Essay On Chris Paul Vetoed Trade

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Historical Implications of the Chris Paul Vetoed Trade


In December 2011, the National Basketball Association would experience a shift in power that would have lasting implications. The Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, and the NBA then owned New Orleans Hornets would agree in principle to a three-team trade that would send future Hall of Famer, Chris Paul to the Lakers for other valuable assets. Former NBA Commissioner, David Stern, nixed the trade citing “Basketball Reasons” has his explanation. The vetoed trade would go down in the history of the league has one of the most controversial deals of all time. The stymied trade has produced many “what ifs” among NBA fans and writers. The vetoing of the three-team deal should have not occurred …show more content…

Many believe that Stern may have acted in a conflict of interest in overstepping this boundary. NBA Insider, Ken Berger of CBS Sports, explains that “the reverberations for the four franchises directly involved and several others that were on the periphery are still echoing more than two years later” (Berger). A week after Commissioner Stern vetoed the deal, he would accept a less lucrative deal with the Los Angeles Clippers on behalf of the Clippers (Berger). Tony Manfred of Business Insider, reported that Commissioner Stern was greatly influenced to veto the trade by other owners who thought the initial would unfairly shift the leagues competitive balance. The initial trade included NBA All-Stars Goran Dragic, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom and a potential 1st round draft pick. As opposed to the deal Commissioner Stern accepted on the New Orleans Hornets behalf, which included no future All-Stars at all (Manfred). As a result of the Chris Paul trade not being approved, the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Hornets would fail to have successful seasons afterwards. With the acquisition of Chris Paul the Lakers would have been a much more attractive spot for potential free agents, exclaims Arash Markazi of ESPN Los Angeles. The supposed beneficiary in the whole deal, the New Orleans Hornets, have yet to make the playoffs since the controversial trade and only one player received in the deal still remains on the current roster

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