LA was given a 31 year old top 20 talent and a 32 year old roleplayer to get a 26 year old top 5 player. If you ask me, this trade was way in LA`s favor. They didn`t even have to give up a draft pick. LA and Paul were clearly bullying NO - Houston was desperate for a star player and figured, after Pau the other pieces would fall into place and so also gave up too much. LA wouldn`t be better this season - but their future looks a lot brighter with Paul. And Paul and Bryant attracts other quality FAs. Don`t forget that the Lakers also save lots of cap space and get a huge trade exception. I know a lot of you were in favor of the trade - but there is no reason why the Rockets had to include the first rounder instead of the Lakers. And there is no reason why the Lakers didn`t have to take on a big contract.
Ok, what do you say, 2 week sig ownership - not raunchy - I win if the deal goes down or some facsimile of it by Dec 31st, and you win if it does not. Deal? DD
Your first terms are fine, but for me the bet would need to be before Nene signs. Because that's a huge part of the deal for the Rockets. That's what I'm pessimistic about happening.
Wait, I am not willing to do anything about Nene signing, I think he signs back up with Denver in the next day or so.... DD
Don't worry about the bet, then. The entire reason I'm so upset is that unless it's approved today or tomorrow, the Rockets lose a big part of what they'd get out of the trade. I could care less whether it's approved "later" - by that point, we're screwed and it's pointless.
WTF Stern you don't address the need of NO after the season is over... He's looking at only this shortened season? What of the future of NO what will he say then? Funny if Chris Paul just walks and NO is the level of the Clevand Cavaliers. David West isn't going to sign an extension with that team.
No appeal possible for blocked Chris Paul trade The Lakers planned to appeal to the NBA office after the Chris Paul trade was nixed, but there was a problem: The NBA considered the trade to have been blocked by New Orleans, not the league itself. It's a sticky situation because the NBA owns the Hornets after purchasing them last December. "This is technically a New Orleans decision," said an NBA official who did not want to be identified because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the trade. In other words, one of the three teams involved in Thursday's trade technically got cold feet, but it's hard to deny the existence of a contributing factor to the death of the deal. Some small-market owners were irritated by the Lakers acquiring the league's top scoring-passing combo at point guard. http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2011/12/no-appeal-possible-for-chris-paul-trade.html
But you're missing the point, in your point of view, Houston was giving up too much and I completely agree. But, how do we know what position Morey and the Houston Rockets were in? He's probably been trying for a very long time to sacrifice less and bring in a key player. He probably felt this and now was his best chance with the possibility of bringing in a another top FA. In a trade, there will always be the teams that get the better end. My point is, ALL organization felt this trade would improve their team either now, or in the future. A trade would not happen in the first place if this was not true. It's not about what the fans think if the trade was worth it or not, It's the team. A simple principle was what Stern broke here. This block was totally uncalled for.
I think the deal needs to be tweaked slightly for NBA to save face. Adding the Pacers could make it work: Add a fourth team to deal Lakers receive: Chris Paul, Jarrett Jack, Jordan Hill, and Trevor Ariza Hornets receive: Luis Scola, Kevin Martin, Chase Budinger, Goran Dragic, Devin Ebanks, Derek Caracter, Darius Morris, James Posey (to be waived), Pacers 1st Rounder 2012 unprotected, Lakers 1st Rounder 2012, $3 million from Lakers Rockets receive: Pau Gasol, Hornets 2012 2nd Rounder Pacers receive: Lamar Odom Why it's good for Hornets: Gets rid of multi-year contracts of Ariza and Jack + $3million in cash. Receives 2 first round picks. Fills out roster nicely. PG: Dragic / FA Signing / Darius Morris - Kind of weak: Maybe they sign Barea SG: Kevin Martin - Nice, just need backups SF: Bud, Pondexter, Ebanks - solid, cheap and young PF: Scola, Caracter - Nice, need a backup C: Okafor - Good, need a backup That would be a 30 win team this year. With a top 10 pick (their own), Middle of pack pick - Pacers, and late first (Lakers), they would be in playoff hunt the following year and have a core for years to come. Also, it would satisfy the angry owners. Rockets: This deal would be much better for us when we don't have to give up any picks. Plus the Hornets 2nd rounder for 2012 is a nice add for a moneyball type. Lakers: They get hit with the multi-year contracts of Ariza and Jack and send a first rounder instead of us. Plus use up all their allowable cash for this year. They would have to amnesty Walton or hope he retires or amnesty Blake probably. They get Jordan Hill for their size loss. Pacers: They get an ideal PF for them. One who can let Hansbrough get some minutes and who can also play SF or small ball center. They would move up a tier in East with a sweet core of Collision-Hill-George-Granger-Odom-Hansbrough-Hibbert. That's sneakily a top 10 7-team man rotation. Who says no to that deal? I can see the Pacers agreeing for Odom in exchange for Posey and a mid-round first.
Agree. He would get egg on his face if he let the trade go through now. No way does Stern reverse this. Stubborn is an understatement.
I don't like giving up Bud in this. He could be used later to sweeten other deals because of cheap contract.
Here are the complaints: Lakers: We would need a big - We get to dump Jordan Hill on them (+) Gilbert / Owners: Lakers aren't giving up enough / receiving enough salary : Lakers give 1st Rounder, take on Jack and Ariza's contract, give $3 million, give Morris, Ebanks and Caracter to Hornets. (+ for Hornets) Rockets: wth, you messed us up. We get Hornets 2012 2nd round pick, dump Hill's salary, do not lose our draft picks but lose Bud <--- that is still a plus and a big one at it. We still have Morris, T-Will, Parsons. For the Hornets, they fill out their roster without having to pay much in salary. My proposal essentially fills out their roster and gives them 2 first rounders and still keep Scola and Martin. They would need Bud for value and savings. If you were on board for original trade then this is: Hornets 2nd Rounder in 2012, recovery of our outgoing pick(s) for Bud and shedding Hill's contract. I would do that.
BimaThug BimaThug On trade appeal: Have visions of scene in Shawshank where Andy (Morey) tells the warden (Stern) he's being "obtuse" and ends up in the hole.
I agree with Cat. Stern never gives in to public sentiment, if anything it just makes him dig his heals in more. He does not care about the fans or fair competition. He never has.
