Los Angeles Clippers Trade Rumors

Source: Mike Malone on Paul's Short List
May 27
Hoopsworld.com
 
"It remains unclear what decisions the Los Angeles Clippers will make regarding the coming season for Coach Vinny Del Negro. The team has an option on the final year of his contract but have yet to publicly clarify their intentions. Part of the decision will likely be based on the feelings of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. The Clippers would like nothing more than to ink to both stars to long-term deals. Griffin is believed to be a lock to extend beyond his rookie contract. To date, Paul has been vocally supportive of the franchise and its future. According to a source, Chris Paul has Golden State Warriors Assistant Coach Mike Malone on his short-list of preferred Del Negro replacements."
Chris Paul tells Clippers boss: This isn't going to happen again
May 22
Los Angeles Times
 
"Clippers guard Chris Paul remained so tormented by his team's four losses to the San Antonio Spurs that he felt the urge to immediately call General Manager Neil Olshey, even if it was around midnight. Olshey said Monday morning that his star point guard called him shortly after the Clippers' 102-99 Game 4 playoff loss Sunday to make sure he knew that "this isn't going to happen again." "I talked to him, thanked him for the opportunity, and told him that I hated how it ended," Paul said at the Clippers' practice facility. "I didn't think we should have been swept. I told him, 'I'll get better.'""
Clippers confident Blake Griffin, Chris Paul will stay in LA
May 21
ESPN.com
 
"No sooner had the Los Angeles Clippers finished one of their most successful seasons Sunday night with a heartbreaking 102-99 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the second round of the playoffs did the attention in Lob City turn to the future. Namely, how long Blake Griffin and Chris Paul will be a part of it. Griffin is eligible to sign an extension with the organization this summer or he could become a restricted free agent after next season, Paul's is under contract only for one more year. The Clippers say they are confident they'll be able to retain both players for a long time. "I feel those things are going to get done," Clippers president Andy Roeser told ESPNLosAngeles.com. "The"
Injured Chris Paul, Blake Griffin remain Clippers' wild cards
May 17
Los Angeles Times
 
"There was an interesting tweet from Magic Johnson on Wednesday, the Hall of Fame guard saying what so many in Clippers Nation want to believe and what the Clippers themselves firmly contend. "The Clippers can win this series, but they are going to need both @blakegriffin & @CP3 to play not good, but great." And therein lies the problem for the Clippers in the Western Conference semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs. It is impossible to know whether Blake Griffin and Chris Paul can deliver, as they have all season, because of their injuries."
Clippers' Blake Griffin limited by sprained knee
May 14
Los Angeles Times
 
"He tried. As best he could, Blake Griffin tried to give the Clippers what he had, what he could summon in Game 7 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday afternoon. But Griffin's knee wouldn't cooperate the way he wanted it to, his sprained left knee refusing to hold up all game. So Griffin gave the Clippers 28 minutes 17 seconds and eight points, four rebounds and two blocked shots. "There just were movements I couldn't do and I wanted to do," Griffin said. "And I don't want to ever put my teammates in a situation where I feel like I'm hurting them, where physically I can't do what I need to do.""
Griffin OK after MRI; Paul says he's playing
May 11
Memphis Commercial Appeal
 
"Clippers stars Blake Griffin and Chris Paul are expected to play in Game 6 tonight against the Grizzlies, although both will be game-time decisions. Griffin had an MRI exam on his sprained left knee Thursday, when the Clippers didn't practice. The team said the test confirmed there was no structural damage. He was hurt in the third quarter of Wednesday night's 92-80 Griz win at FedExForum, but he returned to play. Paul strained his right hip flexor in the fourth quarter but returned, too. He also has a jammed middle finger, but he says he plans to play tonight."
Caron Butler hopes for early return to action despite broken hand
May 3
Los Angeles Times
 
"Perhaps it's wishful thinking on the part of Clippers small forward Caron Butler, but he said, "If there's a will, there's a way," regarding the possibility of his playing before the first-round series with Memphis is over. Butler will see a hand specialist Thursday in Los Angeles after the Clippers return home to determine how bad his fractured left hand is. The diagnosis said Butler would be out four to six weeks with the injury, meaning the earliest he could return would be the end of May."
Nick Young likely to start at Memphis in place of Caron Butler
May 2
Los Angeles Times
 
