Chris Paul recently announced his retirement from the NBA after 21 seasons. He will be remembered as one of the greatest point guards of all time.
What happened?
Chris Paul was almost traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2011. The trade was vetoed by then-NBA commissioner David Stern.
On Tuesday, Paul went on "The Pat McAfee Show" and talked about the experience. He said that just before the trade was denied by Stern, he talked to late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.
Why it matters for Chris Paul
The conversation with Kobe Bryant was a significant moment for Paul. He recalled the emotional roller coaster he experienced during that time.
The trade would have allowed Bryant to win at least one more championship and extended one of the greatest eras in Lakers history into the early 2010s.
What comes next?
Instead, Paul was ultimately traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. He immediately transformed the Clippers into a competitive team, but they never reached the NBA Finals.
Paul would eventually get to the championship series in 2021 with the Phoenix Suns, but he retired without a world championship ring.
The thinking is that one reason the trade didn't happen was that the attempt came right after the end of a lockout and other teams pressured the league to deny the deal.
Chris Paul noted that the whole point of the CBA negotiation was to make the league more balanced. The owners from other teams felt that the trade would reduce parity across the league.
Paul remembered where he was when he got the phone call that the trade wasn't happening. He said it was a crazy time and a wild experience.
The vetoed trade is still a significant topic in NBA history, and Chris Paul's conversation with Kobe Bryant adds a new layer to the story.
Chris Paul led the league in assists per game five times and in steals per game six times. He will almost certainly be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
The near-trade to the Lakers is a reminder of the what-ifs in Chris Paul's career. He has spoken about the experience and its impact on his career.
On 3 Jun, Chris Paul shared his side of the story, giving fans a glimpse into the past and the circumstances surrounding the vetoed trade.
The story of Chris Paul and the vetoed Lakers trade continues to fascinate NBA fans. It's a reminder of the complexities of the league and the decisions that shape players' careers.