Lamar Odom to the Dallas Mavericks and then we struck a deal to acquire Chris Paul. It was a great deal for us, but David Stern didn’t want to create another super team like Miami had done with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. At the time, the league was very sensitive to protecting the interest of small-market teams.”
Shaw went on to explain that the NBA owned the New Orleans Hornets at the time, and the league office was obligated to make decisions that were in the best interest of the franchise. The trade for Chris Paul would have sent Pau Gasol to the Houston Rockets and brought Chris Paul to the Lakers, pairing him with Kobe Bryant and forming a formidable duo.
However, in a move that shocked many in the basketball world, Commissioner David Stern vetoed the trade, prompting frustration and disappointment from the Lakers organization and their fans.
The failed Chris Paul trade marked a significant turning point for the Lakers, as they missed out on the opportunity to pair Paul with Bryant and potentially extend their championship window. Instead, the team went through a period of transition and rebuilding, ushering in a new era for the franchise.
Shaw’s revelations shed light on the inner workings of NBA trades and the influence of league officials in shaping the landscape of the league. While the Lakers ultimately found success with the acquisition of Pau Gasol and went on to win championships in 2009 and 2010, the near-misses with Kevin Garnett and Chris Paul serve as pivotal moments that could have drastically altered the course of the franchise’s history.
The impact of these failed trades goes beyond just the Lakers organization. It speaks to the intricacies of player movement, team dynamics, and the broader ecosystem of the NBA. The decisions made in trade negotiations can have far-reaching implications, shaping the competitive balance of the league and influencing the trajectories of multiple teams and players.
As the NBA continues to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of professional sports, the legacy of these near-miss trades serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the game. The what-ifs and hypothetical scenarios that arise from these moments spark endless debate and analysis among basketball fans, adding layers of complexity to the rich tapestry of NBA history.
In the end, the Lakers, under the leadership of Kobe Bryant and the guidance of Phil Jackson, were able to overcome these setbacks and achieve great success on the court. Their resilience and ability to adapt to the challenges they faced stand as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Purple and Gold.
Shaw’s insights into the failed trades of Kevin Garnett and Chris Paul offer a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes maneuvering and the delicate balance of power within the NBA. While the outcomes of these deals may have left lingering questions and what-ifs, they ultimately contributed to the narrative of the Lakers’ journey and the broader narrative of the league itself.
In reflecting on these moments, it’s clear that the NBA is a complex and ever-evolving landscape, where the decisions made off the court can have a profound impact on the on-court product. The near-misses and the could-have-beens serve as reminders of the intricate web of relationships, interests, and factors that shape the destiny of teams and players in the NBA.
As fans and analysts continue to dissect the events of the past, it’s important to recognize the significance of these near-misses and appreciate the enduring legacy of the Lakers despite the challenges they faced. In a league known for its drama, passion, and larger-than-life personalities, the stories of the failed trades for Kevin Garnett and Chris Paul stand as enduring chapters in the history of the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA as a whole.
