West looks to make immediate impact with Clippers trade http://www.sportsline.com/u/ce/multi/0,1329,5460175_54,00.html June 23, 2002 Jerry West is not waiting to try to make an impact on the Memphis Grizzlies. The architect of the current three-time defending champion Lakers who took over as the Grizzlies president of basketball operations this spring, has offered to make a lottery shaking trade with the Los Angeles Clippers this weekend and is awaiting an answer, according to a source involved in the discussions. Memphis would ship the fourth pick in Wednesday's NBA draft to the Clippers two first round selections, No. 8 and No. 12. The Clippers are considering it. L.A., according to the source, covets 7-foot center Nickoloz Tskitishvili from The Republic of Georgia but doesn't believe the talented European will be around at No. 8. With the top three picks -- Houston taking Yao Ming, Chicago selecting Jay Williams and Golden State picking Michael Dunleavy Jr. -- all but set, Tskitishvili should be there for the taking at No. 4. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, who have their eye on Kansas forward Drew Gooden should they keep the fourth pick, believe quality players will slide to 8 and 12. Memphis is very interested in both Indiana University forward Jared Jeffries and University of Memphis guard Dajuan Wagner. At least one, if not both players should be available at No. 8 and it is possible Wagner might slide to No. 12. --------------------------------------------- Thoughts? I did not know the Clippers were that high on Skita. I think the Grizz would make a great trade by doing this as this is a talented deep draft. The Grizz really liked Jared Jeffries and he would be there at #8. Why reach at #4 with him when you can get him at #8? The Clippers don't need a ton of youth so getting Skita who is a project seems like a good choice. Any thoughts? Chris
Doesn't make much sense to me unless the Clips already have a plan in place to ship Odom. Arguably the solidly 3-4-5th picks in the draft are all tall and versital forwards--something the Clips already have. The Clips need guards and maybe Kandi insurance--they can meet both goals with the 8 and 12 pick a lot better than with the 4 pick--unless Wagner is really the guy they want and they think he will be gone by #8 (I think he will be there for them). Now if the Clips could get Ming or JW--then I see it, even with Miles or Odom involved. But after the 1st two players to me the #3-#8 picks are all comparable risk and/or comparable potential players
