David Stern Blocks Chris Paul Trade

Yesterday, it seemed as if Chris Paul would be joining Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles in what many thought was the beginning of a “Big 3” in the West much like the Miami Heat. The deal sent Pau Gasol to the Houston Rockets and Lamar Odom, Goran Dragic, Kevin Martin, Luis Scola as well as a first round draft pick to the New Orleans Hornets. The hopes of Lakers fans were dashed when the owners and David Stern nullified the trade citing “basketball reasons”. Many around the league have cited this move by David Stern as a black eye that the NBA won’t be able to get rid of and possibly opens up Pandora’s Box in regards to the league owned New Orleans Hornets. Due to the nullification of the trade, Chris Paul is estimated to lose between $30-40 million on the free agent market when he leaves the Hornets following season’s end. via ESPN.