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RUBEN · 06-19-2002, 06:56 PM

Trader Bob is at it again.

After failing to make a draft day trade to land JUCO star Kedrick Brown last season, Blazers GM Bob Whitsitt has been working the phones the last few weeks in an effort to land a young star in the draft.

Several league sources told Insider late Tuesday that the Blazers and Clippers have worked out a deal in principle that would send the No. 12 pick in the draft to Portland for Zach Randolph and $3 million. The Blazers will use the pick to draft high school phenom Amare Stoudemire, if he's still on the board. If he's gone at No. 12, they feel that another big man, either Nene Hilario or Curtis Borchardt, will still be available. The Clippers plan to use the money to help defray the cost of bringing in their 2000 second-round pick, Marko Jaric. Jaric is reportedly seeking a contract starting at between $3 and $4 million a season.

The trade could be one of several the Blazers will make this summer. The team is also actively searching for a center to fill the hole left by Arvydas Sabonis last year. It's targeted several players, including the Sixers' Dikembe Mutombo, the Heat's Alonzo Mourning and several lesser known free agents like the T-Wolves' Radoslav Nesterovic and the Sonics' Jerome James. Heat president and coach Pat Riley told the Miami Herald Tuesday that no trade offers have been made for Mourning ''We're not moving Zo in the next year,'' Riley said.

The Blazers are shopping Dale Davis, who has just one year left on his contract. They're also seeking out sign-and-trade opportunities for restricted free agent Bonzi Wells. Although the team does plan on tendering him a one-year offer, the Blazers would prefer to move him if they can get value in return. Scottie Pippen and Shawn Kemp are also available, but given their huge salaries, moving them is extremely difficult.

The team is also trying to figure out its point guard woes. Damon Stoudamire is available, but given the three years and $44 million left on his contract, don't expect a lot of takers. Expect the team to make a run at Clippers free agent Jeff McInnis this summer. Because the Blazers are over the cap, the most they can offer him is the $4.5 million exception.

The Clippers, on the other hand, are one of the few teams in the NBA with significant cap room. Still, with 11 players under contract next season, and with the imminent arrival of Jaric, the team has been trying to move its two lottery picks for the last month. This may be the Clippers' last year of cap flexibility.

This summer they'll have to figure out what they are going to do with Michael Olowokandi, who is a restricted free agent. The team plans to tender him a one-year offer. If negotiations don't go well (Olowokandi is asking for a max deal), he could accept the one-year deal and become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

The Clippers also have to decide whether to offer extensions to Elton Brand, Lamar Odom and Corey Maggette.

basketball_jesus · 06-20-2002, 04:19 PM

As a Clippers fan I wouldn't really mind doing this trade, although I would like to hold onto the pick until after draft day, just to see if someone we want (Nene) is still left. I think a lot hangs on what we do with the 8th pick too. The 3 million would help and Randolph is not a bad backup to Elton. This might happen.

RD · 06-21-2002, 11:28 AM

I wouldn't mind the trade happening, but it won't happen.

Baylor said the trade isn't happening and that it's not a good trade for LA. Sure, he can deny the trade and it might be false But, he wouldn't say it's not a good trade cuz then what would he say after the draft?

And, a respectable Clipper reporter said that there has been no talks with Portland about that pick.

basketball_jesus · 06-21-2002, 12:14 PM

That is too bad because the 3 million in cash would be really nice. Maybe we can work something else out with them, becasue up here in Portland we got plenty of $ that my Clips could sure use.

**Damian Necronamous** · 06-22-2002, 09:59 PM

That trade is cheap. What good is Zach Randolph? The only thing that is remotely reasonable about that trade offer is the $3 million to pay the young guys contracts.

**Chops** · 06-22-2002, 10:21 PM

Zack Randolph is a good young player. I have seen him play and he is really talented, but he couldn't showcase his skills on the bench in Portland. Also, this gives the Clips some insurance if they lose Olo, because Randolph can provide immediate depth as an extra big man.....

I would definately pull the trigger on this deal.....

basketball_jesus · 06-23-2002, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KC
Also, this gives the Clips some insurance if they lose Olo, because Randolph can provide immediate depth as an extra big man.....

I would definately pull the trigger on this deal.....

Randolph is not Kandi insurance. Zach is like Brand, big around the waist, but not that tall. (Zach Randolph is 6-9 270 and Elton Brand is 6-8 265) Brand struggles with bigger players, but gets away with it becuase of his talent. I have not seen the same talent in Zach. No way could an undersized power forward become "Kandi insurance". Zach could be decent as a backup power forward, but the real reason to do this trade is the 3 million.

**Damian Necronamous** · 06-23-2002, 11:28 PM

Randolph should spent a few more years in college. Entering the draft after your Freshman year, and not being a star player for your college is crazy.

**Chops** · 06-23-2002, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by basketball_jesus

Randolph is not Kandi insurance. Zach is like Brand, big around the waist, but not that tall. (Zach Randolph is 6-9 270 and Elton Brand is 6-8 265) Brand struggles with bigger players, but gets away with it becuase of his talent. I have not seen the same talent in Zach. No way could an undersized power forward become "Kandi insurance". Zach could be decent as a backup power forward, but the real reason to do this trade is the 3 million.

When I said Kandi insurance, I meant an extra big man and not a an extra center, if you take it in context with the rest of my post. The Clips need as many big men as possible...

basketball_jesus · 06-24-2002, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by KC

When I said Kandi insurance, I meant an extra big man and not a an extra center, if you take it in context with the rest of my post. The Clips need as many big men as possible...

At 6-9 I would hesitate to call him a "big man".

**Chops** · 06-24-2002, 02:44 PM

Yeah, but he weighs 270, so he isn't gonna get knocked around, plus he has a long wingspan, which is more important than height....

basketball_jesus · 06-24-2002, 10:11 PM

Brand pulls off the "lotta weight not that tall" thing pretty well, and maybe Randolph will be able to do the same, but height is a potent wepon in the NBA and when the Clippers go against lets say someone like San Antonio's Tim Duncan who is 7 feet tall, it wouldn't hurt to have a power forward who doesn't give away 3 inches to the guy he guards. What I am trying to say is that, in build, Randolph is a Brand clone. The Clippers should have some veriety to their players. Someone like Hilario would be a great back up to Brand becuase they can do things with Hilario they can't do with Brand or Randolph.

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