League nixes trade of Hornets' Paul to Lakers

The NBA, owners of the New Orleans Hornets, refused Thursday to approve a three-team trade that would have sent Hornets All-Star guard Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers.

"It's not true that the owners killed the deal, the deal was never discussed at the Board of Governors meeting and the league office declined to make the trade for basketball reasons," league spokesman Mike Bass said.

Yahoo Sports reported that NBA Commissioner David Stern killed the trade after several owners complained. Citing anonymous sources, Yahoo reported Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was one of the most vocal owners upset about the deal, done the same day as the end of the lockout, which was supposed to restore competitive balance in the league.

Owners and players ratified a new collective bargaining agreement Thursday, the final step to ending the five-month lockout and paving the way for training camps and free agency to open today.

Battier to Heat: Shane Battier said that he would sign with the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat, the club that let him know as soon as the free-agency shopping window formally opened this week that he was their top signing priority.

Butler signing with Clippers: A person familiar with the situation said free agent Caron Butler is leaving the Dallas Mavericks to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement has not been announced. TNT's David Aldridge reported it's a three-year, $24 million deal.

Oden staying in Portland: Center Greg Oden, Portland's often-injured former No. 1 draft pick, will sign the Trail Blazers' $8.9 million qualifying offer today, Oden's agent said.

Agent Bill Duffy confirmed that Oden would sign the one-year deal when the team opens training camp.