by Anton Miller

New recently broke of the Clippers signing Baron Davis for a reported 5 years and $65 million. And while 5 years seems a lot for a guy who has trouble staying healthy, it instantly makes the Clippers relevant again.

For Baron himself, it was a smart move, passing on $17.8 dollars guaranteed in favor of long-term stability. The Warriors played hardball on an extension and Baron certainly was not going to get that kind of money from them. His benching at the end of the year did not help things either. The Warriors were more concerned about re-signing Andris Biedrins and Monta Ellis, who are both restricted free agents.

For the Clippers, the signing of Baron should help entice Elton Brand to resign. Brand has been inspired by the collection of talent the Celtics put together, and Baron is a talent he has not had before. Baron can spread the floor; when healthy, he is one of the best players in the league. Together they could have a lethal inside and out game.

Of course, signing Baron means Corey Maggette is gone. That leaves a starting lineup of Chris Kaman, Baron, Elton, Al Thornton and Cuttino Mobley, with top draft pick Eric Gordon anchoring a shallow bench. While this team doesn’t measure up to New Orleans, San Antonio or the Lakers, they should make the playoffs if they stay healthy.

As for the Warriors, they have arrived at a crossroads. Signing Ellis and Biedrins is a given. They can start a rebuilding movement and play the youngsters like Belinelli, Wright and Randolph. However, a lineup without Baron Davis will be hard pressed to land close to .500 in the cut-throat West.

After being one of the worst teams in the league for so long, the Warriors return to winning has been amazing for their fan base and they are one of the most watchable teams in the league. If they want to stay competitive, they could use their newfound cap room on a free agent. So far, they have offered max deals to Gilbert Arenas and Elton Brand. Arenas would be a good replacement for Baron, but is more likely to stay in Washington. As for Brand, they can offer more money than the Clippers and it would be sweet revenge.

Brand must decide which team he thinks has a better chance of winning and where he would be more comfortable. The most likely scenario is that the Warriors get neither player. Their remaining options would be to shift Monta to PG and grab Maggette, Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, J.R. Smith or Ricky Davis.

Of course, if they signed Gordon, Smith or Davis, they would be proud owners of the worst defensive backcourt in the league. Davis’ move has shifted the fortunes of two franchises, but in opposite directions. The Clippers are on the way up, and the Warriors are on the brink of transforming from league darlings to league nobodies.