Clippers and Cavaliers make a trade

[Toxicadam]

Reports are that it's Baron Davis and a first round pick for Mo Williams and Moon.


http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2011/02/2 ... ing-trade/

[Loo]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=y ... iams022311

"The Los Angeles Clippers have reached an agreement in principle to send Baron Davis(notes) to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Mo Williams(notes), league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

The Cavaliers will also get an unprotected 2011 first-round pick from the Clippers while sending back forward Jamario Moon(notes)."

[YahooFanChicago]

Props to Mr Gilbert for being willing to absorb a big contract in exchange for an unprotected #1 in the upcoming draft.

The way I see it is that Mo + Moon probably slightly more valuable than Baron Davis and Davis's salary is what about 7M higher than Mo+Moon? Therefore, isn't Gilbert essentially paying $7M for an unprotected first round pick?

Hopefully the ping pong balls fall our way and Mr Grant can find a couple of gems in what is considered a weak 2011 draft.

Either way, I think Gilbert deserves some respect for shelling out the cash and walking the talk.

[YahooFanChicago]

Oh yeh, I assume that none of our $14.5M trade exception is impacted by this deal right?

Hopefully we can find a way to use that still to get a 1st round pick in the 2012 draft.

We still have AP and hopefully we can turn him into a low first rounder as well.

I hope there are a Dougherty, Harper, Price, Hot Rod quartet out there somewhere in the next couple of drafts.

[YahooFanChicago]

where the hell is everyone??...I mean hell, it's 4 or 5am already..time to either get home from the clubs or wake the hell up.

[MikeCheckGW]

Props to Mr Gilbert for being willing to absorb a big contract in exchange for an unprotected #1 in the upcoming draft.

The way I see it is that Mo + Moon probably slightly more valuable than Baron Davis and Davis's salary is what about 7M higher than Mo+Moon? Therefore, isn't Gilbert essentially paying $7M for an unprotected first round pick?

Hopefully the ping pong balls fall our way and Mr Grant can find a couple of gems in what is considered a weak 2011 draft.

Either way, I think Gilbert deserves some respect for shelling out the cash and walking the talk.

I think Davis is a little better than the Moon and Mo combo. I dont see him returning to his "glory days" as a Warrior, but he has been playing much better for the LAC recently. I just hope this move doesnt mean the Cavs would pass on Kyrie Irving if given the chance.

[StewieG]

This move will not impact the Cavs' interest in Irving in any way. I wouldn't be shocked to see Baron bought out after the lockout, especially if the cap rules change.

And we just traded Mo, a guy who wasn't even playing, for a top-10 pick. That's fucking awesome. I would've been happy with a pick in the 20's.

[peeker643]

This is likey the deal that's been on the table for same time that Windy spoke of. I'm glad to see it go down. I have no love for Baron Davis and he's probably 10lbs heavier today than he was last night, but I think Mo is heartless and a front runner in terms of his desire to get on the court in a bad year.

I won't miss Mo and his playoff legacy will always outshine everything else for me.

Davis won't be motivated to play for this team either, so not sure it has any effect at all on the court this season or beyond. Davis might be a bigger front runner than MO, if it's possible.

[leadpipe]

All about the draft pick. Baron Davis is nothing but a pawn here. Christ, it doesn't take an NBA maven to understand that if the guy was a flat, lazy chucker in LA - a city which facilitated his interests off the court, he's a lock to be a fat selfish jerk-off here.

They absorbed one of the league's worst contracts for an unprotected pick. That's the essence of the deal.

props to the Clips by the way, for getting Davis away from Griffin. The guy was trying to remake himself by being Griffin's caddy, all the while ignoring everyone else on the floor, including a couple nice young players.

Not saying I hate the deal for the Cavs, but for the Clips - classic case of addition by subtraction.

[redneckofsc]

Someone explain to me what an "unprotected pick" is?

[fightdr]

Unprotected = The Cavs get it no matter where it falls or where the Clippers finish. Lottery. Non lottery.

