No surprise to anybody, but per Woj:
The NBA has been been running the trade talks for Paul, usurping the power of general manager Dell Demps. The league took over the Hornets in December, and are angling to maintain value to sell the franchise for the highest possible price.
Having the Commissioner -- who is supposed to be looking out for the best interests of all 30 teams -- negotiating specifically on behalf of one of them is a huge conflict of interest to me. It was one thing when Demps was walled off and allowed to do his own thing, but to allow the supposedly unbiased Commissioner to become Negotiator-In-Chief is a terrible situation for the league. It makes it appear that Stern is steering CP3 to the franchise of his choice.
I for one like how Stern has handled this situation. Will there be a conflict of interest? Sure. But I think Stern is asking fair value for him of teams that are more than capable of meeting them, but are unwilling.
I'm willing to bet that if Ainge had the assets the other teams involved have this deal would have been made to Stern's approval long ago.
Regardless of his negotiating strategy, the Commissioner shouldn't be acting as a GM, especially when he has a duty to treat the other 29 franchises equally.
As for his negotiating style, by pushing for a strong deal in NO's favor, he risks turning suitors off and having them turn elsewhere. That already happened with the Lakers, and it could easily happen with the Clips.
I agree, but if he values no deal higher than just any deal to get "something", then I see no problem really. I agree with you on though on the conflict of interest, but I think any owner with real stake on the future of NO would be handling this like Stern is doing.
I also think that there shouldn't be a rush to deal Paul. I think better packaged might come towards trade deadline. At worst, Paul leaves and they have cap space next year. There's also possibilities of sign and trade options during free-agency, while having the advantage of CP3 helping sell some tickets during the season.
I'm pretty sure the original Celtics trade proposals would have been accepted by Stern, since it's pretty much what he's been asking the rest of the teams involved of.
As for the Clippers, I'm not sure this has anything to do with Stern. From the get go the asking price has been Gordon (even before the veto), we'll have to see if at any point the Clippers were going to give up Gordon in this latest deal.
Topic: Paul to Clipper deal submitted to League (and Reports say deal dead) (Read 25564 times)