One of the most intriguing ‘what-if’ pairings in NBA history has been Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul. While many times we just fantasize how it would be like for two elite players to play alongside each other, we almost got this pairing if David Stern didn’t feel the need to get involved.
The Lakers’ trade for Chris Paul was vetoed by the NBA 11 years ago today, as they were operating the New Orleans Hornets at the time, so they controlled trade decisions. The league was scared of the CP3 and Kobe backcourt, so Stern vetoed the trade and sent CP3 to cross-town rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers.
On the 11th-year anniversary of the vetoed trade, fans once again discussed what would have been if the Lakers traded Pau Gasol for CP3 in 2011 after their run of 2 championships ended.
11 years ago today, the Lakers' trade for CP3 was vetoed 😳
How many titles if it went through? pic.twitter.com/y8MMRiGAEc
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 8, 2022
https://twitter.com/_Talkin_NBA/status/1600990233394565120https://twitter.com/EvanBirchmore/status/1600995378710876161
stop acting like this is some wild conspiracy
the pels were owned by the league at the time (the other 29 owners collectively bought the team out of bankruptcy)
the teams owners didnt want to go thru w the trade because of the pending sale
— Betsey (@Betsycashmoney) December 9, 2022
Kept Kobe from having 6+ rings pic.twitter.com/C0duqKcqSf
— 𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕠 〰️ (@MANOMAGlC) December 8, 2022
Kobe if the trade wasn't vetoed pic.twitter.com/2WP4WfQFCD
— 🇸🇴🐍🗡️ (@aykeepitabuck) December 8, 2022
Pau was apart of the trade lol
— . (@andrewculverson) December 8, 2022
0. CP3 would have gotten injured every year during the playoffs
— Shawn 🏄🏻♂️ (@LakerSurfer) December 8, 2022
one of the biggest what if’s in nba history
— Ry 🥷🏾 (@thisnotryy) December 8, 2022
0, The Kim K curse was upon CP3
— Smoove Dinkleberg IV (@24kJSmoov3) December 8, 2022
Pau was getting traded to the Rockets though. Also Odom was going to the Pelicans.
— CHRIS_CREATES (@chriiis_creates) December 8, 2022
David Stern, @mcuban & Dan Gilbert ruined what would have been Lakers vs Miami Heat for years. Lakers: Kobe, CP3 & Prime Dwight vs Lebron, D Wade & Bosh. Thank you Stern, @mcuban & Gilbert for ruining this!!
— Andrew (@Agor711) December 9, 2022
There’s no guarantee on whether the Lakers could compete for a title if they made this trade given the way the league was swinging. However, this definitely would have made a Finals appearance more likely, given the absolute talent behind the backcourt.
Would The Lakers Be Competitive With Chris Paul?
The Lakers would have definitely been able to fight the rising powers in the West like the Oklahoma City Thunder better. They would definitely be better than the reigning champions, Dallas Mavericks, and have a longer window of contention. However, it is hard to say if that Lakers team would be able to topple peak Miami Heat LeBron after their 2011 loss.
Either way, CP3 would have given Kobe an avenue to contend till he retired, even if he still had his injury issues. Maybe we would have seen Kobe’s final game in the playoffs in 2016, with CP3 leading the team to the postseason. Should have, would have, could have, indeed.
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