Finally, it sounds like Chris Paul is about to be on the move.
ESPN's Marc Stein is reporting that the NBA is expected to approve the latest trade proposal between the Los Angeles Clippers and New Orleans Hornets for the All-Star point guard. Paul is expected to be heading to the Clippers in exchange for an extensive package of players and draft picks.
The Hornets will reportedly send Paul and a pair of second-round picks to Los Angeles in exchange for guard Eric Gordon, small forward Al-Farouq Aminu, center Chris Kaman and Minnesota's 2012 unprotected first-round pick.
Perhaps most importantly, Stein reports that as part of the deal, Paul will opt in for his 2012-13 player option. That option, worth just under $18 million, ensures that the Clippers will have Paul for at least two seasons.
The two teams had come to an agreement earlier in the week, but an original proposal had been turned down by the league-owned Hornets. When New Orleans tried to obtain Eric Bledsoe as part of the deal as well, the Clippers balked and called off the talks for the time being.
Interestingly, the Clippers also claimed guard Chauncey Billups after the veteran was placed on amnesty waivers by the Knicks over the weekend.
Paul was also reportedly part of a deal that would have sent him to the Lakers last week, but that deal, a three-team deal also involving the Houston Rockets, was also shut down.
