Lakers, Clippers Make Moves
Radmanovic signs with Lakers; Cassell on the way out as Clippers sign Suns' Thomas
By Mike Bresnahan and Jason Reid, Times Staff Writer
9:04 PM PDT, July 1, 2006
In a day filled with innumerable twists, the local basketball landscape shifted, sighed and eventually settled as Vladimir Radmanovic left the Clippers for the Lakers, Tim Thomas left Phoenix for the Clippers, and Sam Cassell stayed where he was last season — as a Clipper.
The Lakers moved quickly on the first day of free agency by snatching away a piece from their cross-town rival and agreeing to terms Saturday with Radmanovic, a three-point shooting forward who has made a career of stretching defenses.
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The Clippers reacted swiftly after Radmanovic and Cassell apparently reneged on agreements to stay with them, then reaching terms with the sharp-shooting Thomas and making a push for free-agent guard Bobby Jackson as a back-up plan in case Cassell left.
But Cassell, the 36-year-old point guard and undisputed on-court general of the Clippers last season, late Saturday agreed to a two-year, $13-million contract, keeping intact a Clippers nucleus that lasted longer than the Lakers in this year's playoffs.
Free agents cannot officially sign contracts until July 12.
Throughout the day, Cassell was weighing three options: a two-year, $13-million offer from Atlanta, a two-year, $11-million offer from the Clippers and a three-year, $12-million offer from Denver. After learning Atlanta was the highest bidder, Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy told Cassell to give him a number to get the deal done, sources said.
Dunleavy received approval from Clippers owner Donald T. Sterling to increase the offer, and Cassell agreed to remain with the team he helped lead to new heights last season.
The Paper Clips drafted well but they went an signed Thomas to a four year deal. However, they look good for next year Diaz would have been a no.1 if he came out last year and Davis would have benn a lottery pick if he came out 2 years ago.
Im not a real big fan of old timmy. Yes he did do well last year during the playoffs,he made some big shots but i dont know if he made any big stops on d. But does anyone not have a great year with steve nash. Ive seen reports shane battier was possibly going for fairly cheap(like 8th pick in draft). I love the way he plays and i personly think he would be a much better asset to the clippers. He's a team player, great on d, and overall much better than tim in all aspects except three's. I would love it if the grizz would take tim for shane.
Cant wait to see korolev get some minutes this year, and see shaun with a solid shot.
Would have been a good acquistion but the Rockets acquired him for the rights to Rudy Gay in the draft from the Griz. Battier is a Dukie and I like his game
better than Vlad and Timmy especially on D. However, the loss of Vlad to the
Fakers doesnt hurt much with the Clips taking Timmy T from the Suns.
Timmy T is a bruiser who can shoot and is an upgrade over Vlad. The Clips
now have four bangers in EB, Kaveman, C Max, and Timmy T with another
tough guy in James Singleton coming off the bench. Teams will not mess with
the Clips.
Tim is not going to do anything for you now that he's gotten paid. Bad deal, Baaaaaad deal, Alot of money for a lazy player with inconsistant contributions.
Tim is not going to do anything for you now that he's gotten paid. Bad deal, Baaaaaad deal, Alot of money for a lazy player with inconsistant contributions.
thats why you suckers were chasing after him when the free agency starts? why are u going to others forum and writing bad about them dude are you crazy or something?
No not crazy. Phx were willing to re-sign Tim but were unwilling to pay the amount that you guys did. Why? They know his history and the type of guy he is. He has talent, he's had talent ever since he came into the league every team he has played for has said that about him, talent is not in question everything else is. Why was a talented guy like that on the bench all year in Chicago? I never really wanted the Suns to re-sign Tim (especially commit the kind of money you guys did to him). If he came cheap we would have taken him but he is true to form TT money hungery, plays well (puts effort) in contract years and takes a vacation on the rest and collects.
We should pick up Othella Harrington. He would fit well. Hes a free agent no one really wants so hed comne cheap and hes a veteran. Either him or Rasual Butler. he burned us in a HornetsClippers game last year!!
No not crazy. Phx were willing to re-sign Tim but were unwilling to pay the amount that you guys did. Why? They know his history and the type of guy he is. He has talent, he's had talent ever since he came into the league every team he has played for has said that about him, talent is not in question everything else is. Why was a talented guy like that on the bench all year in Chicago? I never really wanted the Suns to re-sign Tim (especially commit the kind of money you guys did to him). If he came cheap we would have taken him but he is true to form TT money hungery, plays well (puts effort) in contract years and takes a vacation on the rest and collects.
I agree with him...bad deal...he saved us in a couple of games but he's not going to do well for you...sorry...radmanovic would have been good to keep...good luck with the Lakers....
Sammy and Timmy T to sign with Clips
hahaha
Battier
Othella Harrington?
