Adding Zach Randolph could make the Clippers a playoff team, even after starting 2-9.

Well, maybe one of these years.

Everyone knew Denver and New York were dumping salary, the Nuggets to avoid luxury tax and the Knicks to pursue LeBron James in 2010.

However, when they gave Marcus Camby and Randolph away, Dunleavy nabbed both.

Total cost: Tim Thomas, Cuttino Mobley and Denver's option to exchange second-round picks in 2009.

Now to see if this loaded Clippers roster can get that elusive third win.

Whatever he is, there's only one

More from that Sacramento Bee Q&A by Scott Howard-Cooper, who has the tape to prove Shaquille O'Neal said Phil Jackson set up his feud with Kobe Bryant.

Q: Would you go to Sacramento as a backup and be a tutor to Spencer Hawes?

O'Neal: Who's that?

Q: Their first-round pick last year.

A: Oh, I didn't know that. That's his name? Can he play?

Q: Apparently in time.

A: In time. Spencer Hawes? No.

Medical bulletin(s)

We're all day to day, as the saying goes, except the Houston Rockets. They're second to second.

Shane Battier began practicing last week, but Yao Ming and Ron Artest sat out their loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

Said Yao, of the pain in the foot that was operated on last spring: "If this was November 2007, I would probably [play]. Now, I'm what, 38? Oh sorry, 28."

Then there was Tracy McGrady, who took himself out of the preceding game and said he would shut it down "until further notice" but reappeared magically against the Mavericks.

Collect call from the Persian Gulf

With Larry Brown, you get transparency, whether you wanted it or not.

With Brown in Charlotte, we now get a clearer look at the Bobcats' front office . . . as in, what front office?

Brown, known for asking for all new players, now has a boss -- Michael Jordan -- who lives in Chicago, has Brand Jordan business around the globe and rarely touches down in North Carolina.

"You know, there are six guys who might not be on our team in two, three weeks." Brown said. "Michael's got to be the guy who we can get in an instant and make a decision to help our team."

Owner Bob Johnson told USA Today's Jon Saraceno: "Ah, you know, I know where he [Jordan] is, but I probably shouldn't say."

Wrote Saraceno, giving away the secret: "Try Dubai."

Next Spur

Someone had to be held accountable for turning the Seattle SuperSonics into the Cub Scout pack that started 1-12 as the Oklahoma City Thunder.

So, owner Clay Bennett, who had Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis and Kevin Durant before miniaturizing his franchise, fired Coach P.J. Carlesimo.Carlesimo's fate was sealed amid boos from their new fans as the Clippers, with one win of their own, came from 15 points down to win.

Scott Brooks took over, but there's already speculation about former Dallas coach Avery Johnson, a former Spur, like Thunder GM Sam Presti (and Carlesimo).