The 10 Most Shocking NBA Trades That Became Worst Trades in NBA History
I still remember where I was when the Chris Paul to Lakers trade fell through in 2011. As someone who's followed the NBA for over two decades, I've witnessed countless transactions that shaped franchises, but that particular collapsed deal made me realize how trades can become battles on multiple fronts. It reminds me of Manny Pacquiao's famous quote about fighting through adversity: "Yung cramps ko sa paa I've been fighting for 20 years. Lumalaban ako parang dalawa yung kalaban ko – yung kalaban ko at yung cramps ko." That's exactly what happens in these disastrous trades – teams aren't just battling opponents on the court, they're fighting their own terrible decisions that haunt them for years.
The Chris Paul situation perfectly illustrates this dual battle. The trade was essentially done – Paul heading to the Lakers to form what could have been a dynasty with Kobe Bryant. Then commissioner David Stern, acting as owner of the Hornets, vetoed the deal. The Lakers weren't just fighting other teams after that; they were fighting the ghost of what could have been while dealing with the reality of their roster limitations. They ended up with Steve Nash instead, who played only 65 games over two seasons due to injuries. Meanwhile, Paul went to the Clippers and became "Lob City's" engine, making them relevant for the first time in decades. The ripple effects were massive – the Lakers missed their championship window with Bryant, while the Clippers transformed from league laughingstock to perennial contenders.
Speaking of championship windows closing, let's talk about the Brooklyn Nets' infamous 2013 trade with Boston. I've never seen a franchise so thoroughly dismantle its future in one move. Brooklyn sent three first-round picks (2014, 2016, 2018) and the right to swap picks in 2017 to Boston for Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Jason Terry. Those picks became Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Collin Sexton (via trade). The Nets won exactly one playoff series with their aging stars before entering basketball purgatory. What makes this trade particularly painful is how predictable it was – anyone watching could see these veterans were past their prime. The Nets weren't just competing against other teams; they were competing against Father Time, and we all know how that battle ends.
The 1996 Vancouver Grizzlies trading their draft pick that became Steve Francis to Houston for Michael Dickerson and Othella Harrington still baffles me. Francis went on to win Rookie of the Year and made three All-Star teams, while neither player Vancouver received made any significant impact. The Grizzlies relocated to Memphis in 2001, and I can't help but wonder if keeping a star like Francis might have changed their fate. Franchises making these deals aren't just facing opponents – they're fighting their own desperation and poor judgment.
Then there's the 1980 Boston Celtics trade that still gives me chills. Red Auerbach traded the number one pick that became Joe Barry Carroll for Robert Parish and the number three pick that became Kevin McHale. Golden State thought they were getting a franchise center, but Carroll never lived up to expectations while Parish and McHale formed one of the greatest frontcourts in NBA history, winning three championships together. This trade demonstrates how the same decision can create champions for one organization and nightmares for another. The Warriors weren't just playing basketball games – they were fighting against Auerbach's genius for years afterward.
I've always been fascinated by how these terrible trades create lasting legacies. The 1998 Dallas Mavericks trading Dirk Nowitzki to Milwaukee for Robert "Tractor" Traylor ranks among the most lopsided in history. Nowitzki became the greatest European player ever, an MVP, and brought Dallas their only championship in 2011. Traylor played just two seasons for the Mavericks. Milwaukee wasn't just competing against Dallas on the court – they were competing against the ghost of Dirk for two decades.
The 2004 Lakers trade deserves special mention for how it backfired spectacularly. Shaquille O'Neal to Miami for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant, and a future first-round pick. Shaq immediately helped Dwyane Wade win a championship in 2006 while the Lakers entered their darkest period since the early 1990s. What people forget is that Miami eventually traded Shaq to Phoenix for Shawn Marion, who they flipped for cap space that helped them land LeBron James and Chris Bosh. One terrible trade by LA created a championship and eventually helped form a superteam in Miami.
Some trades are shocking not just for their imbalance but for their timing. The 2011 Pacers trading Kawhi Leonard's draft rights to San Antonio for George Hill still puzzles me. Leonard became a two-time Finals MVP while Hill became a solid but unspectacular rotation player. Indiana wasn't just fighting opponents – they were fighting the Spurs' superior player development system that turned Leonard into a superstar.
The 1975 Jazz trade deserves recognition for its sheer historical impact. New Orleans traded multiple draft picks including what became the number one overall pick in 1979 to Los Angeles for Gail Goodrich. That pick became Magic Johnson. The Jazz moved to Utah in 1979, the same year Magic began his legendary Lakers career. Talk about adding insult to injury – not only did they give away a generational talent, but they did it before relocating.
Looking at these trades collectively, I'm struck by how they represent the dual battle Pacquiao described. Teams make these moves trying to gain competitive advantage, but often they're creating additional opponents in the form of regret and what-ifs. The worst trades don't just weaken a team – they strengthen rivals, sometimes for generations. They become the cramps that hinder performance long after the initial mistake. In the NBA, as in boxing, the toughest battles are often fought on multiple fronts, and the worst trades ensure franchises are fighting ghosts long after the paperwork is signed.
