- The Dallas Mavericks acquired both Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash using assets acquired by trading Tractor Traylor.
- The Los Angeles Lakers effectively acquired both Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal by trading away Vlade Divac.
- Bill Russell led the Boston Celtics to 11 championships.
When an earth-shattering trade occurs, it often improves at least one team’s immediate chances of winning games while boosting their championship basketball odds at a sportsbook.
While a trade ideally benefits both squads, it doesn’t always work out that way.
With that said, what are the nine worst trades in NBA history? Let’s find out.
9 Worst NBA Trades of All Time
| Rank | Trade | Year |
| 1 | Charlotte Hornets Trade Kobe Bryant to Los Angeles Lakers | 1996 |
| 2 | St. Louis Hawks Trade Bill Russell to Boston Celtics | 1956 |
| 3 | Milwaukee Bucks Trade Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Los Angeles Lakers | 1975 |
| 4 | New York Nets Trade Julius Erving to Philadelphia 76ers | 1976 |
| 5 | San Francisco Warriors Trade Wilt Chamberlain to Philadelphia 76ers | 1965 |
| 6 | Seattle SuperSonics Trade Scottie Pippen to Chicago Bulls | 1987 |
| 7 | Boston Celtics Trade Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce to Brooklyn Nets | 2013 |
| 8 | Oklahoma City Thunder Trade James Harden to Houston Rockets | 2012 |
| 9 | Dallas Mavericks Trade Luka Dončić to Los Angeles Lakers | 2025 |
1. 1996: Charlotte Hornets Trade Kobe Bryant to Los Angeles Lakers
The Charlotte Hornets selected Kobe Bryant No. 13 overall in the 1996 NBA Draft, but they traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Vlade Divac.
Bryant led the Lakers to five championships and won an MVP Award in 2008, becoming one of the best scorers of all time.
2. 1956: St. Louis Hawks Trade Bill Russell to Boston Celtics
The St. Louis Hawks acquired Ed Macauley and Cliff Hagan in this trade, as both players helped the Hawks win a championship over Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics in 1958. However, Russell won 11 championships and earned five MVP Awards in 13 seasons with the Celtics.
3. 1975: Milwaukee Bucks Trade Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Los Angeles Lakers
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar demanded a trade after growing tired of living in Milwaukee.
The Lakers packaged together Elmore Smith, Brian Winters, Junior Bridgeman, and Dave Meyers to acquire the then-three-time MVP, who then went on to claim three more in helping the “Lake Show” win five championships and capitalise on their short NBA championship odds during his time in Los Angeles.
4. 1976: New York Nets Trade Julius Erving to Philadelphia 76ers
The New York Nets dealt Julius Erving to the Philadelphia 76ers for $3 million to help keep them afloat after joining the NBA as part of the ABA merger in 1976.
Dr. J won two ABA MVPs and championships before becoming an 11-time NBA All-Star and champion with the Sixers.
5. 1965: San Francisco Warriors Trade Wilt Chamberlain to Philadelphia 76ers
Wilt Chamberlain was traded back to his hometown two-plus seasons after the San Francisco Warriors moved from Philadelphia, helping the 76ers win it all in 1967 while claiming three straight MVPs in a Sixers uniform.
The Warriors acquired Connie Dierking, Paul Neumann, and Lee Shaffer in the deal.
6. 1987: Seattle SuperSonics Trade Scottie Pippen to Chicago Bulls
The Seattle SuperSonics traded Scottie Pippen to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Olden Polynice on draft night.
The rest is history, as Pippen teamed up with Michael Jordan to help the Bulls win six championships during the 1990s.
7. 2013: Boston Celtics Trade Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce to Brooklyn Nets
Boston offloaded an aging Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to a Brooklyn Nets team looking to add to their core of Deron Williams, Brook Lopez, and Joe Johnson.
In turn, the Celtics drafted Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown with the Nets’ picks, and both helped Boston win it all in 2024.
8. 2012: Oklahoma City Thunder Trade James Harden to Houston Rockets
The Oklahoma City Thunder broke up their trio of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden with this trade.
OKC got Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, two first-round picks, and one second-round pick in the deal.
Harden won multiple scoring titles and an MVP with the Houston Rockets.
9. 2025: Dallas Mavericks Trade Luka Dončić to Los Angeles Lakers
This Dallas Mavericks’ sudden decision to trade Luka Dončić to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, Jalen Hood-Schifino, a first-round pick, and two second-round picks broke the internet.
The Lakers essentially got an MVP-calibre player far below market value, especially with Davis’ age and injury history.
What Was the Best Trade In NBA History?
2019: Oklahoma City Thunder Trade Paul George to Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers needed to acquire Paul George to convince Kawhi Leonard to sign with them in 2019 free agency, which put them in championship contention for multiple years.
However, the Thunder acquired 2025 MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and several first-round draft picks in this deal. SGA also helped OKC win it all in 2025.
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