Trades that Almost Happened Part 2
A James Harden and Klay Thompson swap and Kobe to the Bulls are only two in a million what if trades that almost went down in the NBA. The NBA is always changing, blockbusters deals come and go. Here is part two to Trades that Almost Happened.
5. Kobe to the Pistons
The year was 2007 and Kobe Bryant was not happy with the Lakers and the direction they were going in. The Lakers were looking around the league for a trade that they deemed as fair for Kobe while also finding a good situation for Kobe. The Pistons emerged as a suitor and trade talks started. The trade was eventually squashed by Kobe who refused to waive his no trade clause.
The trades basic structure was this
Lakers Receive: Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Price, multiple draft picks
Pistons Receive: Kobe Bryant
This trade would have changed the landscape of the NBA drastically, the Lakers would of lost out on the glory years of the late 2000’s and Kobe might not have won another ring.
4. Chris Paul to the Lakers
The 2011 Lakers were looking to quickly reload with talent. They had the structure of a trade to send Chris Paul to the Lakers to team up with Kobe Bryant. The teams agreed to the trade and sent it to the league offices, then in one of the most infamous decision in NBA history Commissioner David Stern vetoed the trade that would create a super team in LA.
Lakers Receive: Chris Paul
Hornets Receive: Kevin Martin, Lamar Odom, Luis Scola, Goran Dragic, FRP
Rockets Receive: Pau Gasol
David Stern said the trade could have been reworked and accepted if Kyle Lowry was involved in the trade in order to ensure balance in the NBA.
3. Curry to the Suns
In 2009 the Suns were looking for a sharpshooter to put into Mike D’Antoni’s run and gun offense. The Suns GM Steve Kerr had a trade that was close to coming to reality the would of looked like:
Suns Receive: Stephen Curry
Warriors Receive: Amar’e Stoudamire
The trade eventually fell through due to Stoudamire’s injury, the Warriors opted to stay with Curry and it has panned out to be the clear right choice as Stoudamire\ was injury prone the rest of his career.
2. LeBron James to the Lakers (2007)
Kobe requested a trade in 2007 and immediately the Lakers reached out to Cleveland for a Kobe- LeBron swap. Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert had a different idea in mind and in a ill fated attempt to create a power duo offered all of the Cavaliers roster except James the Lakers. The Lakers emphatically declined.
- Michael Jordan to the Rockets
In 1984 the Trailblazers had there eye on promising young Houston Rocket star Ralph Sampson. Sampson was a very good pair for the Rockets and they were hesitant to trade him. The Trail Blazers offered Clyde Drexler and the second overall pick in the 1984 draft. The Rockets also possessed the first overall pick and drafted Hakeem Olajuwon. The what if in this situation is immense. a big three of Olajuwon, Jordan and Drexler would of been formed and possibly would of ruled the league for years. The Rockets decided to keep Sampson as they saw him as a Future Hall of Famer and the Trail Blazers wasted the second overall pick on Sam Bowie as Michael Jordan would be drafted third overall and become one of the greatest players in the league with the Bulls.
