The NBA has seen countless trades that have shaped the future of franchises.
Some go under the radar, with teams quietly trying to improve their roster and build for the long term.
Others become legendary—or infamous—moves, the kind of "all-in" trades that can cost a team its future and spark debate for decades.
From bewildering old-school deals to the Luka Doncic trade that will be analyzed for generations, these are the 10 worst NBA trades in history.
Top 10 worst trades in NBA history
10. The final straw for LeBron in Cleveland
Isaiah Thomas and LeBron James with the Cavs
Isaiah Thomas and LeBron James with the Cavs
Credit AFP – Scanpix
The trade:
Celtics receive: Kyrie Irving
Cavaliers receive: Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and Brooklyn's 2018 unprotected first-round pick
The Cleveland Cavaliers' trade of Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics seemed almost inevitable, as he had requested a move, and the drama surrounding him made keeping him difficult.
However, the Cavs clearly lost the trade, especially considering that Irving was widely regarded as a top-three point guard at the time.
In return, the Cavaliers received Collin Sexton, who was drafted with the 2018 Nets pick, along with a handful of young role players—Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr., and Rodney Hood—after Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder were gone by the trade deadline.
While these players had potential, none could match the impact Kyrie provided. Had Cleveland kept him, they still might have had a legitimate shot at a title that year.
Ultimately, the trade hurt the Cavs in more ways than one. They not only lost a top-three point guard but also contributed to LeBron James' decision to leave, as he had no intention of staying in Cleveland with the roster they ended up with after the trade.
9. Magic swap future All-Stars for a rental
Serge Ibaka
Serge Ibaka
Credit AP – Scanpix
The trade:
Magic receive: Serge Ibaka
Thunder receive: Domantas Sabonis, Victor Oladipo, and Ersan Ilyasova
Looking back, the Orlando Magic traded two All-Stars for just half a season of Serge Ibaka.
It's definitely one of the stranger trades in recent memory—and another steal for the Oklahoma City Thunder, who later flipped Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis for Paul George, and eventually built a core of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and draft picks that helped establish a potential dynasty.
At the time, the trade might have looked reasonable from the Magic's perspective, as they were acquiring a player who could have helped them compete in the playoffs.
But things didn't go as planned. At the trade deadline, Ibaka was shipped to Toronto for Terrence Ross and a 2017 first-round pick—a move that Orlando would surely rather forget.
8. Bucks let a future MVP slip away
Dirk Nowitzki receives NBA Finals MVP award
Dirk Nowitzki receives NBA Finals MVP award
Credit Reuters-Scanpix
The trade:
Mavericks receive: Dirk Nowitzki (9th pick)
Bucks receive: Robert "Tractor" Traylor (6th pick), Pat Garrity (19th pick).
Another major "what if" in NBA history occurred on draft night when the Milwaukee Bucks traded the rights to Dirk Nowitzki for two other picks in that year's draft: Robert "Tractor" Traylor and Pat Garrity.
There isn't much more to say about the outcome. The Dallas Mavericks added a player who would become an European basketball GOAT, one of the greatest best power forwards of all time, the best player in franchise history, a league MVP, and the leader of one of the most impressive championship runs in recent memory.
Meanwhile, the Bucks received two players who had virtually no impact on their franchise, making it one of the worst NBA trades ever.
7. 76ers undersell Barkley
Charles Barkley with the Suns
Charles Barkley with the Suns
Credit REUTERS - Scanpix
The trade:
Suns receive: Charles Barkley
76ers receive: Jeff Hornacek, Andrew Lang, and Tim Perry
Charles Barkley was 29 and in his prime when the Phoenix Suns acquired him.
By that point, he had already been named First Team All-NBA four times, Second Team All-NBA three times, and had finished in the top four of MVP voting three times—and in the top six six times. Yet the Suns got him for what was essentially a bargain.
The only notable player the 76ers received in return was Jeff Hornacek, who later became a key starter for the Utah Jazz during their two NBA Finals appearances against Michael Jordan's Bulls.
The other two players involved in the trade finished their careers as, at best, role players with unremarkable stat lines.
While the 76ers received essentially no impact players, the Suns gained a future NBA MVP who would lead them to the NBA Finals in 1993.
6. The birth of an OKC dynasty
Paul George with the OKC
Paul George with the OKC
Credit AFP – Scanpix
The trade:
Clippers receive: Paul George
Thunder receive: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, four 1st-rd picks, two picks swaps
Looking back, the Oklahoma City Thunder absolutely ripped off the Los Angeles Clippers.
OKC received future league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a pick that turned into All-Star Jalen Williams, and several other assets, giving them a chance to start building a dynasty.
At the time, the trade didn't seem like a steal—Paul George was coming off an MVP-caliber season, while Shai was not yet viewed as the future face of the league.
Perhaps the best example of how lopsided the trade became is the Clippers' 2026 unprotected first-round pick, which OKC still owns.
That pick could either become another high-lottery addition to their championship roster or be used in a trade to make the Thunder even more unstoppable.