They get their pick. No matter what.

[British_Pharaoh]

Baron Davis is gash but the pick is what's important

[Cease]

Moon was pretty worthless as a rebuilding piece. A 7th-9th man. Mo Williams is damaged goods, maybe a "fresh start" will help him snap out of his own head.

[Orenthal]

Salaries match, no use of TPE. We get an unprotected pick in the 2011 draft. While the draft at this moment looks weak, the pick being unprotected and this year (Clippers 8th worst team in the league) make it valuable.

Cavaliers on the hook for $11 million more over the next two years. However, cap space means jack shit at this point. If we continue a rebuild with these types of moves no significant FA signing will happen in the next couple years. Also at that point Jamo will be off the books and Baron and Andy will be ending or close to ending deals.

First major move for Grant looks to be a winner. Reports are we may not be done yet. Gilbert still willing to pay $$$. Pray for Grant to make the right selections.

[peeker643]

If we continue a rebuild with these types of moves no significant FA signing will happen in the next couple years.

Honest question- When was the last significant free agent signing this team made? Larry Hughes? You have to overpay free agents to bring them here and even then you're not getting marquee players.

Not even when they had James to pair the guy with did they acquire a premium free agent who was in his prime.

Drafts and trades is the only way you build this team.

Draft and trades, draft and trades. So yes, we better hope to hell Phil Dunphy bats .800 or so on both.

[Orenthal]

If we continue a rebuild with these types of moves no significant FA signing will happen in the next couple years.

Honest question- When was the last significant free agent signing this team made? Larry Hughes? You have to overpay free agents to bring them here and even then you're not getting marquee players.

Not even when they had James to pair the guy with did they acquire a premium free agent who was in his prime.

Drafts and trades is the only way you build this team.

Draft and trades, draft and trades. So yes, we better hope to hell Phil Dunphy bats .800 or so on both.

Only read the first line, but wanted to jump and explain significant only meant $$$$. Unless your the Heat/Bulls?NY I don't think any NBA FA signing will be significant to the team winning.

Just wanted to point out taking on extra salary into cap space means nothing long term, and is a 100% better way to use that space (signing a FA).

[peeker643]

If we continue a rebuild with these types of moves no significant FA signing will happen in the next couple years.

Honest question- When was the last significant free agent signing this team made? Larry Hughes? You have to overpay free agents to bring them here and even then you're not getting marquee players.

Not even when they had James to pair the guy with did they acquire a premium free agent who was in his prime.

Drafts and trades is the only way you build this team.

Draft and trades, draft and trades. So yes, we better hope to hell Phil Dunphy bats .800 or so on both.

Only read the first line, but wanted to jump and explain significant only meant $$$$. Unless your the Heat/Bulls?NY I don't think any NBA FA signing will be significant to the team winning.

Just wanted to point out taking on extra salary into cap space means nothing long term, and is a 100% better way to use that space (signing a FA).

Agree with that. Cap flexibility far more important than cap space for this organization.

[diminishingskills]

As said above, the talent side of this deal is basically nothing for nothing. Moon is worthless. Mo was a nice gunner for a couple of seasons, but he's a classic "good player on a bad team" (and maybe "good player on a good team until the pressure gets turned up") guy. In other words, no wonder the Clippers were interested. Davis is who he is. Maybe we get a few World B. Free moments out of him if we're very lucky, but nothing that is going to be remembered down the road. My biggest concern there is building a nice big wall in the locker room so he can't infect the young'uns worth keeping.

The key is getting the lottery pick in the deal. Granted, this is supposed to be a pretty weak draft, but I'd still rather have a flyer on a young talent than see Mo Williams modeling a variety of suits while he nurses his poor wittle hangnail.

Basically, the Cavs bought a lottery pick. I'm fine with that.

[Cease]

Me thinks Blake Griffin will miss his boy Baron.

[Ziner]

Gilbert still isn't afraid to pay that is a positive sign (although I have heard he is making quite the killing and his casino is about to come online soon).

