A possible trade sending Kevin Garnett from the Boston Celtics to the Los Angeles Clippers for Eric Bledsoe and DeAndre Jordan was "closer to happening than people think," according to an NBA source.

Garnett, who has a no-trade clause in his contract, repeatedly stated in the weeks leading up last Thursday's trade deadline that he wants to retire as a Celtic.

Chris Paul reportedly asked Garnett if he wanted to come to the Clippers and that he had the power to make it happen.

The Los Angeles Clippers and Washington Wizards had an agreement in principle on the eve of the deadline involving a trade of Caron Butler for Trevor Ariza, according to sources.

Donald Sterling rejected the trade a few hours before the deadline in fear of ruining the team's chemistry.

Butler continues to have a home in the Washington D.C. area, while Ariza would have given the Clippers a wing defender with length.

Chris Paul is widely expected to re-sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, so much so that a statement he made about remaining unsure hardly drew notice.

"No, I haven't decided what I am going to do next season, and no, I haven't told anyone what I'm going to do," Paul said.

Paul is widely believed to have final say on most personnel moves the Clippers make.

The Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and New York Knicks are scheduled to pay the luxury tax this season.

The Bulls have never previously paid the luxury tax and were unable to shed salary at the deadline.

The Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs are less than $1 million away from the tax threshold.

The Warriors traded away Jeremy Tyler and Charles Jenkins on Thursday to get under the tax. Golden State has never paid the luxury tax in franchise history.

The Lakers will have the largest luxury tax bill, as they currently are nearly $30 million over the threshold, while the Celtics are over by less than $1 million.

Chris Paul contacted Kevin Garnett prior to the trade deadline to gauge his interest in joining the Los Angeles Clippers.

According to a source, Paul called Garnett and said that he if was open to joining the Clippers, then Paul would make it happen.

Garnett declined to waive his no-trade clause to go to the Clippers.

The Celtics and Clippers reportedly discussed a deal that would have sent Garnett to Los Angeles for Eric Bledsoe and DeAndre Jordan.

The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers have reconvened on a trade involving Kevin Garnett.

The Celtics are seeking Eric Bledsoe and DeAndre Jordan for Garnett.

There is internal dissent within the Clippers on the wisdom of making such a short-term trade.

Garnett would also have to approve the deal.

The Los Angeles Clippers have ended trade talks with the Boston Celtics concerning a swap of Eric Bledsoe and DeAndre Jordan for Kevin Garnett, according to sources.

The talks will remain dormant unless Chris Paul pushes the idea with the Clippers' management.

Vinny Del Negro is a proponent of the deal, but the front office disagrees.

The Celtics haven't approached Garnett about waiving his no-trade clause, but there is a strong belief he would agree to the deal.

If the Celtics were able to trade Garnett for Bledsoe and Jordan, it would likely a trigger a deal involving Paul Pierce.

Chauncey Billups has warned the Los Angeles Clippers that Kevin Garnett isn't willing to waive his no-trade clause.

The Clippers have long been interested in acquiring Garnett.

Garnett has been fiercely loyal to the Celtics since his trade in 2007 and similarly was reluctant to leave a hopeless situation with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Chris Paul is planning on re-signing with the Los Angeles Clippers in the offseason on a maximum contract and has final say on every move the team makes.

"If Chris wants Vinny [Del Negro], he'll be the coach," one source tied to the Clippers and Paul said. "If Chris wants [Kevin Garnett], they'll push harder for it."

The Clippers have become the NBA's best destination for older players willing to take less money for a chance at a title because of Paul and the team's chemistry.

Paul hasn't fully committed to a new deal with the Clippers, not wanting to lose leverage in putting a genuine contender around him.

Chris Paul was named MVP of the 2013 All-Star Game, leading the Western Conference to a 143-138 win.

Paul had 20 points on 7-for-10 shooting, 15 assists and four steals.

Kevin Durant was also an MVP candidate as well, scoring 30 points on 13-for-24 shooting with six rebounds.

Carmelo Anthony paced the Eastern Conference with 26 points, while Dwyane Wade had 21 and LeBron James had 19.