The botched Los Angeles Lakers-New Orleans Hornets deal back in 2011, which saw the league cancel Chris Paul's agreed-upon move to the Lakers, remains to be one of the most controversial non-trades in the history of the NBA.

However, this was actually not the first time the league intervened with a deal of that magnitude. In fact, the Lakers themselves were beneficiaries of a league-sanctioned trade that landed them the rights to draft Hall of Famer Magic Johnson.

A reddit basketball historian that goes by the username of u/DeathBySuplex dug up a very interesting piece of history that may make Lakers supporters feel less aggrieved about the revoked Chris Paul move some seven years ago. Then again, maybe not.

Per basketball-reference.com, in 1974, the league sanctioned a trade deal between the Lakers and the New Orleans Jazz that eventually gave L.A. the rights to the 1979 first overall pick.

“August 5, 1976: The New Orleans Jazz traded a 1977 1st round draft pick (Kenny Carr was later selected), a 1978 1st round draft pick (Freeman Williams was later selected), a 1979 1st round draft pick (Magic Johnson was later selected) and a 1980 2nd round draft pick (Sam Worthen was later selected) to the Los Angeles Lakers for a 1977 2nd round draft pick (Essie Hollis was later selected) and a 1978 1st round draft pick (Jack Givens was later selected). This exchange was arranged as compensation for Utah signing veteran free agent Gail Goodrich on July 19, 1976.”

Magic Johnson is arguably a much more significant franchise acquisition as compared to Chris Paul, so in this respect, perhaps Lakers faithful should be glad that the rule book allows for the association to intercede in transactions between teams.