ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is under fire on social media after arguing that the reason Chris Paul wasn’t traded to the Los Angeles Lakers was due to LeBron James going to the Miami Heat.
Stephen A. Smith Claims LeBron James Played a Role in the Chris Paul Veto
In 2011, then-New Orleans Hornets star Chris Paul was a part of one of the biggest “What if?” moments in NBA history. Paul was supposed to be traded to the Lakers to team up with the legendary Kobe Bryant.
However, with NBA Commissioner David Stern serving as the acting owner of the Hornets at the time, he vetoed the trade as he didn’t think it’d be in New Orleans’ best interest to go through with it.
READ MORE: Adam Silver Explains Why He Didn’t Veto Lakers-Mavericks Luka Dončić Trade Like Past Chris Paul Deal
Recently, however, sports personality Stephen A. Smith claimed that the real reason for the veto was James’ decision to go to the Heat. Other NBA executives agreed that the move wouldn’t have been a good move for the Hornets, and Smith said that Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert was the leading person in the movement.
This led to a lot of backlash on social media as fans think this is an absurd connection to make, especially this many years later. One fan said, “This man just blatantly said the reason the Chris Paul trade to the Lakers got vetoed was because of the LeBron James decision.. please go cover another sport man.”
This man just blatantly said the reason the Chris Paul trade to the Lakers got vetoed was because of the LeBron James decision.. please go cover another sport man 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/Tnv86Rz7Bw
— E Booker✊🏾 (@E_Book88) February 28, 2025
This wasn’t the only fan to say something as another also added, “Stephen A said the reason the Chris Paul trade got vetoed was because of LeBron James lmaoooo. This is the s**t that I’m talking about. He could walk on water and they’d say it was because he was jealous of Jesus.”
Another user on X said, “Do they not fact check on this show. Why’s LeBron to blame for Chris Paul.”
Now I’m half way done. Do they not fact check on this show. Why’s LeBron to blame for Chris Paul 😂 https://t.co/syiEp47mX1
— 🙂 (@_Ryan1892) February 28, 2025
Another fan also found it laughable that Smith said this, saying, “Stephen A deada** just blamed the Chris Paul to the Lakers trade getting voided on LeBron LOLOL.”
While Gilbert might have disagreed with the Paul trade, he wasn’t the only one, and he certainly didn’t start the push for the veto of the trade. It simply wouldn’t have benefited the Hornets, and Stern didn’t want to see something happen that would be so one-sided, especially since he had the obligation to look out for New Orleans.
This isn’t the first time Smith has made a wild take and it likely won’t be the last, but fans were clearly very unhappy with this one.
