Chris Paul Can Finally Avenge David Stern’s Controversial Decision 13 Years Later

While the Warriors had high hopes when they acquired Chris Paul last summer, their experiment turned out to be a huge failure as the team couldn’t even make it to the postseason. And with CP3 turning 39 a few days ago and at the tail end of his career, there is a high chance they could part ways with him this off-season to make room for young talent. Amid the trade rumors, there have been speculations about CP3 taking his talents to LA and accomplishing what he couldn’t in 2011, because of a spontaneous decision by ex-NBA Commissioner David Stern.

As CP3’s future in the Bay Area remains uncertain, Bleacher Report’s veteran writer Eric Pincus claimed that Paul going to the Lakers and joining forces with his old pal LeBron James and star Anthony Davis is a “real possibility”.

Although in the final stretch of his career, if Chris Paul makes this move, it will finally avenge the decision that David Stern made thirteen years ago. When Paul was still a young buck wearing a Hornets uniform, the Lakers reportedly struck a three-way deal with the then-New Orleans Hornets and the Houston Rockets to acquire the point guard. That move could have changed the landscape of the league as an upcoming CP3 would have joined forces with 5-time Champion Kobe Bryant.

However, the trade only lasted a couple of hours because David Stern vetoed the deal soon after it took place. In an unusual situation, Stern at that time was the acting owner of the Hornets franchise. And while trade talks do happen behind closed doors without the Commissioner knowing, Stern had to take action because at the time league was in a lockout and technically no trades could take place. Following massive outrage from other front offices, Stern, as an acting owner had no option but to deny the trade as revealed by Adam Silver years later. Many believed that Stern didn’t want to shift the power dynamic in the league by letting Kobe and Paul team up in LA.

Will the Chris Paul to LA move work now?

Yes, Chris Paul finally wearing a Lakers uniform will somehow give the veteran point guard closure about Stern’s decision. However, that move might not necessarily work out in his or the Lakers’ favor. We all know how things turned out when CP3 joined an already aging Warriors roster this season. Averaging only 9.2 points while dishing out nearly seven assists, Paul put up the worst numbers of his career in Golden State. Of course, a lot of it had to do with him coming off the bench, but it didn’t help that he could only play 58 games because of injury.

On the other hand, the Lakers do not have a great history of working with aging players. Just last season, they had to get rid of Russell Westbrook after the former MVP failed to fit into the roster and adjust as the third option in the team. Not only that, the Lakers lost several key assets from their 2020 Championship team to acquire Westbrook. And if they make a move for Chris Paul this summer, they again will have to give up some of their young assets.

However, there is a high possibility that acquiring Paul could turn out just as it did with Westbrook. Also, in a young man’s league, it will be hard to function with two superstars nearing the age of forty. So, would it really be a great move by either the Lakers or Chris Paul after all? What do you think?