Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > Lakers News: Mitch Kupchak Recalls Chris Paul Trade As ‘A Bad Day’
Lakers News

Lakers News: Mitch Kupchak Recalls Chris Paul Trade As ‘A Bad Day’

Corey Hansford
Published: 12/15/2017
3 Min Read
Lakers Gm Mitch Kupchak Says Team Could End Up Trading Draft Pick
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

Many look at the vetoed Chris Paul trade as the turning point for the Los Angeles Lakers franchise. Adding Chris Paul alongside Kobe Bryant would have set the franchise up for years to come, and Paul’s style of play would have meshed well with Dwight Howard.

Instead, the Lakers wound up trading for Steve Nash who barely played due to injury. Late in that season, Kobe would tear his Achilles, Howard would leave in free agency that summer, and the Lakers have been in a downturn ever since.

Of course, the deal being rescinded had a major impact on Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, who believed they were headed out of town, only to be told that they had to remain with the Lakers.

In looking back on everything that happened, former Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak discussed the impact it had on Gasol and Odom, and called it a bad day in his appearance on Sirius XM NBA Radio, via Noah Coslov:

From Mitch Kupchak with @SiriusXMNBA on the Chris Paul-Lakers trade: "From a GM's point of view, the deal was done. Pau and Odom were never the same after that. Lamar was distraught and he requested a trade within 24 hours. It was a bad day."

— Noah Coslov (@NoahCoslov) December 14, 2017

While Gasol was able to remain with the team, a true act of professionalism, the vetoed trade clearly affected him and he ultimately left when his contract was up. While Gasol continued to play for the Lakers, the fiasco added to the expectation he ultimately wouldn’t re-sign.

Odom, on the other hand, felt betrayed and demanded a trade. He was dealt to the Dallas Mavericks, but was never close to being the same player. He fought personal issues and his career went into an unfortunate downward spiral.

Having an announced trade ultimately vetoed is a difficult thing to deal with as this showed. Kupchak felt he had done the best possible thing for the Lakers franchise, but in the end the day turned out to be a rough one for himself, and the rest of the Lakers.

WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DISCUSSION? CHECK OUT THE NEW LAKERSNATION FORUM CLUB

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Chris PaulLos Angeles LakersMitch Kupchak
ByCorey Hansford
Corey Hansford is the Senior Editor for Lakers Nation, as well as a contributor for Dodger Blue, Rams News Wire, and Raiders News Wire. He is a passionate follower of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chelsea FC, and the UFC. He can usually be seen arguing the merits of Kobe Bryant or cursing the decisions of Jerry Jones. He is also a former producer and associate producer for Sirius XM Sports Radio on both the Fantasy Sports Channel and College Sports Nation. Proud graduate of Long Beach Poly High School and The Real HU, Howard University, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Follow him on all social media outlets at @TheeCoreyH.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?