Camby to the Clippers for a 2nd Rounder
- Thread starter XxtraMannish
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I hearing in denver its a prelude to other moves he freed up 20 something million w/bonus's
dont count them out just yet
Camby headed to Clippers
By Benjamin Hochman
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 07/15/2008 09:38:23 PM MDT
Marcus Camby will likely be in Los Angeles with the Clippers next season. (AP | Darren Hauck)Handcuffed by the NBA's luxury tax, the Nuggets were handed a key by the Los Angeles Clippers, who acquired veteran center Marcus Camby — and his hefty contract — in exchange for the right to swap second-round picks in the 2010 draft.
The trade will save the Nuggets close to $20 million — Camby's $10 million salary for next season, which includes contractual bonuses, and a $10 million trade exemption.
Camby, 34, declined to be interviewed until Wednesday but said in a statement: "Most of all, I'll miss the Denver community. It became my home. It's where I have my foundation, and I was very involved there."
The move should give the Nuggets some financial flexibility if they want to try to make a trade this offseason — though one key player, Carmelo Anthony, will not be traded, it was confirmed last month. Also, the Nuggets made a qualifying option to guard J.R. Smith, a restricted free agent. Smith, 22, is likely to receive offers from other teams, which Denver could match.
The 12-year veteran led the NBA in blocked shots last year (3.61) for the third consecutive season. He was the defensive player of the year in 2006-07 and was on the all-defensive team first team for the past two seasons.
Camby had career-highs last season in games played (79) rebounds (13.1) and minutes per game (34.9). He averaged 9.1 points a game.
He spent six seasons in Denver after being acquired from New York in a draft day trade in 2002.
"Marcus has been an exceptional representative of the Nuggets, both on the court and in the Denver community during his time here, and we are greatly appreciative of all he has done," Mark Warkentien, the Nuggets' vice president of basketball operations, said in a statement. "This trade exception, along with the future first-round draft choice we received from Charlotte last month, gives us a number of options and a tremendous amount of flexibility."
The Nuggets have always enjoyed the low-post tandem of Kenyon Martin and Nene, though injuries to both have kept them from thriving together. As of now, those are the Nuggets' two big men heading into next season.
Nene missed significant playing time last season while recovering from testicular cancer and with other injuries, but he should benefit with more playing time created by the Camby trade.
"I'm very sad to see Marcus go because he's not only a teammate and a great basketball player, but Marcus is like a brother to me," Nene said. "I care a lot about him and I want to see him do well, wherever he is. I'll be cheering for him."
dont count them out just yet
Camby headed to Clippers
By Benjamin Hochman
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 07/15/2008 09:38:23 PM MDT
Marcus Camby will likely be in Los Angeles with the Clippers next season. (AP | Darren Hauck)Handcuffed by the NBA's luxury tax, the Nuggets were handed a key by the Los Angeles Clippers, who acquired veteran center Marcus Camby — and his hefty contract — in exchange for the right to swap second-round picks in the 2010 draft.
The trade will save the Nuggets close to $20 million — Camby's $10 million salary for next season, which includes contractual bonuses, and a $10 million trade exemption.
Camby, 34, declined to be interviewed until Wednesday but said in a statement: "Most of all, I'll miss the Denver community. It became my home. It's where I have my foundation, and I was very involved there."
The move should give the Nuggets some financial flexibility if they want to try to make a trade this offseason — though one key player, Carmelo Anthony, will not be traded, it was confirmed last month. Also, the Nuggets made a qualifying option to guard J.R. Smith, a restricted free agent. Smith, 22, is likely to receive offers from other teams, which Denver could match.
The 12-year veteran led the NBA in blocked shots last year (3.61) for the third consecutive season. He was the defensive player of the year in 2006-07 and was on the all-defensive team first team for the past two seasons.
Camby had career-highs last season in games played (79) rebounds (13.1) and minutes per game (34.9). He averaged 9.1 points a game.
He spent six seasons in Denver after being acquired from New York in a draft day trade in 2002.
