ESPN - Clippers going hard after Josh Smith

[cordobes]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3479117

The Clippers, sources said, expected to respond to the departures of Brand and Maggette by making a hard run at Atlanta Hawks restricted free agent Josh Smith, who was Philadelphia's No. 2 target behind Brand. If the Clippers elect to sign Smith to an offer sheet, Atlanta would have seven days to match.

Funniest off-season ever?

[Donoghus]

Clippers are definitely try to save what face they have left.

[Redz]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3479117

Funniest off-season ever?

The past 13 months or so in the NBA have been incredible.  The amount of player movement has been unprecedented.  Be it a blockbuster, or a miniscule deal, there really has not been much down time.  Even the post trade deadline action with the buyouts ha increased.

[ma11l]

Clippers are definitely try to save what face they have left.

They must be completely shell shocked at this point.  They are just going to throw money at anyone who wants to come their way.  It's about spending money, not piecing a team together at this point.  Looked like they were going to be able to put a playoff contender together, now they're back to being cellar dwellers in the Western Conference.

[Who]

Chris Kaman would be a very good compliment to Josh Smith. Add a pair of young wings and a veteran lead guard to show them away. Nice team to build around.

That could still be an interesting team if they signed Josh. All depends on the price that they'd have to pay to snare him away from the Hawks.

[jackson_34]

I kinda feel sorry for the Clips and Baron... My impression was that Baron signed with them so he and Elton would be able to play together, is that true?

I would have thought it would be a given seeing Brand and Davis together next season. Oh well.... 

[vjcsmoke]

Josh Smith is a defensive terror and a decent rebounder.  And he's only 23 years old.  Too bad he's going to cost way too much for the Celtics to have a chance to get.  Err Posey anyone?

[Cman]

They must be completely shell shocked at this point.  They are just going to throw money at anyone who wants to come their way.  It's about spending money, not piecing a team together at this point. 

... except we are talking about the Clippers.  Frankly, it wouldn't surprise me if the Clips make no more moves in the FA market, except for min contracts.   That's right, zero moves.

[Robb]

They kind of have to, don't they?  I mean even if they don't get him they need to at least look like they're trying after losing Brand.

[Montrossity]

Its a must do move for the Clippers.  Without him, they flounder in mediocrity.  With him, they are a playoff team and have a potential future franchise player. 

a lineup of Kaman, Smith, Thornton, Gordon/Mobley, Davis could anchor a playoff team for years to come.

[Robb]

edited for less redundancy.

[Montrossity]

edited for less redundancy.

Well obviously when relying so much on younger players its a huge risk, but unless last year was an aberration, Kaman and Thornton are the real deal.  Gordon, while hardly a slam dunk, was an excellent player in college and has been mentioned frequently as a ROY sleeper.  Davis will do what he always does, Smith (as raw and immature as he is) has shown flashes of dominance and has progressed significantly each year in the league and is still only 23.  Give a young team like that a few years in an aging West and I see a very solid playoff team.

Then again, they are the Clippers. 

[wdleehi]

If the Clippers get him, who do the Hawks go after with all the money? 

[Jeff]

Funniest off-season ever?

I don't know, I'm still giggling from last year's offseason

woooooohooooo!

[Kwhit10]

This free agency is like a chain reaction one team goes after another teams player, then the team that lost goes after the other teams, and so on and so on.  It's the circle of life.