The crosstown rival of the Los Angeles Lakers has finally decided to invest money into building a contending team. Often being overshadowed by the accomplishments of the Los Angeles Lakers, the Clippers’ owner Donald Sterling finally decided enough was enough.

As Baron Davis opted out of his contract in Golden State late last night, he soon found himself a new home. Actually, he’s back in his old home. A Los Angeles native and former student at UCLA, Davis returns to his hometown. Unfortunately, it’s for the 2nd best team in town, but either way, home is home.

It has been reported that the new contract is for five years and is worth approximately $65 million. This is a good deal for the Clippers in my opinion. No need for Correy Maggette now and there is still enough cap space to sign Elton Brand to a lucrative deal. Let’s not forget that the Clippers aren’t the only ones that broke the bank to make this happen, with cutting his contract to well under $15 million for next season, Baron Davis has taken a significant pay cut, short term, from the $17.8 million he was due from the Warriors next season.

I truly believe that with all the youngster on the current Clippers roster, the developing Chris Kaman, and the always ready to go Elton Brand, the Clippers will be ready to go at the beginning of the season and will give every other NBA team a run for their money, except the Lakers of course who are still loaded with last year’s roster plus Andrew Bynum and a healthy Trevor Ariza.

The NBA was fun last season, but this next season just seems to be that much more promising.

O yeah, and for those of you who believe the Warriors won’t be able to compete next year, think again, Monta Ellis has developed into a fine young point guard and is sure to be a great leader for years to come.

Post originally appears on SportsTsar.com:

Jordan Farmar, Luke Walton, and Richard Jefferson were spotted in Vegas last weekend partying it up.

Nothing wrong with that, except perhaps what Farmar wore into the club:

Seriously?

I mean, I get that you’re an NBA star that makes millions of dollars and can do whatever you want, but wearing a white tee for Vegas nightlife? There are things called dress codes. Even the NBA requires you to look better than this. Let’s class it up a little next time, shall we?

Baron Davis has decided not to go for the big bucks. He may have also decided he’s done playing under Don Nelson.

It has become pretty well known as of late that Nelson has plans to play the young guys on the Warriors roster plenty more than he did this last season. Of course, this means that Monta Ellis will be gaining considerable minutes and possibly hurting the playing time of Baron Davis.

With just a few years remaining in the prime of Davis, he doesn’t want to take any chances at not succeeding. Just like Elton Brand and Gilbert Arenas, Baron Davis has opted out and will be looking for a new long term contract, even if it means making less money, which it does.

The free agent market is now open for hunting and teams like the Warriors, Wizards, Sixers, Bobcats, and Clippers are sure to make some noise. Of course, there are a limited number of franchise players available, but those that are will surely get rewarded.

Richa… yo’ cah bein tow… By: Jason Kidd

Tell me you remember that commercial?

Anyway, Kidd was traded last season to Dallas for Devin Harris and a bunch of draft picks.

Today, Richard Jefferson has been shipped out to Milwuakee for Bobby Simmons and Yi Jianlian.

I’d take the time to break down the deal but I really think it unnecessary. Both teams got what they wanted.

New Jersey gains cap space, about $10 million worth in the next few years, and the Bucks get a solid player for last year’s #5 pick that never really wanted to be there.

The Bucks essentially had no choice but to trade Yi at some point as his agents never wanted him in Milwuakee in the first place, now, teamed up with Devin Harris, Vince Carter, and plenty of upcoming cap space, Yi has a bright future.

The New Jersey Nets as a whole have a bright future. A move to Brooklyn in 2011. Devin Harris will have a great career. Yi Jianlian will hopefully develop as a great 7′0″ power forward. Vince Carter can hopefully remain motivated enough until 2010. And yes, in 2010, expect to see Lebron James playing for the Nets as Jay-Z is sure to entice him.

I must admit, I’m so excited for this off season as there have already been two pretty big deals, a bunch of draft pick trades, and surely plenty more deals to come. I love trades and player movement. It opens the door for analysis and prediciton. Will I be right or wrong? We shall see, for now, the Nets have a bright future, the Bucks have added Richard Jefferson to Michael Redd and Mo Williams and Charlie Villanueva, the Raptors have two nice power forward/centers, and the Indiana Pacers have almost gotten rid of their entire 2004 brawl team. Perhaps the Eastern Conference will have some more competition next year. Just wait for Orlando to make a nice deal this summer to get into contention.

The Indiana Pacers have come to terms with the Toronto Raptors.

Jermaine O’Neal is headed for Canada as the Raptors are sending back TJ Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, and the 17th pick in this year’s draft that takes place tomorrow evening. Let’s review how this trade turns out for both teams:

Indiana Pacers:

With the franchise never able to fully recover from the 2004 brawl at the Palace of Auburn Hills, the Pacers have decided to get rid of the last big remaining piece of that team. Everyone expected the Pacers to go into rebuilding mode but they have decided otherwise. By trading O’Neal for Ford and Nesterovic the Pacers are looking to fill two spots that they have had problems with in recent years.

For the first time in a while they will have a legitimate starting center in Nesterovic, and Tinsley can take a seat or be traded now that TJ Ford will take over the point. The future has potential but I’m not sold on this package.

Let’s not forget, the Lakers offered Lamar Odom, Kwame Brown’s expiring contract, and draft picks for O’Neal last summer and they said no. I feel like Lamar and cap space is better than two mediocre players that will not be all stars at any point in their respective careers.

Toronto Raptors:

Great move for Brian Colangelo. This guy has already turned two franchises around in no time as he created the monster that the Phoenix Suns are today and the Toronto Raptors of tomorrow.

By trading away one player that is too often hurt for the team’s overall benefit, and another player that has severely underperformed, the Toronto Raptors are already better in simple addition by substitution. Now that the unnecessary pieces are gone, bringing Jermaine O’Neal in to pair up next Chris Bosh is beastly.

The front line of Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins is good, but a duo of 7′0″ tough guys like Bosh and O’Neal is surely better. With deadly shooters like Jason Kapono and Anthony Parker already on the roster, the Raptors have one move left to make.

The future of Jose Calderon seems a bit shaky at this point as no one knows whether he will continue on in the NBA or travel back to Europe for a different style of ball. The Raptors now need to find themselves a talented young point guard to throw in the mix and they’ve got themselves a team.

There is one down side however, their players are all on short term contracts and their time span for winning seems a bit short. With that said, I have no doubt in my mind that Colangelo will manage to make this happen yet once again.

I’ve just got one thing to say about all this… trading season has begun and I’m excited to see the deals go down.