Chris Paul has become synonymous with the phrase “what-if” in NBA circles, a testament to the twists and turns his career has taken. Over 19 years and six teams, one narrative consistently resurfaces the near-miss opportunities that could have reshaped basketball history.
Back in December 2011, the basketball world buzzed with news of a monumental trade involving Paul. The New Orleans Hornets had struck a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, positioning Paul as the focal point.
However, the NBA, temporarily overseeing the Hornets due to ownership changes, intervened, blocking the trade. Instead, Paul found himself donning the colors of the LA Clippers, joining forces with stars like Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan in what became known as Lob City.
Despite the shift to the Clippers, Paul’s trajectory toward stardom remained unimpeded. He led the league in assists twice during his six-year tenure, orchestrating one of the most electrifying teams in the NBA. Yet, the lingering question persisted: what if he had teamed up with Lakers legend Kobe Bryant?
It was no way I was coming up off my number 🤣 Yall don’t wanna miss this story. Tune into my 1 on 1 with my brother @CP3 tomorrow 🎙️ #TheWhyWithDwyaneWade pic.twitter.com/LYXooPhjBW
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) February 28, 2024
In a recent episode of Dwyane Wade’s podcast, “The Why,” Paul delves into another missed opportunity that could have reshaped the NBA landscape: a potential trade to the Miami Heat.
Imagine Paul alongside LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Wade—arguably one of the most stacked rosters in NBA history. However, negotiations hit an unexpected snag: jersey numbers.
“We talked about everything—sharing the ball, playing together. Then someone asked, ‘Who gets to wear No. 3?'” Wade recounted.
Both Paul and Wade had built their legacies around the No. 3 jersey, making any compromise on digits seemingly impossible.
“I sacrificed touches, headlines, even money, but I’m not giving up my number!” Wade declared.
“Since you’re older, you could have just worn 33,” Paul quipped.
This wasn’t the first time speculation arose regarding Paul and Wade joining forces. In 2015, the duo, along with LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, made waves on social media with the infamous “banana boat” image, igniting fans’ imaginations about potential on-court partnerships.
Ultimately, the Heat would capture two championships during the Big Three era, reaching the NBA Finals twice more. With Paul in the mix, their potent offense would likely have reached even greater heights, cementing their status as one of the league’s most captivating teams.
