Image credit: ClutchPoints

The Miami Heat trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh achieved so much during their time together in South Beach. But they could have achieved more if star point guard Chris Paul joined them. There was already a discussion of Paul taking his talents as well to Miami, with Wade and CP3 recently recalling a call with James back in 2011 about the potential of making that blockbuster trade happen (via The Why with Dwyane Wade presented by iHeartPodcasts and 59th & Prairie Entertainment).

“Do you remember the call with Bron, you, and I when we were thinking about, when (Pat) Riley wanted to trade to bring you to Miami,” Wade said.

“Absolutely I remember, I was sitting in my condo and CJ was sitting on the couch right go back to my brother always there and we was talking me coming to Miami, we was talking about who’s going to have the ball in there hands, how its going to work,” Paul shared.

But during that call, as Wade and Paul remembered, the number issue was brought up. Since Wade wore No. 3 and so does Paul to this day, there was a discussion to be had about who would have that number in the event that Paul got traded to the Heat.

“Yep we was having the conversation and then, who was it, was it CJ [Paul’s brother] that said something about who’s going to wear number 3,” asked Paul.

“Bro that’s what I wanted to get to, we talk about all this who’s going to handle the ball, okay we can all play together, CP I can play off the ball, airing all that out, and somebody said but who’s going to wear number 3? silence… that’s the whole trade because CP couldn’t wear number 3 in Miami, messed the whole trade up, responded Wade.”

Chris Paul to the Miami Heat is one of the biggest NBA What Ifs in recent memory

Even though a trade that would have sent the future Hall of Fame point guard to the Heat did not materialize, Miami still managed to win multiple titles with the stars they had at the time. Paul, meanwhile, is still in pursuit of an NBA title that continues to be elusive for the 12-time NBA All-Star and four-time All-NBA First Team.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
'Positionless' rules lead to a center-heavy NBA All-Defensive team
Jets' Aaron Rodgers addresses mental rust, RFK Jr. decision
Penguins sign young defenseman to three-year extension
Guardians place right-hander on injured list
Victor Wembanyama's latest honor puts another spotlight on his greatness
Lamar Jackson reportedly made significant physical change for 2024
Dolphins safety appears to take a shot at former DC
Ryan Leaf goes off on top NFL insider, accuses him of being a fraud
Report: TNT is still fighting to save its NBA rights
Lightning re-acquire defenseman from Predators
Steelers star DT blasts reporter's 'bold face lie'
Deadline for LeBron James' contract decision revealed
Jets HC Robert Saleh shares significant update on Aaron Rodgers' health
Steelers add another veteran to running back room
Charvarius Ward names positive 49ers can take from Super Bowl loss
Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa reportedly makes physical change amid contract talks
Do Oilers need more from Connor McDavid to get to Stanley Cup Final?
All-Rookie teams show gems available all over draft
The NBA has not witnessed this much parity in 50 years
Knicks expected to be 'aggressive' in upgrading their roster

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.