Remember that time back in 2011 when the basketball world almost exploded? I still can't believe David Stern actually vetoed the CP3 trade. Let's get real - if you're a Lakers fan like me, you've definitely lost sleep over this. What if Chris Paul actually suited up alongside Kobe Bryant? Would we have seen championship banners hanging in Staples Center? That question "would the lakers have won with cp3 and kobe" still haunts me when I rewatch old games.
The Trade That Never Happened
December 2011 - Lakers, Rockets and Hornets agree on a blockbuster deal. CP3 to LA, Pau Gasol to Houston, Lamar Odom and others to New Orleans. I remember exactly where I was when the news broke - at a sports bar with friends, high-fiving like we'd already won the title. But then... boom. The NBA commissioner steps in and kills it, citing "basketball reasons." Even now, it feels like someone ripped the championship right out of our hands.
Key context often missed: The league owned the Hornets at the time. Stern essentially acted as both judge and team owner. Tell me that's not a massive conflict of interest.
The Proposed Trade Details
| Team | Receiving | Giving Up |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | Chris Paul | Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom |
| New Orleans Hornets | Lamar Odom, Kevin Martin, Luis Scola, Goran Dragic | Chris Paul |
| Houston Rockets | Pau Gasol | Kevin Martin, Luis Scola, Goran Dragic |
Could CP3 and Kobe Actually Work Together?
I've had endless debates about this at Lakers meetups. Critics said two alphas would clash. Seriously? Kobe respected killers, and CP3 was pure killer instinct. Remember how Kobe lit up when talking about playing with CP3 in All-Star games? "He sees things before they happen," Kobe once said. That's huge coming from him.
Kobe Bryant (2010-11)
Points: 25.3 | Assists: 4.7 | FG%: 45.1%
Notable: 9x All-Defensive selection
Chris Paul (2010-11)
Points: 15.8 | Assists: 9.8 | Steals: 2.4
Notable: Led league in steals 4x
Here's what people miss about pairing them: Kobe wouldn't have needed to handle the ball so much. Less wear on his legs means maybe he avoids that Achilles tear. CP3 running point means Kobe gets more catch-and-shoot opportunities - and we all know how deadly he was in rhythm.
Play Style Compatibility
| Playing Style | Kobe Bryant | Chris Paul | Compatibility Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half-court offense | Master technician | Elite floor general | ★★★★★ |
| Transition game | Excellent finisher | Best outlet passer | ★★★★☆ |
| Defensive pressure | Lockdown perimeter | Steals leader | ★★★★★ |
| Leadership style | Demanding veteran | Vocal floor general | ★★★☆☆ |
The Roadblock: Post-Veto Roster Reality
After Stern killed the trade, everything went downhill fast. We lost Lamar Odom - he was so upset about almost being traded that he mentally checked out. Pau stayed but never seemed the same. Meanwhile, Chris Paul went to the Clippers and instantly made them relevant. That still stings.
Here's the brutal truth: The 2011-12 Lakers lost to OKC in second round. With CP3 instead of Ramon Sessions? Come on. We'd have had a real chance against that young Thunder team. Westbrook vs CP3 would've been must-see TV.
2011-12 Actual Lakers vs Projected CP3 Lakers
| Position | Actual Roster | Projected Roster with CP3 | Upgrade Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point Guard | Ramon Sessions | Chris Paul | Massive upgrade |
| Shooting Guard | Kobe Bryant | Kobe Bryant | Same |
| Small Forward | Metta World Peace | Matt Barnes (likely) | Slight downgrade |
| Power Forward | Pau Gasol | Josh McRoberts (likely) | Significant downgrade |
| Center | Andrew Bynum | Andrew Bynum | Same |
Would losing Pau have hurt? Absolutely. But CP3 made Blake Griffin an All-Star in LA. Imagine what he could've done with a prime Andrew Bynum. That pick-and-roll would've been unstoppable.
Championship Contention Timeline
Let's break down how the "would the lakers have won with cp3 and kobe" scenario might have played out season by season:
2011-12 Season (Lockout Year)
This was the best shot. Miami hadn't fully gelled yet. The Spurs were aging. That Mavericks team that swept us? CP3 would've shredded Jason Kidd. I honestly think we could've taken Miami in the Finals. Kobe chasing ring #6 against LeBron? Hollywood couldn't script it better.
