The Los Angeles Clippers decided to shake up their roster Friday by adding power forward Zach Randolph despite their claims to the opposite.
Last week trade rumors were circulating around the NBA that the Clippers were looking to move center Chris Kaman because Marcus Camby was healthy and ready to go. Well, that didn't happen, at least not yet anyway. Instead the Clippers traded veteran shooting guard Cuttino Mobley and power forward Tim Thomas in exchange for Zach Randolph and point guard Mardy Collins.
Over the years Randolph has shown he can play at a high level in the NBA, but with his impressive play on the floor comes to his baggage as well. Randolph may be a dominant rebounder and solid inside scorer, but his problems in the past seem to have followed him where ever he goes.
At 20.5 ppg and 12.5 rpg, Randolph is having a great year thus far, but with the paint already crowded with Chris Kaman and Marcus Camby one has to wonder what the Clippers are thinking.
Not only did the New York Knicks relieve some salary cap space by trading Randolph, but they also shipped Jamal Crawford to the Golden State Warriors for Al Harrington who had openly asked to be traded earlier this season.
Some say that Knicks new coach Mike D'Antoni is just cleaning up the mess left by Isiah Thomas and Knicks management, but others believe he is clearing cap space to make room for LeBron James when he becomes a free agent in 2010. Not only will they have a legit shot at making a big offer for James, but they will also have enough left over to go after another big free agent in that year.
Here are some of the high quality NBA free agents that will be on the market in 2010. Starting of course with LeBron James, reigning MVP Kobe Bryant, reborn Dwyane Wade and the pride of the Raptors in Chris Bosh.
Those are the top tier guys, but there are a lot of very good players that will available too:
NBA FREE AGENTS in 2010
Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
Tayshaun Prince, Detroit Pistons
Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics
Yao Ming, Houston Rockets
Amare Stoutamire, Phoenix Suns
Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
Andrei Kirilenko, Utah Jazz
Caron Butler, Washington Wizards
As you can see, the NBA might look completely different come 2010. I am sure most of these teams will make a a huge offer to their superstars, but like we have seen in the past, money talks in this league and now that the New York Knicks have quite a bit of money to through around, you can bet they will be looking to get back to dominant status in the East conference with the addition of two of these superstar free agents.
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