Here’s an excerpt from ESPN.com’s 5-on-5 about the Chris Paul trade:
1. Fact or Fiction: The Clippers won this trade.
D.J. Foster, ClipperBlog: Fact. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Look at it this way: Chris Kaman was gone. Eric Gordon wasn’t a lock for a contract extension. Minnesota’s unprotected 2012 first-round draft pick could always end up being another Adam Morrison. It’s a 400-foot homerun instead of a 500-footer because they were seemingly negotiating against themselves, but the Clippers got the league’s best point guard. That’s a win.
Joe Gerrity, Hornets 24/7: Fact. I wouldn’t say the Hornets lost by any means. It’s just that if you add Chris Paul, you’re a winner in my book.
Tom Haberstroh, ESPN.com: Is it a copout to say it’s a mutually beneficial trade? Clippers net a top-5 player who instantly transforms DeAndre Jordan into an offensive force and Blake Griffin into an MVP candidate. And they can flip assets for a 2. If only New Orleans could include knees in the package …
David Thorpe, ESPN.com: Fact, for obvious reasons. The only caveat is just as obvious, so we need to check back in two years to see if they are going to keep Paul.
Brian Windhorst, ESPN.com: Fact, in the short term. They just traded for a potential Hall of Famer in his prime and paired him with a dynamic big man. But they gave up valuable assets without getting a long-term commitment from Paul. That’s a risk. We’ll have a better verdict in 2013.
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To read the remaining four questions on ESPN.com, click here.
