Randolph trade done
The Clippers have agreed to a trade for New York Knicks forward Zach Randolph and guard Mardy Collins in exchange for guard Cuttino Mobley and forward Tim Thomas, a league source told the Daily News Friday afternoon.
Randolph is a dominant low post threat, having averaged 16.4 points and 8.2 rebounds in his eight seasons in the NBA. This season with the Knicks, he's excelled in new coach Mike D'Antoni's system, averaging 20.5 points and a career-high 12.5 rebounds.
Mobley is averaging 13.7 points this season, Thomas is averaging 9.5 points and 4.6 rebounds.
The Clippers have long-admired Randolph's athleticism and offensive game.
And with the team averaging a paltry 90.9 points a game, better only than three other teams in the league, the Clippers jumped at the chance to acquire him.
They tried to land Randolph in the summer as well, offering the Knicks a similar salary-saving deal they later offered Denver for center Marcus Camby. The Knicks passed on that deal, preferring to hold Randolph for real assets, as opposed to just salary-cap relief.
By acquiring Mobley and Thomas, whose contracts both expire in two seasons, the Knicks better position themselves as players for the wild free agent summer of 2010, when stars like LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade will be free agents.
Randolph's contract has three years and approximately $48 million remaining on it.
i hate my life.
JUST Randolph? Doh!
yay1!!!
great... now I'm confused... as well as what the starting lineup would be...
madglove, we may be able to flip camby for carter or wallace now
Carter? NO WAY. What are we, the all perennial loser team?
Crash I'd be interested in. We'll see...
i'd love gerald wallace!! i have always been a fan since his days at alabama!!
I don't have any info on any subsequent moves the Clippers might make at this point, but the last time I asked about Gerald Wallace, I was told the Clippers saw him as redundant to Al Thornton. In other words, why trade for Wallace and his expensive contract when they have Al Thornton --whom they really like --on a rookie deal?
Madglove, the players aren't the problem. The Clippers need new owners and a new coach.
I love this deal. Randolph gives us another big time scorer and I really don't see us being any worse on defense.
And down the road we could still flip Camby or Kaman for a SG or SF. Those two will bring more in return than Thomas or Mobley would have.
Thanks for the input Ramona. But speaking of redundant...isn't that exactly what Randolph is with Kaman and Camby already on board?
Ramona, what was the thinking and vision going forward for this trade?
Welcome Vince Carter!
I don't think it's redundant with Camby and Kaman, though I do think it will be interesting to see which of those three players comes off the bench.
Randolph is a 20/10 power forward, there aren't many of those around in the league. Kaman is a low post player, but he's more of a center. Camby can score, but makes his living as a defensive presence.
The Clippers were in dire need of more low post scoring. They just got it.