The 8th pick in this draft doesnt appear to be anything special, but shit, if we can get 2 pieces in this draft, not even a superstar, but pieces we are making progress.

[Madre Hill, Superstar]

Still waiting for the caffeine and medicine to settle in, but here's what I got:

- Is Baron Davis landing by helicopter in front of the Q?

- Revenge for Danny Ferry: Now we're looting the Clippers' draft picks.

- Increasing the odds of landing Kyrie Irving never hurts. Even more so if all it costs you is the Mo Gotti basketcase.

- First Shaq, now Davis. Here in Cleveland we're great at closing the barn door well after the cows have made it to the next county.

- In my fevered virus-infested dream, Dunphy and Gilbert help Davis discover that for the first time in his varied NBA travels he's finally landed at a franchise willing to do whatever it takes to win. Shape up and play your best and we've got the draft picks, kids, and tradeable assets to build an actual competitive team alongside you. Cleveland can be for him what the Pistons were for Sheed.

I know, its not bloody likely, but its nice to dream once in a while.

[Gradysmanldy]

I can't imagine the Clippers end up in the lottery; The west is swiftly depopulating itself of talent (Utah, Denver, and Charlotte all divesting themselves of talent) and the Clips get better with this deal and a healthy Kaman back on the court. I'd be tickled pink if it worked out, but not holding my breath.

Any pick is useful considering the lack of production from Mo and Jamo. Neither was going to be useful going forward, so SOMETHING from NOTHING = win.

I can't wait to re-start the Ricky Davis era w/Ricky(baron) Davis v. 2.0.....it's going to be majestic.

[peeker643]

Still waiting for the caffeine and medicine to settle in, but here's what I got:

- Is Baron Davis landing by helicopter in front of the Q?

- Revenge for Danny Ferry: Now we're looting the Clippers' draft picks.

- First Shaq, now Davis. Here in Cleveland we're great at closing the barn door well after the cows have made it to the next county.

- In my fevered virus-infested dream, Dunphy and Gilbert help Davis discover that for the first time in his varied NBA travels he's finally landed at a franchise willing to do whatever it takes to win. Shape up and play your best and we've got the draft picks, kids, and tradeable assets to build an actual competitive team alongside you. Cleveland can be for him what the Pistons were for Sheed.

I know, its not bloody likely, but its nice to dream once in a while.

When I close my eyes I actually see two more years of Davis and $28million owed. I'm always having shitty dreams like that.

But picks are picks I guess. Now hit on them.

[Larvell Blanks]

The best part of this trade + social media is that certain Cleveland media people are calling for Grant to recreate the '86 draft and get this years equivelant of Brad, Price and Harper. Calling it Grant's make or break draft. If he screws up, get him out of here.

I can't imagine the Clippers end up in the lottery; The west is swiftly depopulating itself of talent (Utah, Denver, and Charlotte all divesting themselves of talent) and the Clips get better with this deal and a healthy Kaman back on the court. I'd be tickled pink if it worked out, but not holding my breath.

The Clips get better? How? By subtracting Davis or adding Mo and his suits to the DNP list. What will Moon give this team?
We'll get the Clips pick at 8 or 9. While the West is getting weaker, the Clippers remain the Clippers.

[GodHatesClevelandSport]

Goodnight, Moon.

Let's get Jimmer with that Clippers pick!

[peeker643]

If Madre can dream I will as well. I'd like Irving and Derrick Williams with those picks. And please God, keep the Clips in the lottery.

That'd give me a Chris Paul-lite/David West-lite duo I could build around.

[Orenthal]

Clips have 13 of the next 24 games (24 games is all they have left) on the road. In that span they have Boston twice, OKC twice, Lakers twice, Dallas twice...

IMO looking pretty good for the Cavaliers.

FREE ENES!

[papacass]

Davis is mercurial. Always has been. He's not going to be happy here. The team is losing, he's going from L.A. to Cleveland in the winter, and Byron Scott is here. I know they're supposedly cool with each other now, but the reason they grew to dislike each other is because they had to share a locker room.

