Camby Headed to the Clippers

[Buff]

The Nuggets will trade veteran center Marcus Camby to the Los Angeles Clippers in order to create salary cap space, a source close to the team told the Denver Post Tuesday evening.

Denver will receive a future second-round draft pick, the source said.

Trading Camby, considered one of the top defensive centers in the NBA, will save Denver around $20 million, the source said


http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_9891201





I wish we could have gotten someone who could be plugged into the lineup... But this was a move that had to be made eventually, Camby is a terrible one on one defender who's stats are inflated by blocks... And he has some crazy notion that he's an outside shooter too... I'm glad he's gone, but I'll be even happier when we're done with Kenyon's contract...

[ChampWJ]

This is a terrible move, terrible. Camby gave 100% every night no matter the circumstances. A second round pick might as well be the same as cutting him. I want to know who is going to play center at even half the level Camby did.

[Buff]

This is a terrible move, terrible. Camby gave 100% every night no matter the circumstances. A second round pick might as well be the same as cutting him. I want to know who is going to play center at even half the level Camby did.

Yeah, I'm a little concerned as to who we'll play there... Nene can play Center, but he's a little undersized. K-Mart can spell players there, but he's a true PF.

I think it's safe to say they're going to have to bring someone else in.

[BroncoAV06]

We all knew something was bound to happen, the Camby for Hinrich trade would have just put the Nuggets even deeper into cap hell, don't know if they could of got more, just a 2nd which sucks from the Nuggets fans point of view.

Definitly will have some flexability next off-season for sure.

As for wo can step up, Nene if healthy can play center, Hunter can get some mins, McCoy see if he makes the roster out of sumer leauge, definitly not an up grade or even near Camby but is a body.

As for Camby, how many centers are good one on one defenders? Blocks are a stat, not infalted, it means that the other team did not score. Camby did float but you can not say his double-doubles and blocks meant nothing.

[Buff]

As for Camby, how many centers are good one on one defenders? Blocks are a stat, not infalted, it means that the other team did not score. Camby did float but you can not say his double-doubles and blocks meant nothing.

Yeah, I don't mean to trash the guy on his way out. He was a superb rebounder, and a good off the ball defender... Definitely an above average NBA center.

In a perfect world they would have unloaded K-Mart's contract, but obviously no one is dumb enough to bite on that... So now they've got to work a trade with someone else, or sign a free agent center. I think the latter is more likely. So, the next question is, who are some of the free agent Centers available? (Other than David Harrison, please don't sign that scrub)

[Denver Native (Carol)]

This is a terrible move, terrible. Camby gave 100% every night no matter the circumstances. A second round pick might as well be the same as cutting him. I want to know who is going to play center at even half the level Camby did.

I agree - I hate this. Camby not only gave 100% every night, he is equal to Rod Smith as far as being a GREAT person.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

IT'S A DONE DEAL :tsk::tsk: THIS IS SICK

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jul/15/nuggets-ship-camby-clippers-draft-pick/

Nuggets ship Camby to Clippers for draft pick

Nuggets center Marcus Camby has been traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, his agent confirmed Tuesday night.

Camby’s agent, Rick Kaplan, said the move was made for salary-cap purposes. The Nuggets have the option to switch 2010 second-round draft picks with the Clippers. If Denver has a better pick that year, the Nuggets will get nothing from the Clippers.

The Nuggets also will get a $10 million trade exception in which they can use within a year.

“They gave him away for nothing,’’ Kaplan said. “(The Clippers) definitely got their money’s worth.’’

Camby has a base salary next season of $8 million. His cap number is $10 million when one takes into account $2 million in bonuses for games played that he earned last season.

Because the Nuggets are deep into the dollar-for-dollar luxury tax, the move could end up saving them between $16 million and $22.5 million. If Camby reaches all of his games bonuses and statistical bonuses worth $1.25 million, that’s how the $22.5 million figure is attained.

The move signals the Nuggets are serious about cutting payroll this offseason. Before the Camby move, the Nuggets had nine players with guaranteed contracts totaling more than $79 million, which is about $8 million over the NBA luxury tax threshold.

