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The Los Angeles Clippers are close to acquiring All-Star point guard Chris Paul in a multi-player blockbuster trade with the New Orleans Hornets, according to a report in The Los Angeles Times.

There is rising sentiment within the New Orleans Hornets' organization to trade Chris Paul before the 2011-12 season even starts if he hasn't signed an extension with the team by then, according to sources close to the situation.

The long-awaited meeting between Carmelo Anthony and the Nets took place late Saturday afternoon at a Los Angeles-area restaurant, according to sources briefed on the discussion.

The Nets' attempts to acquire Carmelo Anthony are "further along" than any trade scenario that has been discussed since their near acquisition of Anthony in late September, sources close to the negotiations said.

A modified version of the ballyhooed free-agent summit that was initially suggested and then downplayed by Dwyane Wade has indeed taken place, ESPN.com has learned.