Clippers

High-Flying Blake Griffin with lobs coming from CP3!
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The Los Angeles Clippers have acquired guard Chris Paul in a trade with the league-owned New Orleans Hornets. The Clippers 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.

By trading for Chris Paul, the Los Angeles Clippers have changed the perception of the franchise. They're no longer the Clippers, writes ESPN.com's J.A. Adande.

Which side won the Chris Paul trade? Did the Hornets get enough from the Clippers? The 5-on-5 panel takes a closer look.The Clippers' deal for Chris Paul never would have happened if not for their prized superstar, Blake Griffin, writes ESPNLosAngeles.com's Ramona Shelburne.

Paul tweeted a goodbye to New Orleans.

"THANK YOU NEW ORLEANS for 6 of the BEST years of my life," an entry on his Twitter account read. "To the organization, my teammates, coaches, and the fans you will always be my family and have a special place in my heart!!!"

The deal required the approval of NBA commissioner David Stern. The move puts an end to a tortured week in which the Hornets' season sat in limbo while the NBA took a public relations beating over everything from potential conflicts of interest, to stunting the Hornets' pursuit of free agents, to disrespecting the New Orleans fan base.

"I knew we were doing the best thing for New Orleans and that was my job," Stern said. "You have to stick with what you think was right. I must confess it wasn't a lot of fun, but I don't get paid to have fun."