Clippers Getting More Calls Before Deadline?
As reports are coming in that the Phoenix Suns have taken All-Star forward Amar'e Stoudemire off the table, many speculate the Los Angeles Clippers will get more phone calls before the trade deadline on Thursday.
Many teams that are in need of a big man coveted Stoudemire when the news broke about the Suns taking phone calls about the big guy and looking to deal him. Now, those teams are still looking for a big, but they have to look elsewhere.ย
The Clippers have three legit big men in Zach Randolph, Marcus Camby, and Chris Kaman. Each can help a team get that much needed final piece. Here's a quick rundown of each of these three.
Chris Kaman
Kaman will be turning 27 in April, so he is still relatively young when it comes to NBA big men, and has a contract that runs until the 2012 offseason maxing out at $12.2 million. He has been hampered with injuries so far this year, appearing in just 15 out of the clubs 53 games, but is still averaging a solid 13.9 points and 9.4 rebounds a night. Last year, Kaman had full reign of the Clippers post with a major injury to Elton Brand and was able to average 15.7 points and 12.7 rebounds. I believe that he will be the most likely one to be traded.
Marcus Camby
Camby might be getting up there in age, 35 in March, yet he is having one of the best seasons in his 12th NBA season. With averages of 11.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks, Camby is second in the league in rebounds per game, second in blocks per game (behind only one Dwight Howard), leads the league in defensive rebounds per game, and in blocks-per-foul. With this, he is on a good contract, expiring just in time for the free agency frenzy of 2010, which should do nothing but increase his value.
Zach Randolph
Highly unlikely that the Clippers will look to trade Randolph after acquiring him and Mardy Collins from the New York Knicks for Cuttino Mobley, who retired, and Tim Thomasโunless they have a fire sale and try to fully rebuild in the offseason. Even with that, Randolph is on a huge three-year contract and is averaging a solid 22.8/9.7 with the Clippers.
