Clippers Nearing Deal to Acquire Chris Paul from Hornets

According to the Los Angeles Times, The Los Angeles Clippers and New Orleans Hornets are nearing a deal that will send Chris Paul to the City of Angels.

Perhaps the third time will be the charm for Paul, who bore the brunt of David Stern's veto power not once but twice. In the last 48 hours, two renditions of a three-team trade—involving the Lakers, Rockets and Hornets—that would've firmly placed Paul next to Kobe Bryant in the backcourt were rebuffed.

For whatever reason, Stern, who was also being pressured by several NBA owners, likely didn't believe New Orleans was getting enough talent—in the form of building blocks for the future—in return for its franchise player. Not to mention the most pressing goal for the NBA moving forward is upping the value of the league-owned Hornets in order to sell the team to the highest bidder.

That being said, it's hard to believe that in a world where few sports teams, if any, get commensurate value for their top players that Lamar Odom, Kevin Martin, Luis Scola, Goran Dragic and a first-round pick from Houston would be deemed insufficient for Chris Paul.

Nevertheless, the Clippers are in the closing stages of sending center Chris Kaman, guard Eric Bledsoe, Al-Farouq Aminu and the Minnesota Timberwolves' unprotected first-round pick in 2012 to New Orleans for its superstar point guard.

The question is, will David Stern sign off on this deal or will he put his fist down for a third time?

One would assume that Minnesota's pick will be the kicker in what is supposed to be one of the stronger drafts in recent times.

Time will tell, but as of now, the Clippers are in the driver's seat.