Source: Concern over Mobley's heart holds up Clippers-Knicks deal
By J.A. Adande
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: November 25, 2008, 2:33 AM ET
Zach Randolph was in the Los Angeles Clippers' locker room Tuesday night. He just wasn't in a Clippers' uniform, as the trade between Los Angeles and the New York Knicks was held up by what a source said were concerns about Cuttino Mobley's heart.
Mobley and Tim Thomas were sent to New York in exchange for Randolph and Mardy Collins on Friday in a deal that gives the Clippers a low post presence in Randolph and gives the Knicks more cap space for the 2010 free-agent market.
Mobley's and Thomas' contracts expire before the 2010 season.
The source said Mobley would see a heart specialist on Tuesday. Normally players have 48 hours to report to their new teams and take a physical examination, followed by another 24 hours for all the test results to come in. Because this trade was completed after business hours on Friday, the teams agreed to an additional 24-hour period, which ends at 6:30 p.m. ET Tuesday.
When asked about ESPN.com's report by reporters after the Clippers game on Monday, coach Mike Dunleavy said: "From the standpoint of Cuttino's concern, there's nothing they have or don't have that hasn't been known to us or hasn't been approved by us and all the other teams he's played for. Neither one of those guys has had any issues with any of the things that are even being talked about.
"All I know is that if Cuttino has anything, he's been asymptotic," Dunleavy said. "He's never had any issue with us. There's never been one time that he missed a practice or missed a game or had any issues in any physical of any kind for us. I mean, I've been told by our doctors that the things that are under concern is not something that we haven't known about or have had any issues with. So hopefully, it won't be an issue."
Another source told ESPN.com that Mobley's condition has been present throughout his career and has never been a grave concern, although the Knicks were prudent in their diligence.
On the surface it would be hard to imagine the Knicks wanting to void the trade because they achieved their goal of clearing Randolph's contract (which carried two more years and $33.3 million after this season). The franchise already took on Eddy Curry in a trade with the Chicago Bulls despite concerns that were raised about the center's heart.
As for fear of paying a possibly inactive Mobley, who makes more than $9 million both this season and the next, it hasn't stopped them from keeping Stephon Marbury anchored to the bench despite a salary of almost $22 million.
The Clippers would like to move forward with a full complement of players. They'd also like to explore tinkering with their roster, which would feature an abundance of starting-caliber big men in Randolph, Chris Kaman and Marcus Camby. One source said the Clippers are talking to the Charlotte Bobcats about a package that would send Kaman to Charlotte for Jason Richardson. However, another Clippers source said, "Kaman's not out there."
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3724721
That's odd. I would have figured that Mobley could get hit by a bus and be in a vegetative state and the Knicks would still take him if it meant clearing Randolph's contract. Maybe they're trying to squeeze the Clippers for a pick or some cash. Could be that they are looking at their current situation and feel like they could make a run at a playoff spot if they have a healthy roster. Still, I always thought that trade helped NY more than LA, can't believe they'd hold it up.
this reminds me of the episode of Million Dollar Listings when Mobley tried to sell his house in LA, but there was massive water damage to his foundation.
He is just a deal breaker
That is surprising. Maybe they found out that they can get a better deal for Randolph? I can't see any other reason why they would hold it up, Mobley passing a physical or not, if salary dumping is what they were seeking.
trade will still go through..Even if they found out Mobley had a pacemaker they would still approve the deal bc Mobleys contract expires in 2010
Maybe another team told the Knicks to kill the deal because they had a better offer.
what could possibly be a better offer than salary cap relief in 2010 for the knicks? i dont think they are interseted in any young guys as they would have to get paid. and no one is gonna give up anyone with even a ounce of potential with zbos contract.
they are trying to get a 1st round pick
What you just said. Another team might be offering expiring contracts and a draft pick.
A better deal.
Maybe another team told them they'd take Jeffries too?
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