Clippers close to deal for Chris Paul with Hornets
(BDCi) – The New Orleans Hornets and Los Angeles Clippers have submitted a multiplayer blockbuster deal to the NBA that would send All-Star point guard Chris Paul to Los Angeles, a source with knowledge of the discussions said Monday.
There is one roadblock with the deal. The league, which owns the New Orleans Hornets wants the Clippers to include Eric Bledsoe to the package that already has guard Eric Gordon, center Chris Kaman, forward Al-Farouq Aminu and Minnesota’s unprotected 2012 first-round pick.
The deal would be done if the league hadn’t asked for Bledsoe, according to one source close to the process.
The Los Angeles Times, citing sources familiar with the discussions, reported late Sunday that the sides were working vigorously to complete the deal and that the Clippers would include Bledsoe but not Gordon.
Sources insisted to ESPN on Monday that Gordon remains in the trade and that the Clippers were hoping to keep his name from being reported because they will try to re-sign him to an extension if the Paul deal falls through.
A source close to Paul said he has decided to pick up the option on his contract aspoart of the potential deal, meaning he would be in Los Angeles for at least the next two years.
By: Natania Levine Courtesy: espn.com Photo: usatoday.com 12 December 2011
10:49 a.m P.S.T