[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

Before Stoudamire got bought out by the Grizzlies, everyone pretty much knew he would sign with San Antonio when it did happen. Same thing with Cassell and the Celtics. Hell, the Boston papers were writing stories about it when the Clippers just went to Boston saying that he was in the process of negotiating his buyout so he could sign with Boston. I mean, come on. People know what's going on. As I said, if I can report that on here, there's no way to tell me that NBA people couldn't see that too. Personally, this is where I think the league does things to make themselves look awful shady. The Lakers deal was a complete steal. But it improved a team in the second biggest market in the league. Then things couldn't get any better for the league when the Suns traded for Shaq. Now they have the possibility of Shaq vs Kobe for the West title and if the Lakers win, the Lakers vs Celtics for the league title. Stern is probably wetting himself daily over the possibilities. Now, the Mavs pull this off and not only could it ruin Stern's plans but also maybe end up with him having to present the championship trophy to his arch enemy in Mark Cuban. Now way he wants this.

It isn't that the NBA didn't know exactly what was going on. It is that Stackhouse publicly said what was going on so the NBA could no longer try and claim ignorance.