In the aftermath of the 2011 NBA lockout, the Los Angeles Lakers found themselves at a crossroads. Fresh off championship victories in 2009 and 2010, their 2011 campaign ended abruptly with a sweep by the Dallas Mavericks in the second round. Their roster, once formidable, was showing signs of age, and it was time for a rejuvenation.
Enter Chris Paul, then a 26-year-old phenom with the New Orleans Hornets. The Lakers orchestrated a trade to bring Paul to Los Angeles, envisioning a dynamic duo with Kobe Bryant.
However, the plan was thwarted when NBA commissioner David Stern, acting as the Hornets' owner, vetoed the trade. Instead, Paul landed with the Los Angeles Clippers, leaving Lakers fans to only imagine the potential of a Paul-Bryant backcourt.
Paul, who recently announced his retirement after a stellar 21-season career without a championship, reflected on this pivotal moment during an appearance on TheTylilShow. He recalled the excitement of the initial trade and the subsequent disappointment when the league rescinded the deal, citing concerns over competitive balance post-lockout.
The veto left a lasting impact on the Lakers. Lamar Odom, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year and part of the proposed trade, was deeply affected and soon traded to the Mavericks. The Lakers attempted to regroup by acquiring Steve Nash and Dwight Howard in 2012, but injuries derailed their superteam aspirations, culminating in a first-round playoff exit.
As for Paul, his journey included a Finals appearance with the Phoenix Suns in 2021. Despite taking a 2-0 lead in the series, the Suns fell to the Milwaukee Bucks, led by a dominant Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The "what ifs" of the vetoed trade linger, a tantalizing chapter in NBA history that could have reshaped the league's landscape.