Reading the article below, I just wondered if anyone here would do this trade? This is assuming that the Clippers would do it. Houston sends Francis/Mobley/Griffin to the Clippers. The Clippers send Miller/Odom/Brand to Houston. Could Sterling be tempted to trade for one of the better back court tandems in the NBA? Our new lineup would be: C: Ming/Cato PF: Brand/Taylor SF: Odom/Rice/Boki SG: Posey/Hawkins PG: Miller/Moochie Defensive unit with firepower. Clippers new lineup: C: Kandi (if they resign him)/Wang/Ely PF: Griffin/Wilcox SF: Maggette/Jaric SG: Mobley/Richardson PG: Francis/Dooling That's just one max contract with Francis & possibly 2 with Kandi, instead of 4 with Brand/Kandi/Odom/Miller. http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/story/48782p-45855c.html Clippers are a sinking ship There's something very wrong in L.A., and for once we're not talking about the Lakers. So much was expected this season from the Lakers' co-Staples Center tenants, the Clippers, because of the addition of Andre Miller to a team already boasting Elton Brand and Lamar Odom. After winning 39 games and finishing only five games behind Utah for the eighth playoff spot last season, they were considered a strong candidate to reach the postseason for the first time since 1997 under Bill Fitch. But with a 1-9 record against their Pacific Division rivals and 21 losses in their first 33 games, the Clippers have been underachieving. The fact that the team's most important players (Miller, Brand, Odom and Michael Olowokandi) could all be leaving this summer via free agency - and hold it against ownership that they won't be offered "max-money" extensions - is seen as the No. 1 reason for the team's struggles. The Clips' poor record (they were in last in the Pacific to start the weekend) and penchant for squandering fourth-quarter leads have put Alvin Gentry on thin ice. This past week, there was rampant talk that one of his assistants, Dennis Johnson, will take over on an interim basis. Not that much will change even if Gentry, on the last season of his contract, gets pink-slipped. Starting today and over the next three weeks, the Clips have a killer schedule. They play San Antonio, Seattle, Dallas, Minnesota (twice), Sacramento, the Lakers, Utah and Indiana. The only sub.-500 team they face during that stretch, other than the Lakers, is Memphis. "There's definitely a sense of urgency," Brand said after the team's sixth loss in their past seven games. "We can't keep losing games and falling behind, especially in the competitive West. We've got to turn this thing around, now." Then Brand made a remark that can't bode well for Gentry's job security. "We've had big leads either going into the fourth quarter or in the fourth quarter and a meltdown has occurred," he said. "We kind of go our own way, instead of listening to our coach." In the worst crisis during his three seasons as head coach, Gentry is trying to preach patience. He has reminded everyone that Odom only recently returned after missing nearly a year with a serious wrist injury. But after showing improvement in the last two seasons, he is running out of time. "It's not going to happen right away, but I'm convinced that we'll get this thing turned around," he said. "No one around here is writing off the season. People forget that Elton and Lamar haven't really been out there for a stretch together. Sure, they played 29 games last season, but Lamar wasn't healthy. Just as soon as we get everyone acclimated with each other, we'll hit a stretch where we'll start winning games." For his sake, it had better start today.
The way I feel about the team today I would probably say yes but ask me again tomorrow and I will probably have a different opinion. Before too many people roll their eyes at such a big trade remember the Mavericks traded their entire starting 5 to NJ for their starting 5 a few years ago. Stranger things have happened.
I don't think the Clippers will trade Brand. Miller <I>may</I> be another story. Marko Jaric (correct me if I'm wrong) was slated to be a point guard. He's young, cheaper and has played well. If the Clippers don't perform well this season, I can see them trying to deal Miller to get help in other areas. But if they're smart, they'll keep both Andre and Elton. Also, I think Brand's agent is David Falk. I can't see Falk trying to push Brand to Houston when Brand being a Rocket would mean another client of his (Mo Taylor) would ride the pine. And Mo isn't going back to the Clippers. I don't think Brand would be available, but if he was I think other destinations would make more sense for him from their standpoint.
