Sir Charles in Charge
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NBA: Chris Paul-To-Lakers Trade Veto Still A Mystery

By Zach Blochlinger

April 12, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) controls the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Jordan Farmar (4) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 12, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) controls the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Jordan Farmar (4) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 4, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) shoots over Indiana Pacers forward Thaddeus Young (21) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) shoots over Indiana Pacers forward Thaddeus Young (21) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Consider Anthony Davis

If the Lakers trade isn’t vetoed by David Stern, the Hornets probably would not have struggled as much as they have over this five years since. If that’s the case, they certainly would not landed the pick that they did in order to draft Kentucky’s Anthony Davis.

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The Hornets had a 13.7 percent chance (the fourth best) to land the top pick heading into the 2012 NBA Draft Lottery. With the starting roster they would have had from the original trade, I believe they would have AT LEAST been contenders to make the playoffs in 2011. I would guess that they would have made it.

If the Hornets were better that season, they likely would not have been in contention to nab Anthony Davis with the #1 overall pick that year. Davis would have likely ended up with Washington, Cleveland, Sacramento, or Charlotte, which in any case would completely shake up the NBA today.

Maybe I’m just looking too far into it. Maybe I’m not.

David Stern’s decision to veto this trade may not have over stepped his commissioner rights, but he altered the course of NBA history (negatively in my opinion) and the careers of not just those involved in the vetoed deal.

What makes this even worse is the fact that Paul was dealt to the Clippers, who playing in the same city and even the same stadium as the Lakers. Now I’m just repeating myself.

Look, I’m not even a Lakers fan. In fact, I’m a Celtics fan. I have no bias here, but I believe strongly that David Stern did the wrong thing here by vetoing the initial trade where Chris Paul ended up with the Lakers. Allowing him to go to the same city is another problem in it’s own right.

Must Read: Predicting Every NBA Team's Breakout Player For 2016-17

The explanation we got from the man who made the final decision to veto the trade?

Two words.

“Basketball reasons.”