Marcus Camby...LA Clipper?!!...

by Andrew Feinstein on Jul 15, 2008 7:41 PM MDT

Just as I'm about to walk out the door for a dinner I can't be late to, I'm getting bombarded from readers with this link from ESPN.com claiming that Marcus Camby has been traded to the Los Angeles Clippers...for a second round pick?!! I just checked out the Rocky Mountain News' site, and according to Nuggets beat writer Chris Tomasson, the deal is done.

We'll discuss this more later tonight, but my initial reaction is a combination of pissed off and bewildered. I mean, why trade one of the best defensive centers in the league for a starting point guard when you can get a meaningless second round pick? You're telling me Marcus Camby isn't worth at least (at least!) a first round pick?!

It looks like the Nuggets are either desperate to shed payroll (what are we, the Florida Marlins now??) or are making another big move shortly. But without knowing about possible deals coming down the pike, this "trade" rivals sending Chauncey Billups to Orlando for Tariq Abdul-Wahad and is will likely make our Denver Stiffs "Worst Trades in Denver Nuggets History" list coming later this summer.

And for those of you who still defend Kenyon Martin on this blog but are likely upset about losing Camby and Eduardo Najera for absolutely nothing, now you know why signing K-Mart will forever poison this version of the Nuggets. Thank you, Kiki.

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I feel like going on a tirade matching Clark Griswald's at the end of Christmas Vacation.... They better have a bigger plan in the works, I just don't understand this one

by ThaAnswer on Jul 15, 2008 7:59 PM MDT reply actions

This is embarrassing. We just got played by the Clippers. They better follow up with something quick. We are quickly mismanaging our way out of the playoffs and into the lottery.

by paterade on Jul 15, 2008 8:07 PM MDT reply actions

I'm sad about Camby. But he's gone and the Nuggets have some money. Depending on how they spend it will help me make my decision on whether to watch them or not next year. There are a whole bunch of free agents the Nuggets could get. I hope they turn this travesty to a blessing

by Anonymous on Jul 15, 2008 8:22 PM MDT reply actions

Thing is the Nuggets don't have any money. This move may not even get them under the salary cap. They're saying on ESPN they're just gonna ride with Nene and KMart down low for the year.

I don't know why GK can't give Steven Hunter some burn, he was so solid in Philly. They may have no choice.

by ThaAnswer on Jul 15, 2008 8:33 PM MDT reply actions

I like this trade even though it hurts to see someone leave who gave his all for the organization. But during the playoffs he was awful. Camby not only had no chance at defending pau but any other big man he faced the whole season. He was great at help side defense and defensivly rebounded well. But never saw him move outside of his 3x3 box at the top of the key to go hit the offensive glass when jr, melo, and ai ran the offense. I am going to dig up the last bit of faith that I have for the nuggets and hope they have something up their sleeve. I did want to hold on to either marcus or eddie. I will be praying each night for nuggets brass to pull something off.

by Bring Back Rauf on Jul 15, 2008 8:41 PM MDT reply actions

Worst.

Trade.

EVER!!!

Why are they depending on Nene? He's NEVER produced even when he was healthy. How picks up the rebounds and shot blocking. It's going to be a parade to the hole.

by Anonymous on Jul 15, 2008 8:45 PM MDT reply actions

Hey crybabies, we have a 7.5 million dollar trade exception. We could package it with AI for an entire roster if we wanted to. It's just a matter of making something work. We've quickly become one of the most flexible teams in the league.

AI + Kmart for McGrady and Scola would be nice. Although it's unlikely a team besides the Nuggets is willing to give up a Center (and Yao insurance policy) up without one in return.

by Anonymous on Jul 15, 2008 8:54 PM MDT reply actions

and wow, thaanswer, a wigger AND a republican. Possibly the most dangerous combination in society today. Natural selection hasn't had you burned away in a methlab explosion yet?

by Anonymous on Jul 15, 2008 8:56 PM MDT reply actions

Now they'll probably just sign a slug like David Harrison for the veteran minimum and call it a day.

And, are they telling me that they couldn't find a team in the EASTERN DAMN CONFERENCE who would give up a second round pick for Camby? Ugh.

by Anonymous on Jul 15, 2008 9:10 PM MDT reply actions

OK... So the Nuggets didn't get anything.

