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Terrible NBA trades

Over time, the NBA has seen its share of terrible trades, the worst trade in NBA history actually was the result of a free agent signing. The teams involved certainly never intended for things to turn out that way, but they did. Here is a brief history as I see it. The first one that comes to mind is the 1956 Bill Russell trade. Russell, the second pick in that year’s draft, was selected by the St. Louis Hawks and immediately dealt to the Boston Celtics. Russell would go on to win 11 NBA championships. Cliff Hagan and Ed Macauley enjoyed some success in the league, but nothing close to Russell’s. Verdict: this was a bad deal for the Hawks, the Celtics were the winner. How about the 1996 trade that saw the Hornets trade the draft rights to number 13 Kobe Bryant in exchange for Vlade Divac?

You are aware of the Naismith Hall of Fame Kobe, in the meantime Divac had a decent NBA career but nowhere close to that of Kobe Bryant, winner: the Lakers. In 2021 the Lakers traded three players and three draft choices to the Wizards for Russell Westbrook, the Wizards were clearly the winner here. Westbrook was not a good fit and was traded two years later. In the 2024-25 season the Mavs sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, because AD has since been traded the Lakers were the clear winners here. The acquisition of Doncic could be debated because despite him being in the lineup that have not advanced to play for an NBA championship. This essay closes with in my opinion the worst trade in NBA history….worst because of all the pieces involved. In 2019 Kawhi Leonard required a stipulation be in place if he were to sign as a free agent with the Clippers, the team must acquire Paul George which they later completed in a trade with the Thunder. The Clippers traded Danilo Gallinari along with future MVP Shai-Gilgeous Alexander for George. That trade in 2026 would prompt a bunch of moves which prove detrimental to the future of the Clippers.    

No need of detailing the entire story you are aware the Clippers had been under investigation since September 2025 for an under the table scheme which paid Kawhi Leonard. Once details were uncovered NBA punishment was swift surrounding Leonard’s circumvented payment ploy. This is the after affect, the Clippers gave up two players with one of them being SGA to the Thunder, the resulting penalty from the Aspiration salary cap fiasco plus the Paul George trade will cost the Clippers 10 first-round draft picks beginning in 2029. Paul George is gone and so is Leonard, what did they gain with these two in the lineup….a few extra wins during the season but no NBA championship, only one occasion did the Clippers play for the Western Conference finals. Now they are left with what is the worst trade in NBA history prompted by a free agent signing.

American MVP

I was viewing NBA TV on Friday, the host and guests were entertaining several subjects, one of those was the lack of an American player winning the NBA MVP. It was pointed out the last 8 MVP’s in the league have all been international players, the last American player was James Harden in 2017 while a member of the Rockets. Are there American players who might be future candidates for league MVP? I would submit the name of Mavs forward Cooper Flagg as a prime candidate.

Also we could add Anthony “Ant” Edwards to a list, he could be a Bonafide candidate as well but wait there are others. Jalen Brunson was Finals MVP, could he parlay a series MVP into an NBA MVP, the question remains unknown for now. Cade Cunningham and Paolo Banchero along with Jalen Johnson could also be considered. It’s difficult to name those who are yet to see action but I could nominate AJ Dybansta, Carlos Boozer and perhaps Darryn Peterson members of the Rookie Class of 2026. There is no guarantee any of the names on this list will be named NBA MVP, they certainly could comprise a list of candidates over the next 5-7 years.   

A law degree might be helpful

I have a measure of understanding regarding the ever changing status of Mark Mitchell. You remember Mitchell was headed for Kentucky then he wasn’t, currently Mitchell has been added to Mizzou’s roster, the question becomes how is this possible, they have 16 players and only 15 are allowed. From Yahoo Sports; “The program accommodated Mitchell using a roster exemption tied to the 2025 House settlement.” That is the court ruling which allowed Mitchell and others a 5th year of eligibility.

As for adding CJ Gunn who becomes roster member 17 that takes a slightly different turn, forward Annor Boateng suffered a devastating injury last season. Although Boateng remains on the roster its reported he is not ready to play this season. Mizzou is stating if Gunn is able to gain eligibility he will be added using the medical exception of Boateng. Confusing, of course it is….you did read the headline didn’t you? So now you have a clear understanding how Mizzou can claim 17 players on its roster when 15 are the maximum allowed.