Cat To Clippers By Ryne Nelson
07.13.2005 - Updated on 07.13.2005
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The Clippers’ red, white and blue is Cat’s third style in not even a year’s span. So this is the life of a second-round pick.
Several sources - including Kings’ president Geoff Petrie, Nuggets coach George Karl and assistant GM David Fredman - confirmed indications that Mobley will get a five-year deal worth about $42 million plus incentives with the Clippers.
"I haven’t heard it officially," Petrie told The Sacramento Bee Wednesday, "but after my last conversation with (Mobley’s agent) Andy [Miller], it sounded as if he was definitely headed in that direction."
Mobley opted out of a contract making $6.4 million next season. His new deal should start at just over $7 million. Although he’ll be making more next season, Mobley allegedly wanted more.
"He told me he wanted $50 million (over five years)," said Karl, who recently spoke to Mobley on the phone.
Mobley’s camp was in intense discussion with Nuggets - who have only the midlevel exception - but ultimately elected not to complete a sign-and-trade deal that would send Nene to the Kings.
Denver GM Kiki Vandeweghe said he hasn’t spoken with Mobley’s agent since Sunday.
Mobley’s representatives allegedly were also in moderate discussion with the Wizards, who lost unrestricted free agent
Larry Hughes to Cleveland a week ago.
Next season, Mobley will provide consistent outside shooting (NBA third-best 43.8 percent last season) and defense. The Clippers now have a solid starting lineup with Mobley,
Elton Brand,
Corey Maggette,
Chris Kaman and Shaun Livingston.
The Kings seem to have addressed their shooting guard vulnerability by selecting shooting guards Kevin Martin and Francisco Garcia in the past two drafts.
After playing for the Rockets his first six seasons, Mobley hasn’t had enough job security to own much more than an apartment. Such would be the stereotypical life of a former 41st pick.
No, scratch that, a $42 million 41st pick.