"A three-lane street here separates the hotel where the Clippers are staying and the FedEx Forum where they're playing. Nick Young has made that short trek earlier than some of his teammates in the last two days. He's trying to get ready. The Clippers guard is expected to start in place of injured starting small forward Caron Butler when his team plays Game 2 of its Western Conference first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. The Clippers lead the series, 1-0. Starting would be a different role for Young, who started just three games for the Clippers after coming to the team in a trade March 15. But he's has been effective off the bench for much of the regular"
Clippers' Caron Butler fractures hand
April 30
Los Angeles Times
 
"It has been a trying season for Caron Butler, made even worse when he suffered a fractured left hand in Game 1 of the Clippers' unreal 99-98 come-from-behind victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in a first-round Western Conference playoff game Sunday night. The Clippers said Butler will be out four to six weeks because of the injury. Butler said he was injured in the third quarter when his hand got caught in the jersey of Memphis' Rudy Gay. Butler had his hand wrapped up after the game. "It popped back a little bit," Butler said. "I continued to play, but when I got subbed out, I felt it throbbing a little bit so went in and got an X-ray and noticed I got a fracture.""
Clippers' Chris Paul won't let hurt elbow keep him out of Dallas game
April 2
Los Angeles Times
 
"Chris Paul, aware of the significance of the Clippers' game against the Mavericks in Dallas on Monday night, said he won't let his bruised right elbow keep him from playing. The Clippers are currently the fourth-seeded team in the Western Conference, 1 1/2 games ahead of the fifth-seeded Mavericks. It is the third and final meeting between the two teams, which have split the first two games. If the Clippers and Mavericks finish the regular season with identical records, the winner of this game will have the first tiebreaker. That could be the difference between hosting a first-round playoff series or starting on the road."
Randy Foye not worried about the future
April 1
Los Angeles Times
 
"He could let the pressure of an uncertain future control his emotions, but Randy Foye won't succumb to those forces. Instead, the Clippers shooting guard said he will play the game he loves as he always has — with passion, joy and all out — and let everything work itself out. This is the final year of a contract that pays him $4.250 million. One would think Foye would be worried about how he performs during a contract year. "Naw, I try not to. Not at all," Foye said. "My whole thing is just playing ball. I'm just playing ball and letting everything happen." This is Foye's sixth season in the NBA, his second with the Clippers. He likes the direction the Clippers are headed with All-Stars"
Wizards agree to three-team trade, sending JaVale McGee to Nuggets for Nene, Nick Young to Clippers
March 15
Washington Post
 
"The Washington Wizards have reached agreement on a three-team deal that would send JaVale McGee and Ronny Turiaf to the Denver Nuggets and Nick Young to the Los Angeles Clippers, according to several people with knowledge of the trade. The Wizards would get Brazilian-born center Nene, Brian Cook and a second-round draft pick."
Jazz reportedly discussing Raja Bell trade with Los Angeles Clippers
March 14
Salt Lake Tribune
 
"The Jazz are discussing trading guard Raja Bell to the Los Angeles Clippers, HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy reported Tuesday. The Salt Lake Tribune reported earlier Tuesday that Utah is open to dealing Bell before the Thursday trade deadline. A source told The Tribune that Bell's on the market and the Jazz aren't reluctant to move him. Bell was recently sent home early from a five-game road trip after a heated confrontation with Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin. He returned to Utah's starting lineup Monday, during a home win against Detroit."
Clippers, Blazers discuss Crawford for Bledsoe swap
March 12
CBSSports.com
 
"The Trail Blazers and Clippers are discussing a deal that would send Jamal Crawford to the Clippers for Eric Bledsoe and Ryan Gomes, league sources told CBSSports.com. The talks have not advanced to the ownership level, but the two teams have exchanged proposals and were mulling over this idea on Monday. It's not clear whether the deal would be a precursor to a second trade for Portland involving disgruntled point guard Raymond Felton. Rival executives believe the Blazers are interested in exploring a swap of Felton to the Lakers for Steve Blake, with L.A. sending another piece to make the salaries match and compensate the Blazers for getting the better player and future cost savings in"
Clippers still looking for the right move
March 12
ESPN.com
 
