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LA Clippers: Best and Worst Transactions of the last 10 years

By Nathan Jacobo

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 19: A view of the court at Staples Center during the game between the LA Clippers and the Houston Rockets on December 19, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 19: A view of the court at Staples Center during the game between the LA Clippers and the Houston Rockets on December 19, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LA Clippers Chris Paul
LA Clippers Chris Paul (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

2011-2012

Best Move: Trading for Chris Paul

One of the league’s best point guards, Chris Paul was unhappy with the New Orleans Hornets and sought a trade to join a contender in a big market.

After former NBA commissioner David Stern nixed a deal between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Hornets that would have sent Paul to the Lakers, the Clippers swooped in.

This, of course, took place during the season where the NBA had a lockout as players and owners finally agreed to a new CBA.

The Clippers traded Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, Al-Farouq Aminu and 2012-1st Rd Pick (Austin Rivers) for CP3.

After hearing about the news at the Practice Facility, Blake Griffin leaped into DeAndre Jordan and shouted, “Let’s go, Lob City!”

From that point, the Clippers became the most exciting team to watch for their high-flying lobs, dunks, and posters of players.

Chris Paul is the best point guard in Franchise history and it is not close.

Honorable Mentions for Best Move

At the NBA trade deadline, the Clippers needed to add more shooting to open up the lane for CP3, Blake and DeAndre Jordan.

They acquired a local LA native in Nick “Swaggy P” Young to help them in the Playoffs. To get Young, they traded away Brian Cook and 2015 2nd-Rd Pick (Artūras Gudaitis).

If you may recall, Young caught fire in Game 1 of the 2012 NBA Playoffs when the Clippers were down 27 points to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Worst Move: Signing Chauncey Billups

Chauncey was at the decline of his career at this point but because he was a big-name, solid veteran and the “Mr.Big Shot” with championship experience, the Clippers signed him.

The only reason that this was the worst move is that Billups only played roughly 40 games for the two seasons he was with the Clippers.

In the 20th game of the 2011-12 season, Billups tore his left Achilles tendon against the Orlando Magic. He would never return to being the same player he once was.

Though him playing for the Clippers didn’t work out, him broadcasting games now along with Brian Sieman is going smoothly.

Honorable Mention for Worst Move

During this lockout season, Martin played in China before returning to the NBA halfway through the season.

Martin previously spent the last 8 seasons with the Denver Nuggets, where he was a great rim protector and vocal leader on the court.

This move was bad because his style of play didn’t really mesh well on the Clippers. His athleticism was declining rapidly and he got out-played by Reggie Evans in the Playoffs.