The Los Angeles Lakers, recognized as one of the NBA’s most accomplished franchises, boasts an impressive record tied with the Boston Celtics for the most NBA championships. Over the years, the team has housed basketball legends like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, and Shaquille O’Neal, among others. The Lakers’ rich history and the opportunity to play alongside exceptional players have made them an enticing destination for many basketball athletes.

Among them was a particular player who aspired to join the Lakers and share the court with the iconic Kobe Bryant. Initially, the trade appeared to be progressing favorably for this 38-year-old legend. However, despite the promising circumstances, the deal ultimately fell through and was not finalized. Which NBA player are we talking about?

An NBA legend reveals his frustration with the infamous trade

Known for his extraordinary basketball intelligence and impressive streetball skills, Chris Paul has left countless opponents stumbling with his quick moves on the court. Renowned for his exceptional playmaking abilities, he is a player who garners respect. He also has admiration from his teammates and peers alike, including the legendary Kobe Bryant.

The New Orleans Hornets selected Paul in the 2005 NBA Draft. Over the course of his six-year tenure with the franchise, he established himself as one of the premier players in the league. In 2011, the teams were negotiating a trade that would have sent him to the Lakers. However, the trade ultimately did not materialize. In a recent installment of The Pivot Podcast, Paul openly expressed his disappointment and frustration regarding the failed trade.

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Paul explained, “Lot of the people don’t know the biggest frustration was. Because at this point, it was about money. Right, so had my trade gone through the Lakers, I would have kept my bird rights. Which meant that if I, the trade happened then I would have got a chance at some point when my contract was up to sign a longer deal, right, because I was being traded.” By losing his bird rights, Paul faced a potential money loss.

He further added, “What they meant, If I play the rest of the season and I leave as a free agent, I would get one less year. So, at the time is like 20-million-dollar difference.” Why was the trade of Paul to the Lakers denied?

Why did the Chris Paul-Lakers trade not happen?

David Stern, the NBA commissioner at the time, ultimately blocked the trade between Chris Paul and the Los Angeles Lakers. The reason for blocking the trade was largely due to concerns about the competitive balance of the league.

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Paul explained the reason “CBA has just finished, right. And so when the trade went through, what happened was a few of the owners was mad. They said, no this trade cant go through. Because we just had this whole CBA talking about player movement, one of the biggest issues, and why I was mad. And there was a tweet, I sent out right after the trade got next, I said wow.”

How many rings do you think Paul would have won with Kobe if the trade was made? Let us know your answers in the comments.