10. Oklahoma City Thunder traded James Harden
In October 2012, the Oklahoma City Thunder made one of the most controversial roster decisions of the modern era by trading James Harden, the reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year, to the Houston Rockets. At the time, Oklahoma City was powered by a rising young core like Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Harden, fresh off an NBA Finals appearance and seen as a long-term Western Conference powerhouse. However, a contract-extension standoff between Harden and Thunder management, combined with ownership’s apprehension about the newly implemented repeater luxury tax under the CBA, pushed Oklahoma City into a move that has since become synonymous with short-sighted cost-cutting.
What the Rockets Gained: The Houston Rockets acquired a 23-year-old Harden just as he was entering his prime, immediately making him the franchise’s offensive engine. Harden transformed into a perennial All-Star, a multi-time All-NBA selection, and eventually an NBA MVP, elevating Houston to consistent playoff runs and turning the Rockets into one of the league’s most analytically influenced, high-octane offenses. Houston’s front office, led by Daryl Morey, capitalized on the opportunity, securing a superstar who would define the franchise for nearly a decade.
What the Thunder Lost: The Thunder received Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, and a package of draft picks—assets that ultimately failed to replace Harden’s playmaking, scoring, and versatility. By parting with Harden, Oklahoma City dismantled its promising homegrown “Big Three” before it had fully matured, forfeiting a rare opportunity to build a dynasty around three future MVPs. The long-term consequence was stark: while Durant and Westbrook remained elite, the franchise never fully recovered the offensive firepower or championship trajectory that Harden provided, making the deal one of the most regretted moves in franchise—and NBA—history.
9. Detroit Pistons traded for former NBA MVP Bob McAdoo
In September 1979, the Detroit Pistons made a move they thought would jump-start their franchise: they traded two future first-round picks to the Boston Celtics in exchange for former NBA MVP Bob McAdoo. Detroit had already lost those picks as compensation for signing free agent M.L. Carr, so the front office figured, “Why not swing big?” The Pistons believed adding McAdoo would finally push them into the playoff picture. Spoiler: it did not.
What the Pistons Gained: Detroit technically got the star power they were hoping for—at least on paper. McAdoo arrived with a huge résumé, but his Detroit stint was a complete mess. Between nagging injuries, only 64 games played across two seasons, and a rocky relationship with the organization, McAdoo never came close to delivering the impact the Pistons expected. Things got so bad that Detroit eventually waived him, and the low point came fast: the Pistons posted the worst record in franchise history in 1980, a brutal 16–66 finish. The “big swing” turned into a complete strikeout.
What the Celtics Gained: While the Pistons were sinking, the Boston Celtics turned those two Detroit picks into gold. Boston used the #1 overall pick (thanks to Detroit’s generosity) in a blockbuster trade with the Golden State Warriors, landing center Robert Parish and the #3 pick, which they used to draft Kevin McHale. Pairing Parish and McHale with Larry Bird created one of the most dominant frontcourts the NBA has ever seen. The Bird–Parish–McHale trio went on to anchor a Celtics dynasty that won three NBA championships in the 1980s.
In short, Detroit’s gamble on McAdoo helped Boston build a legend.
8. St. Louis Hawks traded Bill Russell
In 1956, the St. Louis Hawks drafted Bill Russell with the second overall pick but immediately traded him to the Boston Celtics. This trade is considered one of the most lopsided in sports history.
What the Hawks got: The Hawks received two players, Ed Macauley and Cliff Hagan. Macauley, a St. Louis native, was a star who requested a trade home to be with his sick son. Hagan was an All-Star who helped the Hawks win one NBA championship in 1958.
What the Celtics got: The Celtics received Russell, who became the anchor of their dynasty. Over his career, Russell led the team to 11 championships in 13 seasons, became a five-time MVP, and revolutionized defense. The Hawks, meanwhile, won only that one title.
