The Flipside of BG versus the Opportunity of D-12

Clipper Nation seemed to be largely disappointed at first with the trading of Eric Gordon. Soon after the trade, however, we got past Gordon when the impact of having CP3 began to sink in. In a similar situation, much has been written lately about how trading Blake Griffin could undermine the very foundation on which the Clippers are presently constructed and that he should be considered "untradeable".

Getting Chris Paul was deemed be too good an opportunity to pass up when the FO made the trade. Anytime you can get a Superstar in exchange for an All-Star, you do it. Dwight Howard is, by almost all accounts, a Superstar. There is no-one else in the NBA with his type of game. While you can say the same thing about BG, it's probably fair to say that BG is a still only a Superstar in the making and not yet a full fledged Superstar. Will he get there some day soon? Probably. Would the Clippers be advised to hold onto potential versus getting the real thing now? The same logic that was applied to the CP3 trade and Gordon should be applied to D-12 and BG. In other words, if it's possible do a deal for Howard that involves, sadly, Blake Griffin, you do it. Take two pain pills and call me in the AM after you win a title.

BG blazed a trail and got Clipper Nation on the map which was needed to draw in outside mega talent in the likes of CP3. Letting go of him would strike deep at the emotional state of Clipper fans who have suffered a long time waiting for success and favorable recognition around the league. Some success and recognition has come. Now it's time to win a championship.

The window period to demonstrate sustained success and retain their recently acquired Superstars is relatively short as the Clippers have rapidly aging parts in Butler and Billups. With the recent aerial displays of BG, his healthy playing status may prove to be on borrowed time. The Clippers are presently among the bottom of the pack in rebounding and defense. They lack post scoring and seem only to be a jump shooting team. Those aren't the characteristics of teams that win championships.

Enter D-12. You can solve the weaknesses of post scoring, defense and rebounding in one stroke with a trade where you can get a Superstar with seemingly low risk of injury. D-12 is ready for prime time. BG, while possessing unique talents and amazing ability, represents the perfect trade partner for D-12 while the attraction of Andrew Bynum took a recent hit. BG will sell tickets in Orlando.

Assuming that D-12 could sign some kind of short-term extension as part of a trade, would it be possible to trade BG and DJ for D-12 and Ryan Anderson given the Cilpper's remaining cap space? To shore up the Clipper's two guard position, would adding in Mo while also getting back JJ Reddick help make the math work and improve the team with Mo's current hot shooting as a trade inducement?

Blake, I would be sorry to see you go as you helped change a culture, you gave great game highlights, and you made me laugh once in a while. Sadly, after D-12's first 20-20 game, I could probably get over you almost as quickly as I have learned to get over Eric Jumper and his whining after every whistle.