2012-13 Season
Here's where injuries become the big question. Kobe played MVP-level basketball before the Achilles tear. With CP3 handling more playmaking duties, maybe Kobe avoids that devastating injury. If both stay healthy? They'd have been the favorites against the Heat's small-ball lineup.
From my perspective as a Lakers blogger who covered that era: The Dwight Howard experiment failed because we didn't have a true point guard. With CP3, Dwight might have actually stayed. That's scary to think about - CP3, Kobe, and prime Dwight? That's a dynasty.
2013-14 Onward
This is where it gets tricky. Kobe's injuries mounted. CP3 had his own knee issues. But even a diminished Kobe with CP3 would've remained competitive. Maybe not championship favorites, but definitely contenders.
The Opposition: Who Could Stop Them?
Let's not pretend it would've been easy. The West was brutal during those years:
- The Spurs machine with Parker/Duncan/Ginobili
- OKC's young trio of Durant/Westbrook/Harden
- Lob City Clippers (ironically led by CP3)
- Grit-and-grind Grizzlies
Then in the East, you had the Miami superteam. But here's what gives me confidence: Kobe and CP3 both had that dog mentality. They lived for big games. Regular season? Maybe they coast sometimes. But playoffs? They'd have turned it up.
Potential Finals Matchups
| Season | Actual Champion | CP3/Kobe Lakers Win Probability |
|---|---|---|
| 2011-12 | Miami Heat | 60% (Lakers favored) |
| 2012-13 | Miami Heat | 50% (Toss-up) |
| 2013-14 | San Antonio Spurs | 40% (Spurs favored) |
Why It Probably Would Have Worked
Beyond stats, this pairing made basketball sense. Kobe needed a point guard who could:
- Create shots without dominating the ball
- Defend at elite level
- Hit clutch shots
- Command respect
CP3 checked every box. Remember how Steve Nash looked washed up in Mike Brown's system? CP3 wouldn't have had that problem - he created offense himself.
The Psychological Factor
This matters more than people admit. After the veto, the Lakers seemed defeated before seasons started. With CP3 and Kobe? The locker room vibe changes completely. Suddenly, veterans take minimum deals to chase rings. That's how you get quality depth.
Common Questions About CP3 and Kobe Lakers
Would Kobe and CP3 have clashed egos?
Probably not as much as people think. Kobe respected CP3's work ethic. They trained together offseasons. CP3 understood Kobe's mentality better than most.
What about Dwight Howard's role with this team?
If we still got Dwight? CP3 feeding Dwight pick-and-rolls while Kobe operates mid-post? That's championship material right there. But chemistry issues could've surfaced.
Could they have beaten the 2012-13 Heat superteam?
This is why we ask "would the lakers have won with cp3 and kobe" - because I think they matched up perfectly against Miami. CP3 could contain Chalmers or Wade, Kobe guards LeBron. Bynum vs Bosh? Advantage Lakers.
How many championships would they have won together?
Realistically? Probably one, maybe two. The 2012 lockout season was their best shot. After that, injuries and age become factors.
Would CP3 have extended long-term with Lakers?
Almost certainly. He wanted LA. The Clippers were second choice. Playing with Kobe in purple and gold? He'd have retired a Laker.
The Injury Factor
This is the biggest wildcard. Kobe's Achilles tore in April 2013. CP3 had multiple knee surgeries. Would their minutes have been managed better? Probably. But if both go down, the championship window slams shut. Still, even one healthy season together might have been enough.
Career-Altering Injuries Timeline
| Player | Major Injury | Season | Games Missed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kobe Bryant | Achilles tear | 2012-13 | Final 20 + playoffs |
| Chris Paul | Meniscus tear | 2009-10 | 37 games |
| Andrew Bynum | Knee issues | 2011-12 | 40 games |
Final Verdict: Rings or Regret?
After analyzing everything - the rosters, the competition, the styles - I've got to say yes. The Lakers absolutely win at least one championship with Kobe and CP3. Probably in that first season together. The basketball gods owed us that much after robbing us of the trade.
Would the lakers have won with cp3 and kobe? In my opinion, definitely. The veto didn't just change franchises - it altered NBA history. We missed seeing two basketball savants playing together in their primes. That's why this question still burns a decade later.
What's sad is imagining Kobe getting that sixth ring. He deserved it. CP3 deserved to play with someone who matched his competitive fire. Instead, they both got robbed. So next time you watch old highlights, ask yourself: would the lakers have won with cp3 and kobe? My heart says yes. And I think deep down, you know it too.
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