Updated: According to ESPN and Yahoo, the NBA has vetoed this trade. Stay tuned….

In a three team deal, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Chris Paul from the New Orleans Hornets. In return, the Hornets recieved Lamar Odom from the Lakers and Kevin Martin, Luis Scola, and Goran Dragic from the Houston Rockets.  The Hornets will also get a 1st round draft pick from the Rockets. The Rockets got Pau Gasol in the deal.  Yahoo and ESPN reported that trade is almost complete.  In Paul, the Lakers receive an multiple All-Star, an Olympican, and one of the best point guards in the league.  Paul is in the last year of his contract, but will likely sign an extension with the Lakers, something he wouldn’t have done in New Orleans.  The Lakers gave up size as Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol were two big  bodies that helped the Lakers win NBA titles in 2009 and 2010.  However, after getting bounced by the Dallas Mavericks in last year playoffs, the Lakers felt the need to reshape the team.  The Hornets get Kevin Martin, who averaged 23.4 points last season and Luis Scola who averaged 18.3 points and 8.2 rebounds last year.  Goran Dragic has spent the majority of his career as a backup to Steve Nash in Phoenix.

Chris Paul