Chris Paul was gone, it was a matter of New Orleans getting as much as they could, and I think they were smart to move him before the season. The New Orleans roster doesn't suck... they got some decent pieces out of it, and if they can come together quickly, they probably finish about where they did last year.
Obviously a great move for LA, they've re-established themselves as a contender in the west for a long time. But if Bynum's knee can't handle the schedule this year, they're going to be in a very difficult spot: a quickly devaluing asset they've got to consider renewing. And I don't think Orlando moves Howard until they get a good look at Bynum. Right now LA desperately needs to add big men and have very little room to do it.
It confuses me from Houston's perspective. Gasol instantly becomes their best player, but they're moving a lot for a team that isn't really ready to contend yet; this isn't a move that puts them over the top.
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