Chris Paul to Clippers: Breaking Down LA's Monster Trade

For the second time in less than a week, a trade has been hammered out to send Chris Paul to Los Angeles.

Indications are that the second one is actually going to stick. Per ESPN.com's Marc Stein, the New Orleans Hornets have agreed in principle to trade CP3 to the Los Angeles Clippers:

Now, I know what you're thinking: The deal may be in place, but will the NBA and commissioner David Stern allow it to actually happen?

According to Stein, the answer is yes. And soon:

So after a week's worth of rumors, false starts, frustration, ruthless commissioner executions and all-around bad noise, Chris Paul is going to be traded.

Phew...

So then, who is getting the better end of this deal? 

Well, that's something we have to break down in a little more detail. So let's do it.

New Orleans Hornets

Eric Gordon

Eric Gordon is easily the biggest piece the Hornets are getting in this trade. He's going to turn just 23 in a couple days' time, and he's already developing into one of the better shooting guards in the game. He's a player the Hornets can build around, and hopefully keep around for years to come.

After somewhat of a slow start to his career, Gordon broke out in his third season in 2010-2011. He averaged over 20 points per game, and even upped his assist and rebound totals as well. He's a true scoring threat who can hurt you in a variety of ways, and he's getting better. Put simply, he's a huge addition.

Chris Kaman

The big question concerning Chris Kaman is how healthy he's going to be able to stay, as he was limited to just 32 games in 2010-2011 thanks to injuries. He's definitely a wild card for the Hornets.

However, he's a wild card with an intriguing upside. Kaman started 76 games and averaged better than 18 points and nine rebounds per game in 2009-2010, making his first All-Star team. If he can stay healthy, he may come close to putting up those kinds of numbers again, and would therefore be a steal.

If not, it's not skin of New Orleans' back. Kaman's expiring contract will help them out.

Al-Farouq Aminu

Al-Farouq Aminu was the eighth overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft, and he had a halfway-decent season for the Clippers in 2010-2011. He only started 14 games and averaged under 18 minutes per game, but scored close to six points per game.

But there's no point in denying that Aminu is a project. He's got plenty of raw talent, but he needs a little seasoning. There are plenty of things he needs to improve on, and you just know he's going to remain a work in progress coming off a lockout-shortened offseason.

Minnesota's Unprotected 2012 First-Round Draft Pick

This aspect of the CP3 trade may be even more important than Eric Gordon. 

This is because the 2012 draft is projected to feature a ton of talent, which is thanks in large part to the fact a lot of 2011 prospects were scared back to school by the lockout. We're talking about players like Harrison Barnes and Jared Sullinger, not to mention plenty of others.

Acquiring Minnesota's unprotected pick will essentially allow the Hornets to take their pick. That's huge.

Los Angeles Clippers

Chris Paul

Honestly, how much needs to be said about Chris Paul? He's arguably the best all-around point guard in the NBA, and one of the league's brightest stars.

Paul can do it all. When he's at his best he's dishing out over 10 assists and scoring around 20 points per game. He's very good at finding the open man, and can score by driving or shooting. 

The Clippers couldn't ask for much more.

Two Future Second-Round Picks

Hey, you never know. DeAndre Jordan was a second-round draft choice, and he's turned out to be pretty good. If the Clippers use these picks wisely, they'll be very pleased.

So Who Wins?

Heck, it's way too soon to tell for sure. We won't know who won this trade until we know how all the pieces fare in their new homes.

But right now, I'm going to say the Hornets won this trade. They're losing a superstar, yes, but they're getting a budding star in Eric Gordon, a couple of solid role players and a draft pick that could net them a future superstar.

Comparatively, the Clippers are getting one really good player, and that's pretty much it.

But are the Clippers a better team than they were? Absolutely. Losing Gordon is a blow, but the Clippers now have an outstanding point guard who will share the floor with Caron Butler, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

That's a solid core, folks. This team will be ready to compete this season, and will only get better with more and more time.

So really, everybody wins.