"Marcus has been an exceptional representative of the Nuggets, both on the court and in the Denver community during his time here, and we are greatly appreciative of all he has done," Mark Warkentien, the Nuggets' vice president of basketball operations, said in a statement. "This trade exception, along with the future first-round draft choice we received from Charlotte last month, gives us a number of options and a tremendous amount of flexibility."
The Nuggets have always enjoyed the low-post tandem of Kenyon Martin and Nene, though injuries to both have kept them from thriving together. As of now, those are the Nuggets' two big men heading into next season.
Nene missed significant playing time last season while recovering from testicular cancer and with other injuries, but he should benefit with more playing time created by the Camby trade.
"I'm very sad to see Marcus go because he's not only a teammate and a great basketball player, but Marcus is like a brother to me," Nene said. "I care a lot about him and I want to see him do well, wherever he is. I'll be cheering for him."
CAMBY NOW A CLIPPER
Clippers fill their tallest order and get Marcus Camby
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times
Derek Fisher has his shot blocked by Nuggets Marcus Camby during the NBA Playoffs in April. Camby was acquired for a second-round draft pick in a trade with Denver.
A week after losing Brand, they obtain the 6-11 shot-blocking specialist from Denver.
By Steve Springer, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
July 16, 2008
It's the biggest rebound of the year for the Clippers. And, arguably, the most dramatic in their tortured history.
One week after the heart and soul of their team, their most skilled, most respected and most beloved player, Elton Brand, walked out on them, along with Corey Maggette, their leading scorer, the Clippers obtained an imposing substitute in 6-foot-11, 235-pound Marcus Camby.
Sports A-Z: Marcus CambyCamby, the NBA defensive player of the year in 2006-07, was obtained from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for a conditional second-round draft pick in 2010.
Conditional because it gives the Nuggets the right to exchange picks with the Clippers in that second round. If, however, the Clippers have the lower pick and Denver chooses to pass on the opportunity, there would be no further compensation.
In other words, the Clippers may have gotten Camby for nothing. And the Lakers thought they got a steal in obtaining Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies last season.
"This is the perfect fit for our team," Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy said of the 34-year-old Camby, a 12-year veteran who last season led the NBA in blocked shots (3.61) for the third straight season.
Brand, thought to be returning after the Clippers reached a verbal agreement with free agent guard Baron Davis, instead signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. Maggette signed with the Golden State Warriors.
Suddenly, what had looked to be a promising future for the Clippers appeared instead to be a throwback to their dismal past.
"We needed to bounce back," Dunleavy conceded. "We thought we had a great plan in place and it went awry. What was important was how quickly we could make another move. What happened to us was demoralizing. Now we have something to build on."
The Clippers had been exploring the possibility of extending an offer sheet to either Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith or Charlotte Bobcats center-forward Emeka Okafor, both restricted free agents. But Camby's contract, which leaves the Clippers only about $2 million below the salary cap, apparently eliminates those options.
For Denver, the deal will help a team determined to drop below the tipping point for the luxury tax. Counting Camby and Anthony Carter, who is expected to sign with the Nuggets, Denver has guaranteed contracts for nine players totaling more than $79 million, $8 million above the luxury-tax trigger point.
Camby's cap number for each of the remaining two years on his contract is $10 million. He has a base salary of $8 million and could make as much as $11.7 million if all his incentive bonuses are realized.
"It was a total shock," Camby said of the trade via e-mail. "I really loved Denver. It became my home. It will be especially hard to leave behind the kids I worked with in the community through my Cambyland Foundation."
Said Camby's agent, Rick Kaplan: "Marcus knew they were cutting payroll, but he thought they were committed to winning instead of just saving money."
Camby is coming off a season in which he averaged 13.1 rebounds and 34.9 minutes in 79 games. All those numbers are career highs. Camby averaged a league-leading 18.0 rebounds per 48 minutes, and 9.1 points per game.
"We now have two excellent shot blockers," Clippers General Manager Elgin Baylor said, referring to a front court that will feature Camby and Chris Kaman. "And two players capable of producing double figures in points and rebounds on a regular basis."
