The trade finally went down Chris Paul is now a Clipper. The Clippers gave them everything they wanted Eric Gordon, Al-Farouq Aminu, Chris Kaman and Minnesota number one pick. The Hornets obviously got the better of the deal. Eric Gordon was one of the Clippers best young players (Blake Griffin was the best) and Minnesota number one pick. You have to assume this Hornets team is not going to make the playoffs but come June they are going to be able to have two lottery picks in a loaded draft. They are not going to be a fun team to watch this year but next year they are pretty much going to be the 2011 Clippers 2.0. This kind of sucks for Eric Gordon because he is going to have to pretty much start at square one all over again and he has almost no chance of making the all-star team

I don’t think this was a good deal for the Clippers because first and foremost Chris Paul has bad knees. He has about maybe two or three decent seasons left in him and then he will have maybe have five injury riddled seasons. Last season he wore one of those large old man braces. The second reason is Minnesota’s pick is almost definitely going to be a lottery pick. I like Rick Adelman and I am going to watch a ton of Minnesota games on league pass but they are not making the playoffs.

I am still not sure the Clippers are a legitimate contender to take the West. It takes time to build chemistry and they do not have that time. Also you’re going to have Chauncey playing out of position. I think he can do it but I am sure it is going to take some time getting used to. The Clippers bench is pretty thin too you have Moe Williams, Randy Foye and Ryan Gomes. This team will definitely be exciting and fun to watch but best case scenario, barring any other major moves, this is a second round playoff team at best.

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