"While the Clippers have inquired about the availability of several "available" shooting guards after the season-ending injury to Chauncey Billups, they are reluctant to pay too steep a price unless they can find a deal that moves them closer to contending for a title this year and in the future, general manager Neil Olshey told ESPNLosAngeles.com. "We're willing to do anything we can to move needle this year," Olshey said. "But unless it's piece for the future that also gives us to win a championship this year, we're not going to give up our longterm flexibility and assets to do that." The price for the top shooting guards being mentioned in trade talks this spring -- Boston's Ray Allen,"
Sources: Clippers eye Bobby Simmons
February 26
ESPN.com
 
"A second stint with the Los Angeles Clippers awaits for 2004-05 NBA Most Improved Player award winner Bobby Simmons. The Clippers are planning to sign Simmons out of the D-League to a 10-day contract after the All-Star break, according to sources close to the situation. Simmons, 31, is averaging 13.5 points and 7.6 rebounds for the D-League's Reno Bighorns. He last played in the NBA during the 2010-11 season, appearing in just two games with San Antonio."
Clippers' Vinny Del Negro, free agent J.R. Smith in contact
February 16
Los Angeles Times
 
"So, has Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro chatted with much-desired free-agent forward-guard J.R. Smith lately? "Yes," a smiling Del Negro said before Wednesday's game against Washington. But Del Negro declined to say much else, adding only that "it was a very, very good conversation." Smith has finished up playing in the Chinese Basketball Assn. and tweeted recently that he's on his way back this week to the U.S., where several NBA teams, including the Clippers, are vying for his services."
Source: J.R. Smith weighing options
February 16
ESPN.com
 
"Free agent swingman J.R. Smith currently lists on his Twitter page the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers as teams he is considering. However, the Knicks and Clippers appear to be the frontrunners to sign him, according to the source with knowledge of the talks. Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said Wednesday that he has spoken to Smith recently and that the conversation went "very, very well." The Knicks remain the presumptive favorites to sign Smith because they can offer him a pro-rated share of their $2.5 million mini-midlevel exception and a player option for a second year. The Clippers, meanwhile, can offer him"
Chris Paul likes J.R. Smith for Clips
February 14
ESPN.com
 
"The New York Knicks are the presumptive favorites to sign free-agent swingman J.R. Smith when he returns from China later this week, but Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul likes his team's chances of convincing Smith to take less money to sign with it. "I think our chances are very high," Paul said Monday night after the Clippers' 96-92 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Smith recently announced via his Twitter feed that he expects to be back in the States by Wednesday. Although the Knicks can offer a prorated share of the $2.5 million mini-midlevel exception for the rest of the season, whereas L.A. can't pay more than the veteran minimum, Paul believes the presence of three of Smith's"
Source: Clippers after J.R. Smith
February 13
ESPN.com
 
"The Los Angeles Clippers are one of a handful of teams vying for free-agent guard J.R. Smith, who will be eligible to return to the NBA on Wednesday after his Chinese team's season concludes, according to a source with knowledge of the team's thinking. The Clippers were interested in Smith even before the season-ending injury to Chauncey Billups last week, believing they could use more offensive firepower off the bench. That was going to be a harder sell to Smith, who is looking for a larger role. Now, they can offer Smith the opportunity to start. Like Billups did with recently-signed Kenyon Martin, point guard Chris Paul has taken a lead role in recruiting Smith, according to the"
Chauncey Billups vows to return from injury
February 8
Yahoo! Sports
 
"After a basketball life of comebacks upon comebacks, Los Angeles Clippers guard Chauncey Billups is determined to make the greatest of his career: a full recovery from a torn Achilles tendon. "I will be back," Billups told Yahoo! Sports by phone. "I'm not done. I'm not retiring. I will definitely be back. This has been the story of my career, coming back, fighting, scrapping and I will play again." Billups suffered the tear on Monday night in Orlando, crumpling to the floor without warning. No collision. No contact. Just like that. He hadn't felt any tenderness in the Achilles prior to the injury, he said. An MRI taken in Cleveland on Tuesday confirmed the tear."
Clippers win but also suffer a big loss: Chauncey Billups
February 7
Los Angeles Times
 