7. Dallas Mavericks traded superstar Luka Dončić
In February 2025, the NBA world exploded when the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Utah Jazz pulled off a shocking three-team blockbuster. The headliner? The Mavericks traded away their superstar and franchise face, Luka Dončić, sending him to the Lakers, a move almost no one saw coming. Dončić had just led Dallas to the 2024 NBA Finals, and at only 25, he was widely viewed as a generational cornerstone. Yet, despite his résumé and age, Dallas decided to move on, shaking the league to its core.
What the Lakers Gained: The Los Angeles Lakers walked out of the deal with the prize every team dreams of: a young megastar in Luka Dončić. Pairing Dončić with LeBron James instantly turned the Lakers into one of the most terrifying offenses in the league, and they stormed into the 2025 playoffs as bona fide championship contenders. It was the kind of “win-now and win-later” move that franchises rarely get a chance to make: L.A. landed a player who could extend its championship window long after LeBron’s eventual retirement.
What the Mavericks Lost: The Dallas Mavericks received Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick, but the return felt painfully light for a superstar of Dončić’s caliber. The Mavericks tried to justify the move by saying they wanted to improve their defense, but trading a franchise-altering player for an aging, injury-prone big man raised more eyebrows than optimism. Reports of internal frustration over Dončić’s conditioning and concerns about committing to a massive upcoming supermax extension only fueled the controversy.
The aftermath wasn’t pretty: Mavericks fans were furious, Davis continued to struggle with injuries, and despite Dallas lucking into the #1 pick in the 2025 draft, the move remains one of the most heavily criticized trades in league history. In the eyes of many, the Mavericks didn’t just lose Dončić—they lost their long-term identity.
6. Los Angeles Clippers acquired Paul George
In July 2019, the Los Angeles Clippers pushed all their chips to the center of the table by acquiring Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder in a massive blockbuster deal. The move wasn’t just bold—it was necessary. Reports at the time made it clear that George’s arrival was essentially a prerequisite for Kawhi Leonard to sign with the Clippers in free agency. In other words, no George, no Kawhi, and no superteam in L.A. The Clippers made the gamble, hoping to reshape the franchise overnight.
What the Thunder Gained: The Oklahoma City Thunder walked away with a historic haul: Danilo Gallinari, rising guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and a jaw-dropping seven first-round picks and pick swaps. What looked like a long-term rebuild at first quickly turned into one of the league’s best success stories.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander blossomed into a full-fledged superstar and eventually won the NBA MVP award, becoming the new face of the franchise.
- Two more players chosen with L.A.’s picks: Jalen Williams and Dillon Jones, developed into major contributors.
With this core, the Thunder surged back to prominence and eventually won an NBA championship, turning the trade into one of the greatest long-term victories in modern NBA history.
What the Clippers Lost: The Clippers landed their dream duo of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, but the results never matched the price tag. Injuries constantly derailed the pairing, and despite the hype, the Clippers never reached the NBA Finals during their run together. Their deepest postseason push was a single appearance in the 2021 Western Conference Finals, far below the expectations that came with sacrificing their future.
In hindsight, the trade is viewed as a massive miscalculation: L.A. mortgaged nearly a decade of draft capital and gave up a future MVP, only to come away with one conference finals run and a whole lot of “what ifs.”
5. Los Angeles Lakers traded superstar center Shaquille O’Neal to the Miami Heat
In 2004, the Los Angeles Lakers traded superstar center Shaquille O’Neal to the Miami Heat. The decision came after the Lakers lost in the NBA Finals and tensions between O’Neal and teammate Kobe Bryant had become unmanageable.
- For the Lakers: The Lakers received Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, and Brian Grant in return. While Odom played a key role in later Lakers championships, the team initially struggled without O’Neal, and the overall return was widely seen as underwhelming.
- For the Heat: With Dwyane Wade and O’Neal forming a new duo, the Heat immediately became a powerhouse in the Eastern Conference. They would go on to win the franchise’s first NBA championship in 2006, giving O’Neal his fourth title.
