In February, the Dallas Mavericks made that sent shockwaves through not only the NBA world, the sports world as well.
The Mavericks in a three-team deal sent Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markief Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas received Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick, and the Utah Jazz received Jalen Hood-Schifino and a 2025 second-round pick.
Cash from the Jazz was sent to the Lakers, also there were several trade exceptions involved.
For fans of the Mavericks, the trade has not gone over well. With general manager Nico Harrison facing the wrath, which is understandable. Also, it did not help that Rick Welts the CEO made an unfortuate comparison.
Yet regardless of the emotions involved especially from Mavericks fans. It is not, nor does it come close to being one of the worst trades in NBA history. Regardless of Dallas’ season ending tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies.
So the question becomes what constitutes worst trades?
Trades on draft day do not apply. So the Milwaukee Bucks sending Dirk Nowitzki and Pat Garrity to the Mavericks for Robert Traylor does not count. Also, Vlade Divac being traded by the Lakers to the Charlotte Hornets for Kobe Bryant does not count either.
What counts when it comes to the worst trades in NBA history, is that one team gets a clear advantage while the other team flounders taking years to recover from it. The Mavericks are not in that kind of situation.
Still here is a ranking of the worst trades in NBA history.
Golden State Warriors/San Francisco Warriors:
Chris Webber who won Rookie of the Year for the Warriors after his impressive 1993-1994 season. He then got dealt to the Washington Bullets for Tom Gugliotta who did not even last a season with the franchise.
Mitch Richmond along with Les Jepsen, and a second-round pick were sent to the Sacramento Kings for Billy Owens.
Tim Hardaway and Chris Gatling being sent to the Miami Heat for Bimbo Coles and Kevin Willis.
Latrell Sprewell going to the New York Knicks for Terry Cummings, Chris Mills, and John Starks.
Antawn Jamison, Danny Fortson, Chris Mills, and Jiri Welsch to the Dallas Mavericks for Evan Eschmeyer, Avery Johnson, Popeye Jones, Antoine Rigaudeau, and Nick Van Exel.
Wilt Chamberlain traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for Connie Dierking, Paul Neumann, Lee Shaffer, and cash.
Milwaukee Bucks:
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Walt Wesley to the Lakers for Junior Bridgeman, Dave Meyers, Elmore Smith, and Brian Winters.
Ray Allen, Ronald Murray, Kevin Ollie, and a first-round pick to the Seattle Supersonics for Gary Payton and Desmond Mason.
Portland Trail Blazers:
Damian Lillard to the Bucks, for Jrue Holiday, 2028 first-round pick, 2029 first-round pick, and 2030 first-round pick, meanwhile Milwaukee sent Grayson Allen to the Phoenix Suns, with Deandre Ayton and Toumani Camara going to Portland, Keon Johnson, Nassir Little, and Jusuf Nurkic got sent to Phoenix. Pick swaps were also involved.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Kevin Johnson, Tyrone Corbin, Mark West, 1988 first-round and second-round picks, and a 1989 second-round pick to the Suns for Larry Nance, Mike Sanders, and a 1988 second-round pick.
Charlotte Hornets
Baron Davis to the Warriors in exchange for Dale Davis, Speedy Claxton, and cash.
Phoenix Suns
Isaiah Thomas to the Boston Celtics for Marcus Thornton and a future first-round draft pick.
San Antonio Spurs
Derrick White was sent to the Celtics for Romeo Langford, Josh Richardson, a 2022 first-round pick and a protected 2028 first-round pick.
Philadelphia 76ers
Charles Barkley dealt to the Phoenix Suns for Jeff Hornacek, Tim Perry, and Andrew Lang.