“LeBron (James) vs Kobe (Bryant) NBA Finals”: With Uncertain Future in the League, Fans Revisit 38 YO’s Rescinded Lakers Move a Decade Ago

Trades are rampant in the off-season phase and teams look to fill the holes or maneuver through their economics. Sometimes trades occur mutually between players and teams, and sometimes they’re a surprise! There have been many franchise-making and franchise-breaking trades throughout the league. As fans get into heated discussions and speculations about these moves, they reminisce about the past ones too. 

And when we have a scenario involving both LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, looking back becomes both nostalgic and imaginative. There was a trade that almost happened and had it occurred, who knows how the current league would have been affected?

LeBron James vs Kobe Bryant Finals is the stuff of dreams

Chris Paul’s trade to the Wizards for Bradley Beal has set the tone for a mouth-watering offseason. But long ago, there was an even bigger CP3 trade agreement opening floodgates. In 2011, the Lakers and Hornets agreed on a huge trade that would’ve sent Chris Paul to the Lakers for Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol. However, David Stern and NBA owners came in sync to strike down the deal, citing that it is against the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). 

Kobe Bryant was still in his prime during that period and CP-3 was one of the best playmakers, a league leader in steals, and a much better scorer than he is now. With both the guards in their prime, a title run wasn’t out of the question. However, commissioner Stern thought it would create an imbalance in the CBA. This time coincides with the window when LeBron James was in the second year of his Heat campaign and made it to the 2012 Finals. That year, he led his team to a 4-1 win against the young Thunder.

Would a fledgling Thunder have capitulated against Bryant and Paul? It is likely, and that’d have set up a high-voltage James-Bryant clash. This could’ve been one of the, if not the, biggest prime-time occurrence in NBA history. However, Paul and Bryant’s union never happened. This is in contrast to the CBA these days, allowing super teams via trades. The recent example of Kevin Durant joining Devin Booker in the Suns is amidst many such examples.

You can also read: 13 Years After Being Restrained to Join Forces With Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul Eyeing LeBron James’ Lakers as His Next Destination

Fans get excited fantasizing about the match-up

Without a surprise, NBA fans fantasized about such a power-packed Finals scenario. Watching LeBron and Kobe on the biggest stage has an allure like nothing else. 

A commenter pointed out, “We would’ve gotten our LeBron vs Kobe NBA finals in 2012!”

A fan pointed out that had it happened, Paul would have gotten a title. “Wouldn’t be ringless”

The trade could have added one more to Bryant’s already stacked trophy case. As a user wrote, “Kobe definitely would’ve got 6”

A user thought this was unfair on the Lakers Great, stating, “Yep!!! The NBA did him dirty.” Another one faulted the-then commissioner for Mamba not having another ring,” Kobe would’ve had 6 lol David Stern was not gonna allow it”

Who wouldn’t want to watch two of the best fighting it out on the grand stage? If the current CBA applied back then, we would look at a much-different league right now.

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