Clippers to sign Baron Davis, get relevant

Phil Wallace calls the news, broken earlier today, "the biggest free agent signing in Los Angeles Clipper history." The Clippers are also expected to re-sign Elton Brand. Says Wallace at SoCal Sports Observed:

The two moves make the Clippers a very relevant team in the NBA. For the first time, they have legitimate superstar player who can move the needle here in Los Angeles. Davis is an LA native, and I absolutely love his game. Stealing him from the Golden State Warriors is a coup. He brings playmaking ability that the Clippers have never had, he's a terrific complement to Brand, and he allows the Clippers to bring Eric Gordon along slowly.

Still, while Davis is a great player, he has a history of injuries, and he doesn't necessarily guarantee the Clippers a playoff berth in a conference where Portland is much improved, Denver, Utah, Houston, Phoenix, San Antonio, New Orleans, and Dallas are pretty darned good too, and the Lakers are still LA's team. But this move is a major shot in the arm for a franchise that sorely needed one.

ESPN's J.A. Adande says "Baron Davis going to the Clippers is kind of like Kevin Garnett going to the Celtics....Bringing in Davis and re-signing Elton Brand would make the Clippers matter again."