"I am certainly not coming to replace Elton Brand," Camby said. "Our games are completely different. The Clippers have had some ups and downs over the last few years and hopefully the team is headed in the right direction."
Certainly a different direction than it seemed headed just a week ago.
------
Also on Tuesday, the Clippers signed second-round draft picks DeAndre Jordan, a center selected 35th overall, and Mike Taylor, a guard picked 55th.
Clippers fill their tallest order and get Marcus Camby
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times
Derek Fisher has his shot blocked by Nuggets Marcus Camby during the NBA Playoffs in April. Camby was acquired for a second-round draft pick in a trade with Denver.
A week after losing Brand, they obtain the 6-11 shot-blocking specialist from Denver.
By Steve Springer, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
July 16, 2008
It's the biggest rebound of the year for the Clippers. And, arguably, the most dramatic in their tortured history.
One week after the heart and soul of their team, their most skilled, most respected and most beloved player, Elton Brand, walked out on them, along with Corey Maggette, their leading scorer, the Clippers obtained an imposing substitute in 6-foot-11, 235-pound Marcus Camby.
Sports A-Z: Marcus CambyCamby, the NBA defensive player of the year in 2006-07, was obtained from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for a conditional second-round draft pick in 2010.
Conditional because it gives the Nuggets the right to exchange picks with the Clippers in that second round. If, however, the Clippers have the lower pick and Denver chooses to pass on the opportunity, there would be no further compensation.
In other words, the Clippers may have gotten Camby for nothing. And the Lakers thought they got a steal in obtaining Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies last season.
"This is the perfect fit for our team," Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy said of the 34-year-old Camby, a 12-year veteran who last season led the NBA in blocked shots (3.61) for the third straight season.
Brand, thought to be returning after the Clippers reached a verbal agreement with free agent guard Baron Davis, instead signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. Maggette signed with the Golden State Warriors.
Suddenly, what had looked to be a promising future for the Clippers appeared instead to be a throwback to their dismal past.
"We needed to bounce back," Dunleavy conceded. "We thought we had a great plan in place and it went awry. What was important was how quickly we could make another move. What happened to us was demoralizing. Now we have something to build on."
The Clippers had been exploring the possibility of extending an offer sheet to either Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith or Charlotte Bobcats center-forward Emeka Okafor, both restricted free agents. But Camby's contract, which leaves the Clippers only about $2 million below the salary cap, apparently eliminates those options.
For Denver, the deal will help a team determined to drop below the tipping point for the luxury tax. Counting Camby and Anthony Carter, who is expected to sign with the Nuggets, Denver has guaranteed contracts for nine players totaling more than $79 million, $8 million above the luxury-tax trigger point.
Camby's cap number for each of the remaining two years on his contract is $10 million. He has a base salary of $8 million and could make as much as $11.7 million if all his incentive bonuses are realized.
"It was a total shock," Camby said of the trade via e-mail. "I really loved Denver. It became my home. It will be especially hard to leave behind the kids I worked with in the community through my Cambyland Foundation."
Said Camby's agent, Rick Kaplan: "Marcus knew they were cutting payroll, but he thought they were committed to winning instead of just saving money."
Camby is coming off a season in which he averaged 13.1 rebounds and 34.9 minutes in 79 games. All those numbers are career highs. Camby averaged a league-leading 18.0 rebounds per 48 minutes, and 9.1 points per game.
"We now have two excellent shot blockers," Clippers General Manager Elgin Baylor said, referring to a front court that will feature Camby and Chris Kaman. "And two players capable of producing double figures in points and rebounds on a regular basis."
"I am certainly not coming to replace Elton Brand," Camby said. "Our games are completely different. The Clippers have had some ups and downs over the last few years and hopefully the team is headed in the right direction."
Certainly a different direction than it seemed headed just a week ago.
------
Also on Tuesday, the Clippers signed second-round draft picks DeAndre Jordan, a center selected 35th overall, and Mike Taylor, a guard picked 55th.