Chris Paul to Clippers: Sources Report CP3 Close to Landing in Los Angeles Again

Chris Paul is about to become a member of the Los Angeles Clippers, according to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times.

Representatives from the Clippers and New Orleans Hornets were burning the midnight oil and moved a potential trade between the two teams into the latter stages as they negotiated early into the morning.

The potential deal allegedly involves Chris Kaman, Eric Bledsoe, Al-Farouq Aminu and the Timberwolves' unprotected 2012 No. 1 Draft pick in exchange for Paul.

An interesting note here is that this deal does not involve Eric Gordon, the emerging superstar shooting guard that was supposedly going to make or break a deal for CP3.

It seems the offer of other young talent and a great pick in a stacked draft class has swayed Hornets GM Dell Demps to drop that demand.

Even without Gordon going to New Orleans, this would be a phenomenal trade for both sides—if the league office chooses to accept it.

Paul was supposed to be heading to Los Angeles at the end of last week, but commissioner David Stern nixed a three-way trade between the Lakers, Hornets and Houston Rockets at the last minute for “basketball reasons.”

This allowed for the Clips to get back in contention for the point guard, and it looks like they are about to pull off a coup by landing him.

However, will they be able to convince him to stay more than a year?

Paul has not told the team he would sign an extension to his contract that will be up, if he chooses to decline his option, at the end of this season.

Owner Donald Sterling and the rest of the Clippers front office are hoping that playing with Blake Griffin and Gordon, two of the best young stars in the league, will convince him to stay.

It’s a bold gamble and a high-risk maneuver, but one that would make the Clips contenders both this season and into the future—if CP3 sticks around.