Would Adam Silver Have Vetoed LeBron James’ Warriors Trade if It Happened? NBA Commissioner Reveals on Pat McAfee Show

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers almost shifted the entire power dynamic in the NBA. According to recent reports, the Golden State Warriors made an offer to the Lakers to acquire King James at the mid-season trade deadline. The move would have formed the superstar duo of LeBron James and Stephen Curry, two of the most dominant players in NBA history. However, LeBron and the Lakers were not interested in the trade and declined the Warriors’ offer.

Many believed even if the Lakers and the Warriors agreed on the trade, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver might not have allowed the move to happen. Hours after the news came to light, Adam Silver appeared on The Pat McAfee Show and revealed his stance on the failed LeBron to Warriors trade. The NBA Commissioner claimed he would not have stopped the trade from happening if all involved parties agreed on a trade that was within the rules. “We don’t have discretion… If a trade is within the rules, it’s within the rules.” Silver said.

After the NBA Commissioner ensured no interference in a fair trade between the Lakers and the Warriors, the panel compared it with the Chris Paul situation 13 years ago. In 2011, the Lakers reportedly agreed on a three-team trade with the Houston Rockets and then New Orleans Hornets. The move would have seen Hornets star Chris Paul getting traded to the Lakers to join forces with 5-time Champion Kobe Bryant. However, then NBA Commissioner David Stern vetoed the trade, nullifying the deal between the three teams. Adam Silver revealed why the Chris Paul to Lakers was an unusual situation and is not likely to happen again.

Why did David Stern veto the Chris Paul to Lakers trade?

Adam Silver reminded Pat McAfee and the rest of the panel that during the Chris Paul situation, David Stern was the acting owner of the New Orleans Hornets. The league owned the Hornets and the trade involving CP3 was not run by Stern beforehand. That reportedly outraged several other NBA front offices, and Stern had no option but to veto the trade. Many speculated that Stern vetoed the trade because it would have shifted the power dynamic in the league. CP3 was one of the best upcoming stars, and he would have joined forces with a proven legend, Kobe Bryant.

The Lakers were also in the process of acquiring Dwight Howard from Orlando that season. That would have made the Lakers a super team. Despite the rumors, the only reason Stern could veto the trade was because he was the acting owner of the Hornets. So, if LeBron James and Stephen Curry decide to team up in the future, Adam Silver will most likely not interfere with the move if it is within the rules.

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