Gilbert Arenas Rebuilds a Trade to Save the Los Angeles Lakers Season
The Ban on the CP3-to-Lakers Trade: A History
In 2011, the NBA trade that would have brought Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers was abruptly canceled, leaving many fans wondering why. Gilbert Arenas, a former NBA player who was closely involved in the negotiations, recently shed light on the situation.
Arenas's Perspective
On his "No Chill" podcast, Arenas revealed that the trade was initially agreed upon by the Lakers, the New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans), and Paul himself. However, it was later nixed by then-NBA Commissioner David Stern, who was concerned about the competitive balance in the league.
According to Arenas, Stern felt that Paul's presence on the Lakers alongside Kobe Bryant would have created a "superteam" that would be too dominant. He also believed that such a move would have unfairly benefited the Lakers at the expense of other smaller market teams.
The Impact of the Ban
The ban on the Paul-to-Lakers trade had a significant impact on the Lakers' season. Without Paul, the team struggled to find consistent success and missed the playoffs. This led to the eventual departure of Bryant, who had been the face of the franchise for over a decade.
In contrast, the Hornets flourished with Paul at the helm. They made it to the playoffs in each of the following three seasons and even reached the Western Conference Finals in 2018.
Conclusion
Gilbert Arenas's revelation about the banned CP3-to-Lakers trade offers a unique insight into the behind-the-scenes decision-making of the NBA. While the trade may have had the potential to make the Lakers a powerhouse, it ultimately raised concerns about competitive balance that led to its cancellation.
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