4. Boston Celtics trade Robert Parish and Kevin McHale for Joe Barry Carroll and Sam Lacey
In a move that defined the 1980s NBA landscape, the Boston Celtics traded the first and 13th picks of the 1980 draft to the Golden State Warriors for veteran center Robert Parish and the third overall pick. With that third pick, the Celtics selected Kevin McHale. The trade is widely considered one of the most lopsided deals in league history.
- For the Celtics: Parish and McHale joined forces with Larry Bird, creating what is considered one of the greatest frontcourts of all time. The trio led Boston to three NBA championships in the 1980s.
- For the Warriors: With the first overall pick, the Warriors selected Joe Barry Carroll, who, despite decent individual statistics, never became the franchise player they hoped for. They also used the 13th pick on Rickey Brown, who had a short and unremarkable career
3. Los Angeles Lakers trade for Russell Westbrook
In August 2021, the Los Angeles Lakers made a headline-grabbing move, sending Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, and a first-round pick to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Russell Westbrook. The idea was simple: form a new “Big Three” alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis and chase another championship. On paper, it looked like a superstar trio. On the court… not so much.
What the Wizards Gained: The Washington Wizards picked up a strong package of established role players and a future first-round asset. Caldwell-Pope brought perimeter defense and reliable shooting, Kuzma added scoring versatility and size on the wing, and Harrell offered energy and interior production. All three players became meaningful contributors in Washington, giving the Wizards depth, balance, and rotational stability that they simply didn’t have before.
What the Lakers Lost: For the Lakers, the trade turned into a full-blown misfire.
- Poor fit: Westbrook’s ball-dominant style and inconsistent three-point shooting clashed with the way LeBron and Davis operate, especially since both thrive with spacing and off-ball action.
- Lost depth: Moving on from Caldwell-Pope and Kuzma stripped the Lakers of key pieces from their 2020 championship run, leaving them with fewer defenders, fewer shooters, and far less lineup flexibility.
- Failed experiment: The 2021–22 season spiraled quickly, ultimately ending with the Lakers missing the playoffs entirely. By the 2023 trade deadline, the team cut its losses and moved on from Westbrook.
In hindsight, Los Angeles sacrificed proven depth for a star fit that never clicked, making this one of the most criticized moves of the LeBron-era Lakers.
2. Brooklyn Nets traded multiple unprotected first-round draft picks to the Boston Celtics for aging stars Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce
In 2013, the Brooklyn Nets traded multiple unprotected first-round draft picks to the Boston Celtics for aging stars Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. The deal was a disaster for the Nets but became a franchise-altering success for the Celtics.
For the Nets: Garnett and Pierce’s time in Brooklyn was short and failed to bring the desired championship success. Pierce left after one season, and Garnett was traded in 2015. The Nets, having given away their future draft picks, were left with one of the league’s worst rosters and no immediate way to improve it.
For the Celtics: The Celtics used the Nets’ unprotected first-rounders and draft swap rights to rebuild their team and acquire cornerstone talents. Most notably, they used the picks to draft future All-Stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. This trade is widely credited with kickstarting Boston’s next era of contention.
1. Milwaukee Bucks traded superstar center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to the Los Angeles Lakers
In 1975, the Milwaukee Bucks traded superstar center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to the Los Angeles Lakers. The move came after Abdul-Jabbar, citing a cultural disconnect with the Midwest, privately requested a trade to either Los Angeles or New York.
For the Bucks: Milwaukee received Elmore Smith, Brian Winters, Junior Bridgeman, and Dave Meyers. While Winters and Bridgeman had solid careers with the Bucks, the team struggled for decades and did not win another championship until 2021.
For the Lakers: Abdul-Jabbar went on to win five NBA championships with the Lakers and became the all-time leading scorer in league history. The trade helped launch the “Showtime” dynasty, establishing the Lakers as a dominant force in the 1980s.