It was a foregone conclusion that the Clippers would be very active this summer, but no one could have anticipated this much activity. Mike Dunleavy will have at least seven new players at his disposal next season, but as large as that number is, what most people may remember from this 2008 off-season are the names that got away.
The Clippers thought they had Elton Brand locked up. He, instead, bolted to Philly.
LA did not think Golden State would match the offer sheet for Kelenna Azubuike. The Warriors did exactly that after Maurice Evans asked for more money.
So what do the Clippers have to show for all their near-misses? Marcus Camby and Ricky Davis. Both are veteran players who have been dominating at times during countless regular season games. And while, they were not the first choice at their respective positions, LA could have done much, much worse.
By Ramona Shelburne, LA Daily News Staff Writer
Less than a week after losing out on restricted free agent Kelenna Azubuike, the Clippers regrouped by signing unrestricted free agent swingman Ricky Davis on Monday afternoon.
Davis, 28, averaged 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists while playing in all 82 games for the Miami Heat last season. He shot 43.3 percent from the floor, and - perhaps most importantly - 40.5 percent on 3-pointers.
A source told the Daily News that the deal was for two years, with a player option on the second year. Davis will make $2.3 million next season and slightly more than that in 2009-10 should he stay with the club.
"We believe he will be a good addition," Clippers general manager Elgin Baylor said of Davis. "His versatility and ability to shoot from the outside will spread the floor and help our low post players."
The team had also considered former Lakers small forward Devean George for the role Davis will be filling, according to an NBA source.
Davis, a 6-foot-7 small forward/shooting guard, had his best season in 2002-03 with the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 20.6 points, 5.5 assists and 4.9 rebounds in 79 games.
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