Analysis On Chris Paul To Clippers Deal
The trade: New Orleans receive, Center Chris Kaman, Forward, Al Farouq Aminu, Guard Eric Gordon and Minnesota Timberwolves’ 2012 first round unprotected pick
Los Angeles receive, Guard Chris Paul, 2 second round picks
Analysis: Most say that in every trade, the team that gets the best player wins the deal, however this could not be further from the truth in this circumstance. The Clippers surrendered way too much and in the process might have destroyed their future. Eric Gordon is already one of the best shooting guards in the league and was on his way to being a perennial all-star and potential superstar. The draft pick the Clippers gave away is coming from the Timberwolves who should be among the worst teams in the league and this pick has a very good chance of being the number one pick. To put this into prospective the Clippers have given up a former all-star center with an expiring deal, a future all-star, their top ten pick from just one season ago and possibly Harrison Barnes, Andre Drummond or Anthony Davis. To top all of this off, Chris Paul has only agreed to stay for the final year of his deal and the player option the year after. That is a whole lot of talent for a possible two-year rental. Add to this the fact that Chris Paul has an extensive injury history and could get hurt at any moment. As of right now this trade looks decent but in a few years it could be a disaster. Chris Paul may be one of the league’s best players and they will pair him with Blake Griffin who is well on his way to being one of the league’s best players and is already an all-star at 23. Chris Paul may end up staying a Clipper for a long time and may form a jaw-dropping tandem with Blake Griffin, but if he leaves, then the Clippers will regret this for a long time.
Trade Winners:
New Orleans Hornets: The Hornets instantly retool their team and have gotten off to an amazing start in their rebuilding faze. They get a possible superstar in Gordon a massive expiring contract in Kaman, the possible first pick in a great draft and a talented forward with amazing potential. Great job by Hornets management and David Stern. (Which hurts to say now)
Eric Gordon: Gordon may be initaly upset at being traded after all of the hard work he has put in to being a great player and losing a superstar partner in Griffin. But he is going to a team with a rabid fanbase, a soon to be new owner and will immediately be the man in New Orleans:
David Stern: Stern has looked like a fool since the first Lakers, Paul trade fell through, but after all of negative attention, he has actually helped the Hornets get back on track. He may still get a lot of gruff from that decision but he did his job and got the Hornets a better deal.
Chris Paul: This one is quite simple, he wanted to get out of New Orleans and now he gets to live in LA and play with Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin: It does not seem that Griffin will mind getting the ball from Chris Paul every game. Enjoy it because it will be fun.
Clippers fans: For at least two years fans of the Clppers will be treated to witnessing the magic that Paul and Griffin will bring on any given night.
Losers:
Clippers Management: The Clippers gave up all of their tradeable assets for a player who may leave in 2 years. But even worse they caved on the NBA’s ridiculous demands. They may have ruined their future.
Kobe: Bryant has already lost Lamar Odom and now has lost the opportunity to play with Paul. He has got to be hoping that another trade is in their future.
Pau Gasol: Now that he is not being traded for Paul and that Howard is off the table, he now has to play for a team that just tried to get rid of him.
Eric Bledsoe: Bledsoe is probably extremely disappointed that he has to stay in LA when he could have been the starter in New Orlenas. He is now playing behind, Paul, Mo Williams and Chauncey Billups.
Grade for New Orleans: A
Grade for Los Angeles: C-
