“It means I’m a free agent, but my intentions are to stay with the Clippers. That’s always been my intention. I think with the pieces we have, we can do some damage.”

How quickly it all changes, doesn’t it? Elton Brand, no longer a Clipper, now a 76er. Los Angeles Clipper fans, dreaming of a Hollywood combo of Baron Davis and Brand, are trying to wake up from this nightmare.

There’s been a lot of “he said, he said” going around about how Brand believed he was disrespected by the Clippers’ take it or leave it offer of 5 years, $70 million. About how David Falk orchestrated this entire coup and screwed the Clippers. About how Brand was disingenuous about staying, pretty much cementing him as a Judas in the long history of the Clippers.

But I don’t blame him for leaving. In fact, I applaud him for leaving. After all, he already left before. But the Clippers couldn’t match an offer sheet this time.

Logically, it makes sense for Brand to leave.

Why not go back home to the East? Why not take the guaranteed Eastern Conference All-Star spot? Why fight in wars in the Western Conference just to make the 7th or 8th seed when you can cruise all season in the East and easily make the playoffs? Why not take more money, especially coming off an Achilles’ heel tear? Why bother playing for a team that will never win?

Clipper fans must understand that their history will always count against them, that their owner will always count against them. No matter what, the Clippers will always be the other team compared to the Lakers.

Baron Davis only signed with the Clippers because the Warriors lowballed him and because the Lakers, obviously, couldn’t pay him. Brand’s roots are East, and the Clippers didn’t give him a reason to stay.

But hey, they’re still selling Elton Brand Swingman jerseys at Staples Center for $20! Might as well profit off of him somehow, right?