Chris Paul Blames NBA for Lakers Trade Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Jun 5, 2025 3:39 PM ET

Blockbuster moves in the NBA often reshape the league's competitive balance, and the recent trade sending Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis and additional assets has reignited discussions about the league's role in facilitating such high-profile transactions. Commissioner Adam Silver addressed concerns regarding the trade, emphasizing that the NBA does not possess the authority to veto trades between teams, a stance that contrasts with a notable incident from over a decade ago.

The 2011 veto of a proposed trade that would have sent Chris Paul to the Lakers remains one of the most controversial decisions in NBA history. At the time, the New Orleans Hornets were owned by the NBA, and then-Commissioner David Stern, who had the power to make such a move that would normally not reside with the league.

This decision drew widespread criticism from players, fans, and analysts, who viewed it as an overreach that altered the league's competitive dynamics. On Thursday, Paul appeared on The Pat McAfee Show, where he candidly discussed the failed trade and placed responsibility squarely on the NBA.

"That Lakers situation isn't allegedly... The league owned the New Orleans Hornets at the time," Paul stated.

"That Lakers situation isn't allegedly..

The league owned the New Orleans Hornets at the time" ~ @CP3 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/xNmylh5Jep
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 5, 2025

The proposed trade would have paired Paul with Kobe Bryant, potentially forming a formidable backcourt duo poised for championship contention. Instead, the veto led to Paul's eventual trade to the Lakers cross-town rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers.

Although Paul went on to establish a solid legacy with the Clippers, NBA fans have continued to speculate on what might have been.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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