2007-2008 in Review
Record: 23-59
Western Conference Seed: 12
Summer of 2008
Key Additions: Baron Davis (via free agency), Marcus Camby (via trade), Eric Gordon (via draft), Ricky Davis (via free agency), Brian Skinner (via free agency), DeAndre Jordan (via draft), Jason Hart (via trade), Mike Taylor (via draft).
Key Losses: Elton Brand (via free agency), Corey Maggette (via free agency), Shaun Livingston (via free agency), Brevin Knight (via trade), Josh Powell (via free agency), Quinton Ross (via free agency), Smush Parker (via free agency), Dan Dickau (via free agency – left for Europe), Aaron Williams (via free agency).
Where to begin?
Entering the summer of 2008, the Clippers had a large list of tasks to attack—the first and most important being to put forth an effort to re-sign Elton Brand.
However, Elgin Baylor and company had bigger plans than to just retain Brand. Following the renouncing of Corey Maggette’s rights, along with five others (highlighted by Shaun Livingston), two-time All-Star point guard Baron Davis verbally agreed to sign a five-year, $65-million deal with the Clippers.
The acquisition of the hometown stud drenched Clipper Nation with hope, as the word on the street suggested that Brand’s contract was forthcoming.
That’s where the trouble started.
Part two of the Clippers’ master plan didn’t quite go as well as expected. In fact, it reached the worst possible scenario, as Brand signed an $82 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers on July 9. The next day, Davis officially inked his deal, and the dream of pairing him with Brand had been demolished.
Despite the disappointment, most publicly voiced by head coach Mike Dunleavy, the Clippers were able to put together an array of counter-moves to set the team up for as much success as possible.
On July 15, the Denver Nuggets absolutely shocked the basketball world by trading 2006-207 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Camby to the Clippers in exchange for the right to swap 2010 second-round draft picks, and a trade exception worth an approximate total of $10 million.
Yes, you read that correctly—and yes, that was the full deal. Marcus Camby, who has just two years remaining on his deal as it is, was acquired for a bag of chips and a postcard.
That wasn’t it, either. On July 28, the club announced the signing of high-scoring swingman Ricky Davis, who signed a two-year deal—the second year a player option—worth approximately $4.7 million total.
“Ricky D” put together a semi-disappointing contract season with Miami in '07-08, but with that situation all mapped out, can you blame him? The fact of the matter is this—Davis’ motto is “get buckets,” and that’s exactly what he’s going to do in LA.
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3 months ago
Awesome article, well put together. I think I will want to watch the Clips play this season, they are going to be fun to watch. You could not be more right about health. This bunch I feel is pretty fragile for the whole length of the season. Davis should be pumped to be in his home town and Gordon is a stud. Either way should be fun to watch.
killin it Dustin.
3 months ago
Eric Gordon is like Ben Gordon, only better. Just saying. It's going to be fun to see how this turns out, I agree with Dave.
3 months ago
Appreciate the love, guys.
3 months ago
I had them at 9 when I did the my Western Conference Power Rankings, but if they can work well together, they should take the 7th or 8th seed at the expense of Phoenix or Dallas.
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