Clippers: Chris Paul trade showcases what is wrong with the NBA

The Los Angeles Clippers have sent shock waves throughout the NBA in dealing Chris Paul to the Houston Rockets.

Well, Chris Paul’s tenure in Los Angeles is finally over. For months many have speculated that the Clippers star was out the door to the San Antonio Spurs in pursuit of that illustrious ring that has alluded him. While Paul is heading to Texas, it will not be under Greg Popovich – instead, it is alongside James Harden.

With Paul opting into the final year on his contract, the Clippers are effectively performing a sign and trade deal. Los Angeles, with only one year left of Paul’s services anyway, opted to get something out of the superstar rather than come out empty-handed. The team will receive Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Sam Dekker, and a 2018 top 3 protected first round pick.

Some think that this deal is to free space up for Blake Griffin, who is a free agent this offseason. However, this move is taking the Clippers in an entirely new direction.

This is obviously a rebuilding move for the Los Angeles Clippers. With Blake Griffin constantly hurt, the team cannot rely on him to be a number one star. Add in the reports that the Clippers were shopping around DeAndre Jordan and it seems that this team is starting from ground zero.

Now, there is nothing wrong with rebuilding, it is a natural cycle that every team undergoes. Some take longer than others, some can rebuild instantly. The Boston Celtics have been great at rebuilding and the 76ers are creating something special.

But then there are the Kings, Knicks, and Suns of the NBA. These three teams have a combined three playoff appearances since the turn of the decade, all by the Brooklyn Nets. While the Nets did make the playoffs in three consecutive years, their Boston big three experiment ultimately failed them and destroyed their future in the process.

Now, it is the Clippers turn to undergo this cycle that the Los Angeles Lakers have been stuck in for four years. However, this is different, this Clippers team was star-studded. This trade is showcasing what is wrong with the NBA.

Everyone knows that the cream of the crop in the NBA is the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. Playing in three consecutive finals, the road to NBA supremacy runs through Golden State and Cleveland.

Heck, it is not even competitive either. The two teams had one combined playoff loss entering the NBA Finals that only happened because of a lucky bounce for Avery Bradley. These teams dominated the opposition, and that is only making the league even more top heavy.

Teams that could be contenders are merely giving up with the notion that they cannot compete with these teams anyways. The Bulls gave up Jimmy Butler for a good, not great return. Los Angeles is effectively destroying their title capable core. Guys like Kyle Lowry are opting out of their contracts, on an already good team, to ring chase.

Heck, Kevin Durant left the Oklahoma City Thunder to join the Golden State Warriors. Despite having a great core in OKC, Durant held the “If you can’t beat them, join them,” mantra that is rippling throughout the league.

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No longer can teams like the 2011 Dallas Mavericks compete. The super team, although it has been present throughout history, has destroyed the competitive nature of the NBA. We have never seen a back-to-back-to-back finals matchup in modern sports history in either the Super Bowl or World Series.

You have to go all the way back to the early 1920s when the New York Giants and New York Yankees played in three consecutive World Series. Keep in mind, there were only 16 teams at this time.

Luke Walton put it best “I joke a lot. I said if there’s a time to be rebuilding, this is the time to do it,” Walton stated. “The Warriors don’t look like they’re going anywhere for a while. They’re pretty darn good right now.”

Teams like the Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs, and Boston Celtics can add all the pieces they want, this league is the Warriors and Cavs. Even as these other teams get better the Warriors and Cavs get better, evident by the Kevin Durant signing and the potential for Paul George to go to Cleveland.

This is creating a top-heavy NBA. There are two teams right now that have a fraction of a chance against these two, the Rockets and Spurs. If the Celtics can get a star in the offseason they will have a chance as well. Even then, it is still a longshot.

Next: Three reasons why the Clippers won the Chris Paul Trade

I don’t know about you, but I don’t like knowing who is going to make the finals before the season even begins. I am all for dynasties, but even with the Clippers trading Chris Paul, the league has no chance to stop these two powerhouses.