Nuggets vice president of player personnel Rex Chapman said he would address the media in a conference call later this evening.

Camby was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2006-07 and finished second last season. He has been named to the All-Defensive first team at center two straight years.

The move leaves the Nuggets with a big hole at center. Nene can play center, but missed much of last season due to testicular cancer surgery.

[Simple Jaded]

How is this possible? In the NBA there is supposed be a about the same money changing hands, the Noguts get rid of 20 million in salary and gain a 2nd round pick with a None guaranteed salary contract?

The link isn't working for me, so if somebody could explain this I'd appreciate it......

[Buff]

How is this possible? In the NBA there is supposed be a about the same money changing hands, the Noguts get rid of 20 million in salary and gain a 2nd round pick with a None guaranteed salary contract?

The link isn't working for me, so if somebody could explain this I'd appreciate it......

They did a horrible deal with K-Mart and overspent. Nene, AI and Melo all have huge deals... Someone had to go.

It's essentially like the Repo man showing up and taking one of your vehicles when you've overspent.

[BroncoAV06]

Its because teh Clips do not have to pay Elton Brand moeny after he opted out so they have enough room to take on Camby's contract.

Man, for nothing that just stings even more. Hard to see good guys/players go, but the Nuggets dug themselves a whole and they have to dig themselves out of it, even if it means taking hits such as this. This is a hard one to try and get around at the moment....

As for C, Hunter, depeding on his knee will get a shot. Like I said above see if anyone sticks off the summer roster to take a few mins.

[honz]

How is this possible? In the NBA there is supposed be a about the same money changing hands, the Noguts get rid of 20 million in salary and gain a 2nd round pick with a None guaranteed salary contract?

The link isn't working for me, so if somebody could explain this I'd appreciate it......

It's possible because the Clips have cap space to absorb Camby's contract.

Not sure what the Nugz are doing here. They are either going to try and retool within the next few years or they may be going after one of the FAs left on the market...who knows.

[MOtorboat]

I don't mind the trade one bit, but can someone tell me why we traded the No. 1 pick for next to nothing, now?

[Buff]

I can't imagine a scenario where they would go into camp with Hunter and Nene as the only two centers on the roster... They will sign someone. It will almost certainly be a downgrade from Camby, but they'll get another body.

[Buff]

I don't mind the trade one bit, but can someone tell me why we traded the No. 1 pick for next to nothing, now?

Didn't we get a #1 next year?

[MOtorboat]

Didn't we get a #1 next year?

Only if the Bobcats make the playoffs.

[Simple Jaded]

No!!!

For once I'm not complaining, Buff, I just can't understand how the league allowed the NoGuts to dump salary.

If they trade 20 mil they have to take on *I would think* at least a 15 million dollar contract from the Clips.

This is a win-win trade for the Nugs, they get a 2nd rounder, who's contract is not guaranteed, and the dump 20milllion in salary.

That's a 20 million dollar difference in cap hits, the NBA does not allow this. Ya know what I mean?

And to my knowledge, Brand's situation has nothing to do with this trade......

[honz]

Forgot they traded away their #1 pick this year...sounds like rebuilding time in Denver. Acquiring future picks and dumping salaries.

[honz]

No!!!

For once I'm not complaining, Buff, I just can't understand how the league allowed the NoGuts to dump salary.

If they trade 20 mil they have to take on *I would think* at least a 15 million dollar contract from the Clips.

This is a win-win trade for the Nugs, they get a 2nd rounder, who's contract is not guaranteed, and the dump 20milllion in salary.

That's a 20 million dollar difference in cap hits, the NBA does not allow this.

And to my knowledge, Brand's situation has nothing to do with this trade......
It's because the Clips have cap space. If they didn't have so much cap space then they would have to give back equal value...but in this case they don't.

[Simple Jaded]

I must be missing something, if it's too good to be true, it probably is......

[Denver Native (Carol)]

No!!!

For once I'm not complaining, Buff, I just can't understand how the league allowed the NoGuts to dump salary.

If they trade 20 mil they have to take on *I would think* at least a 15 million dollar contract from the Clips.

This is a win-win trade for the Nugs, they get a 2nd rounder, who's contract is not guaranteed, and the dump 20milllion in salary.

That's a 20 million dollar difference in cap hits, the NBA does not allow this. Ya know what I mean?

And to my knowledge, Brand's situation has nothing to do with this trade......

Camby’s agent, Rick Kaplan, said the move was made for salary-cap purposes. The Nuggets have the option to switch 2010 second-round draft picks with the Clippers. If Denver has a better pick that year, the Nuggets will get nothing from the Clippers.

The Nuggets also will get a $10 million trade exception in which they can use within a year.

“They gave him away for nothing,’’ Kaplan said. “(The Clippers) definitely got their money’s worth.’’

[Simple Jaded]

It's because the Clips have cap space. If they didn't have so much cap space then they would have to give back equal value...but in this case they don't.

That would be BadAss if that is how it works, it's a good trade, either way......

[Buff]

The paper reports that the deal "appears to be" for a future second-round pick as the Nuggets are obviously looking to dump salary, and with Elton Brand in Philadelphia, the Clippers had about $12 million to spare on the 34-year-old injury-prone forward. The biggest selling point might have been that Camby's contract will expire at the same time as Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas, giving the Clippers tons of cap space during the "Summer of Lebron." For now, the Clippers backcourt will be counted on to score plenty of points with the physical duo of Kaman and Camby manning the frontcourt, and in Denver Nene Hilario and Kenyon Martin figure to benefit most from the increased playing time in Denver.

http://www.rotoworld.com/Content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?

[MOtorboat]

Wow, two trades where the Nuggets got nothing.

This front office is worthless. I mean, I don't mind getting rid of a guy, but you don't dump your No. 1 right before the draft and then dump a guy because of salary and get nothing in return for either of them. That's just pathetic.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Wow, two trades where the Nuggets got nothing.

This front office is worthless. I mean, I don't mind getting rid of a guy, but you don't dump your No. 1 right before the draft and then dump a guy because of salary and get nothing in return for either of them. That's just pathetic.

Totally agree - it could be a VERY LONG SEASON :banghead:

[Buff]

:confused:

The Nuggets also will get a $10 million trade exception in which they can use within a year.


Camby is set to make $11.25 million in '08-09, followed by $10.9 million in '09-10.

Link, if these things are to be taken at face value, then it would seem that the Nugs are on the hook for maybe 1.25 million this year? Then the clips pick up next year?

Not exactly sure?

[Simple Jaded]

I'm not going to miss him jacking up those long jump shots with 20 seconds left on the shot clock.

Would have rather them trade Martin, but that's just never going to happen......

[BroncoAV06]

The pick received from Charlotte is protected in the following manner:

* Through the top 14 in 2009.

* Through the top 12 in 2010.

* Through the top 10 in 2011.

* Through the top 8 in 2012.

* Through the top 3 in 2013.

The selection is unprotected in 2014. So that’s the latest the Nuggets could get the pick if the Bobcats are a downtrodden team for the next half decade.

The Nuggets will get that Bobcats pick, its just a matter of time. Camby looks like nothing. But like I said before its the position the Nuggets are in, moves will have to be made (Camby) to get out of the hole they created. I am fine with this team moving away from being the Knicks of the West which is what started to be thrown around. We will all miss Camby but it is a biz and the Nuggets don't get better but they have the ability to in the future.

Martin played better last year, not up to the amount of money he is making, but better, and well he will most likely play out his contract in Denver, so lets hope his knees hold up and he can throw a few down.

[Timmy!]

I'm fine with this trade. Let's face it people, we had to shake up the lineup somehow. If Melo and IA are staying, we had to dump somebody to save some $$$. I liked Camby, but he is getting up there in age. Nene, Kmart, and Melo is NOT a bad front court. If we get only get a true point guard and a true 3 point shooter things would be better, IMO.

[Ziggy]

This was a horrible trade. Now the Nuggets have lost the only 2 players who showed up every night, gave 100%, and played defense. This roster without Camby and Najara is going to be a defensive nightmare. The Nuggets may have saved cap space, but they just threw away any chance of being competive in the playoffs this season. It's a moved that was needed because of years of other bad moves. This front office is absolutely horrid.