But I for one, am still glad for the deal. Go play 20 feet from the basket and hoist ridiculous jumpshots while messing up another team's offense.

I'm willing to roll the dice with Nene at the 5.

by Chris C. on Jul 15, 2008 9:18 PM MDT reply actions

I was shocked to see the trade...and that we got only a 2nd round pick. But SI.com is reporting that we got a 10mil trade exemption...maybe we can make something else work. But as Bring Back Rauf mentioned this gives us some flexibility that we totally were lacking before. And I have to say, I think we've been on thin ice the past few seasons w/Camby's health. He's not getting any younger, or faster, or better at shooting that slow-as-molasses shot of his...

by Alexridesbikes on Jul 15, 2008 9:19 PM MDT reply actions

memphis grizzlies fan here. (i used to live in denver 2000 - 2005)
i must say that this trade is freakin' awesome! talk about a give away! this makes the grizzlies/lakers pau gasol trade look great for the grizzlies.
but seriously! WTF! i hope the nuggets have some stuff in the works.
but for now denver, thank you.

by bo on Jul 15, 2008 9:47 PM MDT reply actions

its not a 2nd round pick, its the option to swap second-round picks in 2010.

by Anonymous on Jul 15, 2008 9:49 PM MDT reply actions

I think it was a good deal (not a great one). What kind of market is out there for a 34 year old defense only player with a history of injuries. The Nuggets got all they could out of Camby while he was here, and i loved watching him, but at least when he has his serious injury this coming year (or next) we are not stuck with his contract. I assume that there was no team offering a first round pick... our front office wouldn't be that stupid would they?

Camby was a class act while he was here, and i hope his time in LA is good for him, and for the Nuggets.

by queentamara13 on Jul 15, 2008 9:50 PM MDT reply actions

attn: Memphis Douche - this isn't anywhere close to how you morons bent over for the Lakers. Camby is severely overrated, and the Nuggets are now primed to acquire whoever they so desire.

Nobody plays in Memphis by choice.

by Anonymous on Jul 15, 2008 9:53 PM MDT reply actions

All I can say iS WTF?! A SECOND ROUND PICK FOR MARCUS CAMBY? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Anyways, yeah, I'm absolutely shocked at this point.

by nataly on Jul 15, 2008 9:59 PM MDT reply actions

how much did that bape shirt run you?

by Sports Tsar on Jul 15, 2008 10:09 PM MDT reply actions

attn the guy that called me "Memphis Douche"

so if camby is so over rated, why didn't the nuggets get ATLEAST a second round pick back? the nuggets have the choice of exchanging picks with the clippers - which it looks like they might not want to do.
the grizzlies gave up gasol for the same reason the nuggets gave up camby - for salary relief...and the grizzlies got back marc gasol, j critt, and a draft pick that got us darell arthur. (we still have another 1st round pick coming 2010)

gasol was paid too much and he couldn't carry a team.
much less a team in the west...how did the nuggets do in the playoffs this year?
and no, not many people play in memphis by choice - heck, probably no one does. but why are you going there? i simply saying "wow, that trade is odd, thanks 'denver stiffs' for making the gasol give away not look so bad."
you don't have to get all defensive and pissed off just because your team looks dumber than the memphis grizzlies.
grow up man.

by bo on Jul 15, 2008 10:16 PM MDT reply actions

Bottom line- you have to be realistic. The Nuggets have been actively shopping Camby since the season ended. There was obviously little market. And we just have to unload him in order to get any kind of financial flexibility (no one is going to take Nene or K-mart). Finally, this deal had to be done quickly, since the Clips were going to offer Josh Smith a big deal if this didnt work out. Therefore, the Nugs did not have the most leverage here. All in all, not bad at all and now lets hope for a healthy season.

by jp on Jul 15, 2008 10:44 PM MDT reply actions

Clippers rebound! It will be great when the Clips pull in to the playoffs in the 7 or 8 spot and Denver watches from home because the Nugs have no size.

