And suddenly? The LA Clippers are contenders.

Really. There are the usual caveats of health and well-being. I mean, I can figure that the Baron is going on the injured list. But now the Western Conference has a new combatant for the Western Conference title.

And it's the L.A. Clippers of basketball. Yeah. They do exist.

But Baron Davis took 5 years and 65 million dollars to join a re-upping for less money Elton Brand. And now the Clippers have 40% of a fantastical basketball line-up. Add to that Chris Kaman and the small forwardological magic that is Al Thornton? They have 80% of goodness.

Now Cuttino Mobley and Eric Gordon are kind of the same archetype. But if Gordon shows that his Mushmouthery can avoid the rookie wall, the undersized super-scorer 2 that has no defense won't be of any real concern. And if they can find a way to get Quinton Ross back? They're in great shape rotationally.

But they're the L.A. Clippers if basketball. They'll mess it up.

If the Clippers moved up in the draft to get Russell Westbrook?

It would be the stupidest move in the draft for several reasons.

1. The Clippers will be in the lottery next season.

The Western Conference is spectacular, and while Brand and Livinston come back? It may not be any sort of improvement to a playoff level. And this means the Sonics get two lottery picks next season.

2. It's a no-risk move for the Sonics.

The Sonics want a point guard or a center. Odds are they can grab themselves something of value at #7 probably in a Jerryd Bayless. He's a Kevin Johnson type. And he'll fake loving the OC...

What?

3. If the rumors are true, they could have got what they wanted at #7.

Westbrook is very much a Rajon Rondo, but he would have been at 7. I guarantee it.