Kelenna Azubuike Signs Offer Sheet with Clippers
By Andrew Kamenetzky | The Mind of AK, Los Angeles Clippers
With Marcus Camby now in the fold, the Los Angeles Clippers have apparently decided how to use the remainder of their unexpected, Elton Brand-less cap space. An offer sheet was extended to and signed by Golden State swingman Kelenna Azubuike, leaving the Warriors seven days to match. It’s reportedly about three mil per season, basically tip money by NBA standards, meaning the Warriors wouldn’t be putting themselves in the poor house matching the deal. But between Stephen Jackson, newly inked Corey Maggette, Monta Ellis and (hopefully) Marco Bellini, this team isn’t exactly hurting for Azubuike’s skill set. Throw in Laker Ronny Turiaf perhaps 24 hours away from being a four-year, $17 mil employee and it’s not out of the question that Chris Mullin would let the 25-year old walk.
Should that happen, it’s a pretty good signing for the Clips. A lot of fans may not be familiar with Azubuike, but he’s a very athletic kid with a lot of hops who often kicks arse in the open court. Having only been in the league two seasons, he still has a lot to learn, but I can see why folks can see upside in the native Englishman. He likely won’t end up as good as Corey Maggette, but he could serve to provide some Maggette-lite moments along the way. I could actually see him starting for the Clips at the 2-spot this season, depending on how ready Eric Gordon is and how old Cuttino Mobley looks.
I actually attended a Warriors-Clippers game back in ‘07, right on the heels of the Golden State-Warriors blockbuster trade that brought Jax and Al Harrington to the Bay Area and Coach Dunleavy’s kid to Hoosier Land. Nellie’s crew was running very shorthanded that day (since half the team was either jettisoned or awaiting physicals), so they ran on a skeleton crew racking heavy minutes. Azubuike played all 48, and acquitted himself nicely. 28 points on 8-17 shooting, along with seven boards, four treys and a pair of steals. That was the first time I’d ever seen him play and I remember being very impressed. I’ve seen him on the court more times since and think he could end up a quality role player.
Whether he’ll end up one in L.A. or Oakland will be known in seven days or less.