Hello Guys, we are going to talk about the Top 10 Worst Trades In NBA History. The National Basketball Association is the top-level basketball league system in the world and also the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada.
Top 10 worst trades in NBA history. When we take a look at the 10 worst trades in NBA history, the situation is alarming. Often the front offices indeed make mistakes. They prioritize veteran experience along with past production.
Offices failed many times in long-term thinking with future value. But yes, it’s equally true, NBA front offices are now cautious over time. We picked our Top 10 worst trades in NBA history. Here we gonna talk about the Top Worst Trades In NBA History.
Top 10 Worst Trades In NBA History
Below, we have shared all the details about the Worst trades in National Basketball Association History. To get more NBA Details continue reading this segment.
1956: The trade of St. Louis Hawks-Boston Celtics:
The Hawks went for the no. 2 pick on Russell. That time he was fresh off two NCAA championships. Later got swapped for Macauley and Hagan. They were drafted at No. 7.
Red Auerbach restricted Russell from being taken at no. 1 by the Rochester Royals. He convinced Celtics owner Walter Brown to move renowned ice show, Ice Capades, to New York Town. Macauley & Hagan individually made six All-Star teams. It was equal to Russell’s 12.
This trade turned worst because of alleged racist motives. It was because of Hawks’ ownership preferred 2 white players due to peak seasons of racial tension in the city.
Russell bagged 11 titles in Boston. On the other hand, the Hawks failed to reach the NBA Finals in 1961.
1975: The trade of Milwaukee Bucks-Los Angeles Lakers
In 1975, L.A. was re-tooling. Abdul-Jabbar who was a UCLA alum requested a trade out of the Midwest.
Abdul-Jabbar was undoubtedly NBA’s best player. He was the one who gave Milwaukee its only title in 1974. The Bucks back down, to deal once-in-a-generation talent of them to the big market.
Bridgeman and Winters ended up delivering big numbers in Milwaukee. Well, it was not at par with the historic Abdul-Jabbar’s run in Hollywood.
2012-2013: Nets debacle of The Brooklyn
In March 2012, King took almost-30-years-old Wallace. Wallace’s 13.3 points per game and 2012-13 player option ($9.5 million) sounded impressive. Brooklyn moved Mehmet Okur and Shawne Williams. It was along with a 2012 first-round pick to Portland. Well, they moved into Damian Lillard. On the other hand, Wallace played a mere 1.5 unmemorable seasons for Brooklyn.
The King again acquired 35-year-old Paul Pierce, 37-year-old Kevin Garnett, 36-year-old Jason Terry, and D.J. White. It was for Wallace, MarShon Brooks, Keith Bogans, Kris Humphries, and the other three first-round picks.
Pierce and Terry were there for a year in Brooklyn. Garnett dealt early into his second. For Boston, the 2014 pick (James Young) got wasted. Later turned the next two picks as:
- Jaylen Brown (2016)
- Jayson Tatum (2018).
2012: The trade of Oklahoma City Thunder-Houston Rockets
There was a mind change of The Thunders after:
- Fresh off a Sixth Man of the Year award
- An NBA Finals appearance
The Thunder plan to bail on Harden, 24, in place of paying him the extra $4.5 million.
OKC badly underestimated Harden’s depth. Lamb and Martin failed to replicate Harden’s powerful punch. It was even before Harden moved a level in Houston.
The Thunder finally ends up with Adams. While Oklahoma City could have, run it back for one more season with:
- Russell Westbrook
- Harden
- Kevin Durant.
1968: The trade of the Philadelphia 76ers-Los Angeles Lakers
Chamberlain was the Future Beach volleyball legend. He was targeting to finish his NBA career with L.A. It’s still a question as to why the Sixers ended up with a measly return package. Clark remained an All-Star in 1971.
Imhoff stayed in Cincinnati by 1970 while Chambers never turned perfect for Philly. The average of Chamberlain was 17.7 points and 19.2 rebounds. He bagged a title with the Lakers.
2008: The trade of Memphis Grizzlies-Los Angeles Lakers
It was a move that reshaped the future of the league for almost half-decade. 3 weeks before the deadline ended Chris Wallace, the Grizzlies general manager moved Gasol out West. The Lakers ended up 29-9 after this move. They made three straight Finals.
It’s true, Gasol had a brilliant career in Memphis. In reality, he far exceeded the conceivable expectations of everyone. At that time, he was playing in Spain. Even today Wallace’s decision-making is an absolute mystery.
1980: The trade Cleveland Cavaliers-Los Angeles Lakers
After ending up with a 28-win 1980 campaign, Cleveland did a trade. They traded the future first-rounder. The trade went to the defending champion Lakers. Surprisingly, their return package for Kinch and Ford didn’t work out.
Both were minor role players and failed to boost the franchise. The Cavs ended 15-67 in 1981-82. It gave L.A. the top pick. Worthy would become the elite third wheel for the “Showtime” squads of the championship.
1972: The trade of Houston Rockets-Baltimore Bullets
Marin added up 22.3 points/game in 1972. He remained a clear inferior to Hayes. Hayes that time was the league’s promising young star. He bagged the Rookie of the Year and MVP in 1969.
In some way, Baltimore went for a straight-up swap. Eventually, Hayes led Baltimore to get the 1979 title. On the other hand, Marin was there in Houston for less than two seasons.
2010: The trade of the Los Angeles Clippers-Cleveland Cavaliers
The Clippers went for a first-rounder. It was like a tax for Cleveland’s eagerness to have Davis. The Clips seemingly preferred their core of Eric Gordon, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan.
They also preferred the veteran, Williams. It was under contract for some more seasons in place of another lottery pick. That pick emerged as the No. 1 overall. It enabled Cleveland to expedite its position. It was LeBron’s rebuild with Irving.
1992: The trade of the Philadelphia 76ers-Phoenix Suns
Barkley requested out of Philly. He got traded to the Phoenix Suns with a laundry basket with one handle, a few sour grapes Now-N-Laters, and one pair of Tims. The 76ers failed to get a draft pick. This trade turned out to be very bad. The Sixers for the next six years did not make the playoffs.
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