Fix the Clips - 08/09 Pre-Draft Edition

IN ORDER:

1) Brand the Clips: Extend EB, if he's willing. I disagree w/ CS here in that I don't think we should overpay by self-imposing a loyalty tax. In fact we should (kindly) ask EB to take a slight pay reduction (a la Duncan) to help fill out the rest of the roster. Explain to EB (and Falk) that the Clips will "do the right thing" if things don't work out (point to Sam dancing around in Bos green). But we all want to see the "Brand" Clips jersey hanging from the rafters of Staples, and maybe - just maybe - alongside a Clips championship banner (or two, or three, or...)

2) The Livingston Situation: We need to make a decision on Livingston. How's his recovery coming along? Is he going to be able to contribute as a 30mpg starter? Or is he better suited as a 20mpg bench guy? It's also possible that there's an unremovable fork stuck on his back. I'm comfortable with 3yrs/$10-12M, 2yrs/$6-7M, or 0/$0, respectively (the QO is out of the question). But Livingston's contract should be signed before we make our next move. Sell Livingston on the idea of him starting without guaranteeing it, because...

3) Bienvenido, Senor Calderon: AKA Au Revoir, Mr. Maggette. Tons of info in the BYC discussions scattered around CN recently. What's it going to take? If the price is right on the Calderon contract I'd go as far as Maggette + Mobley or Thomas + 08 first rounder for Calderon + Rasho (see 4 below). Of course I'd like to possibly get Tor's 08 first rounder back, and/or the right to swap firsts with them next year - do your job EBSr.

3a) Mobley: I like Cat. But I don't like Blanket. It would be brutal to see him play 35mpg next season, especially if ineffective and/or injured. Plus his contract is more expensive (good for 10/11 expiration purposes though). If used correctly, I'd rather keep him than...

3b) Thomas: Sir Doesn't-Care-a-Lot. No one really likes him, myself included - BUT, we actually need him to backup Kaman/EB and spread the floor. Plus I don't want to miss out on his contract year season, hehe. In an ideal world, trade Thomas this season and bring him back for 09/10. Whatever, I don't care, whoever Tor wants they can have.

4) Jason Lopez is Muy Bueno...For Min or OkC: That would drop either Bayless or Mayo to the Grizz at #5, and they would almost have to take either. Which then creates a bit of a conundrum for the Grizz, since that's the same position of their highest paid player who they've been trying to trade for the past couple of years. Well I suppose the Clips can save the day - offer up Rasho (expiring) and sweeten it with a pick (theTor first if we got that, or Minny's pick but top-3 protect it, or our 09 first but top-3 protect it) if necessary for Miller.

5) Dress for Less: Resign Ross, cheaply. With Calderon and Miller we'll need Q's D. I don't want to turn Liv into a defensive specialist, his D should be the cherry on top of PG duties. With legit scorers 1 through 5, it's going to be much easier to hide Q on offense.

BONUSES:

- Hire an Offensive Coordinator. I've been "clamouring" for this for years. At least teach some basic sets and off-the-ball movement (Calderon and Miller will help a lot in this aspect).

- Buy a NBDL Team. If it's good enough for the Spurs (and Lakers), it's good enough for me. But seriously, it would make the transition so much easier for a call-up if he was already familiar with MDSr's defensive philosophies (deflections!) Maybe guys like Korolev or Singleton or Diaz could have actually panned out had they been better prepared in the minors instead of rotting away. It's a lot easier to spend DTS's cash than my own, though.