[turftoad]

Wow, two trades where the Nuggets got nothing.

This front office is worthless. I mean, I don't mind getting rid of a guy, but you don't dump your No. 1 right before the draft and then dump a guy because of salary and get nothing in return for either of them. That's just pathetic.

Pathetic is right.

We get swept in the playoffs with Camby, we won't even make them with out him. Period.

[Gyro]

Camby, Kaman, and Al Thorton up front. That's a pretty scary frontcourt, but at the same time swallowing up Camby's contract leaves them without the option of going after Josh Smith. The Clippers will make a run for the postseason now, but they just aren't deep enough to contend IMO. Maybe they get the 8 seed if they're lucky.

[BroncoAV06]

At first the Nuggets-Clippers trade is a bit of a head-scratcher -- Marcus Camby for the right to exchange No. 2 picks in 2010? Isn't he worth more than that? Heck, isn't pretty much anyone worth more than that?

Well, he is worth more than that, of course ... except if you're trying to cut costs, which the Nuggets rather clearly are, and have four other players that also make in excess of $10 million per season, and are trying to retain a fifth key player (J.R. Smith) who is a restricted free agent. In that event, having Camby around starts to look like a bit of a luxury.

From the Clippers' end, this trade starts out as a bit of a head-scratcher, too. Shouldn't they have tried to use their cap space on bigger fry (say, Josh Smith or Emeka Okafor) before they went after the likes of Camby? And since they were the only team with cap space, wouldn't this deal still have been available three weeks from now if Smith's and/or Okafor's teams matched the Clippers' offer sheet?

Ultimately, however, the needs of both sides made this trade sensible for each.


Full Story:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=Camby_Clips-080716

As much as this move pisses everybody off, with AI and Atkins contracts up after this year the Nuggets could be under the cap by next off-season giving them some options. (Save 40 million with this deal)

We all like Camby, but to pay him 10 million this year then nexxt year at 36 he would get 19 million! A tough but good move for the Nuggets.

Ric Bucher talks about deal(video):
http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?categoryId=2459788&brand=null&videoId=3491300&n8pe6c=2


Posted by: John Schuhmann NBA.com
Free candy is great. Free Camby may be even better.

The Los Angeles Clippers moved up a few rungs on the NBA ladder when they got Baron Davis. Then they moved back down when they lost Elton Brand. But the Clippers are climbing again by acquiring Marcus Camby from the Nuggets for essentially nothing.

Camby isn't the player that Brand is, but L.A. has seemingly landed on its feet after last week's failure to keep their star big man. Camby, Davis and Chris Kaman form a big three of sorts, and with Eric Gordon and Al Thornton, the Clipps certainly have some talent around them.

Are they a playoff team in the loaded Western Conference? Well, I can think of one 2008 playoff team that has gotten worse ...

The Nuggets are calling the trade "a chess move." They do get a big trade exception that they can use to acquire another player before it expires in a year, but this move was clearly not about basketball. Denver had a bloated payroll, and trading Camby certainly lightens the financial load.

They could have had made a deal with New Jersey for actual live human beings, but the money was more important. Down the line though, it could actually turn out to be a smart move.

In previewing the 2007-08 Nuggets last October, I wrote this:
If they're healthy, they're the best frontline in the NBA, but that "if" is the biggest "if" in the Association.
At the time, they had Carmelo Anthony, Camby, Nenê, Kenyon Martin, Eduardo Najera and Steven Hunter filling their forward and center spots. That is deep. But now, they've lost Camby and Najera, and the frontline is looking rather shallow.

And this deal has other repercussions as well, because the Clippers were the last team with cap room that was actually willing to use it. So, restricted free agents like Josh Smith have suddenly lost some bargaining power.

[Ziggy]

We all like Camby, but to pay him 10 million this year then nexxt year at 36 he would get 19 million! A tough but good move for the Nuggets.




He would not have gotten 19 million next year. His salary for the 2009-10 season is 7,650,000. That's a steal for a big man of his caliber in today's NBA market.

[Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal]

Wow they just gave Camby away for nothing.