Chris Paul Lakers: David Stern Lucky Teams Tweaked CP3 Deal

After completing one of the greatest trades in Los Angeles Lakers history, NBA commissioner David Stern vetoed the proposed Chris Paul to LA trade.

Stern got lucky that the teams reworked the deal or his perception as a tyrannical leader would have been set in stone.

The teams involved in the deal (Lakers, Rockets, and Hornets) have organized again and have reworked the deal to include younger players and more picks for the New Orleans Hornets over the next few seasons.

While intentions were very cloudy behind Stern’s decision, the truth is that the Hornets are owned by the NBA and they need to be able to sell the team to a buyer. With no stars and no future stars, no owner will want to risk the money on a dead franchise.

ESPN’s Chris Broussard and Marc Stein are reporting on the news of another trade proposal:

NBA Insider for CBSSports.com Ken Berger is reporting on twitter:

This trade is the perfect recipe for a rebirth in Los Angeles for a Lakers team that is again at a ridiculous pace.

The insertion of a star like Chris Paul next to a player like Kobe Bryant is amazing, but add in Andrew Bynum and whoever else comes to Los Angeles and you have a serious threat again in the Western Conference.

While there is no doubt that all teams will win in this scenario, the biggest winner is David Stern.

Everyone was calling for his head after coming out of a five-month lockout and facing the first problem in the worst possible way he could. Give Stern credit though, he was open to reconsidering and that’s why the teams got the new deal done.

This is the first shoe that will drop in what could be a frenzied several weeks.

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