Clippers pick up Chauncey Billups for $2 million..

[StartOrien]

According to Bucher, it is believed Stern would be able to sell the Hornets within the next month.

So I wouldn't be surprised to see Paul stay put.

Ha. Does the potential buyer have to negotiate with Stern, too?

I would imagine so. But the popular opinion is that the buyer is the same guy who previously had interest and wanted to move the team out to the Bay area. So I doubt there would be too many snags getting that deal pushed through.

Interesting. I thought new ownership of the Hornets was contingent on keeping them in NO. At least, I thought I'd heard Stern say so.

At this point I don't think that's a reasonable option. The fans just aren't there.

Fans seem to be showing up in good amounts for a team that isn't all that promising. They've responded pretty well to the threat of losing their team.

[StartOrien]

I don't see teh Clippers getting him for cheaper either. Is anyone truly convinced that Aminu and Bledsoes are starters in this league?

They'll get him for cheaper, because the Clippers have more leverage.  The Hornets have to know that the only reason that they got an offer as good as they did is because CP3 offered to commit for two seasons (or so the rumor goes).  No other team will come close to that offer, since CP3 won't commit to an extension (and further due to other teams just not having great assets).

When push comes to shove and the question is, to deal or not to deal, the Hornets are going to have to deal.  Otherwise, they'll get nothing, rather than a potential lottery pick and several young players.

But I'd have to guess you could do better on that even on a team that wants him on a rental. I still am completely perplexed on their indifference to Rondo, but surely even Monta Ellis would be more appealing than the Clips pu pu platter for one, no?

Couple things that are semi related:

-It must kill the Hornets to see what the Nuggets got for Melo and then to look at what they're being offered for Chris Paul

-Wonder if the Nets would consider making a run at Chris Paul if they lose out on the Dwight sweepstakes.

...Why? They already have arguably the best PG in the NBA.

That would be one heckuva fun back court, no?

[Marcus13]

Better than Miami

[chambers]

Nice pick up.
Question is...why?

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/217435/Clippers_Make_Successful_Bid_On_Billups

Mo Williams, Bledsloe maybe CP3.

Bledsloe will be part of a trade for CP3.

Not sure if they can trade Chauncey straight up but
2 million is a steal.

Wonder what Arenas will go for?

Does this lessen the chance that CP3 goes to Clippers?

[hpantazo]

well they can't trade Billups under the CBA rules, so either they gave up on CP3 and think Billups can be a good alternative to CP3 for this year, or they are now willing to include Bledsoe in a deal for CP3 because they have Billups to round out the backcourt. Either way it's good for the celtics because it increases the odds that we get the clippers pick this year in a loaded draft instead of next year.

[Roy H.]

I'll be curious to see if the Clippers can find somebody to take Mo Williams if they pick up CP3.  If they amnesty him, does he go to Miami or NY?

[hpantazo]

I'll be curious to see if the Clippers can find somebody to take Mo Williams if they pick up CP3.  If they amnesty him, does he go to Miami or NY?

Mo Williams would fit very well on the heat, better than Billups imo. I hope he doesn't go there. Then again, he knows firsthand how much it sucks to play with lebron so he might not be interested.

[pearljammer10]

I wonder if Billups will report... Kaman is my new pipe dream for the day.

[action781]

With the Chauncey signing, I initially thought it would be weird for LAC to make a trade involving Eric Gordon for CP, because they'd be trading a very good SG and then end up with 2 PGs. 

But the more I think about it, I don't think there are any 1/2 guard combos in the NBA that Billups-CP can't guard (as well as any other team can).  On the offensive side, at this point in his career, Billups is more of a spot up shooter than a guy you want too heavily involved in running an offense so I think that could work out. 

I don't see any "contenders" (read: NYK, Miami, LAL) that look to be any better position than LAC to re-sign CP in 2 years.  If they can keep the Minny pick, they will be able to further build on this core.  I think it's a good move for LAC to grab Chauncey now (at a bargain price) and then make a run for CP.  Also, I really like them blocking these players from getting out of their contractual signings.

[BASS_THUMPER]

B..B..B..Billups!

why didnt we go for him..we missed out cause we to bizy chasing dreams when the true proven talent is right in front of us..

[PosImpos]

I'll be curious to see if the Clippers can find somebody to take Mo Williams if they pick up CP3.  If they amnesty him, does he go to Miami or NY?

Mo Williams would fit very well on the heat, better than Billups imo. I hope he doesn't go there. Then again, he knows firsthand how much it sucks to play with lebron so he might not be interested.

are you kidding?  i hated mo williams on the cavs because he got so many open looks with lebron.  he's basically a rich man's eddie house but he regularly scored 20-30 points because he just got a ton of open looks off the ball.

point being, im sure mo loves playing with lebron, regardless of what happened when lebron left cleveland.

[PosImpos]

B..B..B..Billups!

why didnt we go for him..we missed out cause we to bizy chasing dreams when the true proven talent is right in front of us..

no cap room to bid on him

[action781]

I'll be curious to see if the Clippers can find somebody to take Mo Williams if they pick up CP3.  If they amnesty him, does he go to Miami or NY?

Mo Williams would fit very well on the heat, better than Billups imo. I hope he doesn't go there. Then again, he knows firsthand how much it sucks to play with lebron so he might not be interested.

are you kidding?  i hated mo williams on the cavs because he got so many open looks with lebron.  he's basically a rich man's eddie house but he regularly scored 20-30 points because he just got a ton of open looks off the ball.

point being, im sure mo loves playing with lebron, regardless of what happened when lebron left cleveland.

Mo had a TS% of .588 and .580 in his 2 seasons with Lebron.  Mo is the kind of guy that you want to get a lot of open looks off the ball.  I think he's a good fit alongside Lebron.  Only question mark is his defense - which is a big one - but I don't see any complete players w/o question marks coming through those amnesty doors.

[Who]

Brad Turner

By acquiring Chauncey Billups, the Clippers get his Larry Bird Rights. Clippers say it's not a one-year rental.
5 hours ago via web

Interesting ... Brad Turner is an LA Times beat writer by the way.

If true, an immediate offer of a contract extension to Chauncey Billups would go a long way to settling Billups' nerves about the situation. Show Chauncey that they are building something special here and that they want him to be apart of it. A show of good faith. Get the best out of Chauncey that he has to offer. His full commitment to the task at hand.

[j804]

I hope the best for Chauncey getting bounced around his whole career can't blame him.