Alliance managers generally believe that making blockbuster trades will be the only way to improve their teams. Every trade deadline, there will be a superstar change team. Just like we saw Westbrook join the Lakers in the offseason, there have been a lot of bad deals in the league in the past 10 years, and this is just one of them.
Here are the 5 worst deals in the last 10 years.
5. For Ibaka, the Magic sent away two future All-Star players
Deal Package: The Orlando Magic traded Oladipo, Ilyasova and No. 11 Sabonis to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Ibaka
The Magic believe Ibaka will strengthen the team's frontcourt and help the team make great strides in the playoffs. In contrast, Ibaka played just 56 games with the Magic, averaging 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. Meanwhile, Oladipo eventually became the puzzle piece that helped the Thunder get Paul George
Having said that, Oladipo became an all-around defender, while Sabonis Jr. grew equally quickly, with both players holding All-Star titles. The Magic could have had a super team of Oladipo, Sabonis Jr., Aaron Gordon and Vucevic, but they missed the opportunity in the end.
4. The Thunder send Harden to the Rockets
Trade package: The Rockets traded kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, 2013 first-round picks, 2014 first-round picks, and 2013 second-round picks to the Thunder in exchange for Harden, Kerr Aldridge, Dequin Cook and Razal Hayward
After reaching the NBA Finals in 2012, the Thunder had one of the most dynamic young cores we've ever seen, including Kevin Durant, Westbrook and Harden. Harden didn't want to stay with the Thunder, though, and the Thunder then traded Harden to the Houston Rockets, a blockbuster deal. Harden eventually won three scoring kings and an MVP with the Rockets, but never made it to the NBA Finals.
The Thunder reached the Western Conference Finals in 2014 and 2016, but failed to go any further, and Durant chose to leave the team. The Rockets sent draft picks to Adams, Alex Avrinese and Mitch McGarry. Although Adams is a reliable starter, the gap with Harden is still huge.
3. The pacers send Leonard away
Trade solution: The Spurs trade George Hill for Leonard, Eraszemlow Baker and Davis Bertans
In the 2011 NBA Draft, Leonard was selected by the Pacers with the 15th pick. Subsequently, Leonard was sent to the Spurs, and the Pacers got Hill. Although the Pacers reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2013 and 2014, the deal didn't make a lot of money. Leonard beat James in 2014 to win the Finals MVP.
2. The Lakers gamble heavily
Deal Package: The Lakers traded Kuzma, Pop, Harrell, and the 2021 first-round draft picks to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Westbrook, 2024 second-round picks and 2028 second-round picks
The Lakers gamble heavily, resulting in a serious imbalance in the team's salary space. In addition to the Big Three, the team is flooded with a large number of base-paid players. This season, Westbrook has not performed well, and the Lakers are 9th in the West. Because the team traded Westbrook, it wasted a great season for James and made their future even more dangerous. The Lakers are in trouble, they don't have much room to adjust, and the team may continue to waste James's career next year.
1) The Nets traded four first-rounder players for Garnett, Paul Pierce and Terry
Trade Package: The Brooklyn Nets traded Gerald Wallace, Chris Humphreys, Chris Joseph, Keith Bogan, Marthan Brooks, 2014 first-round picks, 2016 first-round picks, 2017 first-round pick swap, 2018 first-round picks traded to the Boston Celtics for Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Terry
The deal became one of the worst ever, not just the last 10 years. The Nets have just moved to Brooklyn in hopes of opening up their new stage with star power. Teams include Deron Williams, Joe Johnson and Brooke Lopez, all of whom deserve all-stars. In order to go all out, the Nets traded a number of players, eventually trading four first-round picks for Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry.
Garnett, 37, was uneventful, averaging 6.5 points and 6.6 rebounds per game and was traded midway the following year. Pierce averaged 13.5 points per game in just one season, and the Nets were beaten by the Heat in the second round of the playoffs. Draft picks became cornerstone players for the Celtics, such as Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The Nets then began one of the worst periods in the team's history.