Photo by Chris Graythen | Getty Image
Commissioner David Stern had a conference call with the media at 9:45 PST, and confirmed that the Hornets have traded Chris Paul to the Clippers.
The Clippers traded (SG) Eric Gordon, (C) Chris Kaman, (SF) Al-Farouq Aminu and their unprotected 2012 first-round draft pick to the New Orleans Hornets for (PG) Chris Paul and a pair of 2015 second-round picks.
The 2012 pick, is tied to the performance of the Minnesota Timberwolves, which could become the No. 1 overall selection.
ESPN’s Marc Stein originally tweeted at 4PM PST that the Clippers and Hornets have reached a deal to send Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers:
ESPN sources say NBA approval to be issued by night’s end to seal CP3 and 2 future 2nd-rounders to Clips for Gordon/Kaman/Aminu/Sota first.
The NBA wanted Eric Gordon to seal the deal, and by the looks of it the Clippers granted their wish.
As Laker fans are aware, the original deal agreed by the Lakers on Thursday was killed by the NBA and Commissioner David Stern. Due to multiple inquires (and the general outrage expressed amongst NBA fans and media members), the league office released this statement Friday morning from David Stern:
Since the NBA purchased the New Orleans Hornets, final responsibility for significant management decisions lies with the Commissioner’s Office in consultation with team chairman Jac Sperling.
All decisions are made on the basis of what is in the best interests of the Hornets. In the case of the trade proposal that was made to the Hornets for Chris Paul, we decided, free from the influence of other NBA owners, that the team was better served with Chris in a Hornets uniform than by the outcome of the terms of that trade.”
All of this made for an extremely awkward Friday at the first day of Lakers training camp. Pau Gasol showed up to the Lakers facility, but did not participate due to a quad injury.
Lamar Odom, who earlier stated that he was in “disbelief” from what transpired late Thursday night, showed up 90-minutes late, met with Mitch Kupchak for about 15 minutes, then left without speaking to the media. Shortly after, he told the L.A. Times that “it’s better to stay away” from the Lakers facility.
After a request to be traded the Lakers traded a 2012 2nd round draft pick, and Lamar Odom to the Dallas Mavericks. In exchange, they received a 2012 first round draft pick, and an $8.9 million trade exception.
Initial reports on Thursday had the Lakers packaging Andrew Bynum, not Pau Gasol, with Lamar Odom for Chris Paul. That report was then corrected by Adrian Wojnarowski from Yahoo! Sports, who then reported (via Twitter) that the Lakers have agreed to trade Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom for Chris Paul.
Hornets working to finalize details on 3-team deal to send Chris Paul to Lakers, Gasol to Rockets and Odom, KMart, Scola to NO, sources say.
The Houston Rockets also jumped into the deal, making it a three-team trade that was initially agreed on by all parties involved. The Rockets would have received Pau Gasol for Luis Scola, Kevin Martin, Goran Dragic, and a draft pick. Here’s a breakdown of the original trade proposal:
Lakers Get: Chris Paul.
Hornets Get: Lamar Odom, Luis Scola, Kevin Martin, Goran Dragic and a Rocket Draft Pick.
Rockets Get: Pau Gasol
Three NBA trade vetoes later, Chris Paul ends up in Los Angeles. Just not to suit up in the purple & gold.
SportsBook.com has moved the Clippers odds to win title from 50/1 to 15/1 with the Paul trade.
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