"Clippers guard Chauncey Billups suffered a left Achilles' tendon injury Monday night, and there were concerns within the team it could be ruptured, which would end his season. "It felt like somebody kicked me, man," Billups said after the game as he made his way to the team bus with crutches under both arms and a walking boot on his foot. "I don't know if it's torn, but I know it's not good." There was a hush in the Clippers' locker room after their 107-102 overtime victory over the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Chris Paul fought back tears when asked what Billups has meant to the team. Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro kept shaking his head, repeatedly saying how bad he felt for Billups and"
Clippers set sights on signing J.R. Smith
February 5
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Clippers, still not done dealing after signing Kenyon Martin on Friday, will pursue guard J.R. Smith after the team he plays on in the Chinese Basketball Assn. finishes its season and he becomes eligible to play in the NBA, said a person not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. The Clippers aren't getting enough production off the bench behind small forward Caron Butler and feel as if Smith can provide the team with a big scoring punch at the position, the person said. Smith, a 6-6 wing player, averaged 12.5 points on 42.8% shooting, including 37.1% from three-point range, during his seven-year NBA career with New Orleans and Denver. He would be an unrestricted free agent that"
Clippers sign Kenyon Martin to one-year deal
February 4
Los Angeles Times
 
"The first call Kenyon Martin received came from former Denver Nuggets teammate Chauncey Billups, telling the 6-foot-9 power forward that the Clippers would be a nice fit. Then Clippers All-Star Chris Paul called Martin, reiterating that the Clippers would love to have his services. This all came around the same time Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro and vice president of basketball operations Neil Olshey had met with Martin to express the team's interest. Martin apparently was sold, because on Friday he signed a one-year, mini mid-level contract for $2.5 million to play for the Clippers. Del Negro said Martin will provide the Clippers with quality depth in the frontcourt off the bench to help"
Kenyon Martin cleared to return to NBA
February 2
Yahoo! Sports
 
"In a surprising turn of events, the governing body of international basketball – FIBA – has granted free agent Kenyon Martin his letter of clearance to immediately return to the NBA, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Martin has visited with several teams interested in signing him, including Atlanta on Thursday, and will huddle with agent Andy Miller in New York over the weekend to reach a decision. The Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat are leaders for Martin, but the Hawks, Lakers, New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs remain in pursuit of him. New York has faded from contention in recent weeks, sources said, because of more pressing guard needs."
Sources: Clippers are willing to offer Kenyon Martin mini mid-level exception of $2.5 million
February 2
Los Angeles Times
 
"Count the Clippers as one of the many teams still trying to get free-agent power forward Kenyon Martin, according to two people not authorized to speak publicly on the situation. Martin recently met with Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro and Neil Olshey, the team's vice president of basketball operations, to gauge his interest in playing for the team, both people said. The Clippers would be willing to offer Martin the mini mid-level exception of $2.5 million, though they haven't made him an offer yet, one person said."
Kenyon Martin deciding which contender to join
February 1
Yahoo! Sports
 
"Kenyon Martin is expected to decide by this weekend which NBA team he'll join, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. The Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks have expressed interest in signing the veteran forward. Martin signed with Xinjiang Gyang Hui of the Chinese Basketball Association, but has since returned to the United States. He's not eligible to sign with an NBA team until Xinjiang's season ends, which could be as soon as Feb. 16. "He's a veteran guy who knows how to win at a high level and in a playoff environment," one NBA general manager said. "He also plays multiple positions. If you get him to a situation"
Chauncey Billups has reached out to Kenyon Martin
January 29
Los Angeles Times
 
"Kenyon Martin to the Clippers? Chauncey Billups would like to see that happen. In fact, the Clippers' veteran guard said Saturday that he has reached out to the free-agent forward, a former teammate of his in Denver, about signing with the Clippers. What are Martin's thoughts about doing so? "I'll let him tell y'all that," Billups said with a smile. Asked about reports that the Clippers are one of a handful of teams that have contacted Martin, Coach Vinny Del Negro declined to go into specifics. "Kenyon is an experienced guy that knows how to play, can play some [power forward], play some [center]," Del Negro said. "He brings a lot of athleticism …" Del Negro neither confirmed nor denied"
Sources: 5 teams eye Kenyon Martin
January 28
ESPN.com
 
