PHILADELPHIA — You might say Elton Brand put them in this spot.
So it made sense the Clippers tried to find another way to replace Brand on Friday, the same day they played against their former All-Star forward for the first time since he left Los Angeles.
A few hours before Brand made the shot that led the Philadelphia 76ers to an 89-88 victory, the Clippers completed a multiplayer deal with the New York Knicks, acquiring forward Zach Randolph and guard Mardy Collins in exchange for veteran shooting guard Cuttino Mobley and forward Tim Thomas.
"When someone who averages 20 [points] and 10 [rebounds] is available, you've got to have interest," said Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy of Randolph. "Certainly the first time we had interest in him was when we lost Elton Brand this summer."
Trade talks stalled early this week when the Knicks wanted Marcus Camby. The Clippers made a final offer, and the salary cap-clearing Knicks (preparing for the future, namely, the LeBron James sweepstakes in 2010) completed their second deal of the day, having also acquired disgruntled forward Al Harrington from the Warriors.
Moving Mobley will create some space at shooting guard for the Clippers. Veteran swingman Ricky Davis started at the two against the 76ers, and rookie Eric Gordon will receive a significant increase in playing time.
Then there's the front-court glut of Camby, Chris Kaman, and now Randolph.
Randolph is averaging 20.5 points and 12.5 rebounds, leading the Knicks in both categories. The move gives the Clippers someone with the ability to play in the low post and adds depth. It also makes them younger, considering Randolph is 27, and Mobley and Thomas are 33 and 31.
"First, I think all three of them play together really well," Dunleavy said. "They complement each other. Chris and Zach can play together. Chris and Marcus can play together, and Marcus and Zach can play together."
Mobley and the oft-injured Thomas have expiring contracts, making them highly attractive to the Knicks, who are looking to a Jamesian future.
Reached by telephone in Philadelphia, Mobley spoke in a voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm a little upset," he said. "It was a surprise. I mean, I liked our team. I didn't give up on our team. I don't know what the owner was thinking and don't know what anyone was thinking. I thought we were going to come around. It's hard. It's hard because I like all the guys a lot. It's tough."
