After a roller-coaster sequence of events that saw superstar point guard Chris Paul get traded to the Lakers, then get sent back to New Orleans because the NBA voided the deal, then almost get dealt to Los Angeles' other team only to have the NBA step in again and squash it, something concrete has finally happened: Paul has reportedly been traded to the Clippers.
As reported by Yahoo! Sports, the Hornets will receive Eric Gordon, Al-Farouq Aminu, Chris Kaman and Minnesota's 2012 first-round draft pick.
Plenty of teams were in on Paul, ranging from the two Los Angeles clubs to the Celtics, the Warriors and the Knicks. In the end, though, the Clips were the team that was able to put together the best package to acquire the four-time All-Star.
Of course, this entire fiasco is full of controversy, as the Lakers originally thought they had their point guard of the future until rival owners voiced their displeasure to commissioner David Stern, ultimately overturning a three-team deal that also included the Rockets. If you are not up on the NBA right now, the NBA currently owns the Hornets, jading people's perspectives on the whole situation even more.
All of that said, Paul is now a Clipper, joining young star Blake Griffin to form what should be one of the best teams in the Western Conference.
In the first deal the Clippers offered New Orleans, Gordon was not included. Instead, Los Angeles offered the Hornets Eric Bledsoe. The NBA did not feel that was enough, and the Clips relented, coughing up the 22-year-old Gordon, a player who averaged a shade over 22 points per game in 2010-11, his third season.
Just based on Gordon's inclusion alone, I absolutely love what New Orleans received in return for Paul. Throw in the fact that Aminu, despite a less-than-stellar rookie campaign last year, is a very talented forward and that the draft pick the Hornets got in return should be a good one, you have to be enamored with New Orleans' haul (I should also note that Kaman, while talented, is an expiring contract).
Now, as far as the Clippers go, this obviously makes them a legitimate threat out West. With the Lakers and Spurs both aging and teams like the Nuggets and Hornets (and possibly the Trail Blazers, given Brandon Roy's sad retirement and LaMarcus Aldridge's frightening heart surgery) weakening, the door has been flung open for the "other" L.A. team to make a significant run in 2012 and beyond.
Let's examine how the Clips are built right now. Clearly, their two top players are Griffin and Paul, and it should be extremely entertaining to watch those two run pick-and-rolls together for years to come. Remember how effective Paul was with Tyson Chandler? Now imagine how effective he'll be with Griffin, arguably the best power forward in the league.
Los Angeles is also prepared to deal with the loss of Gordon, as it went out and signed Caron Butler this past week. Not only that, but the team also picked up Chauncey Billups off the waiver wire, so its point guard depth is absolutely unreal with Paul, Billups, Maurice Williams, and Bledsoe.
You have to think that one of those four is going to be dealt, and I am going to speculate and say that it is going to be Williams. Why? Because Billups was just amnestied by the Knicks, so he cannot be traded until July 1. So who do you think has more value to a contending team looking for a floor general? Williams or Bledsoe? Yeah, I'd say Williams, and the Clips can flip him for yet another piece to add to their squad.
Let's also not forget that the Clippers matched Golden State's offer for center DeAndre Jordan, a 23-year-old who had himself a very solid 2010-11 season. He should also benefit tremendously from the presence of Paul, and his athleticism suits Paul's style of play very well. Look for him to really break out in 2012.
The Clips just have unbelievable depth across the board, as there are some players who I have not yet even mentioned who can contribute (such as forward Ryan Gomes, guards Randy Foye and Willie Warren and rookie wing Travis Leslie, an explosive player I feel could end up being one of the biggest steals of the 2011 draft). Along with the Thunder and Grizzlies, Los Angeles is going to be one of the most exciting Western Conference teams to watch this season.
Actually, I take that back; they'll be one of the most exciting teams to watch in the entire league.
It might be a little too early to say that the Clippers are now title contenders, as they have yet to play a single game together, but it is certainly very tempting to give them that label. Their starting lineup will consist of Jordan, Griffin, Butler, whomever they decide to start at shooting guard (maybe Billups?) and Paul. On paper, that looks absolutely incredible, potentially good enough to rival that of Oklahoma City, Memphis and even the defending champion Mavericks in the West.
Now, Hornets fans—don't be so glum. Paul was likely going to leave via free agency in the next offseason anyway, so be happy that you got a great return for him instead of nothing. Gordon should anchor your team for years to come, and I really think Aminu could develop into something special. Yes, you gave up the best player in the trade, and that always stinks, but you didn't do it without squeezing a lot out of the Clips.
Perhaps the fans who should be most worried about this are Lakers fans. Yes, you are still the best team in L.A. at the moment, but don't get too comfortable; your little brother is growing up—fast.
Robbie Eal Joe Callahan Bryan Allen Mark Cullen Baltimore Orioles Boston Red Sox
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