Chris Paul-Lakers Mega Trade Nixed by David Stern

The lockout may be over, but apparently someone hasn't told David Stern that now is not a good time to start acting like a tyrant again. The mega trade that would have sent Chris Paul to the Lakers has been nixed by NBA commissioner David Stern a midst pressure from "several" small-market team owners saying the deal was unfair, citing a conflict of interest due to the Hornets currently being owned by the NBA. Apparently, until the NBA can find a new owner for the Hornets, the 29 owners of the NBA can approve or disapprove all trades or free-agent signings the Hornets make from now on.


The trade, if it had gone through, would have involved the following:

• Lakers Get:
• G Chris Paul
• Rockets Get:
• F/C Pau Gasol
• Hornets Get:
• F Lamar Odom
• F Luis Scola
• G Kevin Martin
• G Goran Dragic
• Rockets' 2012 1st Round Pick

I honestly don't understand what part of that trade is not fair. The Lakers get Chris Paul, probably the best point guard in the NBA, but they have to give away their starting power forward Pau Gasol as well as the reigning Sixth Man, Lamar Odom. The Hornets receive a shitload of talent as well as the Rockets' 1st round pick, and the Rockets get the replacement for Yao that they have been clamoring for. The trade was really a win for all 3 teams, but owners like Dan Gilbert (Cleveland Cavaliers) are so butthurt that their teams are undesirable that they will kill a trade that makes the overall league stronger.

Because of the trade falling through, Chris Paul is considering suing the NBA for preventing him him from being traded to the team of his choice. The Hornets management is also unhappy, since this refusal of trade only makes it more likely Chris Paul will leave the Hornets as an unrestricted free agent next year and join the Lakers anyway.

The trade rejection also makes it far easier for the Lakers to land Dwight Howard without having to give up as much as some would have originally thought, although word (from Chris Broussard) is that Howard has requested a trade to the New Jersey Nets, in a deal that would be centered around Brook Lopez.

Man, is it great to have the NBA back or what? Oh also, an NBA executive who will remain anonymous has said that this nixed trade is an insult to all 3 teams involved and all the players involved.