From vetoed blockbusters to last-minute cold feet, these failed deals left fans wondering how different the league might look today. Every near miss changed team futures and player legacies in ways we can only imagine.
These stories reveal how close franchises came to altering championship windows and dynasty timelines. The what-if scenarios continue to fuel basketball discussions decades later.
Let’s explore the biggest trades that almost happened but ultimately fell through.
Chris Paul’s vetoed move to join Kobe Bryant
In December 2011, the Lakers arranged a three-team trade to acquire Chris Paul from New Orleans. The deal would have sent Pau Gasol to Houston and multiple players to the Hornets, including Lamar Odom.
Commissioner David Stern vetoed the trade, citing basketball reasons as the league owned New Orleans at the time. Paul instead joined the Clippers later that week in a separate trade, six days after the vetoed Lakers deal.
Kobe Bryant nearly became a Chicago Bull
After three disappointing seasons following Shaquille O’Neal’s departure, Kobe requested a trade from Los Angeles in 2007. Chicago emerged as his top choice, and the Lakers and Bulls discussed packages built around Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, Tyrus Thomas, and Joakim Noah as potential trade pieces.
The trade collapsed because Bryant insisted that Deng remain in Chicago to give him a legitimate running mate. Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak then acquired Pau Gasol instead, leading to back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010.
Scottie Pippen’s near swap for Shawn Kemp
Seattle fans’ backlash contributed to the trade being shelved, though any effect on Michael Jordan’s later return is purely speculative. Following Jordan’s first retirement in 1994, Chicago offered Scottie Pippen to Seattle for Shawn Kemp. The trade seemed imminent until word leaked to the public, sparking massive fan backlash in Seattle.
Angry Supersonics supporters flooded team phone lines, threatening to burn down the arena if Kemp was traded away. Seattle owner Barry Ackerley ultimately pulled the plug, keeping Kemp in Seattle. Many fans and writers later framed it as a key ‘what-if’ moment for the Bulls’ dynasty, but that impact is speculative.
James Harden almost joined the Warriors dynasty
Golden State nearly traded Klay Thompson before their championship run began.
When Oklahoma City shopped James Harden in 2012 for financial reasons, the Warriors were reportedly the first team contacted. The reported framework would have sent Klay Thompson and a future draft pick to the Thunder in exchange for Harden.
Golden State declined to part with Thompson, believing in his long-term potential alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Harden went to Houston instead, and the Warriors built the Splash Brothers dynasty that dominated the league for years.
Kevin Garnett’s rejected move to Los Angeles
The Lakers nearly formed a superteam before Boston beat them to the punch.
In 2007, Los Angeles offered Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom to Minnesota for Kevin Garnett before his prime years ended. The deal stalled as Garnett expressed concerns about Kobe Bryant’s future with the franchise and the team’s overall competitiveness.
Boston ultimately won the bidding war, acquiring Garnett to form the Big Three with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. The Celtics beat the Lakers in the 2008 Finals, though Los Angeles got revenge with a championship in 2010.
Kevin Love nearly replaced Klay Thompson in Golden State
Before establishing their dynasty, the Golden State seriously considered trading Klay Thompson and David Lee for Kevin Love in 2014. League consensus favored the deal, viewing Love as the superior talent at the time and a perfect championship piece.
Jerry West, serving as a consultant, threatened to quit if Thompson was included in any package. The Warriors kept their core intact, and Thompson became an All-Star and one of the greatest shooters in basketball history.
Stephen Curry’s ankle concerns nearly sent him to Milwaukee
Curry’s ankle issues were serious enough in 2012 that his name came up in trade discussions with Milwaukee centered on Andrew Bogut. Milwaukee expressed interest in acquiring the young point guard in exchange for center Andrew Bogut and additional assets.
The Bucks ultimately withdrew from discussions, concerned about Curry’s medical reports and long-term health prospects. Curry stayed in the Bay Area, recovered from his injuries, and became a two-time MVP and four-time champion.
Tracy McGrady’s potential partnership with Scottie Pippen
The Bulls nearly swapped their franchise icon for a future superstar.
During Chicago’s second three-peat run in 1997, the Bulls explored a draft-night trade sending Scottie Pippen to the Raptors for the rights to rookie Tracy McGrady, with additional pieces discussed. The deal would have been a straight swap with some draft picks included for Chicago.
According to McGrady, Jordan strongly opposed the trade; Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf has since said he was the one who ultimately vetoed it to protect their title window. McGrady went to Orlando the following year, where he blossomed into a scoring champion and perennial All-Star.
TL;DR
- David Stern vetoed Chris Paul’s 2011 trade to the Lakers, altering three franchises forever.
- Kobe Bryant nearly joined the Bulls in 2007 but insisted that Luol Deng stay in Chicago.
- Seattle fans’ backlash helped derail a proposed Scottie Pippen for Shawn Kemp trade.
- The Warriors chose Klay Thompson over James Harden, building the Splash Brothers instead.
This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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