking that was a little unnecessary, but I still think they could of bumped that to like $1,000,000 or just no cash at all. Anyway, Camby is the perfect fit, and they have the same $8,000,000 in expiring contracts too, so they did get better and their cap is identical... that's usually the sign of a good move. 8.5 / 10.0
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- Trade Evaluation -
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Clippers
Clippers's rotation(done my way):
-PG- Baron Davis - ( 36 minutes ) | Steve Blake - ( 12 mins )
-SG- Eric Gordon - ( 38 minutes ) | Steve Blake - ( 12 mins )
-SF- Rasual Butler - ( 32 minutes) | Travis Outlaw (16 mins )
-PF- Drew Gooden - ( 32 minutes) | Travis Outlaw ( 16 mins)
-C- Chris Kaman - ( 36 minutes) | Deandre Jordan - ( 12 mins)
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-6th Man- Travis Outlaw
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I have really started to grow fond of the Clippers this past season ( and a little bit last season ). They've made some very smart moves, and I swear on something sacred that I couldn't of been happier when I found out that not only did this trade go down but Mike Dunleavy Sr. was no longer the head coach of the Clippers organization; though he's still GM and apart of the organization. This team looks like it's ready to go on a run and get to the playoffs or it's about to die a painful end of season death streak... it all depends on how their chemistry forms. So far they've played 11 games and only had 4 wins. That's not going to cut it... but I am giving them another week or two to get their chemistry together to see what happens.
But then again, they only have $33,000,000 committed in cap for this upcoming 2010-2011 summer. That's looking like $25+million in available money to use on the Free Agency this year... one that includes all these huge names yet the Clippers are never mentioned. Why wouldn't someone like Joe Johnson or Rudy Gay want to go to LA and play on the Clippers. Sure, it is LA's "other" team, but that could evolve any time the Clippers become a consistent playoff threat in the future. Either way, this team is built solid, with B-Diddy and Kaman taking up $25,000,000 in cap, this team will definitely be doing some work in the off-season. They lose tons of players, but their best players: Chris Kaman, Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, young DeAndre Jordan, and of course the "rookie" Blake Griffin are all still Clippers next season with that money. Where does that leave them? Can Griffin play small-forward next year? Can Jordan play Center next to Kaman at PF successfully? Will they re-sign Blake or Outlaw or Gooden with their extra cash?
- Los Angeles Clippers -
8.0 / 10.0
8.0 / 10.0
-trade note: I love the Clippers more After this trade, but I can't help but feel like they basically made a lateral move somehow, even though they traded a C/PF for a solid PG and a solid combo forward. The Clips did trade with the Wizards too, getting Drew Gooden's expiring among other things, and sending away Al Thornton and Sebastian Telfair, who I felt was doing alright at backup point; but I could not stand Thornton one bit... his game is more one dimensional than Corey Maggette's. Now Outlaw is similar in the way they play, but he can shoot and is proven to be clutch.
