NBA Free Agents: Los Angeles Clippers Claim Chauncey Billups

Chris Paul doesn’t appear to be headed to "The Other L.A. team" now either. It is reported that after bowing out of the pricey Paul sweepstakes, the Los Angeles Clippers have claimed Chauncey Billups on waivers.

This isn’t a claim him to trade move either. Under the new CBA amnesty rules, the Clippers can trade him this season and pending that Billups is happy to come and play in L.A., this is a savvy move.

With the way he appears to fit in here, he shouldn’t have a problem putting on a Clipper uniform.

He gets to play with one of the games brightest stars in Blake Griffin and now the Clippers can keep and sign future All-Star Eric Gordon long term, match the Golden State Warriors offer sheet to center DeAndre Jordan and keep the highly valuable unprotected 2012 draft of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

It looks like they will have to use their own amnesty clause to make this happen, with the two likely candidates being Mo Williams or Chris Kaman. My guess would be Williams and his $17 million owed over the next two years.

Although, it should be noted that Mo Williams has a player-option on the final year of his contract for 2012-2013, though he is likely to exercise it. The Clippers have a crowed backcourt now and Kaman is more valuable on the floor and as a trade asset.

The Clippers can now feature a lineup consisting of Jordan and Griffin in the post, newly acquired (albeit overpaid) Caron Butler at small forward and Gordon and now a veteran point in Billups. Not a bad bench either with Kaman, Eric Bledsoe, Al-Farouq Aminu and Randy Foye.

This appears to be a smart move by the Clippers (how often does that get said?) and now after watching Lamar Odom leave town, they look like the team to beat in L.A. (has that ever been said?).

Your move, Lakers.