The Los Angeles Lakers seem to have a knack for attracting superstars, with their latest windfall being the unexpected trade of Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks. In what caught many by surprise, Doncic joined the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a first-round draft pick.
Recently, Charles Barkley opened up about how he almost became another high-profile player to don the Lakers’ purple and gold, only for the opportunity to slip away. On a recent podcast with Ernie Johnson, Barkley responded to a question about trades during his career that nearly came to be.
“I actually got traded to the Lakers. It’s true,” Barkley revealed. “Then my agent calls and says, ‘The Sixers backed out of the deal.’ … It was the strangest trade scenario I’ve ever been part of,” Barkley shared on NBA on TNT.
A tweet from NBA on TNT highlighted this intriguing anecdote, showcasing the time Barkley was poised to join the Lakers, only for plans to unravel at the last moment.
This lost opportunity perhaps sheds light on some of Barkley’s long-standing criticism of the Lakers, as frequently seen on “Inside The NBA.” At that time, Barkley was eager to leave Philadelphia, having expressed his dissatisfaction despite not formally requesting a trade.
Ultimately, Barkley’s desired exit from the Sixers materialized in the offseason when he was traded to the Phoenix Suns in a deal involving Jeff Hornacek, Tim Perry, and Andrew Lang.
Had Barkley joined the Lakers during that era, it would have been a notable addition amid Magic Johnson’s departure following his HIV diagnosis.
In related news, stay tuned to see how LeBron James has been blazing through his last four games.
