It looks like the Orlando Magic are not going to trade Dwight Howard for now even though the Clippers seem to be able to offer the best combination of young talented players and picks. The Clippers are going with Plan B. Caron Butler had his second consecutive visit on Tuesday and from what I can tell both like each other but no contract was signed. Which means no one is committed. Butler is off to visit other teams and the Clippers should do the same by bringing in other small forwards for visits like Shane Battier and Tayshaun Prince. Butler and those other small forwards mentioned would be upgrades over what they have. Butler could provide the most scoring punch and defensively he’s decent, but that is if his knee is completely healthy as he had a severe injury and missed most of last year. Battier and Prince are much better defenders and are healthy. So if they get a chance to sign either, they shouldn’t wait otherwise they might be stuck holding the bag and with last year’s group of small forwards.
Now Chris Paul would defiantly be a terrific pick up. Paul is an all star, in his prime and he basically carried the Hornets into the playoffs and give the Lakers fits. I can see pick in rolls with Blake Griffin would provide some thunderous dunks, like Paul use to do with Tyson Chandler in New Orleans. Now getting Paul depends on two factors. Who the Clippers have to give up and if Paul signs and extension with Clippers, it’s been reported that the Hornets want a package that includes Eric Gordon who the Clippers are reluctant to part with. The Clippers would be willing to part with Chris Kaman (who’s mentioned in every trade) Eric Bledsoe and first round draft choice, with either their own or Minnesota’s. I’d even throw in Mo Williams to make this happen.
It’s well known that Paul wants to play in New York with the Knicks and his best friend Carmelo Anthony. So it might be well worth the risk to get Paul on a one year rental and see if playing on winning and exciting team and not to mention playing in Los Angeles might sway him to sign an extension. Carmelo can visit during the playoffs.
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