Knicks Trade Rumors: David Stern Will Be Key Factor in Chris Paul Trade

One of the biggest rumors from this young NBA offseason is the rumored trade of New Orleans Hornets Chris Paul to the New York Knicks. However, the one person who could hold this trade up is the NBA League Commissioner David Stern.

According to the NY Daily News about Stern’s involvement in this trade:

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"Paul’s situation is unique because the Hornets are being run by the NBA, so in theory commissioner David Stern can dictate where Paul ends up. That could be looked at one of two ways. It makes sense for Paul to land in a major market, but one of the league’s goals during the lockout was to make it tougher for franchise players to leave the clubs that drafted them.

'I don’t see the league trading him to the Knicks because that goes against everything they said during the lockout,' said one prominent agent who does not represent Paul. 'They don’t want players like Chris Paul just getting up and leaving.'"

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Stern could block the trade, keeping Paul either in New Orleans or keeping another team from getting a third All-Star player. If the Knicks would gain Paul, it makes them the best team in the Eastern Conference.  

Adding Paul gives the Knicks their own version of “The Big Three.” The original Big Three was when the Miami Heat added the three All-Stars in Chris Bosh, LeBron James and keeping Dwyane Wade. It gave them the most talented starting five players in the NBA.  

During the NBA lockout, Stern emphasized that smaller markets would not get left behind for bigger markets making super teams. If Paul would get moved to New York, it makes teams like Indiana, Milwaukee, Cleveland and other smaller markets irrelevant. 

Stern and the NBA could keep Paul away from New York. However if they do, then how is that helping out the league? The NBA does not want to move to super teams dominating their league. However, the league is ran out of New York City and if they control where Paul goes, you would think they would want him playing for the Knicks. 

This deal will come down to if Stern and the NBA is willing to make another Big Three. It will cause for a public backlash from the smaller markets. In the end, it is the right move to make for the NBA. 

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