Report: NBA Blocks Chris Paul's Trade To The Lakers
BOSTON (CBS) - The deal that would have sent Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers is now dead.
Yahoo! Sports reports that NBA Commissioner David Stern called the deal off. The Hornets are owned by the NBA, and reportedly, other owners hammered Stern, saying the league shouldn't prop up the Lakers.
Earlier, ESPN's Mark Stein reported the Hornets would send the All-Star point guard to the Lakers for center Pau Gasol and forward Lamar Odom.
Gasol would have gone to Houston for a trio of Rockets including guard Kevin Martin and center Luis Scola. Drafts picks are also involved in the deal, according to Stein.
Paul averaged 15.8 points and 9.8 assists in 2011, and can opt out of his current deal after the upcoming season.
The Celtics were one of the teams rumored to be talking with New Orleans, offering point guard Rajon Rondo, forward Jeff Green and two first round picks for Paul.
The 26-year-old Paul has averaged 18.7 points and 9.9 assists a game in his NBA six seasons.
