A recent conspiracy theory (truth) has come to me.
What if then NBA Commissioner David Stern vetoed a three-team trade in 2011 that would have sent Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers...for revenge of the Gasol - Lakers trade debacle.
In 2008, the Lakers sent; Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, the draft rights to Marc Gasol and two first-round picks to the Grizzlies in exchange for Pau Gasol and a second-round pick.
Every other GM was furious, not only was it an pathetic return for a prime, future Hall-of-Famer, but no other team was even made aware that Gasol was on the trade block. So if you're Memphis, why make a terrible trade? Why not gauge the league first? The reason...Michael Heisley!
Heisley was the original Grizzlies owner that back in 2001 who publicly stated the Vancouver Grizzles would not be moving...then moved the team (for short term money). Even in Memphis, the owners time was marred by his penny pinching (he fired all team college scouts in 09).
What if the Lakers gave Michael Heisley, a massive illegal cash payment under the table for Pau Gasol... and the trade package was the cover. Remember Marc was just a overweight, end of the second round throw in at the time.
I propose that David Stern heard rumours about the violation but couldn't prove anything, so for the integrity of the NBA...it was swept under the rug.
I know this sounds crazy...but it's all too... 'convenient'.
But how did the Lakers know Heisley would be prone to such a bribe? Someone who had recently retired as the Grizzlies GM in 2007...Jerry West!
We all know Kobe Bryant was going to force his way out if that trade hadn't taken place.
* Just a bit of fun obviously