Trades are a cornerstone of sports and often shape franchises for years to come. And, while some trades turn out to be masterstrokes, others become truly baffling. Here’s a look at some of the most questionable trades in sports history.
Boston Red Sox Trade Babe Ruth to the Yankees
The “Curse of the Bambino” is one of the most infamous moments in sports history. The Red Sox traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees, for cash to finance a Broadway play. And then Ruth went on to become one of the greatest players ever while the Red Sox endured an 86-year championship drought. Yikes.
Herschel Walker Trade
The Dallas Cowboys traded Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings for three first-round picks, three second-round picks, and more, which helped them build their 1990s dynasty. Meanwhile, the Vikings gained little from Walker.
Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings
While this trade brought hockey to prominence in Southern California, it left Edmonton Oilers fans heartbroken. Not only was Wayne Gretzky in his prime, but he had also just won four Stanley Cups with the Oilers.
Denver Broncos Trade for Russell Wilson
The Denver Broncos gave up a lot to the Seattle Seahawks for Russell Wilson — Drew Lock, Noah Fant, Shelby Harris, two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and a fifth-round pick. Wilson’s time in Denver was then average at best.
Boston Celtics Trade Joe Johnson
The Celtics gave up on a rookie Joe Johnson too soon, trading him to the Phoenix Suns for short-term depth. Johnson then went on to become a seven-time All-Star.
Charlotte Hornets Trade Kobe Bryant to the Lakers (1996)
Drafted by the Hornets, Kobe Bryant was then traded to the Lakers for veteran center Vlade Divac. Kobe then led the Lakers to five championships, while Charlotte gained little from Divac’s brief stint.
Montreal Expos Trade Randy Johnson
The Expos traded a young Randy Johnson, who would go on to win five Cy Young Awards and become one of the most dominant pitchers ever, to the Seattle Mariners. And, as you can expect, the players Montreal received failed to make a significant impact.
Brooklyn Nets Trade for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett
The Nets mortgaged their future to acquire aging stars Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry, hoping for a quick championship. Instead, the trade backfired spectacularly.
Milwaukee Bucks Trade Dirk Nowitzki to the Mavericks
On draft night in 1998, the Bucks traded Dirk Nowitzki to Dallas for Robert Traylor, who had a short and unspectacular career. Meanwhile, Nowitzki became a Hall of Famer and led the Mavericks to their first NBA title in 2011.
Cleveland Browns Trade for Deshaun Watson
The Cleveland Browns trade with the Houston Texans for Deshaun Watson looks like an all-time terrible pick. Not only did the Browns give up three first-round picks and sign him to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract, but Watson’s off-the-field issues have caused the franchise a massive headache.
Oakland Athletics Trade Mark McGwire
The A’s traded Mark McGwire to the St. Louis Cardinals during a rebuild and received minimal return. McGwire went on to hit 70 home runs in a season and became one of baseball’s biggest stars.
San Diego Chargers Trade Eli Manning
Eli Manning refused to play for the Chargers, forcing the trade with the New York Giants for Philip Rivers. While Rivers had a great career, Manning delivered two Super Bowl titles to the Giants.
Cleveland Cavaliers Trade for Shawn Kemp
The Cavs acquired a declining Shawn Kemp and signed him to a massive contract. Unfortunately, the trade set the franchise back and left Cleveland in a tough spot for years.
Atlanta Braves Trade Adam Wainwright
The Braves gave up a future ace in Adam Wainwright for one year of J.D. Drew. Wainwright became a cornerstone for the St. Louis Cardinals, leading them to multiple playoff appearances and a World Series title.
Read More: Ranking All 32 NFL Logos From Worst to Best
New York Knicks Trade for Carmelo Anthony
The Knicks gutted their roster to acquire Carmelo Anthony, which then limited their flexibility to build a competitive team around him. Denver, on the other hand, benefited from the trade as they built a deeper and more balanced roster.
Read More: Ranking the AFC NFL Coaches From Worst to Best This Season
Chicago Bulls Trade LaMarcus Aldridge
The Chicago Bulls traded LaMarcus Aldridge to the Trail Blazers for Tyrus Thomas. And, while Aldridge became a perennial All-Star, Thomas never lived up to expectations.
Read More: All 32 NFL Coaches Ranked From Worst to Best
Los Angeles Dodgers Trade Pedro Martinez
The Dodgers traded a young Pedro Martinez for a middling second baseman in Delino DeShields. Martinez then became one of the greatest pitchers ever. Oops!
Read More: The Most Iconic Football Players in NFL History
Atlanta Falcons Trade Brett Favre
The Falcons gave up on Brett Favre after one season and traded him to the Green Bay Packers. We all know what happened next — Farve went on to become a Super Bowl champion.
Read More: The 30 Best Draft Picks in the History of the NFL