"The Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks are pursuing free-agent forward Kenyon Martin, according to league sources. Martin has spoken with executives from each of the clubs and is hoping to make his decision next week. The veteran of 11 NBA seasons will be eligible to sign and begin playing with a team as soon as the Xinjiang Guanghui Flying Tigers complete their season in the Chinese Basketball Association. Martin signed a $2.6 million deal with Xinjiang during the lockout, but left the team in late December in hopes of returning to the NBA. The CBA's rules, however, prohibit him from joining an NBA team until Xinjiang's season ends,"
Clippers are cautious with Chris Paul's injury
January 23
Los Angeles Times
 
"Chris Paul has been working out, doing a lot of drills, testing his strained left hamstring to see whether it is ready to cooperate. But Paul wasn't ready to play Sunday, sitting out his fifth consecutive game, this time against the Toronto Raptors. Coach Vinny Del Negro said Paul worked out Saturday at practice and that the All-Star guard "feels great." But Del Negro said the "smart, prudent thing to do" was to not rush Paul back."
Report: The Clippers are now on Dwight Howard's wish list
January 17
Los Angeles Times
 
"Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, a five-time NBA All-Star, reportedly has added another team to his very short list of franchises for which he would like to play. The Clippers. According to sheridanhoops.com, which cited an unnamed source, Howard is "intrigued" by the Clippers and has been watching "a lot" of their games."
Chris Paul's MRI exam on hamstring is negative, Clippers say
January 16
Los Angeles Times
 
"Chris Paul had an MRI exam Sunday on his strained left hamstring that was negative, the Clippers announced. The team also said that Paul will be listed as day to day, but that the 6-foot All-Star guard is questionable for Monday's game against the New Jersey Nets at Staples Center. Paul was injured late in the fourth quarter in the Clippers' victory over the Lakers on Saturday night at Staples Center. If Paul doesn't play, Chauncey Billups probably will start at point guard and Randy Foye will move from the bench into the starting shooting guard role."
Clippers said to be interested in 7-1 Joel Przybilla as backup
December 29
Los Angeles Times
 
"Consider the Clippers one of the many teams hoping to sign Joel Przybilla. The Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks also have expressed interested in the 7-foot-1, 245-pound free-agent center. Przybilla's agent, Bill Duffy, confirmed Wednesday that the Clippers have interest in his client. Przybilla played in just 38 games last season because of knee injuries. "He's feeling healthy," Duffy said. The Clippers just signed free-agent center Reggie Evans last week, but have two spots available because they have only 13 players on their roster. The Clippers feel Przybilla can give them another big body as a backup. They still have the "mini mid-level" exception of $2.5 million and a"
Clippers sign Reggie Evans, waive two players
December 22
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Clippers made if official Thursday afternoon, announcing that they had signed Reggie Evans to a one-year contract. Evans will earn the veteran's minimum of about $1.3 million. The 6-foot-8 Evans will be a backup and provide the Clippers with a physical and tough presence even though he's an undersized center-forward."
Lakers upset with Chris Paul's trade to Clippers
December 15
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Lakers were hit with a two-by-four of bad news Wednesday, Chris Paul heading to the Clippers and Dwight Howard heading nowhere. The Lakers were privately fuming Wednesday, according to a person with knowledge of their front office, when Paul, the New Orleans point guard, ended up in Los Angeles six days after the NBA vetoed the Lakers' trade for him. Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak declined to comment through a spokesman but earlier this week said the NBA's blockade was "completely unexpected." "We did the best we can to express our displeasure," Kupchak said Monday."
Clippers acquire Chris Paul, send Eric Gordon to New Orleans
December 15
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Clippers have agreed to acquire All-Star point guard Chris Paul from the New Orleans Hornets in a blockbuster deal that includes sending Eric Gordon to the Hornets, two people with knowledge of the situation who were not authorized to speak on the matter said Wednesday. The Clippers will send the Hornets Chris Kaman and his expiring $12.7-million expiring contract, second-year forward Al-Farouq Aminu and the unprotected No. 1 draft pick the Clippers got from the Minnesota Timberwolves, both people said. The Clippers will get Paul and two future second-round draft picks from the Hornets."
Source: CP3-To-Clips Hung Up In Standoff
December 14
NBA.com
 
