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| Los Angeles Clippers |
The New Orleans Hornets, NBA ownership, closed Wednesday departure of Paul to the Clippers in a deal with several bands.
A change of basis, the Hornets will receive the scorer Eric Gordon, the veteran center Chris Kaman, forward Al-Farouq Aminu and a first round pick in 2012.
"Today is a great day for New Orleans Hornets," said team leader, Dell Demps. "It's bittersweet because we say goodbye to Chris Paul," said the star of the team, at the end of next season could have gone without compensation as a free agent.
"We will miss him, but on the other hand, the future is bright. We're bringing young players, "said Demps.
After rejecting a pass from Paul to the Lakers last week, the NBA commissioner, David Stern, did accept this operation.
"It's a very good deal," said Stern. "It is better for the Hornets and their future in New Orleans who did not approve the operation a few days ago."
Stern last week vetoed the operation that would have sent Paul to the Lakers in a multiple agreement that was included in the Houston Rockets, who had passed the Spanish pivot the Lakers Pau Gasol.
The Los Angeles team finally dismissed the signing on Saturday saying that the claims of Paul the Hornets were very high.
Then emerged the Clippers, who also initially complained of what he asked New Orleans, I wanted to Eric Gordon.
After the signing of Chauncey Billups base, it appeared the Clippers dismissing the signing of Paul.
But finally agreed to put Gordon in the transaction and closed the deal.
"At the end of the day was too much for a player the caliber of Paul," Stern said the cost paid by Clippers.
Paul will join the Clippers the next two years with the pop star and "rookie" of the year Blake Griffin to form one of the most feared duos.
The Clippers agreed only four times in the playoffs since moving to Los Angeles in 1984, but are willing to stand up in the Californian city of Kobe Bryant's Lakers.
"The Lakers thought they were going to get Chris Paul and now the Clippers are ready to take control of the city," said Steve Kerr, TNT analyst at NBA TV.
"Together with Griffin will be a show. It will be very fun, "ventured Kerr.
Paul has averaged 18.7 points, 9.9 assists and 2.4 steals in 425 games in the NBA, but in New Orleans are satisfied with their new acquisitions, especially with the scorer Gordon, who averaged 22.3 points and 4 , 4 assists last season.
A Gordon, however, not satisfied with both the change. "It is difficult to digest, but I'ma basketball player," he said.
