Baron To Clippers

by Jeff Clark on Jul 1, 2008 8:35 PM EDT in Boston Celtics Rumors

Baron Davis shocked the Warriors by opting out of his contract on Monday. Imagine their surprise now.
NBA front-office sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein that the guard reached a verbal agreement with the Clippers on Tuesday night and will sign a new multiyear contract with Los Angeles after the leaguewide moratorium on signings and trades is lifted July 9.
Davis was in line to make $17.8 million in the last year of his deal with the Warriors, but after telling the team that he wanted to stay, opted out at the last minute.
Sources told ESPN.com that Davis, 29, will receive a five-year deal worth an estimated $65 million.

Wait, I thought this was going to be a boring offseason. Whahappen?

Of interest to the Celtics:

This scenario is only possible if the Clippers renounce the rights of Corey Maggette and Brand takes a slight pay cut.
Sources say the Clippers are expected to do just that and quickly reach a verbal agreement to bring back Brand.

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I am a Boston Celtics transplant living in the Bay Area. Warriors fans are stunned. Speaking of stunned:

“I’m surprised, because 17 million is a lot of money for a year of basketball, but that’s his prerogative,’ Warriors coach Don Nelson said. ‘He talked to me a couple days ago and said he was coming back. … Opting out of a $17 million contract, that’s (bold).’”

Translation of Nelson’s quote: “Oh boy…..I never expected Baron to do make that move. Pawn takes queen, we’re in trouble!”

by deejaymc on Jul 1, 2008 9:51 PM EDT reply actions

how’s that MLE offer looking now, Corey?

Ainge is in full Red mode right now

by D Dub on Jul 1, 2008 9:55 PM EDT reply actions

This is driving me nuts. I apologize for asking about this again but I can’t find an answer for this anywhere and I’ve posted this question twice on the forum today and both posts are MIA.

Why does Brand have to take a paycut? They have his bird rights so can’t they just go over the cap? If this has been covered already, would someone mind referring me to where I can find this answer?

Thank you.

by soap07 on Jul 1, 2008 11:29 PM EDT reply actions

Yep, Maggette is getting screwed in this deal. He has no choice but to go somewhere for the MLE now. WOW..

by JHTruth on Jul 1, 2008 11:40 PM EDT reply actions

Brand needs to take a paycut to free up cap space to sign Baron.

by slamdunk1 on Jul 2, 2008 12:17 AM EDT reply actions

Brand needs to take a paycut to free up cap space to sign Baron.

I understood that part. But once Brand opted out, didn’t that free up the cap space?

by soap07 on Jul 2, 2008 12:23 AM EDT reply actions

I just read Larry Coon’s FAQ and I think I understand now.

However, maybe I’m missing something – but why in the world does a free agent still count against the cap?

by soap07 on Jul 2, 2008 12:33 AM EDT reply actions

It may just be that Don Nelson is no joy to work under. Baron is overpaid at $18 mil. That really is a ballsy move unless getting away from Nelson was worth it. Nobody heads to the Clippers to get his ring

by Wildblu1 on Jul 2, 2008 5:10 AM EDT reply actions

Davis is from LA. He went to UCLA. He’s also injury prone and getting a five year deal was what sealed it. No brainer.

by The Real Large James on Jul 2, 2008 6:01 AM EDT reply actions

In the words of that anouncer (I can’t remember his name):

“Are you kidding me Baron!?”

WOW… Baron Davis going to the clippers… stunned.

I guess Ainge is contacting Corey but I think first option is to keep james, the team works how it was built this past season, don’t change it unless you have to.

by Dirk on Jul 2, 2008 7:18 AM EDT reply actions

Baron Davis isn’t going to make the Clips contenders – even if Brand comes back 90%. Ask yourself what Davis has ever really done (outside individual stats). For that matter ask yourself the same question of Corey Maggette. These two are both problem children who think they are OK. It’s never them, it’s those around them. The only way they would help a team is to go somewhere and buy into a system.

by tallpaul on Jul 2, 2008 11:41 AM EDT reply actions