Report: Clippers still in talks for Paul deal
THE LOS ANGELES Clippers are reportedly still in discussions with the league concerning a trade for New Orleans Hornets star Chris Paul.
THE LOS ANGELES Clippers are reportedly still in discussions with the league concerning a trade for New Orleans Hornets star Chris Paul.
Sources told ESPN.com that the sides talked late into last night, but had yet to find a workable deal.
The NBA, which owns the Hornets, reportedly wants the Clippers' top five available trade assets in return for Paul, who would invoke the 2012-13 option in his contract as part of any trade between the teams to ensure the Clippers would have him for at least two seasons.
"They're still asking for everyone," said one source with knowledge of the situation.
The sides reportedly were near a deal on Monday when the Clippers balked at the league's demands. Sources told ESPN.com that the league asked for shooting guard Eric Gordon, youngsters Al-Farouq Aminu and Eric Bledsoe, and former All-Star center Chris Kaman.
Sources said one of the wrinkles added to the mix in last night's talks involved the inclusion of Clippers point guard Mo Williams going to the Hornets in a swap for swingman Trevor Ariza, an Los Angeles native.
Another source said that Los Angeles Lakers are also interested in Paul.
Noteworthy *
Free-agent center Nene re-signed with Denver, agreeing to a 5-year deal deal worth in excess of $67 million with, sources told ESPN.com.
Also, the Nuggets acquired swingman Rudy Fernandez and forward Corey Brewer from Dallas for a future second-round pick.
* Utah officials met with free-gent forward Josh Howard. Howard was a key player for Dallas from 2003-10 and helped the Mavs in their run to the NBA Finals in 2006. He was traded to Washington in February 2010 but tore his anterior cruciate ligament the following month.
* Free agent center Kwame Brown agreed to terms on a 1-year, $7 million contract with Golden State.
* Detroit center Ben Wallace was sentenced to a year of probation but avoided jail time on drunken driving and gun possession charges that stemmed from a September traffic stop in suburban Detroit. Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Shalina Kumar also sentenced Wallace to 30 hours of community service. Wallace had an unloaded pistol in a backpack when he was stopped.