Whether a trade is deemed “good” or “bad” often depends on the side of the trade you identify with. Still, there’s nothing subjective about a truly lopsided deal — especially in hindsight. Today, we’ll look at five of the NBA’s most “one-sided” trades.
Wilt Chamberlain to the Los Angeles Lakers (1968)
Wilt Chamberlain was no joke when he got traded from the Sixers to the Lakers. He was a four-time league MVP, and he had led the Sixers to their franchise’s second championship just shortly before the trade in 1967.
The Lakers, on the other hand, were on a losing streak. They lost six times to the Celtics in 1959, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, and 1968. In fact, the Chamberlain-led Sixers were one of the only two teams to win the finals during the Celtics’ twelve-year dominance. The same could not be said for the Lakers — but despite losing, they managed six finals appearances in that span.
What led the Sixers to give one of basketball's all-time greats? In hindsight, not a whole lot. The Sixers traded Chamberlain for three Lakers: Darrall Imhoff, Jerry Chambers, and Archie Clark.
After a few seasons in Philadelphia, Chamberlain requested a trade that would end up being the first time a reigning MVP was dealt. From there, Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, and Elgin Baylor formed what was, arguably, the NBA’s first “big three.”
The Lakers went on to appear in the Finals in four of his five seasons in Los Angeles and won the title in 1972 – a series in which Chamberlain took home Finals MVP. As for the 76ers, it would take nine seasons until they won a playoff series again.
Kareem Abdul-Jabaar to the Los Angeles Lakers (1975)
Kareem is one of the best basketball players to ever exist… so it’s no surprise the Lakers were able to land him. Though this is often cited as one of the worst trades of all time (it is) it’s worth noting that Milwaukee had little chance of hanging on to KAJ.
Like Wilt’s situation, Kareem’s eventual departure was fate — New York or Los Angeles were unavoidable.
After notifying management of his desire to leave — the organization had time to comprise a deal that would, in some way, compensate for the former MVP’s absence. The best they could do was get Elmore Smith, Brian Winters, Dave Meyers, and Junior Bridgeman. Thus, a dark age was born — fifty years without a championship, and one that ended this summer.
In the meantime, Kareem joined Magic and James Worthy, steamrolling their way to five of the organization's sixteen total titles.
Scottie Pippen to the Chicago Bulls (1987)
It’s impossible to talk about lopsided, or in this case, short-sighted, trades without mentioning Scottie Pippen’s draft day move. The great sidekick was initially drafted by Seattle — fifth overall — but was dealt the same day for Olden Polynice (remember him?). For many people, this is Polynice's most notable career moment.
Scottie, Jordan, and the Bulls ended up not just as the center of the league, but of the entire American zeitgeist for nearly a decade. The Last Dance’s release brought to light how vital Scottie’s role was — underpaid or not. Six championships later, he became cemented as one of basketball’s all-time great small forwards.
Without Pippen, the Bulls' dominance feels extremely unlikely. In the age of Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, Gary Payton, Clyde Drexler, and Charles Barkley, it’s safe to say that the Bulls' extraordinary run came on the right end of a draft day trade.
Shaquille O’Neal to the Miami Heat (2004)
In hindsight, Shaq’s arrival in Miami is a defining moment for a team on the cusp of a championship. Two years after the deal, Miami was able to secure a franchise-first title. The Wade/O’Neal duo manned a unit that ran through Dallas — in turn establishing the franchise as one that deserved respect.
The Shaq trade followed the 2004 Finals, where the Pistons swept the Lakers 4-1. and closed the beloved Kobe-Shaq chapter in LA. In exchange for Shaq, the Lakers picked up Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, and a first-round pick. While none of those names stick out to us now as a justifiable reason to get rid of one of the best centers of all time, the Lakers’ decision came right after a combination of a tough loss in the Finals, Shaq’s career-low in scoring, the fear that his injuries were catching up to him, and salary arguments.
All things considered, the Heat got their ring. The Lakers wouldn’t be gone for long — capturing another title four years later (an eternity for fans of the Lake Show).
Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Brooklyn Nets (2013)
Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce are two of Boston’s most iconic figures. Needless to say, this greatness didn’t extend itself in Brooklyn.
It wasn’t that the Nets overpaid — sending Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks, Keith Bogans, and Kris Joseph — it was that they overpaid in the picks they surrendered (three in the first round).
It seemed like everyone (but the Nets) knew that the Big Ticket and The Truth’s flames had nearly extinguished. Both played roughly two decades, and both were nearing that mark (2016 and 2017 respectively).
Brooklyn must’ve believed that their effectiveness was still intact — which proved incorrect. They were left with zero titles and two players that combined for three total seasons with the franchise.
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