Paul trade clipped again

The NBA-owned New Orleans Hornets and the Los Angeles Clippers could not complete their proposed trade for Chris Paul because the Clippers decided the asking price for the All-Star guard is too high, ESPN.com reports today. On Thursday, NBA Commissioner David Stern vetoed a three-team trade agreement struck by the Hornets, Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets to send Paul to the Lakers. At the NBA’s direction, New Orleans insisted upon the inclusion of shooting guard Eric Gordon and Minnesota’s unprotected 2012 first-round draft choice in addition to former All-Star center Chris Kaman and prospects Al-Farouq Aminu and Eric Bledsoe. The Clippers found the demands “too steep,” a source tells ESPN.com, even after Paul told the Clippers that he would invoke the 2012-13 option in his contract as part of the trade, ensuring that Los Angeles would have him next to Blake Griffin for at least two seasons. It is not known whether the Hornets and Clippers plan to continue discussions or if the Clippers, like the Lakers before them, are so frustrated that they’re prepared to walk away.