By blocking the Hornets’ trade that would have sent Chris Paul to the Lakers and netted Lamar Odom, Luis Scola, Kevin Martin, Goran Dragic, and a 2012 first-round pick from the Rockets in return, commissioner David Stern may have cost Chris Paul millions in guaranteed money.

"If Chris Paul doesn't get traded," said one source close to the Paul talks, "and if he ends up losing $30 million or $40 million in free agency because he wants to sign with someone else, I think he might have the biggest lawsuit the league has ever seen."
Under the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement, Paul can opt out of his contract next summer and sign a four-year, $74 million deal with a new team.

But in a sign-and-trade arrangement – like the Hornets’ proposed trade with the Lakers and Rockets – Paul could opt out and re-sign for five years, $100 million.