Best Possible Scenario for 2008-2009

by BenoitBenjamin on Apr 20, 2008 4:21 PM PDT Comment 4 comments

If the Clippers are going to make a run for the playoffs in 2008-2009, what is the best possbile scenario? Here is what I think would be the best Clipper team for 2008-2009:

C- Kaman (he is under contract until 2089 isn't he?)

PF- Brand (he chooses to come back)

SF- Thornton

SG- With my my mistake being pointed out below about the salary cap, Mobley becomes a starter. (I had Maggette starting, but I made a mistake with the salary cap)

PG- Baron Davis or Gilbert Arenas (You have to hope that one or both opt out of their contracts and are willing to come back to LA. I think that a Clippers lineup around them that includes Kaman, Brand, Thornton, and Maggette would be enticing. Where does the money come from? Sterling has to saddle up with the money and you can save a little if you don't give Livingston the qualifying offer.)

Thomas and Knight come off the bench along with whoever the Clippers draft. The rest of the roster can be finished off with league minimum players (or exception) to help off-set the cost of signing Davis or Arenas.

This looks like a pretty good team, but everything has to fall in place. Brand and Maggette have to decide to come back, which I think is possible. The longshot is Davis and/or Arenas opting out and then convincing one of them to come home and play for the Clippers. It also will take Sterling reaching further in his pockets.

Is this even possible? Is this the best possible team the Clippers could hope for next season? Does anyone see a better possible scenario?

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The PG

By what method do you have Davis or Arenas coming to LA? The Clippers will be capped out if Brand and Maggette return. Its not a question of if Sterling will pay or not. The cap wouldn’t let him.

If you want one of those guys, Maggette (sign-and-trade), one of Mobley or Thomas, and this year’s first rounder are probably the start of the package to get it done.

So…it ain’t happenin.

by John R on Apr 20, 2008 5:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

My bad

OK, in reading up on the NBA cap I realize I made a mistake. I was thinking you could go over, but there would be a penalty. I was thinking MLB. Now I realize you can only go over the cap to keep one of you own players. I need to amend My Best Possible Scenario for 2008-2009. You have Kaman at C, Brand at PF, Thornton at SF, Maggette hopefully opts out and you have Mobley at SG, and Davis or Arenas at PG. Off the bench you have Thomas at the 4/5, Knight at the 1, and draft Gordon or Westbrook to play the back-up at the 2. WIth this, there is no clear cut back-up at the 3 spot, hopefully you get lucky with a 2nd round pick or a free agent for the minimum (or exception). I still wouldn’t mind taking Love and finding a FA (at the minimum or exception) or 2nd round pick to back-up the 2/3.

Sorry for the mistake in the earlier post and am glad to have the correction. Again, this isn’t a likely scenario, but maybe this would be a possibility.

by BenoitBenjamin on Apr 20, 2008 6:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Its way complex

I just point it out because it could obviously be a huge point of frustration for fans, right? JUST SIGN PEOPLE AND WE WILL WIN STERLING! But unfortunately they can’t. So you need your GM to be super savvy and, unfortunately, conservative most of the time. You have to manage your payroll and the cap because they are completely intertwined. If you make a bunch of mistakes, like the Knicks, you are screwed forever. Whoever is their next coach is basically set up to be a scapegoat for 3 years. You can’t just do infinite do-overs like the Yankees. A $50MM guy doesn’t pan out? That’s ok, sign another one.

I think the Clippers would hope to get a capable back up swingman with part or all of the mid-level. So much is going to ride on how the lottery plays out. If they win the 1st overall, Maggette signed-and-traded and the first overall pick might bring back something special. If the Clippers pick 6th they are hurting.

Its definitely going to be an interesting offseason.

by John R on Apr 20, 2008 6:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gilert

I want Gilbert Arenas on this team! I am willing to give up a draft pick on a Draft Day Trade in order to acquire his rights. Just for a year. Get a trade, and he won’t opt out or something like that.

Sorry, we are the BEST team in LA!

by LAC on Apr 20, 2008 9:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs