Denver Rejects Nene Deal; Mobley to Clippers?

[Alacron]

Nuggets aren't willing to deal out Nene


Kings' Mobley likely headed to Clippers

By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News
July 13, 2005

LAS VEGAS - It was no way on Nene.

The Denver Nuggets weren't about to part with their young power forward in a sign-and-trade deal with Sacramento. So it appears Kings free-agent shooting guard Cuttino Mobley is bound for the Los Angeles Clippers.

"That's what I'm hearing," Nuggets coach George Karl said Tuesday at the Vegas Summer League.

Indications are Mobley will get a five-year deal worth about $42 million plus incentives.

Players can't sign until July 22.

Mobley opted out of a contract making $6.4 million next season, and his new deal should start at just over $7 million. But Mobley apparently wanted even more.

"He told me he wanted $50 million (over five years)," said Karl, who recently spoke to Mobley on the phone. "My gut says that we like Nene. We like our team. Why break up the nucleus unless we definitely know it's going to be better?"

With Mobley on the verge of committing, the top five unrestricted free-agent shooting guards (Ray Allen, Michael Redd, Larry Hughes and Bobby Simmons are the others) are off the market. The Nuggets now will look more closely at restricted free-agent shooting guards.

Karl said he spoke earlier this week with Seattle's Ronald Murray, whom the Nuggets are considering along with Clippers restricted free agent Marko Jaric. After reaching a deal to keep Allen, the SuperSonics might not match a deal on Murray, his backup.

The Nuggets might not be willing to offer the full midlevel exception of $5 million on Murray. They could face competition from Washington, which needs a shooting guard after the departure of Hughes.

"It's recruiting," Karl said of his conversation with Murray, whom he coached in Milwaukee for the first half of the 2002-03 season. "He's a good guy. We've just got to get reacquainted. I told him you're in (Denver's free-agent) process. We just have to figure it out.

"We've just got to wait and see. He might get a call from somebody else. He might be there when we feel we should make the call."

For now, the Nuggets are deciding whether to retain shooting guard Voshon Lenard, whose contract can be bought out by Thursday. With Denver officials having met with owner Stan Kroenke, there were strong indications Tuesday night that the Nuggets will retain Lenard.

Lenard, who missed 79 games last season because of a torn left Achilles' tendon, is expected to arrive in Las Vegas early this evening and will work out for Denver officials Thursday morning. The Nuggets will have until mid-afternoon to make a final call on Lenard.

Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe and Karl have spoken of wanting to keep Lenard, whose $3.27 million contract can be bought out for $250,000.

If the Nuggets don't make any initial moves in free agency, they could make a trade or wait until shooting guards become available under a new rule in which teams can waive a player and not have to pay luxury tax on the player. Possible candidates are Michael Finley of Dallas and Allan Houston of New York, but they might not become available until Oct. 1.

"I like my team," Karl said. "It comes down to being patient and being smart in your decisions. We don't have to make a decision (on a shooting guard) now. We can make a decision in February."

"We just want to (make a decision) by the end of next (season). We want to make a move on the league. It would be fun to make it in the summer, but I still think we have a good enough team that we don't have to make it in the summer and we can wait for the best opportunity."

NUGGETS FALL: Denver veterans Carmelo Anthony and Earl Boykins cheered on the Nuggets and heckled the opposition from baseline seats. But that still didn't help Tuesday night as the Nuggets fell 84-79 to the Chicago Bulls in the Vegas Summer League.

Denver forward Linas Kleiza had a strong all-around performance. He scored a game-most 18 points, grabbed eight rebounds and handed out three assists.

"I'm getting into the swing of things," Kleiza said. "I think it was my best (summer game)."

Among the other Nuggets rookie draftees, guard Julius Hodge totaled 15 points, nine rebounds and four assists and forward Ricky Sanchez managed only two points on 1-for-4 shooting. Point guard Luis Flores, who has a non-guaranteed contract for next season, scored 16 points and is leading Denver (2-2) in the summer league with a 14.8 average. "He's one of the better guards here for sure," Vandeweghe said. "I think he definitely helped himself."
------------------------------------------------

Dang. I wanted to curse but I didn't.
~~

 

[OptimusRhyme]

Not surprising, I would much rather use the money to keep Darius and Mo then any sign and trade with Mobley.

 

[KingKong]

I had a feeling that Nene was a no, no. I'm still holding out on Petrie's master plan.

 

[Bricklayer]

Not surprising, I would much rather use the money to keep Darius and Mo then any sign and trade with Mobley.

Darius and Mo aren't he answers, and its "different" money -- you could sign and trade Cat AND resign Darius and/or Mo. Not an either or.

Any way you look at it, losing Mobley for free is just a flat out loss for us. Loss of talent, loss of a trading piece, just a loss. Was never really about bringing him back -- indeed the ideal was that he doesn't opt out and we have him to trade. But to get nothing at all...NBA team's talent pool is an exhaustible resource and we've fallen a long LONG way from the halcyon days of Vlade/Webber/Peja/Christie/Bibby/BJax/JJax/Keon/Pollard/Hedo/DJones/Wallace/Fundy and of course Mateen.

As for Cat, you kind of have to ask, was it worth it for him? You void your deal so you can step out and sign for a similar amount with the Clippers???

 

[OptimusRhyme]

Now we can give Mo a good contract, and we'll have more then enough money to persue other free agents or re-sign Peja. It's nice too not always be crazilly over the cap...

 

[Bricklayer]

Now we can give Mo a good contract, and we'll have more then enough money to persue other free agents or re-sign Peja. It's nice too not always be crazilly over the cap...

The only way to give Mo a "good" contract (or rather a bad one given that's he reportedly thinks he's worth $5mil a year or something after his breakthrough 6.4ppg season with us) is to use our MLE on him. At which point of course we no longer have money to spend on other FAs.

And the onyl way this helps with resigning Peja is if we are basically clearing off all of our contracts to slap a max on him. Which is possible. And which is also exactly WHY slapping a max on Peja will be such a disaster. He can't carry you anywhere himself, and because of his contract you are forced to bleed off talent to such a level that you are forever stuck in mediocrity.

 

[Ryle]

I don't really understand the Clippers(doesn't someone say this every year???). They sign Mobley to a 42 million dollar contract and let there own player, Simmons, go and he signs a 47 million dollar contract. I would much rather have Simmons as he does alot of things that help teams win.


Now the Bee is reporting we are interested in Bonzi Wells???(Falls into the Kings killer category). Nice player but the dude has some serious baggage.....

 

[Vlad]

I don't really understand the Clippers(doesn't someone say this every year???). They sign Mobley to a 42 million dollar contract and let there own player, Simmons, go and he signs a 47 million dollar contract. I would much rather have Simmons as he does alot of things that help teams win.

I would also much rather have Simmons. IMO, Mobley is worth the MLE. I don't know the specifics of the situation, but I can't imagine that the Clips just let Simmons walk.

 

[Variant]

Too bad. I was really hoping we'd get something back from the Christie trade. Brick is right... Mo and Darius are nice role players, but I'd rather spend the money on a real impact prospect like Nene. There is no shortage of guys in this league that can do what Darius & Mo do off the bench.

Oh well.

 

[Bricklayer]

I would also much rather have Simmons. IMO, Mobley is worth the MLE. I don't know the specifics of the situation, but I can't imagine that the Clips just let Simmons walk.

Cat's pretty much a guaranteed 17-20ppg every year and an obvious legit starter -- that's worth more than the MLE I would think. But more Clippers bizarreness to let the young good sized athletic 16pt scorer go to bring in a smaller, older, 17pt scorer and pay him similar money. Because we all know the Clips are going to be contending in the next couple of years and should be picking up every 30 yr old they can find. Guess its the shooting -- they claimed Maggette and Simmons did not fit together -- and I'm dead serious that it would not asurprise me if Cat's big game against them last year didn't leave a lasting impression.

As for Bonzi...well, I forget which poster it was, but somebody on here was constantly advocating Bonzi last month. And from a basketball perspective he would give us things we lack -- post up power guard, toughness, strength, one on one ability. Also disruptive with his hands and a pretty good defender who can use his strength as a backup 3 as well. But as Ryle mentioned, the risks are substantial. Portland killed its own rabid fanbase with an assist from Mr. Wells. Would fit right into our whining to the refs though, and would be a classic Petrie move to once again put a vet in front of the kids and squish them. Still, given our team, our position, maybe its a risk you take. Guy is a major talent who's killed his own career and been underutilized in Memphis' goofy 10 deep system. Start him and he can get you 15ppg 5rpg 1.5spg easy. Play him big minutes, which he's never really had in his career (never averaged as many as 32mpg) and he could easily be an 18pt 6reb type of guard and replace Cat's production in a style better suited to our needs.

Of course on the other hand he might just spit in Geoff's eye, strangle Rick, and blow up a locker room which has lost all of its leaders.

Also note, another 1 yr patch entering the final year of his deal. We could trade for him, and then lose him next year anyway. (Which again, in somewhat creepy fashion, would be perfectly suited to clearing out the entire team so we can pay Peja the max).

 

[nbrans]

As for Bonzi...well, I forget which poster it was, but somebody on here was constantly advocating Bonzi last month. And from a basketball perspective he would give us things we lack -- post up power guard, toughness, strength, one on one ability. Also disruptive with his hands and a pretty good defender who can use his strength as a backup 3 as well. But as Ryle mentioned, the risks are substantial. Portland killed its own rabid fanbase with an assist from Mr. Wells. Would fit right into our whining to the refs though, and would be a classic Petrie move to once again put a vet in front of the kids and squish them. Still, given our team, our position, maybe its a risk you take. Guy is a major talent who's killed his own career and been underutilized in Memphis' goofy 10 deep system. Start him and he can get you 15ppg 5rpg 1.5spg easy. Play him big minutes, which he's never really had in his career (never averaged as many as 32mpg) and he could easily be an 18pt 6reb type of guard and replace Cat's production in a style better suited to our needs.

I was one of the people advocating Bonzi.

Bonzi is too talented not to give him a chance if we can get him. He's in his prime and Sacramento is the perfect place for him to rehab his career.

Also note, another 1 yr patch entering the final year of his deal. We could trade for him, and then lose him next year anyway. (Which again, in somewhat creepy fashion, would be perfectly suited to clearing out the entire team so we can pay Peja the max).

Or it give us extra flexibility for a S&T or a run at a free agent if Peja's not in the Kings' future.

 

[Purple Reign]

I was one of the people advocating Bonzi.

Bonzi is too talented not to give him a chance if we can get him. He's in his prime and Sacramento is the perfect place for him to rehab his career.

I would risk taking Bonzi if Webber, Divac and Christie were still here. Those guys were clearly the leaders of this team. But with the Kings lack of a real presence in the locker room, plus with Adelman in a lame duck year, I think bringing Wells in is asking for trouble. It is kind of like "Cat". Once Chris left, dude just seemed to be out of the loop, not on board to how the Kings played and conducted themselves. And I liked Cutino. But the Kings need a little chemistry right now, and adding Bonzi Wells seems too big of a risk.

 

[G_M]

Any way you look at it, losing Mobley for free is just a flat out loss for us. Loss of talent, loss of a trading piece, just a loss.

I don't disagree with that. However, if you believe what George Karl is saying about Mobley's salary demands(8+ million a year and settling for 7) the Kings were not in a position to really negotiate. The Kings were at the mercy of Mobley and his agent.

In this situation with the Clipps being under the cap how can the Kings bargain into that situation? Maybe they were counting on the fact that Mobley actually gives a damn and wanted to play for a quality team instead of just playing for money.

 

[Ryle]

I was one of the people advocating Bonzi.

Bonzi is too talented not to give him a chance if we can get him. He's in his prime and Sacramento is the perfect place for him to rehab his career.



Or it give us extra flexibility for a S&T or a run at a free agent if Peja's not in the Kings' future.

You know what's really sad if we get Bonzi Wells he immediately becomes our best low post player!!!!!

 

[Diabeticwonder]

I don't disagree with that. However, if you believe what George Karl is saying about Mobley's salary demands(8+ million a year and settling for 7) the Kings were not in a position to really negotiate. The Kings were at the mercy of Mobley and his agent.

In this situation with the Clipps being under the cap how can the Kings bargain into that situation? Maybe they were counting on the fact that Mobley actually gives a damn and wanted to play for a quality team instead of just playing for money.

My sentiments exactly.

 

[Ryle]

I don't normally do this but I had to cut and past this observation from a Clippers' fan:

"the thing is, i dont think of cuttino as a me-first kind of player, thats the only reason i like him for our team. his game reminds me a little bit of boykins......only a helluva lot taller. he doesnt play particularly well off the ball, and he needs some time to get the kind of shot he likes in the half court. instead of allowing for someone to set him up, he is much more effective using the shot clock and breaking his man down to score. but by no means is he a selfish player...i think above all else he wants to win and he can instill a team-wins-you-win mentality in some of the young guys. im just not sure how his scoring will be affected if he has to get open without the ball and score off feeds from shaun, but his defense and the fact that he is one of those guys that no matter what he is, he is a basketball player will no doubt help the team"

Much more effective using the shot clock???


I just wonder if this guy actually watched Cuttino play last year....

 

[G_M]

Much more effective using the shot clock???


I just wonder if this guy actually watched Cuttino play last year....

This reminds me of Philly fans who thought Webber was the answer in the low post.

 

[NugzFan]

I don't disagree with that. However, if you believe what George Karl is saying about Mobley's salary demands(8+ million a year and settling for 7) the Kings were not in a position to really negotiate. The Kings were at the mercy of Mobley and his agent.

In this situation with the Clipps being under the cap how can the Kings bargain into that situation? Maybe they were counting on the fact that Mobley actually gives a damn and wanted to play for a quality team instead of just playing for money.

haha yeah right. all nba players want to get paid. it sucks but can we blame them? i guess cat can enjoy playing with teh clips.

 

[NugzFan]

I don't normally do this but I had to cut and past this observation from a Clippers' fan:

"the thing is, i dont think of cuttino as a me-first kind of player, thats the only reason i like him for our team. his game reminds me a little bit of boykins......only a helluva lot taller. he doesnt play particularly well off the ball, and he needs some time to get the kind of shot he likes in the half court. instead of allowing for someone to set him up, he is much more effective using the shot clock and breaking his man down to score. but by no means is he a selfish player...i think above all else he wants to win and he can instill a team-wins-you-win mentality in some of the young guys. im just not sure how his scoring will be affected if he has to get open without the ball and score off feeds from shaun, but his defense and the fact that he is one of those guys that no matter what he is, he is a basketball player will no doubt help the team"

Much more effective using the shot clock???


I just wonder if this guy actually watched Cuttino play last year....

lol@stupid clippers fan.

 

[Diabeticwonder]

I had no idea that Stevie Wonder was such a big Clippers fan.

 

[thesanityannex]

If this goes down, clipps will finish with a better record than the nuggets.

 

[stevetaebo]

Dude this is horrible. Kriedler was right though. Even though he didnt fit in as a cog, we couldn't have just let this guy walk away.

 

[G_M]

Dude this is horrible. Kriedler was right though. Even though he didnt fit in as a cog, we couldn't have just let this guy walk away.

I agree that it would be better to get a player who can help you in return.

However, the Kings simply were not in a position to offer anything. There was no need for the Mobley or the Clipps to do a sign and trade.

It's just a sad reality.

 

[NugzFan]

If this goes down, clipps will finish with a better record than the nuggets.

is it possible to troll your own board...hmmm...

 

[thesanityannex]

I'm a Clippers season tix holder. No trolling, just stating the obvious.

 

[NugzFan]

lol.

 

[ONEZERO]

All of this makes no sense IMO. The clippers let simmons go, and now they wanna pay mobley that money? And george karl is talking out of his a$$ IMO. He's saying they would rather make a trade in febuary? Dude, you're not the pistons. I haven't seen a team make a mid-season trade that brought them to the promise land other than the pistons. If denver wants to really compete with phoenix and san antonio, then they need mobley, and they should do the trade with us. I just think denvers playing hard to get. Just wait and see after the 22nd, and the phones start ringing even more, denver will trade somebody.

 

[NugzFan]

if we could get our SG now, fine. if we have to wait til FEB, thats fine too. hes not saying it like its the perfect plan but rather another alternative.

obviously you guys want us to get into a bidding war and offer nene and maybe more rather than lose mobley for nothing to the clips, however we have our own interests in mind - no sacramentos or los angeles's.

i have no problem trading nene (or anyone on our roster) for the right SG. mobley isnt it.

 

[mr. moustache]

You think Simmons being replaced by Mobley will launch the Clippers to success? It's not like Denver lost anything by not trading for Mobley. In fact, I'd have to guess that Denver can trade Nene for a SG that's already signed. He's a young big with lots of upside.

I'm still crossing my fingers that a Denver deal can get done. I think the talk of hte Clippers signing him is at least 50% a threat. Maybe Nene + filler for Mobley, 1 or 2 firsts, and another small big.

They'd probably take Mobley, + 1st, + K. Martin. That'd give them a 2 and a young promising backup 2. Mobley alone is a joke.

I'm a Clippers season tix holder. No trolling, just stating the obvious.

 

[Yoda]

, and another small big.

We have a roster full of those.