Some trades in NBA history are so infamous, fans still shake their heads years, even decades, later. Whether it was a superstar given up too soon, a draft pick that became a legend, or a blockbuster that simply didn’t pan out, these are the trades that fans agree were among the worst ever made.
1. Charlotte Hornets Trade Kobe Bryant to the Lakers
In 1996, Charlotte traded the 13th overall pick, Kobe Bryant, for veteran center Vlade Divac. Bryant went on to win five championships and become a Lakers legend.
2. Boston Celtics Trade Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to the Nets
The Nets mortgaged their future in 2013 for aging stars, giving Boston multiple unprotected picks. Those picks turned into franchise cornerstones like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
3. Milwaukee Bucks Trade Dirk Nowitzki on Draft Night
In 1998, the Bucks traded Dirk Nowitzki’s draft rights to Dallas for Robert Traylor. Nowitzki became one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history.
4. Seattle SuperSonics Trade Scottie Pippen on Draft Day
Seattle drafted Pippen in 1987 but quickly traded him to Chicago for Olden Polynice. Pippen went on to win six championships with the Bulls.
5. The Pistons traded Khris Middleton to the Milwaukee Bucks
In 2013, the Pistons traded Khris Middleton to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a larger deal that sent Brandon Jennings to Detroit. Middleton was originally drafted by the Pistons in 2012, but was traded early in his career. He then went on to have a successful career with the Bucks, becoming a three-time All-Star and an NBA champion.
6. Rajon Rondo traded to the Boston Celtics
Rajon Rondo was traded to the Boston Celtics on draft night in 2006. The Phoenix Suns drafted him 21st overall and immediately traded him to the Celtics. The trade involved the Celtics sending the Cleveland Cavaliers’ first-round draft pick in 2007 and cash considerations to Phoenix. Rondo would play for the Celtics from 2006 to 2014.
7. Toronto Raptors Trade Vince Carter to the Nets
Carter was traded in 2004 for a disappointing package that included Alonzo Mourning, who never suited up for Toronto. Carter thrived in New Jersey, leaving Raptors fans bitter.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves Trade Kevin Garnett to Boston
Though KG won a title in Boston, Minnesota received very little value in return. It marked the start of a long rebuild with no clear star.
9. Los Angeles Lakers Trade Shaquille O’Neal to the Heat
In 2004, LA sent Shaq to Miami after internal drama with Kobe. Though LA got Lamar Odom and others, Shaq helped bring a title to Miami almost immediately.
10. Brooklyn Nets Trade for James Harden
The Nets gave up a haul of picks and young talent for Harden in 2021, but the Big Three never clicked. Just over a year later, Harden was gone, and the Nets were left empty-handed.
11. Golden State Warriors Trade Mitch Richmond
The Warriors broke up their Run TMC trio by trading Richmond for Billy Owens in 1991. The move backfired, and Golden State lost a fan favorite and future Hall of Famer.
12. Boston Celtics Trade Chauncey Billups
Boston gave up on rookie Chauncey Billups just 51 games into his career. He eventually became an NBA Finals MVP with the Pistons.
13. Sacramento Kings Trade Isaiah Thomas
Thomas was traded to the Suns for a measly trade exception in 2014. He went on to become an All-Star and MVP candidate with the Celtics.
14. Orlando Magic Trade Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis
The Magic dealt both young stars for Serge Ibaka in 2016. Ibaka didn’t stay long, while Oladipo and Sabonis became All-Stars elsewhere.
15. Chicago Bulls Trade LaMarcus Aldridge on Draft Night
Chicago drafted Aldridge in 2006 but traded him to Portland for Tyrus Thomas. Aldridge became a seven-time All-Star; Thomas didn’t last long.
16. Philadelphia 76ers Trade Mikal Bridges
Philly drafted Bridges in 2018 but traded him to Phoenix the same night for Zhaire Smith. Smith struggled with injuries, while Bridges became a rising two-way star.
17. Los Angeles Clippers Trade Draft Pick That Became Kyrie Irving
In 2011, the Clippers traded a pick to Cleveland that became Kyrie Irving. The move was meant to offload Baron Davis, but it cost them a future superstar.
18. Atlanta Hawks Trade Pau Gasol’s Draft Rights
In 2001, the Hawks traded Gasol to Memphis for Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Gasol went on to become a six-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion.
19. Denver Nuggets Trade Donovan Mitchell’s Rights
The Nuggets selected Mitchell in 2017 but dealt his rights to Utah for Trey Lyles and Tyler Lydon. Mitchell quickly became a perennial All-Star.
20. Washington Wizards Trade Chris Webber
Washington traded the former No. 1 pick to the Kings after just one season. Webber thrived in Sacramento, helping lead them to years of playoff success.
21. Cleveland Cavaliers Trade Andre Miller
Cleveland sent Miller to the Clippers for Darius Miles in 2002. Miller went on to have a long, productive career; Miles never reached expectations.
22. Indiana Pacers Trade Kawhi Leonard on Draft Night
Indiana traded Leonard’s draft rights to San Antonio for George Hill. Leonard became a Finals MVP and two-time Defensive Player of the Year.
23. New York Knicks Trade First-Round Picks for Eddy Curry
The Knicks gave up multiple first-round picks to Chicago for Curry in 2005. Curry never panned out, while Chicago landed valuable assets.
24. Miami Heat Trade Glen Rice for Alonzo Mourning
Though Zo became a star in Miami, the trade hurt Charlotte fans more. Glen Rice was a fan favorite and had several All-Star seasons after leaving.
25. Houston Rockets Trade Robert Horry and Sam Cassell
In 1996, Houston traded two core championship players for Charles Barkley. Barkley never won a ring in Houston, and the trade broke up the chemistry.
26. Milwaukee Bucks Trade Ray Allen
In 2003, the Bucks dealt Allen to the SuperSonics for Gary Payton, who left after the season. Allen went on to become the NBA’s all-time three-point king (until Curry).
27. Phoenix Suns Trade Steve Nash
Phoenix traded Nash to Dallas early in his career, where he blossomed into an All-Star. They re-signed him later but also traded him again to the Lakers in 2012, where injuries ended his run.
28. Portland Trail Blazers Trade Jermaine O’Neal
The Blazers gave up on a young O’Neal, trading him to Indiana for Dale Davis. O’Neal became a six-time All-Star and cornerstone for the Pacers.
29. New Orleans Hornets Trade Baron Davis
In 2005, Davis was traded to the Golden State Warriors for essentially nothing. He later led the Warriors to a historic playoff upset over the Mavericks in 2007.
30. Detroit Pistons Trade Darko Miličić Instead of Developing Him
Drafting Darko over Carmelo, Wade, and Bosh was bad, but trading him in 2006 for a pick made it worse. He never developed, and the pick didn’t help Detroit recover.
