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Clippers to land Paul from Hornets
The Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to a deal in principle with the league-owned New Orleans Hornets to acquire guard Chris Paul, according to sources close to the process.
The Clippers, sources said, will send guard Eric Gordon, center Chris Kaman, forward Al-Farouq Aminu and Minnesota's unprotected 2012 first-round pick to the Hornets for Paul.
The Clippers will also receive two future second-round picks, according to sources.
"I didn't know it was going to happen. I was told yesterday that it wasn't going to be done," Kaman said. "Everybody thought it was nixed, that it was dead. Then I guess something came back up today.
"I don't know what to expect, I don't know what to anticipate. I'm just going to try to move forward and play basketball like I'm capable of doing."
The deal is expected to be approved by the league Wednesday night, sources said.
Gordon found the deal "disappointing."
"People in the organization were telling me I was going to probably stay here, stick around," he said. "But you don't know who to trust or follow, give you a lead on anything. I'm just going to take it for how it is. It is kind of tough to swallow, but I'm just a basketball player. I'm not going to have any hard feelings about it."
Kaman had his own theory as to why the Clippers worked out the trade.
"To be honest with you, I think all that has to do with Blake Griffin. Blake is one of the most talented players playing basketball. He's a highlight reel waiting to happen," he said. "Chris Paul is going to love that. He's got an opportunity to come in here and do big things.
"I think the team is pretty much set up for (Blake). The four and five is done, locked in. Caron Butler is a great three-man. He's got Chauncey (Billups) and Randy Foye coming in at the two-spot. Now Chris Paul, All-Star point guard. What else can you ask for?"
Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, whose team had been pursuing Paul earlier this month before commissioner David Stern vetoed a potential trade, thought the trade would be good for the city of L.A.
"It's good to see them (the Clippers) being that aggressive and wanting to make the next step," he said. "They got Blake (Griffin), who I think the world of him and CP (Paul) who I like as well, so, I think it's good for L.A. to have two teams that are competitive."
Source: AP