As the world's top basketball league, the NBA has always been a topic of conversation among fans. Trades are an important means of improving a team's strength, however, not every deal can achieve the desired effect. In this article, we'll take a look at four of the NBA's most regrettable trades, the Mavericks and Nets, with Brunson and Harden taking center stage.
First, the Mavericks traded for DeAndre Jordan in 2018, a deal seen as key to the Mavericks' rise. However, this is not the case. Jordan's performance with the Mavericks didn't live up to expectations, his defensive ability slipped and he couldn't provide enough support on the offensive end. More importantly, the Mavericks sent away potential star Matthews and a first-round pick in order to get Jordan. Today, Matthews is one of the league's top 3-and-D players, and that first-round pick has become this year's top pick. Mavericks management may be regretting their decision.
Second, the Nets traded for Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in 2019, a deal that looks like a strong contender for a championship. However, the reality is that both Durant and Irving have been plagued by injuries and have yet to play a full season together. To make matters worse, the Nets sent away a lot of young players and draft picks in order to get Durant, causing the team to become very passive in the future. Now, Nets management may be regretting the gamble.
Next, Brunson and Harden became the protagonists. In 2017, the Rockets acquired Chris Paul through a trade, which was seen at the time as a booster for the Rockets. However, Paul's injuries and dip in form have left the Rockets vulnerable in the playoffs. To make matters worse, the Rockets sent away Harden's successor, Carmelo Anthony, and a first-round pick in order to get Paul. Today, Harden has become one of the league's top stars, while the Rockets are in a rebuilding rut. Rocket management may be regretting their decision.
Finally, we have to mention that Brunson left the Rockets to join the Mavericks in 2018. The deal didn't get much attention at the time, however, Brunson's growth with the Mavericks left Rockets management remorseful. Today, Brunson has become a core player for the Mavericks, while the Rockets have had to find a new solution at the point guard position. If the Rockets had kept Brunson, the team might have improved.
In conclusion, decision-making in the NBA trading market is often fraught with unknowns and risks. All four of these deals failed to work as expected, leaving the team's management and fans deeply regretted. However, in addition to regrets, we should also see the opportunities in the trading market. It is only through constant trial and error that a team can stand out in the competitive NBA.