The Los Angeles Clippers are close to a deal to acquire Chris Paul from the league-owned New Orleans Hornets, reports Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times. Talks progressed Sunday, and by the end of the way the Clippers were prepared to send Eric Bledsoe, Chris Kaman, Al-Farouq Aminu and the Minnesota Timberwolves' unprotected first-round pick in the stacked 2010 NBA Draft in exchange for CP3.

The Clippers acquired the Wolves' pick in a 2005 trade for Sam Cassell. Minnesota has won 32 games over the last two seasons combined, and is expected to be in the lottery once again.

The deal is notable in that it includes neither of the Clippers' two brightest young stars: Blake Griffin or Eric Gordon. Griffin is the reigning Rookie of the Year and an All-Star; Gordon is a 20-point scorer with a deadly stroke and surprising athleticism.

The NBA blocked a deal reached last Thursday that would have sent CP3 to the L.A. Lakers for Lamar Odom and three players from the Houston Rockets (Kevin Martin, Luis Scola and Goran Dragic). Pau Gasol would have gone to Houston in that scenario.

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