Q. Richardson just accepted a $50M offer sheet from the Suns (another WTF?!). And as much as a penny-pincher Don Sterling is, I don't think he's matching this one.
The Clips letting Q go (and it looks like they are) is a sign that they are DEAD SERIOUS in getting Kobe.
Since these are the Clippers, they let Richardson go to get Kobe, and then Kobe backs out at the last minute and stays with the Lakers. Or, if Kobe does sign with the Clippers, call Vegas and bet on the guilty verdict. No matter what, they can't do anything to cancel the annual Elgin Baylor day celebration in beautiful downtown Secaucus. If Richardson goes, Phoenix will have rebuilt into a playoff team quickly.
Any third world countries want Kevin Millar? I'll throw Ramiro Mendoza in the package just to give you a good deal.
Well, either Sterling is serious about getting Kobe or he's just being tight with money yet again. Isn't the minimum salary level rule in the NBA known in some circles as the Donald Sterling Rule? I bet that he'd take Kobe if Kobe will come, but at the same time I'd guess that Richardson gets to go to Phoenix regardless.
I dont think Kobe is going to sign ANYWHERE until after his August (& into September) trial is over, which sucks for every team trying to get their hands on him (including the Lakers) and players like Richardson, who teams cant make any decisions on either way until Kobe decides what he wants to do.
Have what it takes to be champions this year? Probably not. But in Richardson and Steve Nash they've added two quality players that will make them a better team. Add another year under Stoudemire's belt and they could be a very solid club, and a definite factor in the playoff picture.