Complete Van Halen/David Lee Roth stuff. They spend some time apart, and they think they're cool with each other. They get back together, and rediscover all the reasons they couldn't stand each other in the first place.

The best thing that can happen is if Baron shreds his ACL or Achilles next fall and is out for the year. Then he can go back to L.A. and rehab and the Cavs don't have to associate with him. Then they can trade him or buy him out in the 2012 offseason.

You have two critical draft picks coming in here next year. If you want Kyrie Irving, you don't want Baron to be his first role model as an NBA PG.

[fundamentals]

Baron Davis, back in the day said this: 'Playing with Coach Scott, it was more like he was a dictator. It was his way or the highway.' Hopefully it's the highway for Boom Dizzle.

Enes Kanter might want to start house shopping in Cleveland.

[Orenthal]

^When I was working the FREE ENES bandwagon early this year it was rational. Once we went and got the #1 seed for the lotto I kinda backed off into the darkness with my campaign. WOOHOO FREE ENES!

Keep being the Clippers Clippers land me a real center.

[rebelwithoutaclue]

Blah, blah, blah, Davis is washed up and overpaid and will hate it in Cleveland. Phantom, season-ending ankle injury will happen in about 3 weeks. As everyone has said, the unprotected pick is whats important, not Davis or the crap they sent out. At least people are talking about the Cavs again.

[Calis32]

I love it! Between Andy and Baron, we'll have the All-Hair team. Can you imagine the fans at the Q alternating between wearing the Andy Hair on their head or their face depending on the hot hand? The next step the the Andy-Baron love child costume (aka Chewbacca)!

[rebelwithoutaclue]

I love it! Between Andy and Baron, we'll have the All-Hair team. Can you imagine the fans at the Q alternating between wearing the Andy Hair on their head or their face depending on the hot hand? The next step the the Andy-Baron love child costume (aka Chewbacca)!

I forgot there is one upside to Baron, he can grow the best beard in the league. James Harden is trying to give him a run for best beard but his looks too unkempt; you just know Baron has his own beard stylist.

[Gradysmanldy]

Blah, blah, blah, Davis is washed up and overpaid and will hate it in Cleveland. Phantom, season-ending ankle injury will happen in about 3 weeks. As everyone has said, the unprotected pick is whats important, not Davis or the crap they sent out. At least people are talking about the Cavs again.

People were talking about them plenty as they set the NBA record for futility. Or the NBA record for biggest W-L difference in HISTORY from one season to the next.

[GodHatesClevelandSport]

Gilbert won't have to pay Baron Davis nearly as much as his contract calls for b/c there will be a lockout. I'm sure @cavsdan is counting on that.

[Prosecutor]

Not a Clippers fan so I haven't see Davis play in a few years, but I remember him being a strong, physical guard who was at his best attacking the rim. So I decided to look at his numbers and see how he's doing now.

First impression is the guy can't shoot. Career FG% of 40.9; this year he's at 41.6. Career 3-point% of 31.9; this year he's at 29.6. Ugh. Put him on the floor with Ramon Sessions and we'll see all five defenders camped out in the paint.

What really concerns me is his free throw numbers. In the 06-07 season when Davis was in his prime he averaged one free throw for every 6.0 minutes of court time. The following year it was every 7.5 minutes. This year he's averaging a free throw every 12.2 minutes - down over 50% from four years ago. Now that he's 31 and has a long term, big money contract he no longer is interested in taking punishment. Combine that with his rim bending outside shooting and I can't see how he's much use. He's still dishing out 7 assists per game, so that's something I guess.

If the dollars the Cavs are now committed to paying Davis match the dollars previously committed to Mo and Moon, then we got a lottery pick for nothing except having to put up with Davis for the next two years instead of Mo. The Cavs just have to hope they catch lightning in a bottle with that lottery pick.

[Larvell Blanks]

^ do his stats let you know when he actually gives a shit on the court?

[peeker643]

Pros- You see what your boy JJ did last night?

