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Stern defends veto of three-way Paul trade
Source: Agencies |
December 11, 2011, Sunday
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A NEW National Basketball Association era began in controversy as a blockbuster three-way trade that would have sent New Orleans Hornets All-Star guard Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers was vetoed by NBA Commissioner David Stern.
After team owners and players ratified a 10-year labor deal on Thursday that ended a five-month lockout, word circulated that New Orleans agreed to deal Paul, the outstanding point guard who could be a free agent next summer.
But Stern nixed the trade on the basis of "basketball reasons" in acting as steward of the Hornets franchise, which is owned by the NBA after buying it from the financially troubled previous owner.
"All decisions are made on the basis of what is in the best interests of the Hornets," Stern said in a statement issued on Friday.
Stern was addressing reaction to his veto in media reports claiming he was pressured by small-market owners dismayed to see Paul land on a big-market Lakers team over concerns about competitive balance in the league.
Under the proposed deal, Paul was to go the Lakers, with New Orleans getting Lamar Odom from Los Angeles and Houston Rockets' Goran Dragic, Kevin Martin, Luis Scola and a 2012 first-round draft pick. Houston was to get Lakers All-Star forward Pau Gasol.
The shortened 66-game 2011/2012 season gets under way on Christmas Day.
After team owners and players ratified a 10-year labor deal on Thursday that ended a five-month lockout, word circulated that New Orleans agreed to deal Paul, the outstanding point guard who could be a free agent next summer.
But Stern nixed the trade on the basis of "basketball reasons" in acting as steward of the Hornets franchise, which is owned by the NBA after buying it from the financially troubled previous owner.
"All decisions are made on the basis of what is in the best interests of the Hornets," Stern said in a statement issued on Friday.
Stern was addressing reaction to his veto in media reports claiming he was pressured by small-market owners dismayed to see Paul land on a big-market Lakers team over concerns about competitive balance in the league.
Under the proposed deal, Paul was to go the Lakers, with New Orleans getting Lamar Odom from Los Angeles and Houston Rockets' Goran Dragic, Kevin Martin, Luis Scola and a 2012 first-round draft pick. Houston was to get Lakers All-Star forward Pau Gasol.
The shortened 66-game 2011/2012 season gets under way on Christmas Day.
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