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2011 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
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2011 NBA Offseason Winners - Dec. 23

Los Angeles Clippers
Sure, the Clippers gave up a good amount to land Chris Paul, but in doing so, they have become a relevant NBA franchise for the first time in a long time and actually created a significant buzz, taking away some of the pub from their cotenant rival Lakers. The additions of veterans Chauncey Billups and Reggie Evans at bargain prices are great deals. Re-signing DeAndre Jordan was a must, and $10 million per year for a young, developing, impact center seems like a good deal. The team did overpay for Caron Butler's services, but all in all, the Clippers made a major step as a franchise this offseason and became a playoff-caliber club in the Western Conference.

New Orleans Hornets
I think the Hornets absolutely made the right decision by trading Chris Paul prior to the start of the season rather than finding themselves in a Denver Nuggets/Carmelo Anthony type of situation during the year. They got great value back in one of the top scoring guards in the NBA in Eric Gordon, a promising small forward in Al-Farouq Aminu, a solid big man in Chris Kaman, who is in the final year of his contract, and a likely top-five pick. New Orleans also didn't waste any of its cap space by overpaying an average player to a long-term, expensive deal. They now have assets for the future as well as a ton of cap space entering next summer that should make the post-CP3 re-building effort much smoother.

Mike again 12-25-2011 02:01 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.237 (total posts: 2)

Lakers got Mavs first rounder this year for odom

mike 12-25-2011 01:56 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.237 (total posts: 2)

you still have the clippers owning the twolves pick

Joe 12-23-2011 11:05 am xxx.xxx.xxx.204 (total posts: 1)

Walt, I dont think you understand what the Amnesty Clause does. The contract doesnt count against the payroll, but you still have to pay the player. You dont just get out of the contract for free. There was no point in using it on Rashard Lewis, because he can still at least play. Even if you are paying him a ton of money, he can still give you decent minutes. Plus, next year, he is a huge expiring that can be used as a trade chip.

Pete 12-23-2011 01:45 am xxx.xxx.xxx.167 (total posts: 1)

Dude Wizards don't amnesty Lewis because if they did, they would be significantly below the salary cap floor imposed on teams, forcing them to spend a bunch of money on an extremely weak free agent class. Makes sense that they wouldn't amnesty him because of that.

Walter 12-23-2011 12:11 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10)

142

Ugh, what page is that on? Editing at 3 am apparently isn't a good idea.

Oh, and I'm always up this late during football season. My Russian gypsy neighbors are surprisingly quiet.

Peter 12-22-2011 04:25 pm xxx.xxx.xxx0.62 (total posts: 1)

Walter - Aren't you an English major? Or should I say, Engrish major?

"However, if Davis plays with a chip on his shoulder, he provides the Knicks with a much-needed veteran experience in the backcourt, and unlike Mike Bibby, can still productive in the downside of his career."

All kidding aside, you're doing a great job with this website.

BTW, what are you doing up at 2:55 AM? Are the Russians keeping you up? Or are you trying to spy on the hot neighbor next door?

Walter 12-22-2011 02:55 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10)

Sorry about that. It was my fault (editing error). I posted the wrong logo. It's fixed.

Fitz 12-20-2011 08:03 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.242 (total posts: 2)

Dude can you please correct that Davis for Bass trade. Bass plays for Orlando, not Dallas. It is the most annoying thing seeing that big of a mistake on an otherwise good website

Fitz 12-19-2011 02:58 am xxx.xxx.xxx.242 (total posts: 2)

Bass plays for Orlando. Therefore Glen Davis is going to Orlando. Can you please correct this already

Bro 12-16-2011 10:44 pm xxx.xxx.xxx0.89 (total posts: 1)

The Pistons bought out Rip Hamilton's contract so they could still use their amnesty on Ben Gordon. I was hoping that the Pistons wouldnt resign Tayshaun Prince so we could land the first pick of the draft and get a stud to join our young core of Greg Monroe, Austin Daye and Brandon Knight. But, the Pistons are stupid so they will rely on bums like Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon to win us out of a good draft pick and stay mediocre.

Also... 12-16-2011 11:10 am xxx.xxx.xxx6.44 (total posts: 4)

The Pistons bought out Rip's contract, and didn't use their amnesty clause yet. God willing, Ben Gordon is next to go.

What an idiot 12-16-2011 11:08 am xxx.xxx.xxx6.44 (total posts: 4)

Way to keep on your trades, Paul and Dave!

Brandon Bass has been with the Magic for awhile now, kinda shocking Walt would let someone so in-ept write for his site.

rossfelhofer 12-16-2011 01:16 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.43 (total posts: 1)

the clippers are not done in free agency yet, they are going to have to sign another big man

A Chris Paul Fan 12-16-2011 12:23 am xxx.xxx.xxx.216 (total posts: 1)

Chris Paul is a great player, I think he's the best PG in the NBA and capable of making any team into an instant playoff team. That said the Clippers gave up way to much for a player with bad knees who may leave in a two years.

If they'd been able to keep Gordon or the draft pick then i'd like the deal a lot more. If Paul stays healthy and long term it'll make it a lot less lopsided. As of now i'd say it's a big win for the Hornets considering that Paul was leaving anyways and this was the best deal they could have gotten.

Of course if Eric Gordon realizes that New Orleans is a crappy basketball market and leaves as soon as possible it'll make it much worse for the Hornets.

David 12-10-2011 09:40 am xxx.xxx.xxx.159 (total posts: 2)

Glen Davis was traded to the Magic... Bass was on the Magic and got traded to Boston

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2011 NBA Mock Draft - Walt's (June 21)

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NFL Picks - Feb. 3

2011 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

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