NBA Rumors: Conspiracy Theories to Explain Gangster Stance on Chris Paul Deals

I am not a conspiracy guy at all. As a matter of fact, I hate them. I like to watch my sports completely ignorant of the dirty aspects, they are much more enjoyable that way.

The latest actions by David Stern make that bliss of ignorance difficult to continue. There are several theories as to why Stern would do the nearly unprecedented and block the Chris Paul deals. The latest Clippers deal has been resubmitted, after the Clips dropped the last deal due to what can be called unrealistic demands from the Hornets/NBA. With that, who can be optimistic at this point? Here are the ones I find the most realistic:

Laker Haters

The Lakers are already perhaps the biggest and most famous franchise in the sport. They will always be a premier spot for free agents. It could be David Stern and the owners position that blocking the trade to the Lakers allows another less fortunate franchise to benefit from CP3's on-court brilliance. New York Times blogger Harvey Araton eluded to this in his piece, entitled "With Trade Voided, Score One For The Laker Haters".

This theory seemed to be blown away when the usually hapless Clippers were turned away as well.

Keeping Hornets Attractive To Potential Buyer

The Hornets are currently without an owner. Losing the team's best and most marketable player decreases the value of the team and could scare away potential buyers. John Curtis of the examiner.com mentions this in his article, entitled "NBA's David Stern Abuses His Authority."

This also seems a bit of a stretch, as it is pretty apparent that Paul is leaving at season's end, come hell or high water. So that reality is coming now or by the middle of 2012.

Small Markets Are Fed Up and Want To Control Leverage Throughout Player Contracts

Many will blame LeBron James for the small market fallout that had a ton to do with the NBA lockout, but it wasn't just James. In fact, the events that transpired with Carmelo Anthony last season were just as big, if not bigger. Yahoo Sports reported Dan Gilbert wanted the Paul trade voided, you know, it isn't likely he was alone.

James was a free-agent and Dan Gilbert made the mistake of catering the operations of his franchise around a player. The Bulls didn't do it for Michael Jordan, the Lakers don't do it for Kobe and Gilbert shouldn't have done it for James.

By taking the route he took, bowing down to his star, he gave James immense power over the organization. In return, Gilbert wanted loyalty from someone who really didn't owe him or the city anything. This is a business, free agency is the player's time to choose and be in control of his destination. No one can fault James or any other free agent for where they chose to play.

However, Melo was not a free agent yet, but he used his intangible pending leverage to force a trade. This is far more resembling to what is happening with Chris Paul. The small market teams are tired of this occurrence and they see it as a cycle.

Teams like San Antonio and Oklahoma City are lucky to have superstars with earth sized talents, but small town personalities. The Spurs and Thunder hit goldmines with Tim Duncan and Kevin Durant. 

Most stars of that caliber will genuinely outgrow their small town digs, if that is where they are drafted. The big city lights and appeal will be more than the likes of New Orleans and Cleveland can compete with.

Thus, they fear they will watch their superstars hold them hostage in the final years of their contracts, regularly demanding trades.

Make no mistake, David Stern works for the owners and he will carry out any actions they tell him too. It is my opinion that Stern is the mercenary charged with strong arming players, in this case Paul, into staying in their cities and waiting on free-agency.

Is that right? Absolutely not, it circumvents the rules and it leads to other types of conspiracy discussions the league can ill afford.

It is a problem the league can and should address, but this is not the way. This works out for no one involved. Hopefully, Stern and the NBA will realize the hit the league's reputation has taken over the past eight months. They need to come up with a creative solution that is a little more Gandhi, a lot less Luca Brasi.

Until then, Paul's trade hopes sleeps with the fishes.