Trade in Trouble: Cuttino Mobley's Heart Puts Hold on Clippers Trade

It seems as though the trade that went down last week with the New York Knicks clearing cap space by sending Zach Randolph to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Tim Thomas and Cuttino Mobley has been put on hold for the time being.

Reportedly, problems with Mobley's heart turned up in the mandatory physical that players go through before the trade can be made official and be able to suit for their new teams.

"All I know is, we sent two guys there who were playing for us with no [physical] issues," coach Mike Dunleavy said. "So I don't think it's going to be anything that's going to hold the deal up. But they have until tomorrow to either say 'Yea' or 'Nay' on the trade. It has to be by tomorrow. That's the deadline."

From time to time these things happen, but barely ever do they actually void a trade completely, even though that could be a strong possibility if the two teams can not come to an agreement on Mobley.

As almost everyone in the basketball knows, the Knicks are trying to get ready to offer Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James a max offer when he becomes a free agent in 2010. Not only is James on their radar, but with perhaps the most talented free agent market ever in 2010, the Knicks might be looking at completely retooling their troubled franchise with superstars to get the Knicks back to dominant status in the Eastern conference and the NBA.

Clippers Trade Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas for Knicks Zach Randolph

The Los Angeles Clippers decided to shake up their roster Friday by adding power forward Zach Randolph despite their claims to the opposite.

Last week trade rumors were circulating around the NBA that the Clippers were looking to move center Chris Kaman because Marcus Camby was healthy and ready to go. Well, that didn't happen, at least not yet anyway. Instead the Clippers traded veteran shooting guard Cuttino Mobley and power forward Tim Thomas in exchange for Zach Randolph and point guard Mardy Collins.

Over the years Randolph has shown he can play at a high level in the NBA, but with his impressive play on the floor comes to his baggage as well. Randolph may be a dominant rebounder and solid inside scorer, but his problems in the past seem to have followed him where ever he goes.

At 20.5 ppg and 12.5 rpg, Randolph is having a great year thus far, but with the paint already crowded with Chris Kaman and Marcus Camby one has to wonder what the Clippers are thinking.

Not only did the New York Knicks relieve some salary cap space by trading Randolph, but they also shipped Jamal Crawford to the Golden State Warriors for Al Harrington who had openly asked to be traded earlier this season.

Some say that Knicks new coach Mike D'Antoni is just cleaning up the mess left by Isiah Thomas and Knicks management, but others believe he is clearing cap space to make room for LeBron James when he becomes a free agent in 2010. Not only will they have a legit shot at making a big offer for James, but they will also have enough left over to go after another big free agent in that year.

Here are some of the high quality NBA free agents that will be on the market in 2010. Starting of course with LeBron James, reigning MVP Kobe Bryant, reborn Dwyane Wade and the pride of the Raptors in Chris Bosh.

Those are the top tier guys, but there are a lot of very good players that will available too:

NBA FREE AGENTS in 2010

Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
Tayshaun Prince, Detroit Pistons
Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics
Yao Ming, Houston Rockets
Amare Stoutamire, Phoenix Suns
Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
Andrei Kirilenko, Utah Jazz
Caron Butler, Washington Wizards

As you can see, the NBA might look completely different come 2010. I am sure most of these teams will make a a huge offer to their superstars, but like we have seen in the past, money talks in this league and now that the New York Knicks have quite a bit of money to through around, you can bet they will be looking to get back to dominant status in the East conference with the addition of two of these superstar free agents.

Clippers Beat Thunder Convincingly 108-88

In the second win of the season for the Clippers Chris Kaman showed why he deserves to stay in Los Angeles. With a game high 25 points and 14 rebounds Kaman was just a monster in the paint and off the glass.

Everyone who is a Clipper fan has heard the rumor about Kaman being on his way out of LA, but after this game the Clippers front office will think it is the perfect time to move him because his value is its highest or that they would be stupid to trade the center.

Kaman wasn't the only Clipper to have a good game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday as all five starters scored in double figures. Baron Davis had another poor shooting night (5 for 15), but he made up for it by dishing out 8 assists, scoring 14 points and 4 steals. Cutino Mobley had the best game of the season by scoring 23 points and be a huge force on defense with 7 steals.

Not only did the Clippers starters have a great game individually, but they played with some good team chemistry. Marcus Camby contributed with 14 points, 2 blocks and 9 boards as a great compliment to Kaman in the paint. Al Thorton continues to be the most consistent on the Clippers squad as he finished the game with 20 points and 7 boards.

As for the Thunder, it seemed as if no starter could do anything on offensively besides second year phenom Kevin Durant who scored a team high 18 points. Damien Wilkins added a much needed spark off the bench with 17 points, but it wasn't enough to hold off the Clippers who were clearly the better team all night long.

With this second win for the Clippers hopefully BD and the boys can use this momentum to start winning some games. Next up for the Clippers will be the first game against Elton Brand in a different jersey as the Clipps take on the Philadelphia 76ers in Philly.

NEXT MATCH UP: Los Angeles Clippers @ Philadelphia 76ers Friday, Nov. 21st 4:00pm PST

Clippers Trade Rumors: Chris Kaman on the Block?

It happens every NBA season, especially in the beginning of the season all these trade rumors start flying around. NBA teams are always trying to improve, but when your team is predicted to do well like the Clippers were with the addition of Baron Davis and Marcus Camby and they get off to a shaky start, trade rumors are bound to follow.

