Chris Broussard, ESPN reporter covering the NBA, is reporting that the New Orleans Hornets are asking for Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, Eric Bledsoe, Al-Farouq Aminu and two first round picks in exchange for Chris Paul. Reportedly, the Clippers are willing to add Gordon if Chris Paul would commit to opting in to the final year of his deal, ensuring the Clippers would have him for the next two years. With the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers ruled out as likely target, Chris Paul has focused his efforts on the Clipps.
Eric Gordon finished last year as the Clippers' second leading scorer with 22.3 points per game. He also averaged 2.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. Gordon scored 30 or more points on eight different occasions. He also had a streak of twelve games with 20 or more points.
Eric Bledsoe and Al-Farouq Aminu are both first round draft picks from 2010. Chris Kaman was a first round pick in 2003. While these are all names less familiar to public discourse, the Clippers would be trading away a much more significant chunk of their team than the Lakers were offering, for the return of one player.
Nothing is certain yet, and there is still the possibility that the player's union will file suit against the league on Monday. Still, it's an interesting development in what has been the offseason's biggest story.