Criticism mounts over NBA’s decision to deny Paul trade

Criticism of the NBA’s decision to halt a potential Chris Paul trade is pouring in from around the league. The New Orleans Hornets, which are owned by the league, had agreed to a three-team trade Thursday that would have sent their All-Star point guard to the Los Angeles Lakers. But the league killed the deal for “basketball reasons” and has denied the decision came about because of pressure on Commissioner David Stern from angry owners. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban told a radio station the league went through the lockout to prevent this very type of deal in which small-market teams lose their superstars. And a letter from Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert to Stern clearly showed he, too, objected to the deal. “I just don’t see how we can allow this trade to happen,” Gilbert wrote in the letter. “I know the vast majority of owners feel the same way that I do.” Hall of Famer Magic Johnson also chimed in, writing on Twitter today that it was the “wrong decision” by Stern and the owners. Stern responded in a statement, saying the Hornets were “better served with Chris in a Hornets uniform than by the outcome of the terms of that trade.” The teams involved in the axed trade are appealing the league for Stern to reverse the decision, ESPN.com reports. Read the full story from The Associated Press here.