It’s Official: Chris Paul to the LA Clippers

Posted by Brian Robb on Dec 14, 2011 2312441 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2011%2F12%2F14%2Fits-official-chris-paul-to-the-la-clippers%2FIt%27s+Official%3A+Chris+Paul+to+the+LA+Clippers2011-12-15+02%3A53%3A44Brian+Robbhttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D23124

Just in case you were holding your breath for the C’s to take one last run at the All-Star point guard, the NBA Dell Demps came to terms with the Los Angeles Clippers tonight to deal Chris Paul for an fairly impressive package. Here’s the full scoop from Marc Stein at ESPN.com:

The Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to a deal in principle with the league-owned New Orleans Hornets to acquire guard Chris Paul, according to sources close to the process.

The Clippers, sources said, will send guard Eric Gordon, center Chris Kaman, forward Al-Farouq Aminu and Minnesota’s unprotected 2012 first-round pick to the Hornets for Paul.

The Clippers will also receive two future second-round picks, according to sources.

“I didn’t know it was going to happen. I was told yesterday that it wasn’t going to be done,” Kaman said. “Everybody thought it was nixed, that it was dead. Then I guess something came back up today.

“I don’t know what to expect, I don’t know what to anticipate. I’m just going to try to move forward and play basketball like I’m capable of doing.”

The deal is expected to be approved by the league Wednesday night, sources said.

Gordon found the deal “disappointing.”

Awwww, sorry Eric! Maybe Danny will sign you next year with all his cap room. While this is probably the best place Paul could have gone for most C’s fans (much better than Lakers obviously), there’s still some bad news about this transaction. What’s that you ask?

There won’t be a showdown between Chris Paul and Rajon Rondo at the TD Garden this year. Boston faces off only once with Blake Griffin and company, and that contest is at the Staples Center on Monday March 12th. Just another reason to loathe the lockout.

For now, the Rajon Rondo rumor mill can be put to rest, (until the trade deadline). The bigger question is, did the Hornets get a better haul here than they would have in the LAL/HOU three-team deal? It’s certainly a subject for debate.