Interesting, Chris Paul comments on the 2011 Hornets trade plot with Lakers

Chris Paul blocked the long-standing Lakers’ trade plot with Hornets and reflected on the 2011 rejected deal and its lasting impact. Chris Paul clarified the long-standing controversy surrounding the 2011 rejected deal that would have sent him to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday’s Pat McAfee Show.

"You know, this is not the case with the Lakers," Paul said, refuting the league's claim that it was blocking the deal without a clear basis.

This infamous deal was rejected by the NBA, and it would have traded Paul from the then New Orleans Hornets to the Lakers through a tripartite agreement. The proposed deals include trading Paul Gasol to the Houston Rockets, while the Hornets will receive Kevin Martin, Luis Scola, Lamar Odom, Golan Dragic and a 2012 first-round draft pick. At that time, the NBA owned the Hornets franchise as the then-owner George Sinn faced financial difficulties.

"Our boss at the time, George Sinn, I think he was in trouble and had no money, so he basically sent the team back to the NBA, or sold it back to the league," Paul explained. "It's interesting that this happened after the labor-capital agreement negotiations, right?" Chris Paul reviewed the Lakers' trade rejected, the future of the free agent market and the rise in the draft pick of Cooper Flagg's decision to veto the deal has sparked widespread rebound and speculation, with some believing that the league's intervention was to prevent Los Angeles from forming another super team. This incident became a decisive moment in Paul's career and changed the trajectory of multiple teams.

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Paul, 40, recently completed his 20th NBA season with the San Antonio Spurs. In the full 82 games, the experienced guard averaged 8.8 points, 7.4 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, shooting 42.7% from the field and 37.7% from three-pointers.

As his contract expires this summer, Paul is about to become an unrestricted free agent, raising questions about whether he will return to play his 21st season or choose to retire. He has not announced his decision yet, but said his family will play a major role in his choice.

"This is more important than anything else... I will discuss this with my family. My son just turned 16 and my daughter was 12." Paul shared on the show. "I have lived without them for the past six seasons...I have played for several teams, but have been away from them." Paul also praised the expected No. 1 pick Cooper Flag, saying the Duke freshman "real" after training in the same stadium with him in Los Angeles.

The veteran's insight and experience continue to play an important role in the NBA landscape, which not only clarifies past disputes but also evaluates rising stars in the league. With the 2025 NBA Draft approaching and the free agent market approaching, Paul remains the focus of ongoing discussions in the basketball world.