"The New Orleans Hornets continue to ask for guard Eric Gordon and the unprotected first-round Draft pick originally from the Timberwolves as the central assets in a potential deal with the Clippers for Chris Paul, a league source told TNT's David Aldridge Wednesday morning. But the Clippers remain adamant that the Hornets cannot have both Gordon and the pick and must choose between the two. The standoff is the major impediment in a possible trade between the two teams. While the Hornets are having discussions with other teams about their four-time All-Star guard, including the Lakers, the Clippers' group of assets remains the most desirable and the one that New Orleans wants. The"
Clippers, not Lakers, have a clear plan
December 14
ESPN.com
 
"The call from New Orleans came late in the afternoon Sunday, just after Clippers general manager Neil Olshey had finished attending his wife's Christmas party. In the previous two weeks, he'd slept more than four hours in a night only a handful of times. Most days since the NBA reopened for business, calls from West Coast executives and agents were coming in until midnight. By 5 a.m., his phone was ringing again as the East Coast woke up and started its business. The four or five hours in between were reserved for sleeping, eating, showering and shaving. Oh yes, and thinking about everything that had gone on the past 20 hours. He was tired and sleep-deprived, but also exhilarated in a way."
Sources: Chris Paul talks continue
December 14
ESPN.com
 
"League officials representing the New Orleans Hornets and the Los Angeles Clippers continued discussions into Tuesday night on a trade that would put Chris Paul on the same team with Blake Griffin, according to sources briefed on the talks. But the sides have yet to find a framework that satisfies both, sources said, with the NBA not relenting on its desire to acquire 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 Clippers' thinking."
Source: Clips 'Move On' From CP3 Talks
December 13
NBA.com
 
"While the New Orleans Hornets hope to revive trade talks involving four-time All-Star Chris Paul with the Los Angeles Clippers, a league source tells TNT's David Aldridge that the Clippers have "moved on" and are not, at the moment, interested in restarting the discussions. Sources late Monday night indicated that the Hornets — whose negotiations for Paul are being handled by the NBA, which owns the team — believed there was still a chance that they could find common ground with the Clippers on a deal. But a source directly involved in the negotiations said early Tuesday morning that it was doubtful the Hornets would compromise enough for Los Angeles to be interested. "I don't know that"
Clips hesitant about package for Paul
December 13
Yahoo! Sports
 
"Despite expressed interest from the NBA in reviving talks, the Los Angeles Clippers are still reticent about completing a trade for Chris Paul that would cost them too many of their preferred assets, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. One source involved in the talks characterized the negotiations late Monday as "dead for now." The Clippers backed out of a possible deal with the New Orleans Hornets earlier Monday because they considered the demands of NBA officials – who are presiding over the Hornets' trade talks – too steep. Given permission by the Hornets to speak with Paul, Clippers officials had a recent phone conversation with the All-Star point guard in which he expressed excitement"
Sources: Officials push to renew Paul talks
December 13
ESPN.com
 
"There is renewed momentum to push through a trade that would send Chris Paul from the league-owned New Orleans Hornets to the Los Angeles Clippers, according to sources close to the process. After a seemingly imminent trade routing Paul to the Clippers collapsed earlier Monday, sources told ESPN.com that the league officials negotiating on the Hornets' behalf had aggressively re-engaged the Clippers in talks in hopes of completing a deal as soon as Tuesday. One source close to the process also told ESPN that league officials also definitely did not see talks with the Clippers as "over," since they rank as the Hornets' most natural trade partner given L.A.'s trade assets and how it ranks as"
Clippers back off Chris Paul trade, win rights to Chauncey Billups
December 13
Los Angeles Times
 