F* Brand. This is a good Clipper squad.
-Clipper Fan

by Anonymous on Jul 15, 2008 10:45 PM MDT reply actions

I love peeps that post hateful shit under anonymous names! Let the real Nuggets fans discuss important shit homey

by ThaAnswer on Jul 15, 2008 11:28 PM MDT reply actions

ok so first things first, this trade is well definitely us being like um so heres camby we need some cap room in return. We traded for flexibility nothing else, it's dissapointing because i though we could get a a starting pg for camby, oh well. To be honest i would not be surprised if the nugs make no other significant moves this offseason and let AI go next season to give us major cap room for free agent extravaganza '10. Unless we pull out a decent free agent signing this offseason (even then its hard to believe that any FA the nugs could still sign this summer not named Andre Iguodala would be worth this trade in the present) i have to believe we are playing our cards for 10' and nothign else so heres to Dwade and Melo as nuggets in 2010 woooo!

by Zachm219 on Jul 15, 2008 11:51 PM MDT reply actions

To the people that think we are going to make a big trade this summer. Its going to be a long season!

However, it also positions Denver to re-arm in multiple ways, and one gets the impression it won't be the last move the Nuggets make this summer.

For starters, Denver still has the option of using the $10 million trade exception generated in the deal. Theoretically it could use it right away, but more likely Denver will hang on to it until next year's draft and see who becomes available, because using it now will cost them $20 million once the luxury tax is throw in.

by Anonymous on Jul 16, 2008 12:10 AM MDT reply actions

Well maybe (but most likely not) the FO knows something we all don't. We should have gotten something more for Camby (Shaun Livingston anyone?) but at least this gives us some cap relief and is tooling us up for the '10 free agency summer. With K-Mart's contract and AI's both gone, we can have LBJ, D-Wade and Melo all on the one team. (A boy can dream ay)

by Jack on Jul 16, 2008 2:20 AM MDT reply actions

Ohhhhh... I know what we're doing now! We're going to sign Kwame Brown to a 4 year $65M contract and trade Melo for a 2nd rounder from the Celtics and draft some french lad we've never heard of to be his replacement! It's all so obvious now :)

Fire MARK WARKENTIEN & GEORGE KARL!

by jack on Jul 16, 2008 3:31 AM MDT reply actions

Jack is right. This team is toast for two seasons but will have some serious cap room to build around a rising-star JR and an in-his-prime melo in 2010, assuming he hasn't demanded a trade by then. I'm not worried about Karl lasting that long either. Just 2 years until a nuggets renewal! Of course, I'm not so naive to think we wont completely squander the opportunity when it comes.

by Anonymous on Jul 16, 2008 6:04 AM MDT reply actions

the Nuggets are no longer a playoff team. Period.

by Kieran on Jul 16, 2008 7:32 AM MDT reply actions

I just have to think we could have gotten more than this... an option to swap 2nd's??? WTF??? A first rounder or a 2nd plus a player seems like it could have been managed. Why pull the trigger on this right this minute? Why not leave the hook in the water a little longer, and why not at least trade him to the Eastern Conf???

The Trioka is an embarrasment.

by Eric on Jul 16, 2008 8:46 AM MDT reply actions

Comments For This Post Are Closed

STIFF LIST (as of 4/26 by Andrew Feinstein)

1. METTA WORLD PEACE

Metta resorted back to Ron Ron last Sunday by clubbing James Hardenwith an "inadvertent celebratory elbow", landing him a 7-game suspension. Apparently, changing his name didn't prevent NBA commissioner David Stern from overlooking Metta's past behavior problems.

2. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

The 'Cats are on the verge of securing the worst winning percentage in NBA history. Given that the guy who runs the team - Michael Jordan - had previously drafted Kwame Brown and Adam Morrison, should this really be a shock?

3. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
The team that was supposedly built to overcome the lockout-shortened season managed to lose 7 of its last 14 games, ceding the Western Conference's 1-seed to the Spurs in the process. Their reward might be a first round matchup with defending champion Dallas.

4. BILLY HUNTER AND DEREK FISHER

With report after report coming out about NBPA union head Hunter's shady, nepotistic dealings and questions arising about Fisher's own role in dealing with NBA owners behind Hunter's back during the lockout, this off-the-court scandal could prove to be more exciting than the playoffs themselves!

5. STEVE NASH AND THE PHOENIX SUNS
The Suns are on this list for squandering the last few great seasons from Nash. Nash is on this list for his stupidly stubborn loyalty to a franchise as awful as the Suns.