Clippers interim coach Kim Hughes believes that DeAndre Jordan has the potential to be a force in the NBA.

Jordan's playing time spiked after Marcus Camby was traded to Portland, but it's fallen since Drew Gooden was acquired from Washington.

"I'm trying to win games, but I think the only way for DeAndre to get better is to play him," Hughes said. "It may hurt us theoretically a little bit for games, but I think the end result is it makes us better."

Hughes added that Jordan has a chance to become a dominant defender because of his lateral speed, quickness and strength.

"I don't even look at his offense," Hughes said. "I've told him before, 'You could be a Bill Russell type and make a career in this league making tons of money, but you have to focus on' " defense.

Blake Griffin had surgery on January 20th to repair a broken left kneecap, but had encouraging information Thursday when asked when he will be back to 100 percent.

"Probably sometime in like May,'' Griffin said in an interview with FanHouse. "At least I'll be able to do workouts without restrictions.''

When Drew Gooden makes his debut for the Clippers on Monday night against the Bobcats he'll have suited up for his eighth team in eight seasons.

Gooden has been employed by nine teams if you count the Wizards, who acquired him from the Mavericks last week before shipping him to Los Angeles.

The forward has also been dealt at each of the last three trade deadlines.

"I probably know every playbook in the league now, so they'll probably come to me for some scouting reports," Gooden joked.

"Once this team and the fans see me play out there, the first thing they'll be saying is: `Why does this guy keep getting traded?' But it's the nature of the business, and I've kind of been a victim of that. You talk to Dallas and other teams, and they didn't want to give me up -- but it was a business move to make the team better for them. And I totally understand that."

In the wake of their three-team deal with the Cavaliers and Wizards on Wednesday, the Clippers have created a significant amount of cap space this summer.

At the end of the season only Baron Davis, Chris Kaman, Blake Griffin, Eric Gordon and DeAndre Jordan will still be under contract.

Their payroll will be less than $35 million, giving them great flexibility heading into a hyped free-agent market.

"Overall, the major consideration was to put ourselves in a position to hit a home run," Clippers general manager Mike Dunleavy said.

Dunleavy was asked by the Los Angeles Times how confident he was in owner Donald Sterling's willingness to spend money on a max contract.

"I'd stake my life on it," replied Dunleavy.

Drew Gooden was believed to be seeking a buyout from the Wizards following a trade from the Mavericks.

However, Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated is reporting that Gooden is content in Los Angeles after the Clippers acquired him in a deadline deal from Washington.

"Drew Gooden will likely finish the season with the LA Clippers, source tells SI. Gooden had sought a buyout with Wizards but OK with LA," Mannix wrote on his Twitter page.

In the wake of their three-team deal with the Cavaliers and Wizards on Wednesday, the Clippers have created a significant amount of cap space this summer.

At the end of the season only Baron Davis, Chris Kaman, Blake Griffin, Eric Gordon and DeAndre Jordan will still be under contract.

Their payroll will be less than $35 million, giving them great flexibility heading into a hyped free-agent market.

"Overall, the major consideration was to put ourselves in a position to hit a home run," Clippers general manager Mike Dunleavy said.

Dunleavy was asked by the Los Angeles Times how confident he was in owner Donald Sterling's willingness to spend money on a max contract.

"I'd stake my life on it," replied Dunleavy.

The Clippers held off on discussing center Chris Kaman prior to trading Marcus Camby to the Trail Blazers.

According to sources, the Pistons are now showing interest in Kaman, who is a Michigan native.

Detroit has been looking for a big man and they have been linked to Utah's Carlos Boozer and Phoenix's Amare Stoudemire.

Sources added that Los Angeles is unlikely to deal Kaman, even though he has two years and $23.5 million remaining on his contract (after this season).

While he may now get a chance to play in the postseason, Marcus Camby isn't thrilled that the Clippers traded him to the Trail Blazers.

Camby's agent, Rick Kaplan, informed him of the deal while he was having dinner on Monday night in Portland. The Clippers will play the Blazers on Tuesday night.

After receiving the call, Camby reportedly stormed out of the restaurant.

A source close to Camby says that while he recognizes that the Blazers are a better team, he is upset because his family is settled in Los Angeles and had hoped to re-sign with the Clippers this summer.

"He likes the Clippers, he likes the organization, he likes L.A.," the source said. "His wife is happy in L.A. And he's not one for change. He's definitely not happy about this."

RealGM Note: Camby admitted to 'being a little bit shocked at first', but sounds excited to join the 'great fan base' in Portland.

The Clippers waived combo guard Ricky Davis on Tuesday in order to clear roster space for Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw following the Marcus Camby trade.

Davis, 30, in his 12th NBA season is averaging 4.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 36 games in 2009-10.

Trail Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard has confirmed that the trade for Los Angeles Clippers big man Marcus Camby has been completed.

The Blazers will send guard Steve Blake, forward Travis Outlaw and $1.5 million for Camby.

?We are very excited to bring an experienced big man of Marcus? caliber to the team and we feel he?ll help us a great deal down the stretch run,? said Pritchard in a press release. ?He?s a fierce competitor and has been one of the league?s best defensive players for quite some time."

Click here to read RealGM's 'Grading The Deal' for this trade..