"The first big news the Clippers made Monday was when they pulled out of a proposed deal to acquire All-Star point guard Chris Paul from the New Orleans Hornets. Then in the afternoon the Clippers won the waiver auction to get veteran point guard Chauncey Billups, and re-signed center DeAndre Jordan by matching the Golden State Warriors' four-year, $43.2-million contract offer. "I don't know if there's anybody on the planet that doesn't think they would need Chris Paul if they had an opportunity to acquire him," said Neil Olshey, the Clippers' vice president of basketball operations, who, along with Coach Vinny Del Negro and team President Andy Roeser, had been working on all three deals"
Free-agent buzz: Clippers claim Billups
December 12
Yahoo! Sports
 
"The Los Angeles Clippers claimed Chauncey Billups off amnesty waivers, just hours after they backed out of trade talks with the NBA for New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Billups, 35, gives the young Clippers another veteran leader. The team also signed forward Caron Butler to a three-year, $24 million contract in free agency. The New York Knicks had used their amnesty clause on Billups to clear salary-cap room to acquire Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler. Under terms of the league's amnesty police, any team under the salary cap can put bid on Billups. The bid will offset part of the $14.2 million the Knicks owe Billups in the final year of his"
Sources: Clippers' deal for Chris Paul off
December 12
ESPN.com
 
"A seemingly imminent Chris Paul trade has collapsed for the second time in five days. Sources close to the situation told ESPN.com that the league-owned New Orleans Hornets and the Los Angeles Clippers could not complete their proposed Paul trade because the Clippers ultimately decided the NBA's asking price for the All-Star guard was too high. On Thursday, NBA commissioner David Stern vetoed a three-team trade agreement struck by the Hornets, Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets to send Paul to the Lakers. At the NBA's direction, sources said, New Orleans was insisting upon the inclusion of both shooting guard Eric Gordon and Minnesota's unprotected 2012 first-round draft choice in"
Hornets' trade of Paul to Clippers is off
December 12
Yahoo! Sports
 
"The Los Angeles Clippers rejected NBA commissioner David Stern's steep demands to complete a trade for New Orleans Hornets All-Star guard Chris Paul, and talks of a blockbuster deal perished on Monday afternoon, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Sources didn't preclude the talks from re-starting again, but the Clippers weren't willing to meet the the NBA and Hornets demands for Paul, sources said."
Source: Clippers seek Chris Paul deal
December 12
ESPN.com
 
"The New Orleans Hornets and Los Angeles Clippers submitted a multiplayer blockbuster deal to the NBA on Sunday that would send All-Star point guard Chris Paul to Los Angeles, a source with knowledge of the discussions said Monday. But the trade as submitted has one hitch: The league, which owns the Hornets, wanted Eric Bledsoe, while the Clippers want to keep their point guard, the source said. The deal would be done if the league hadn't asked for Bledsoe, according to the source. The trade as submitted would cost the Clippers guard Eric Gordon, center Chris Kaman and forward Al-Farouq Aminu. It would also include Minnesota's first-round draft pick in 2012."
Warriors' $43 million offer to DeAndre Jordan
December 12
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The Warriors threw another haymaker in free agency Sunday, and, once again, they were countered with a knockout punch. Well, make that a standing eight count. The Clippers are expected to match the four-year, $42.7 million offer sheet the Warriors signed with restricted free-agent center DeAndre Jordan, but Los Angeles has until Wednesday to make it official. That leaves the Warriors in three days of limbo, struggling to get off the mat while NBA movement buzzes around them. To make room for the Jordan offer, the Warriors amnestied Charlie Bell and his $4.1 million contract, rescinded their qualifying offer to Reggie Williams and have delayed the signings of rookies Klay Thompson and"
Clippers are close to deal for Chris Paul with Hornets
December 12
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Clippers and the New Orleans Hornets were working vigorously Sunday night to consummate a blockbuster deal that would send All-Star point guard Chris Paul to Los Angeles to play for the Lakers' cross-town rivals, said two people with knowledge of the situation who were not authorized to speak on the matter. The deal hasn't been completed, but both sides were in the closing stages of the negotiations. The Clippers would send the Hornets center Chris Kaman, backup second-year guard Eric Bledsoe, second-year forward Al-Farouq Aminu and the No. 1 draft pick they got from the Minnesota Timberwolves that is unprotected in the 2012 draft, considered to be one of the best in recent years."