Embarrassing to watch.

The biggest issue with Baron is he's a dick and he's a clubhouse cancer.

I believe he once called Byron Scott a dictator and it's probably because Scott can't stand the sight of a guy like Davis. Lazy, fat and loud is a bad combination for your PG. Dude has (well, had) all the physical skills required to be really good for ten years. He didn't.

[Prosecutor]

Pros- You see what your boy JJ did last night?

Embarrassing to watch.

The biggest issue with Baron is he's a dick and he's a clubhouse cancer.

I believe he once called Byron Scott a dictator and it's probably because Scott can't stand the sight of a guy like Davis. Lazy, fat and loud is a bad combination for your PG. Dude has (well, had) all the physical skills required to be really good for ten years. He didn't.

Yeah, you never know which JJ is going to show up. He had four good games out of five making me think he was finally getting it, but apparently that's not the case. Maybe after chilling for a week he just hasn't snapped back into game mode yet. I'm sure Byron will smack him upside the head and say, "Snap out of it!" like Cher did to Nick Cage. We'll see if it works.

Davis apologized to Scott for the way he acted and said he's matured since then. Said he needed the tough love at that point in his career. I doubt Grant would have made the deal if Scott strenuously objected. Davis still might not give a shit but don't assume he'll be a full-blown cancer until it happens. Which I admit it might.

I looked up the salaries and Davis is due to get 13.9M next year and 14.75 the year after (player option) for a total of $28.65 million. Moon's contract is up at the end of this year and Mo will get 8.5M each of the next two years assuming he exercises his options. So that's only $17M the Cavs gave up against the $28.65M they're taking on. If you add in the additional $1.5M or so Davis will make the rest of this year above Mo's salary, it comes out to about $13 million the Cavs are taking on over the next two seasons, not counting whatever they pay the lottery pick. That pick better be a good one or Gilbert just threw away a lot of money.

[peeker643]

I looked up the salaries and Davis is due to get 13.9M next year and 14.75 the year after (player option) for a total of $28.65 million. Moon's contract is up at the end of this year and Mo will get 8.5M each of the next two years assuming he exercises his options. So that's only $17M the Cavs gave up against the $28.65M they're taking on. If you add in the additional $1.5M or so Davis will make the rest of this year above Mo's salary, it comes out to about $13 million the Cavs are taking on over the next two seasons, not counting whatever they pay the lottery pick. That pick better be a good one or Gilbert just threw away a lot of money.

That's why Windhorst was saying a couple days ago that this deal had been on the table a while and was up to whether Gilbert wanted to add significant salary to the payroll.

Another hour and change left. Wonder if they'll move anyone else or if any late deals are coming from the contenders.

Other issue is I've heard GS will buy out Troy Murphy. Here's hoping the Heat aren't able to move Mike Miller for a big man and then pay Murphy next to nothing to come fill that role. Guy named Murphy needs to end up in Boston if he's gonna go anywhere.

[Larvell Blanks]

That's why Windhorst was saying a couple days ago that this deal had been on the table a while and was up to whether Gilbert wanted to add significant salary to the payroll.

Another hour and change left. Wonder if they'll move anyone else or if any late deals are coming from the contenders.

Other issue is I've heard GS will buy out Troy Murphy. Here's hoping the Heat aren't able to move Mike Miller for a big man and then pay Murphy next to nothing to come fill that role. Guy named Murphy needs to end up in Boston if he's gonna go anywhere.

Have read that no one has bitten on Miller, including Dallas. They were trying a BHaywood for Miller trade but Cuban shot that down. No way he deals with Miami or Riley after his back up of Gilbert.

[peeker643]

That's why Windhorst was saying a couple days ago that this deal had been on the table a while and was up to whether Gilbert wanted to add significant salary to the payroll.

Another hour and change left. Wonder if they'll move anyone else or if any late deals are coming from the contenders.

Other issue is I've heard GS will buy out Troy Murphy. Here's hoping the Heat aren't able to move Mike Miller for a big man and then pay Murphy next to nothing to come fill that role. Guy named Murphy needs to end up in Boston if he's gonna go anywhere.