Clutch-I've heard similar things regarding Jaric. I've been following the Clippers' box scores, and he has out-assisted Miller on several occasions. Jaric is a good player-from what I've seen, he's a sweet shooter about a step inside the arc and in. Good point regarding the Brand-Faulk-Taylor thing. The thing about Miller is he needs the ball in his hands to make plays, because he isn't a magnificent outside shooter or eye-poppingly (new word) athletic. On a team that's more or less focused on the inside game (Brand/Kandi) and 2 guys who can more or less play PG from the wings (Odom/Jaric), and pure distributor is not the most needed thing for the Clips. Hmm...if things continue heading south for the Rox (and the Clips), I wonder how far Mobley would take you in acquiring Dre Miller? He's a big time scorer on a very friendly contract, and can defend PGs so Jaric wouldn't have to. He's also buddies with Odom, who apparently is one of Sterling's favorites, and could help in his resigning. If they plan on letting Miller walk, why not get some good value that would fill a need? Mobley would allow them to let Maggette and/or Richardson walk, or deal them to help fill their pending center void with Kandi on the way out and Wilcox/Ely not proven players. I don't think Mobley alone would get you all the way there, but I think he'd be a good centerpiece towards such a deal.
STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IM HAVING A STROKE FOR READING THIS POST AGGHHHHHH
Yes. Always trade small for big. Ming Brand Odom is a killer front line, with Miller a pretty decent throw in . 2s grow on trees. On what planet would this happen?
Steve Francis is our franchise player. He is not leaving. He just signed a huge contract. They will never trade him. If we was traded, Mobley would be happy to leave with him. Eddie Griffin for Elton Brand- sure! Too radical. I wouldn't do it. It would mess up all the chemistry in the middle of the season.
Radical or not, nothing would happen in the middle of the season. I don't think the rockets would make any move. Probably after the season.
The trade is 'poison pill' impossible. Francis' extension is final. Clutch: Falk and MoT and Rice = respectable enough conclusion, but MoT has his money and Falk needs to do Brand right and I could see it happening. It won't, but -- it could...
It looks like the Clippers are going to need some help saving their season. The predictions that they would fall apart trying to get enough touches for all the free agents are coming true. There is talk of a coaching change but the selfish play will remain. Maybe a blockbuster trade helps them out. We are one of several teams with the players and reasonable contracts, (read Nachbar, Cat, Cato, EG, Rice, TMo....), that could get something positive done for everyone. I'd sure like to see Brand here. Some combination of Cato, EG, Cat, Nachbar for Brand and/or Odom and/or Maggette, and or Miller/Jaric. We could make a good deal for both teams I think. Not ready to give up on Francis just yet though.
Okay, then how about this deal? Houston sends Mobley/Griffin/future #1 pick to the Clippers. The Clippers send Miller/Maggette/Wilcox to Houston. Any takers?
Miller to the '2'? And if Wilcox to the Rox, the Clips have to keep Brand. This trade just might not be feasible, you think?!
Why the *F* would we trade the heart of a 17-14 team for the heart of a 12-22 team??? So the Rockets are also "heading south" after 1 whole loss in a row. We're currently 3 games over .500 and on pace to be the seventh seed. For a team as young as the Rockets that's just starting to jell, that's not so bad, eh?
Keep at it, Hottoddie. I enjoy reading your trade scenarios... maybe someday you'll nail one. Has Wilcox shown anything this year? I haven't kept up with him. Like it or not, the Rocks have a history of surprising blockbuster trades. It could always happen again. At least Hottoddie usually comes up with some ideas that aren't completely ludicrous.
It's a no-brainer for us. Kid and Miller are the best PG in the league. If we get him, both SF and Yao will be so much more dangerous. But I don't think Clippers will be stupid enough to get rid of their best player.
I extend a huge wedgie out to all who want to trade any of the three that you suggested. The untouchables: SF CM YM EG We are going to give it a shot with them for at least until Ming's contract it up. By that time EG will be able to buy alcohol. Then we can decide if it is a good idea to trade him.
IMHO, only SF and YM are untouchable. If we can get a playmaker like Andre Miller for Cat & EG, I'll do it in a heartbeat. Great playmakers like Miller will make life so much easier for SF and YM.
