- Charles Barkley explains why LeBron James’ story is the best in sports history
- Tristan Thompson hints that Kyrie Irving and LeBron James aren’t done playing with each other
- Toilet paper brand Charmin takes hilarious shot at Patrick Beverley ahead of Lakers-Bulls matchup
- Report: Lakers upgrade LeBron James’ status for Sunday’s matchup vs. Bulls
- Former NBA player says Austin Reaves is overhyped because he’s ‘white’ and the Lakers are ‘trash’
- Austin Reaves’ semi-worrisome comments about his future with Lakers
- Austin Reaves says he had to buy LeBron James Xbox controller as one of his rookie duties on Lakers
- Tristan Thompson says he surprised LeBron James during Lakers workout: ‘I haven’t seen this since Cleveland’
- Draymond Green says the Lakers are a ‘serious threat’ in the Western Conference
- Report: Lakers downgrade D’Angelo Russell’s status for Friday’s matchup vs. Thunder
Video: Chris Paul Reveals Why He Was Angry When Infamous Trade to Lakers Was Vetoed
- Updated: July 6, 2020
In a recent episode of “Knuckleheads,” All-Star Chris Paul revealed why he was so angry after his infamous trade to the Los Angeles Lakers was vetoed in 2011.
“I was on the phone with my brother and my agent and all that,” Paul recalled after hearing he got traded to the Lakers in 2011. “We figuring out a plane to get to New Orleans to get us to L.A. My agent clicked over, said hold on, clicked over and then he came back on and he was like, stuttering. And we was hot. We was hot. Me and Kobe had talked, you know what I’m saying? We had talked already and all that. And it was a lot. It was a lot.”
Paul, 35, is one of the best point guards in NBA history. Back in his prime, he nearly got the chance to play alongside five-time champion Kobe Bryant.
Although the New Orleans Hornets and Los Angeles Lakers agreed on a multi-team trade to send Paul to the Lakers in 2011, former league commissioner David Stern detonated the deal.
The 6-foot-1 point guard ended up getting shipped to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2011. The Clippers competed in multiple playoff battles with Paul, though the team never made it to the Western Conference Finals.
Now, the veteran is playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He is posting 17.7 points, 6.8 assists and 4.9 boards per game this season. The Thunder hold the No. 5 spot in the Western Conference standings.
The Thunder and Lakers could find themselves sparring in the postseason. Paul and Lakers forward LeBron James are really good friends.
The 2019-20 season resumes later this month in Orlando, Fla.