Baron Davis trade gives Clippers flexibility

Think about the most recent Clippers developments along these lines:

This would be a lot like a new family moving into a house and establishing residence, leaving no doubt about ownership.

Symbolically speaking, that’s what happened Thursday. Baron Davis’ name was wiped out with a few brush strokes and replaced by the kids Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon.

Those calling the shots with the Clippers talked about the trade of Davis and a 2011 first-round draft pick to Cleveland for guard Mo Williams, 28, and small forward Jamario Moon, 30, in terms of future salary cap flexibility.

Williams, a former All-Star, is making $9.3 million this season, with two years remaining on his contract after this season worth a combined $17 million. Moon’s contract expires after this season.

But there was also the undertone that the Clippers would not truly be able to move on until Davis was moved out of town.

Davis showed up for training camp out of shape last fall, and he missed a vital early portion of the season as the Clippers started 1-13.

“He didn’t start off the season the way he would’ve liked or the way I would’ve liked and that’s been well-documented, but I think Baron’s been real professional in how he’s handled things,” Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro said. “When he was on the court, you saw the difference he makes in our team. I don’t think that’ll be any different in Cleveland.”

Davis, 31, the former UCLA star, signed a five-year, $65-million deal with the Clippers in 2008. But his play never matched the Clippers’ great expectations. He declined to comment Thursday.

Neil Olshey, the Clippers’ vice president of basketball operations, said that they would have had $32 million on the books in 2012-13 and this deal enabled them to get down to $16 million. The deal also moved along when Williams agreed to give up his early termination option, which he could have used after this season for the final two years of his contract.

“Now you see a time in the organization where we have guys that are excited about playing here, so much so where they are willing to amend contracts in order to secure their positions,” Olshey said. “We’ve got six guys under 22. We need guys that can help now. We have not given up any of the assets we’ll need if we want to go make another trade in June to upgrade another position.”

Instead of losing major pieces, the Clippers will try to build around Gordon and Griffin.

Griffin won’t be a restricted free agent until 2013-14, and center Chris Kaman recently joked about Griffin putting down roots for at least six years.

Clippers owner Donald Sterling is known to be reluctant to part with first-round draft choices, and this took a certain amount of persuasion. But this year’s draft is not considered a strong one by insiders and Olshey falls in line with that thinking.

“Our analysis at this point, in February, is that it is more valuable to get a 28-year-old All-Star point guard that we have for the next few years, cap flexibility to make sure we take care of business and make sure we re-sign DeAndre Jordan … to take care of Eric Gordon as well,” Olshey said, “as opposed to speculating on another kid who is 19 years old with one year of college experience.”

lisa.dillman@latimes.com

baxter.holmes@latimes.com