Chris Paul Trade: Los Angeles Clippers Capable of Making Title Run with New Core
Prior to now, had you used the words Los Angeles Clippers and NBA Championship in the same sentence, you would bound to be laughed at over and over again.
After the Clippers' recent acquisition of point guard Chris Paul, now if you use those two phrases in the same sentence then you at least have to pause and consider the thought.
But the reality of the situation is that with Paul, this current Clippers team can make a title run.
It may not be this year, but the pieces are certainly in place.
They have their two superstars in Paul and Blake Griffin, which could turn into the best inside-outside combo in the league.
When constructing a championship team, you need a good floor general. In Paul, the Clippers have one of the best in the league.
In Griffin, they have a phenom in the making. He's as dominant as a young player can be and is only getting better.
Add to that the veteran presence in Caron Butler and Chauncey Billups. If healthy, Butler can still be a very solid wing player who can be counted on at both ends of the floor. As for Billups, he should have no problem sliding over to the 2-guard spot.
With the game on the line, Mr. Big Shot can still be counted on in crunch time.
Add to that core a quality young center in DeAndre Jordan and the Clippers can run out a solid starting five every night.
Looking at the Western Conference at the moment, there is no guarantee that the Dallas Mavericks will be as good as they were a season ago when they captured the NBA Championship. Losing Tyson Chandler could have an impact.
The San Antonio Spurs' age has to begin to show sometimes and the Los Angeles Lakers haven't got much better to date.
The Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder are good young teams on the cusp of big things, but you have to throw the Clippers right in that mix as well.
In a shortened season, there is a chance that they may not get things figured out right away, but they will have cap room next year to go along with a first-round pick that they didn't have to trade.
That means that they are just going to get better.
Pretty soon, the words Clippers and championship may not sound so funny together.
