NBA Trades: Was Moving Baron Davis Good for Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers?

Baron Davis is now a member of the team with the worst record in the NBA.

Just when it looked as if he would be a major part of turning the Clippers back into a winning franchise, Davis was shipped to the LeBron James Graveyard of Lost Dreams in Cleveland for fellow point guard and former All-Star, Mo Williams. 

Davis had been playing inspired basketball since coming back from an early-season injury. He was the quarterback on the league's best quick-strike alley-oop tandem. 

How Blake Griffin feels about this move is uncertain, but he definitely benefited from Davis' inspired play over the course of the last few months. 

Let's explore what this move means for Blake Griffin and the Clippers.

Can Blake Griffin Pump Life Back in Mo Williams' Career Like He Did for Davis?

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BOSTON - MAY 13: Mo Williams #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after he is called for a foul in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2010 NBA playoffs at TD Garden on May 13, 2010 in

Just as many expect Baron Davis to lose the focus he had regained recently, Williams could enjoy a resurgence as a result of new surroundings and an All-Star teammate.

Williams is still relatively young at 28 and while he didn't prove to be an ideal second option while in Cleveland, he certainly is an above-average player at his position.

What Was Cleveland Thinking?

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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 09: Baron Davis #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers on the court against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 9, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Baron Davis loved playing in LA. He played his college ball at UCLA and thrived when he wanted to in not-too-far-away Oakland as a member of the Warriors. By taking Davis, Cleveland absorbs a higher salary and a player with questionable focus and attitude. And that Northeast Ohio weather will not help things. 

At least they got a first-round pick to a draft that doesn't look very deep at this point.

What About Jamario Moon?

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CLEVELAND - OCTOBER 27: Jamario Moon #15 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates after making a three point basket while playing the Boston Celtics at Quicken Loans Arena on October 27, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland won the game 95-87. (Photo by Grego

The addition of former Harlem Globetrotter Jamario Moon adds a versatile swingman to the Clippers' rotation. He can defend, finish and even hit the occasional outside shot. During his time in Miami, he was a favorite target of Dwyane Wade on the break. 

The Youngest Team in the League Gets Even Younger

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 19: Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers dunks the ball as his elbow hangs on the rim in the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest apart of NBA All-Star Saturday Night at Staples Center on February 19, 2011 in Los Angeles, Californ

By swapping Davis for Williams, the Clippers get even younger. They have started three rookies at times this season and center DeAndre Jordan is only 22 in his third season. The Clippers have done an admirable job in the draft the last few seasons. Griffin is a lock for NBA Rookie of the Year and fellow rookies Eric Bledsoe and Al-Farouq Aminu have made solid contributions in their initial seasons. 

They lose a draft pick to the Cavs but as one Clippers source said according to ESPN.com, "that just shows you how much we hate this draft."