Chris Paul Trade: Three reasons the Clippers got the better deal

Jan 6, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. The Clippers defeated the Kings 106-98. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 6, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. The Clippers defeated the Kings 106-98. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

They get guard depth without digging deep in free agency

When the rumor mill spilled that Chris Paul might not be coming back, the Clippers had no choice but to prepare some free agency options.

Guys like Patty Mills or Kyle Lowry were worth a conversation, but that won’t be necessary now. It’s still a possibility that they’ll explore that, but with their draft pick and what they’re receiving from the trade, they won’t have to.

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And that’s always a better position to be in come July 1.

As part of the deal, the Clippers get guards Patrick Beverley and Lou Williams. Beverley is known for being able to defend just about anybody, while Williams brings an edge off the bench.

Those are two areas that the team was going to need to address anyway. Losing Chris Paul means losing one of the better defending guards in the league. Beverley easily makes up for that, although he’s not the mastermind on offense that CP3 has been known to be.

That’s okay, though.

Williams did enough off the bench to turn the Lakers into a 10-10 team at the start and helped the Rockets down the stretch after being dealt at the deadline.

Now back in Los Angeles, Williams will have a chance to get the Clippers what they haven’t been able to do lately — win more, lose less.