Usually the Clippers aren't ever involved in trade NBA talks, well at least when they were with say Corey Maggette last season, it never went down or was really taken seriously.

This year there have been a couple players names thrown into the mix of possibly being on their way out. One was Cutino Mobley and the other was Clippers center Chris Kaman.

Besides Elton Brand, Chris Kaman has probably been the most consistent player on the Clippers for the past few years. He arguably one of the best big men in the NBA right now, but with Marcus Camby in the lineup and playing well, Kaman value, trade wise, has gone through the roof.

If there were ever a time to move Kaman it would definitely be now.

Honestly, I think trading Kaman wouldn't be too bright. With Kaman and Camby in the paint, they could be dominant on both the offensive and defensive end of the floor. In fact, they could be compete with other some of the other talented front courts in the league like Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum with the Lakers and Chris Bosh and Jermaine O'Neal with the Toronto Raptors.

Supposedly, the Charlotte Bobcats were interested in Kaman, but coach Mike Dunleavy turned down what ever trade offer was given. Kaman was quoted as saying this about the trade talks involving him:

"I enjoy playing here," Kaman said. "I hope I can stay here for a while. But if there are other plans, that's their deal and it's their business. .

"I don't know what the trade was. But it doesn't really matter. If you don't look at it like a business, you're going to get offended too easily."

Although the trade rumors involving Chris Kaman have died down a bit, I wouldn't be surprised to see him traded in the near future.

Clippers Get First Win of the Season Over Dallas Mavericks

Finally! The Clippers have finally gotten their first win of the season over a Dallas Mavericks team that is struggling to find it's groove much like the Clipps.

It took them 7 games, but the elusive first win is officially in the books for the Los Angeles Clippers. Although the Mavericks made a run in the fourth, the Baron Davis and company were able to hold off Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki for the win 103-92.

Dirk Nowitzki had a pretty good night against the Clipps with 33 points, but he was jacking up shots from deep hitting only one three pointer out of 7 attempts. Baron Davis had probably his best game as a Clipper thus far with 22 points and 10 assists against another California native Jason Kidd.

The Clippers really started to come together as a team in their first win of the season as almost everyone in a LA jersey contributed. Marcus Camby had a great game crashing the boards with 14 rebounds and Al Thorton continues to impress with 17 points on 6 of 7 from the floor.

Perhaps one of the biggest positives besides the win was rookie Eric Gordon finally getting some good minutes (30) and putting up good numbers. Gordon shot 4 out of 8 from the floor, 3 of 4 from deep for 11 points and helped out on the defensive end with 2 steals.

Like I have said in prior posts, this process will take time to create some team chemistry, but after this much needed win by the Clipps we can get a glimpse of how good these guys can really be.
NEXT MATCH UP: Sacramento Kings @ Los Angeles Clippers Weds. Nov. 12th 7:30pm PST

Lakers Rally in the Fourth to Keep the Clippers Win Less

It has only been five games, so no time to panic Clippers fans, but the other team in Los Angeles is still trying to get the first win of the season.

Even though the Clippers did lose their second showdown against the Lakers 106-97, they didn't go down without giving the Kobe and company a run for their money.

Although the game was pretty close at times, this was an ugly game filled with very poor shooting by both teams. Neither team was able to shoot over 38% from the floor which is a terrible percentage to say the least.

Nobody, besides Lamar Odom shot a decent percentage (50%) from the floor on Wednesday. Everyone else, including Kobe (8 for 21), Baron Davis (7 for 21) and Al Thorton (8 for 19) couldn't throw a rock in the ocean.

The Clipps did have a chance at beating the undefeated Lakers as they took the lead with about 8 minutes to go in the fourth off a Cuttino Mobley jumper, but after 16 point run lead by Kobe, Lamar Odom and Jordan Farmar the Lakers pulled away and never looked back.

After an 0-5 the Clippers season doesn't look all that great, but it is just five games and the team definitely needs to develop some team chemistry. I give them about two months and things will start looking up for Baron Davis and company.

NEXT MATCH UP: Houston Rockets @ Los Angeles Clippers Friday, Nov. 7th 7:30pm PST

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Baron Davis Already Suffering Injuries with Clippers

Once Baron Davis takes the floor, regardless of who the opponent is or what uniform he is wearing, he absolutely demands attention. A lighting quick first step, can score from anywhere on the basketball court and has amazing court vision, but he just can't stay healthy.

It is only three games into the NBA season for the Los Angeles Clippers, but two of their biggest off season acquisitions already on the injured list in BD and Marcus Camby.

When this team is healthy, the Clippers look like a good young team lead by all star veterans, but with an 0-3 start adversity has already begun for the other team in Los Angeles.

First it was a sprained ring finger on his left hand, which can be a painful injury for a point guard that handles the ball as much as a point guard does. Then he suffered a hip injury during the second quarter in the loss against the Denver Nuggets. Monday's game against the Utah Jazz is already out of the question for Davis, but when will he return.

The Clipps next match up will be a rematch of the battle of Los Angeles, which resulted in a 38 embarrassing blowout to the Lakers. From what Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy says:

"It's probably going to be three or four days and we'll kind of re-evaluate," Dunleavy said. "I guess tomorrow we'll know a little bit more about where he's at."

It looks as though BD will be out of action for a little bit longer.