Right now, the Los Angeles Lakers wouldn't have to worry about the fact that they wasted a couple first-round picks for a 40-year-old, washed up point guard in Steve Nash, who won't play this season.
This all could have been different had commissioner David Stern did not veto the infamous trade that would have sent Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers.
And then there's this:
Houston would have received Pau Gasol from the Lakers
New Orleans would have received Kevin Martin, Luis Scola, Goran Dragic and a first round pick from the Rockets and Lamar Odom from the Lakers
Los Angeles would have received Chris Paul from New Orleans
Instead Stern, who was the interim owner of the New Orleans Hornets (now the Pelicans) at the time as well, shut down the trade for "basketball reasons." And, of course, we all remember CP3's reaction.
Of course, the Clippers ended up with Paul, who has now led the squad to three straight playoff appearances. He has essentially turned this team into a championship contender now. Looking at the Lakers, they are lottery contenders. And man, they could be in a way different situation had Stern not vetoed that trade.
Current Lakers head coach Byron Scott agrees, and he wasn't afraid to take a shot at Stern today:
https://twitter.com/billoram/status/528353816245465089
Real. I'm sure everyone, except Clippers fans, agree with Scott's statement.
I mean, think about it. There's a good chance the Lakers could be championship contenders right now. Kobe might've had a sixth ring already!
