ESPN is reporting that the Los Angeles Clippers have acquired center Marcus Camby from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for a second round pick. Yeah, that's it.
Even at 34, Camby is a solid pick up for the Clippers, who of course are feeling a little short in the frontcourt after the Big Guy took off. Camby still averaged 9 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks last season, and was probably the only bright spot on one of the league's worst defenses. This gives the Clippers a scoring heavy backcourt with Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, and Al Thornton, and physical play up front, with Chris Kaman and Marcus Camby. Best of all, Camby's contract expires in the summer of... 2010. Which, as you may have heard, is kind of a big deal.
When Nuggets fans hoped for a roster move to shake up a team that was woefully deficient at defense, and downright catastrophic at points in terms of chemistry, this is is probably not what they hoped for. This has to be considered nothing more than a cost cutting measure by the Nuggets, who are scheduled to pay over $13 million in luxury tax for last season.
Both teams needed to do something with their rosters. They did something, but it says something very different about the future for both squads.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-15-2008 @ 11:28PM
Ryan said...
Amazing... The Clippers lucked into this one and Baron must be feeling a sense of relief. Interesting question as to whether you'd actually have Elton or Camby!
http://www.ingamenow.com/teams/66/1/Los_Angeles_Clippers
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7-15-2008 @ 11:30PM
Megan said...
As a big Nuggets fan, this is horrible news. You're right, this was not expected and not what I (or any other Nuggets fan) was hoping for. I love Camby and without him we will definitely have the worst defense in the league by far. This is a spot-on article.
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7-16-2008 @ 12:26AM
George B Vieto said...
The Nuggets are getting rid of their high priced players but not doing anything to improve their defensive woes.
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7-16-2008 @ 2:56AM
Furioso said...
Has anyone in the Clippers front office ever played fantasy hoops? If you have, Baron and Camby on the same team is pretty damn funny. How many fantasy squads have those guys killed over the years? And how scared would you be to have both guys on your fantasy roster at the same time?
Still, I like it. Should be great, if…
Also, very nice of the Nuggets to eliminate themselves from playoff contention.
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7-16-2008 @ 5:36AM
Eric said...
Not a bad move by the Clippers...he won't be able to replace Brand's scoring but if he can play like he did in Denver he'll be a good addition.
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7-16-2008 @ 10:57AM
mwhite06 said...
I think Canby will replace Brand's scoring, seeing as how Brand was hurt all of last season.
7-16-2008 @ 7:42AM
Chris said...
Did someone say defense,not in the NBA, defense would make it difficult tofix games
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7-16-2008 @ 9:13AM
Xavier said...
It's quite apparent the Nuggetts don't plan on playing 'any' defense next season, lottery here they come.
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7-16-2008 @ 3:13PM
basketball.org said...
Apparently, the Nuggets are completely giving up on defense. Great trade for the clips who are probably better off now then before. Lets remember Brand is coming off of season-ending surgery and Baron Davis is great upgrade on Maggette, especially for a team desperate for a PG.
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7-16-2008 @ 11:13PM
r. tyson said...
With a starting 5 of Baron,Mobley,T.Thomas,Camby and Kaman, the Clips should go at least .500 this season and contend for that 8th spot in the west.
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