The reported three-team trade that would've sent Chris Paul to the Los Angeles is off after the Lakers pulled out of the deal on Saturday to send Lamar Odom to the Dallas Mavericks. But why did the Lakers seemingly turn their backs on a deal that came so close to the finish line multiple times over the last four days? Connecting the dots, it would seem the leagues reported refusal to sign off on a second proposal, which was sent to it on Saturday, may the cause.
Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnarowski reports another proposal was sent to the league on Saturday, and vetoed again by the league office.
The Hornets had delivered a reconstructed framework of the three-team blockbuster trade that would have sent Paul to the Lakers into the NBA office for approval Saturday, but the NBA still refused to approve it.
Wojnarowski also quotes a source who says the league has become a headache as it middles with the Hornets.
“My initial reaction is, ‘Who wants to go through that headache with the NBA playing God?’ You want to do a deal. New Orleans’ front office wants to do a deal. And the third party – the NBA – says you can do it? Should I call Stern and see if they’re going to waive Patrick Ewing Jr., since he’s only partially guaranteed? ”
In the end, the Lakers gave up on any deal, instead shuttling Odom off to the Mavericks and moving on. What comes next for the Hornets as they try to get something for Paul, however, remains to be seen. If the last few days are any indication, dealing Paul is a mess, thanks in large part to the outside interference from above.
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