Trade sagas can often be of the biggest sources of tension and drama in sports. Some of these deals rumble on for a long time. It could be because a franchise doesn’t want to lose one of their best players or maybe they haven’t received an appropriate offer.
However, they can become toxic when an athlete refuses to play. Players, agents, managers, and coaches all battle to make their voices heard. Multiple teams can become involved, especially in major NBA trades. Let’s look at 25 trade sagas that seemed to last forever via Bleacher Report.
25. Chris Paul
Paul is one of the best players in the NBA without a championship ring. These days, fans instantly connect him with the Phoenix Suns. He began his career with the New Orleans Hornets. Paul was part of one of the league’s biggest trade sagas during his time with the franchise. He was one of their best players but wanted to move to a bigger market. This way he’d make more money as well as have a better chance of winning.
However, the Hornets resisted his desire to move. Paul attempted to force a trade to the L.A. Lakers but the NBA intervened. In the end, he moved to Los Angeles. But he went to the Clippers instead of the Lakers in a bizarre twist. It was a strange series of events and rumbled on for far too long. The Hornets were the real losers because Paul’s abilities were irreplaceable (via ESPN).