Have read that no one has bitten on Miller, including Dallas. They were trying a BHaywood for Miller trade but Cuban shot that down. No way he deals with Miami or Riley after his back up of Gilbert.

Let's face it: there are a whole lot of have nots in the NBA. I can't see any of them needing Mike Miller unless we're talking OKC or one of the few non coastal/beachfront teams contending. And I can't see any of them going out of their way to help one of the Haves.

So the Haves can deal with the Haves. And that ain't bloody likely to see the C's give up a big to the Heat or to see Chicago help any of them either.

So fuck 'em.

[Larvell Blanks]

@WojYahooNBA reported. Jeff Green & Nenad Krstic for Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson is done

WTF is Boston thinking? I know Perk is a FA this summer but you've lost your best low post defender

[papacass]

@WojYahooNBA reported. Jeff Green & Nenad Krstic for Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson is done

WTF is Boston thinking? I know Perk is a FA this summer but you've lost your best low post defender

Aaaaaand the Heat just won the NBA title. Unless the Lakers figure some stuff out.

[Larvell Blanks]

@WojYahooNBA reported. Jeff Green & Nenad Krstic for Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson is done

WTF is Boston thinking? I know Perk is a FA this summer but you've lost your best low post defender

Aaaaaand the Heat just won the NBA title. Unless the Lakers figure some stuff out.

Ironic that peeker just typed this not too long ago...

So the Haves can deal with the Haves. And that ain't bloody likely to see the C's give up a big to the Heat or to see Chicago help any of them either

Boston didn't need to give up a big TO the Heat to help them out.

[Madre Hill, Superstar]

Aaaaaand the Heat just won the NBA title. Unless the Lakers figure some stuff out.

They were beating the Heat without Perk. Still a headscratcher of a deal, but I guess I can see it if you think Perk's going chronically injured and you really really really need that swingman. And if Perk is healthy the balance in the West and maybe the Association just swung heavily in OKC's favor.

[papacass]

OTOH, the Thunder's stock just rose with a legit post presence. It might not be quite Shaq/Kobe, but KP is a nice complement for Durant. KP will be a matchup nightmare for most of the Western Conference outside of Staples Center.

[peeker643]

@WojYahooNBA reported. Jeff Green & Nenad Krstic for Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson is done

WTF is Boston thinking? I know Perk is a FA this summer but you've lost your best low post defender

Aaaaaand the Heat just won the NBA title. Unless the Lakers figure some stuff out.

Ironic that peeker just typed this not too long ago...

So the Haves can deal with the Haves. And that ain't bloody likely to see the C's give up a big to the Heat or to see Chicago help any of them either

Boston didn't need to give up a big TO the Heat to help them out.

I was gonna say that OKC was the only landlocked team with title hopes (a year or so from now) and I couldn't see them helping the Heat either. But OKC needed a big guy too. And Perkins will protect Westbrook and Durant.

C's still have Shaq, Garnett and Big Baby. Still think they're bigger AND tougher than Heat. Now they're also more athletic. I like the deal from the perspective of Boston looking at getting younger and more athletic and I like Jeff Green.

[Larvell Blanks]

Cavs trade w/ Boston

unfortunatley it's not Parker for a pick

However, MSB did some work today

PDcavsinsider #Cavs trade 2013 2nd rd pick for Boston's Semih Erden and Luke Harangody, according to league source.
2 minutes ago via web

[Larvell Blanks]

I was gonna say that OKC was the only landlocked team with title hopes (a year or so from now) and I couldn't see them helping the Heat either. But OKC needed a big guy too. And Perkins will protect Westbrook and Durant.

C's still have Shaq, Garnett and Big Baby. Still think they're bigger AND tougher than Heat. Now they're also more athletic. I like the deal from the perspective of Boston looking at getting younger and more athletic and I like Jeff Green.

The bad part for Boston is hoping Shaq stays healthy the rest of the year.