5. Nets ruin their future
Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Jason Terry introduced as the Nets players
Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Jason Terry introduced as the Nets players
Credit AP - Scanpix
The trade:
Nets receive: Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Jason Terry, DJ White
Celtics receive: Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks, Kris Joseph, Keith Bogans, three 1st-rd picks, 2017 pick swap
The Brooklyn Nets attempted to go all-in on a trade, acquiring two aging former All-Stars, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, in exchange for what seemed like not that much at the time: the massive Gerald Wallace contract and three unprotected first-round picks.
At the time, the picks didn't seem like a big deal, as the Nets were expected to be contenders for the foreseeable future. But the trade ultimately turned into a disaster.
The veteran-laden Nets roster struggled with injuries for most of the 2013–14 season and barely made the playoffs.
The following season, the team broke apart and began a rebuild, now without the draft picks they had traded away.
As a result, they missed out on drafting stars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who went to the Boston Celtics and helped build a perennial championship contender.
4. Hornets gift Kobe to LA
Kobe Bryant with the Lakers
Kobe Bryant with the Lakers
Credit Getty Images – Scanpix
The trade:
Lakers receive: Kobe Bryant
Hornets receive: Vlade Divac
Though it's somewhat unfair to include draft-night trades on a "worst trades" list, when you have a top-two shooting guard in NBA history in your hands and trade him, you can't avoid ranking this among the worst trades ever.
The Los Angeles Lakers essentially lost nothing by acquiring Kobe Bryant, while the Hornets received Vlade Divac, who had an unremarkable, forgettable stint with Charlotte.
This trade remains one of the biggest "what ifs" in NBA history.
3. Lakers steal Kareem
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with the Lakers
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with the Lakers
Credit AP – Scanpix
The trade:
Lakers receive: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Walt Wesley
Bucks receive: Elmore Smith, Brian Winters, Dave Meyers, Junior Bridgeman
Another huge throwback that deserves mention is the Los Angeles Lakers' incredible steal in acquiring Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Although Kareem was determined to leave Milwaukee and join the Lakers, the package the Bucks received in return now looks terrible compared to the player they traded.
The most dominant player of the era—a six-time NBA MVP and future champion—was sent away for players most NBA fans today would barely recognize.
While Brian Winters made a few All-Star teams and others had some double-digit scoring seasons with the Bucks, the franchise would have to wait nearly 50 years until Giannis Antetokounmpo led them to their second NBA title.
2. 76ers get Wilt for "peanuts"
Wilt Chamberlain after scoring 100 points with the 76ers
Wilt Chamberlain after scoring 100 points with the 76ers
Credit AP – Scanpix
The trade:
76ers receive: Wilt Chamberlain
Warriors receive: Connie Dierking, Paul Neumann, Lee Shaffer
The deal that older fans often call "the worst NBA trade ever", involving Wilt Chamberlain and the 76ers, was actually the Warriors sending him to Philadelphia in 1965 for basically peanuts: Paul Neumann, Connie Dierking, Lee Shaffer, and $150,000.
The Warriors essentially received no impactful talent in return, giving up a player who would go on to become a three-time MVP, an NBA champion, and score 100 points in a single game.
It's hard to imagine trades working like that today. Just picturing a team trading someone like Nikola Jokic for three role players in the modern NBA seems completely unimaginable.
1. Mavericks shock the world
Luka Doncic with the Lakers
Luka Doncic with the Lakers
Credit IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect - Scanpix
The trade:
Lakers receive: Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris
Mavericks receive: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 first-round pick
The most recent trade on this list is also by far the most shocking and controversial in NBA history.
On February 6, 2025, the Mavericks stunned the basketball world by trading their franchise superstar and fan-favorite Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a draft pick.
Fans were caught completely off guard, with Mavericks supporters taking to the streets to demand that the team fire their now-infamous GM, Nico Harrison, and even urging the new ownership to sell the team.
Looking back, Luka is still one of the best point guards in the NBA, making the trade make less and less sense.
Doncic is a unanimous top-five player in the league, while Anthony Davis has been struggling with injuries, amid swirling trade rumors affecting both him and the organization.
Orazio Cauchi
Orazio Cauchi started his career in basketball at 21, having worked for several years at Sportando as the lead writer of the website. He also covered several live events, including the Euroleague Final Four, Italian Cups, Serie A league finals, and EuroBasket. He also contributed to American media, such as LibertyBallers and Def Pen Hoops. Cauchi joined BasketNews in 2021 as a Staff Writer. Holds a degree in Politics & International Relations.
About author
Edvinas Kuzas
Edvinas Kuzas began his basketball media career in 2025, joining BasketNews as a Daily Writer. He brings a deep understanding of the sport, shaped by years of following both its history and trending topics. Alongside his writing, he is currently pursuing a degree in basketball coaching, further expanding his knowledge of the game. This combination allows him to provide more analytical, insightful, and opinion-based perspectives on basketball.
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