The truth is revealed! Paul personally revealed the inside story of the transaction, and the Cavaliers boss destroyed Kobe + Paul s Dynasty with a letter

"If that deal is done, the history of the NBA will be completely rewritten." - Chris Paul recently recalled the three-party deal in 2011 for the first time in an interview, and revealed a key detail: a letter from Cavaliers boss Dan Gilbert directly caused the fantasy combination of Kobe + Paul to be shattered.

"I talked to Kobe with me, and we all thought it was going to be done."

Paul revealed in an interview that in December 2011, when the three-party transactions between the Lakers, Hornets (now Pelicans) and Rockets were close to completion, he personally called Kobe, and the two excitedly discussed future cooperation.

Paul recalled: "We talked for a long time and were thinking about how many championships we could win together. If we couldn't win the championship, it was a failure." However, just 45 minutes later, the deal was urgently stopped by then-NBA president David Stern for "basketball reasons."

Paul first confirmed that at that time, the Cavaliers boss Dan Gilbert, submitted a tough-worded letter to Stern, explicitly opposing the deal. "If the Lakers get Paul, it would be a farce. The deal should be decided by the bosses of 29 teams." He also claimed that the deal would save the Lakers "$40 million in salary and luxury taxes."

At that time, the Hornets were in the temporary control state of the league, and this special situation gave Stern the final say in the team's trading. Under pressure from Gilbert and other parties, coupled with consideration of the overall situation of the league, Stern finally made the decision and rejected the deal. In 2017, Stern defended his move that the deal was never officially concluded, and Hornets general manager Del Demps had no right to finalize the deal. "There is nothing to be invalidated, and the deal was not completed at all." But this statement did not completely calm the doubts.

However, it is even more ironic that after only 6 days, Paul was traded to the Clippers, and the Hornets got chips (Gordon + Carman + Aminu + first-round pick) were far inferior to Gasol + Odom + Dragic + Martin + first-round pick provided by the Lakers. This comparison makes Stern’s “basketball reason” seem untenable.

Review In the 2009-10 season, Paul averaged comprehensive data per game and performed as a top point guard. If he successfully joins the Lakers and partner with Kobe, the Lakers' backcourt strength will make a qualitative leap.

Kobe's strong scoring ability and Paul's exquisite passing organization are enough to make other teams in the league frightened. US media have done simulation analysis. If this deal is completed, the Lakers' probability of winning the championship will increase to 65%, and they will have at least two absolute strength to hit the championship in the next three seasons.

From the Heat Big Three to the Warriors' Dynasty, the NBA has never really stopped stars from merging together, but this intervention in 2011 completely changed the fate of Kobe and Paul. Now, Paul's memories reveal this dusty past again, which also makes fans imagine: "If Stern did not veto, how many years would the Lakers rule the NBA?"