NBA Breaking News: Chris Paul to Lakers Off, Mavs Snag Lamar Odom

In an interesting turn of events, Chris Paul looks like he will not be going to the Lakers after all. 

The Lakers pulled out of the CP3 trade tonight after the three teams involved could not come up with a combination of players that satisfied David Stern, who had vetoed the first proposed trade that would have sent Paul to L.A.

The Lakers are now reportedly instead focusing on landing star Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard. Howard's agent was given rights earlier to talk to three teams including the Lakers, the New Jersey Nets and the Dallas Mavericks.

Speaking of the Mavericks, the defending champions have added another piece to their bid to repeat, as they have reportedly picked up Lamar Odom from the Lakers. 

Odom was set to be dealt to New Orleans in the Paul trade, but after that fell off L.A. decided to give Odom to Dallas for future draft-pick considerations. 

Odom's contract fits into the Mavs' trade exception that they got earlier in the three-team trade with the Knicks that sent Tyson Chandler to New York.

It is unclear if the Odom deal will be used by either team as a means of positioning to acquire Howard, but that seems possible, as Dallas is one of Howard's three potential suitors. 

However, if the Mavs opt to hold on to Odom, it adds even more depth to the forward position in Dallas.

The Mavs would have Dirk Nowitzki, Odom, Shawn Marion, Brandan Wright, Corey Brewer and Brian Cardinal, whom the Mavs just resigned, as their forwards going into the year.

Dallas also added Vince Carter in free agency and is reportedly looking into acquiring center Samuel Dalembert.