Mon, Feb 16, 2009 at 12:00am

CLIPS LAND ALEX ACKER

The Los Angeles Clippers acquired guard Alex Acker and a 2011 second-round draft pick from the Detroit Pistons for a conditional 2013 second-round draft pick.

What does it give the Los Angeles Clippers
Acker has some talent and spent some time in Europe after being drafted by the Pistons in 2005, so he may be more mature than some 26-year-old players. That said, this move seems more about the Clips seizing an opportunity to improve their future draft pick situation. L.A. obviously knew the Pistons wanted to cut a little payroll, and taking on Acker's small salary doesn't affect the Clips much financially (since, in a related move, L.A. has waived center Cheikh Samb, who has a similar salary to Acker's).

What does it give the Detroit Pistons
Moving Acker's salary (which is a bargain by NBA standards at $711,517) really accomplishes one objective for Detroit: helping them get close to under the NBA's luxury tax threshold. This move puts them almost $20,000 in reach of getting under and also opens up a roster spot for them, so don't be surprised if the rumor mill ramps up even more in Motown that the Pistons will make another move before the Feb.19 NBA trading deadline.

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