Sports

Clips taking a stand

My Paper Clips just became the second best team in Staples Center vs. the belittled step-tenant they’ve always been.

Not only have they inherited the provisions of Chris Paul from the Hornets in a really reasonable NBA-sanctioned unofficial trade — pending signed documents and physicals; pronouncement this morning — but they took the exquisite Cajun cuisine right off the Lakers’ plate.

A week ago, Paul was on the cusp of operating alongside Kobe Bryant when David Stern shredded a three-ply paper deal that would’ve transferred Lamar Odom, Luis Scola, Kevin Martin, Goran Dragic and the Knicks’ 2012 first round pick to New Orleans.

Instead, of accruing mostly veterans on the down slope of solid, but unremarkable careers, the Hornets secured rising shooting star Eric Gordon, promising forward Al-Farouq, center Chris Kaman’s expiring contract (a resource that can easily be moved) and the Timberwolves’ 2012 unprotected No. 1 acreage; at least five-to-eight primo prospects are projected to be on tap.

All in all, a pretty good haulaas long as whoever ultimately purchases the franchise from the league recognizes a spitload of loot must be shelled out to extend Gordon ($3.83 million) now or re-sign this summer when he becomes a restricted free agent.

Sources divulge agent Rob Pelinka’s $18 million, four-year demand begrudgingly convinced the Clippers to include him in the pristine package. Had they not, of course, there would’ve been deal. A failure to re-sign Gordon means New York’s Second Avenue subway will be finished before the Hornets’ renovation.

For his part, Paul apparently has assured the Clips he won’t exercise his free agent escape clause at season’s end and thus is committed for this year and next. No telling how many juiced-up jamborees fans are in store for with Paul and Blake Griffin coalescing competence and creativityaon the run, alley-opps, in traffic and over SUVs.

Their mesmerizing collaboration is a given. Paul’s assisted living alongside teammates, especially DeAndre Jordan, will be the true testament/measurement of his value.

“He’ll turn Jordan into Tyson Chandler,” predicted a regular NBA beat-walker. “Jordan will look to rebound and block more ’cause he’s scoring more.”

Chauncey Billups better be practicing his 3’s, stresses column contributor Sandy Marsh, “because he’s now formally a two-three, given CP$’s acquisition.”

Nobody ever said my Paper Clips aren’t flawed. That’s why they’re still No. 2 in Paul-y Pavilion. Obtaining/signing a sniper better than Mo Williams is management’s next impossible mission.

As it stands, “if good teams pack the paint against them and they remain without a knockdown perimeter shooter, how dangerous will they be?” Marsh assesses. “Caron Butler’s a driver at heart. And I suspect Ryan Gomes ain’t the answer either.”

The majority of the NBA wishes that was the biggest problem they had.

peter.vecsey@nypost.com