On the Clippers-Hornets trade

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Time, of course, will tell – as in do Eric Gordon and Chris Paul sign contract extensions with their new teams, and stay relative healthy – but the Clippers-Hornets trade has the potential to be of the “win-win” variety for both organizations.

Make no mistake about it: The Clippers gave up almost all most all of the commodities they have so patiently accumulated over the past few years under Neil Olshey (Vice President of Basketball Operations) and Andy Roeser (the franchise’s president).

*The Hornets pick up a former all-star in Chris Kaman – if healthy, one of the half dozen or so “true centers” in the sport – as well as the expiring contract of nearly $13 million he brings along.

*They also got a second-year, soon-to-be-21-year-old forward, Al-Farouq Aminu, who has immense physical skills but still must demonstrate he has the motivation to be a consistently productive starter.

If that becomes the case, Aminu can be a player capable of averaging 16 to 20 points, and six to eight rebounds per game.

*The Clippers also sent the Hornets Minnesota 2012 first-round draft selection – unprotected by any lottery pecking order – they’ve owned for a couple years.

It should be an exceptionally strong draft class and, unless the Timberwolves have a much stronger season than is expected, the pick could translate into a future all-pro if the likes of Anthony Davis (Kentucky) and Andre Drummond and Jeremy Lamb (both of Connecticut) prove to be the caliber of NBA players that many believe they have the potential to be.

*And, the key element of the trade from the New Orleans perspective, the Clippers also sent fourth-year guard Eric Gordon to the Hornets.

Unless the Clippers’ decision makers had a sense that Gordon – who I believe will be a multi-year all-star – was unlikely to sign an extension with them and bolt once he became an unrestricted free agent, it was a very large final piece that was extracted from them in order to acquire Paul.

So, what are the short- and long-term implications of getting Paul into a Clippers’ uniform?

He is certainly one of the best of the “young” (less-than-30) point-guard set in the league, in some sort of pecking order with 2010-11 MVP Derrick Rose (Chicago), Deron Williams (New Jersey), Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City) and Rajon Rondo (Boston) – as well as Dwyane Wade (Miami), if you want to consider more “point guard” than “shooting guard”.

The news of the trade led to a sprint for season tickets – and multi-ticket season packages were sold out even as NBA Commissioner David Stern was taking part in a press conference to explain the league’s perspective on the deal.

And that’s understandable.

With Paul and 2010-11 Rookie of the Year Blake Griffin, the Clippers may have the best pick-and-roll combination in the sport – and a pair of players of capable of propelling them into the playoffs for the first time in six years and only the second time since 1992.

With center DeAndre Jordan (the newest member of the league’s $10 million a season club), the Clippers have a player who is every bit as vertically spectacular as Griffin.

Caron Butler (acquired via free agency) gives the team a “3 man” who should average 15-plus points per game and should be able to spread the floor better than did Ryan Gomes and Aminu did a year ago at the position.

Who shares the backcourt with Paul?

Coach Vinny Del Negro will have a multitude of options – Chauncey Billups, Mo Williams, Randy Foye and Eric Bledsoe .

As for the long-term potential the deal brings the Clippers, if Paul and Griffin discover they like being teammates as much as packed Staples Center sellout crowds are going to enjoy watching them play together . . . well, it’s immense.