Zach Randolph to Memphis

[Fafnir]

Another Zach Randolph highlight:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A13PKLR-HyY

[Roy Hobbs]

Memphis was recently rated the most dangerous American city based upon FBI crime statistics.  Sounds like a great fit for Z-Bo.

I do see the motivation for both sides, though.  Free agents are *never* going to sign in Memphis, so the opportunity to land a 20-10 player -- even a troubled one -- is worth it when the cost is basically nothing.

If only they hadn't traded away another 20/10 guy who plays the same position and makes almost exactly the same money.....

I just don't see what Memphis is doing overall.

Yeah, trading Pau was stupid, because he brings what Randolph does with a better attitude.  Pau was still young enough to build around.

That being said, and playing devil's advocate, you could argue that Memphis ended up with a Pau replacement, plus Marc Gasol and a couple of first rounders at the end of the day, so they're in no worse of a position than they were.

You could make that argument if Randolph was 75% as valuable as Pau is. He'll never be even that unless he starts rotating on defense and vows to never do this again:

http://www.youtube.com/v/rh2fn01cngg&hl=en&fs=1&

Well, Pau's defense has been fairly questionable in the past, and arguably, Randolph is a better scorer and almost certainly a better rebounder.

The difference is that Randolph is a moron who has no desire to win, whereas Pau got frustrated by the losing and carrying of his teammates.  I definitely agree that Pau is much better, but I think that comes down to brains and heart rather than talent.

[Fafnir]

Memphis was recently rated the most dangerous American city based upon FBI crime statistics.  Sounds like a great fit for Z-Bo.

I do see the motivation for both sides, though.  Free agents are *never* going to sign in Memphis, so the opportunity to land a 20-10 player -- even a troubled one -- is worth it when the cost is basically nothing.

If only they hadn't traded away another 20/10 guy who plays the same position and makes almost exactly the same money.....

I just don't see what Memphis is doing overall.

Yeah, trading Pau was stupid, because he brings what Randolph does with a better attitude.  Pau was still young enough to build around.

That being said, and playing devil's advocate, you could argue that Memphis ended up with a Pau replacement, plus Marc Gasol and a couple of first rounders at the end of the day, so they're in no worse of a position than they were.

You could make that argument if Randolph was 75% as valuable as Pau is. He'll never be even that unless he starts rotating on defense and vows to never do this again:

http://www.youtube.com/v/rh2fn01cngg&hl=en&fs=1&

Well, Pau's defense has been fairly questionable in the past, and arguably, Randolph is a better scorer and almost certainly a better rebounder.

The difference is that Randolph is a moron who has no desire to win, whereas Pau got frustrated by the losing and carrying of his teammates.  I definitely agree that Pau is much better, but I think that comes down to brains and heart rather than talent.

Memphis is always where players go to rediscover their love for the game right  ?

I don't think you can argue Z-Bo is a better scorer. Pau has shot above 50% all but one season for his career, Z-Bo has only shot above 50% once in his career (his second year in 17 min/g). Randolph does rebound better than Pau.

Equal talent sure but Kwame Brown has talent....

[dannypanic]

Does Chris Wallace/Memphis have an actual plan?

None of there moves ever make sense, they haven't been the same since losing out on Oden/Durant

Kind of Ironic that they landed the #2pick this year

[Rondoholic]

Yes Randolph is a knuckle head. But he has some major skills. What can Q rich do? Yikes. Memphis had the cap space to get a good player they probably realized that no big free agents would come there way next year anyway so why no get a young 20/10 forward to become your best player. I like it for them.

Because if they had shown some patience, they could have gotten a better player then the over payed stat hanger they got.

And how many free agents are knocking on Memphis' door to come play for them... (Crickets) They saw an opportunity to get a very good player for really nothing in Q and they took it. I say job well done, they've got a nice young group there that is going to be exciting to watch.

Well they could of had David Lee. Would you rather pay ZBo 33 million for 2 years or Lee a little more, but for 5 years?

I actually like this trade for both sides.  For the reasons that everybody has been saying for the Clips - clean the logjam at 4/5 and get a backup wing.

For the Grizz, I actually think based on their other parts that Randolph is a good fit.  They need a bonafide scorer on the block to team with their duo at center Thabeet and Gasol, both of whom are defensive/energy/hustle guys.  And as we all know, scoring is the one thing that Randolph can do, which will open things up for the talented young guys on the perimeter. 

Even if they could have Lee for a lower price (no one wants to go to Memphis in free agency first off), they'd just be adding another athletic, hustle guy and they don't really need another one of those.

[RebusRankin]

How long does Randolph's contract run?

[Rondoholic]

expires in 2011 i believe, one year longer than q. rich whose expires in 2010.

[OCsWestCeltic]

Memphis for once gets the supreme end of a trade.

QR is an aweful volume shooter & can't defend.

Clippers Mgmt does not have any NBA IQ in shopping
a decent PF like Randolph for QR.

[timepiece33]

They probably viewed Q-Rich as a sunk cost that they would want to cut AND made the trade to get rid of a terrible salary.

[D Dub]

This makes it that much more likely they renounce the rights to Hakim Warrick. 

With Rudy Gay slated to play 45mpg at SF and Thabeet, Marc Gasol, and now Randolph in the front court -- they will have little motivation to hit the cap by matching an offer sheet for Hakim.

If we give Sheed the MLE, we officially become bargain shoppers for the backup SF spot, and I don't think there is a better bargain out there right now than Hakim Warrick.  He would be such a good fit in green, and can be had if given a longer term deal, which should be a no-brainer given his age, ability, and the multiple holes he can fill for us off the bench. 

[johnnyrondo]

Clips are saving approximately 25 million.

[Change]

Zach the cancer even fooled Marbury
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaVa6NHwUUg&feature=related

[Prof. Clutch]

You could make that argument if Randolph was 75% as valuable as Pau is. He'll never be even that unless he starts rotating on defense and vows to never do this again:

http://www.youtube.com/v/rh2fn01cngg&hl=en&fs=1&

TP for posting that.  I got a laugh out of it.

Yeah, I don't really get the move for Memphis, but I wouldn't call this a horrible trade (for either team for that matter.)  It's more of a nothing trade if you ask me.  Doesn't seem like a big move on either side.  Two losing franchises stuck in the depths of Western Conference.  Niether player really anything to get excited about.  Meh, I say...Meh.

However if you are taking into account the circumstances of the fact that they gave up Pau for the price of his contract, and then traded for a not as good Randolph it makes the move more questionable.  But I don't think Pau was actually ever a 20/10 guy as some have said.  Has he ever averaged 10 rebounds in a season?  (I'm too lazy to check)

[Moranis]

Clips are saving approximately 25 million.

and gave up their best player for garbage.