Take a look at the trades in NBA history that have lost to the point of vomiting blood

The deals in NBA history that "lost to vomit blood" are often the heavy price paid by teams due to short-sighted judgments, internal contradictions or underestimating the potential of stars, and some even directly change the league structure. The following are recognized disaster-level transaction cases, ranking by the degree of "blood loss":

1. Brooklyn Nets overdrafted the future to exchange for "Sunset Red" (2013)

Transaction content: The Nets gave out 4 unprotected first-round picks (2014, 2016, 2018) + 2017 first-round swap rights + Gerard Wallace and other role players, in exchange for the Celtics 37-year-old Garnett, 36-year-old Pierce, and Jason Terry.

Why is the loss of blood:

Draft picks become core cornerstones: The Celtics used these draws to choose Jaylen Brown (Tanhua 2016), Jason Tatum (Tanhua 2017, through swap), and traded to get Irving, quickly rebuilding into an Eastern Conference powerhouse.

The Nets collapsed instantly: The old lineup only had a second round game, and the first round pick in 2014 became the 17th pick (James Young), but the 2016 Tanhua lottery (Brown), the 2017 No. 1 pick swap rights (becoming Tatum) and the 2018 first round pick (8th pick) all became top assets.

Consequences: The Nets lost the capital to build a team in the next 10 years and became a laughing stock in the league. It was not until 2021 that they could recover by spending money to reorganize the Big Three.

2. Milwaukee Bucks give away the historical super giant for free (1998)

Transaction content: The Bucks selected Dirk Nowitzki + 19th pick (Pat Garritti), and replaced the "tractor" with the Mavericks' 6th pick Robert Trayler.

Why is he losing money:

Nowitzki became the top 20 stars in NBA history, won the single-core championship + MVP in 2011, and was the first person in the Mavericks' history.

Treller averaged 4.8 points in his career and was laid off three years later, becoming a famous NBA parallel player.

The Bucks missed the cornerstone of the team building, and it was not until 20 years later that Antetokounmpo rose to its peak.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder gave up future MVP (2012)

Transaction content: The Thunder refused to renew Harden due to a $6 million difference, and sent him to the Rockets for Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, 2 first-round picks (1 selected Adams) + second-round picks.

Why is he losing money:

Harden has 8 All-Stars in the Rockets, 3 scoring champions, and 1 MVP, leading the team to the Western Conference Finals and becoming the league's face.

Martin left the team for only one year, Lamb's role player, although Adams is excellent, but the upper limit is the All-Star Edge.

The Thunder Three Young Masters' Dreams are shattered, and Durant later chose to leave the team, and the Thunder has no championship yet.

4. Charlotte Hornets abandoned Kobe to save money (1996)

transaction content: The Hornets selected Kobe Bryant with the 13th pick, and replaced the Lakers starting center Vlad Divac.

Why is there a blood loss:

Kobe brought 5 championships to the Lakers, the second-largest defender in history, and the team history totem. Although Divac is stable (12+9 per game), he is only a qualified starter and leaves the team two years later.

Hornets have therefore become synonymous with "draft blindness" and missed the historical super giant.

5. Chicago Bulls sold the championship core at a low price (1987)

Transaction content: Bulls Alden Polynis (rookie) + 1988 first round pick + 1989 second round pick and gave the Supersonics, in exchange for the fifth pick and selected Scotty Pippen.

For the Supersonics, he lost money:

Pippen became the best second in command in history, the Bulls' 6-winning core, and the offense and defense superstar.

Polinis averaged 7.8 points per game in his career, and the two draft picks failed to fulfill their quality players.

Superson missed the opportunity to form a dynasty with Camp and Payton.

6. Los Angeles Clippers give away future MVP candidates for free (2019)

Trading background: In order to get Paul George, the Clippers will Shea Gilgers-Alexander + 5 first-round picks (2021, 2022, 2024, 2026 unprotected + 2023 Heat signs) + 2 first-round swap rights to the Thunder.

Why is there a blood loss:

Alexander in the Thunder, 3 All-Stars and a first-team defender, second in the 2024 MVP vote, top offense and defense.

Although George helped the Clippers to enter the Western Conference Finals for the first time, he had continuous injuries and had not made any breakthroughs so far.

The Thunder used the Clippers to pick Jaylen Williams (Rookie) and Carson Wallace (Potential Stocks), and there are still three unprotected first rounds in the future.

Risks are still fermenting: If the Clippers rebuild after 2025, the first rounds of unprotected 2026 and 2028 may be priceless.

7. Desperate operation of Cleveland Cavaliers "James 1.0" after leaving the team (2010)

Transaction content: The Cavaliers signed LeBron James first and then exchanged to the Heat, and exchanged for 2 first-round picks + 2 second-round picks + 14.5 million trading exception (the largest in history).

Why is there a loss in blood:

The transaction exception only exchanged for veteran point guard Ramon Sessions and substitute center Christian Eyanga, which has no team value.

The first round picks were selected Tristan Thompson (4th pick) and Tymofe Mozgov (17th pick), only for role players.

Cavaliers fell directly from the finals team into the lottery zone and won only 64 games in 4 years.

8. Philadelphia 76ers missed the historical point guard (2017)

transaction content: 76ers used the third pick (Tatum) + the 2019 Kings first round pick (later changed to 14 pick), and selected for the Celtics No. 1 pick Markle Fultz.

Why is the loss of blood:

Tatum has become the core of the Celtics, 5-time first-team + regular finals + 2024 champion.

Fultz lost his shooting ability due to the strange disease "Yip disease" and was sold at a low price three years later.

76ers missed the excellent opportunity to form the Big Three with Embiid and Simmons.

9. The Sacramento Kings split up the "most gorgeous team" (2005)

Transaction content: The Kings sent Chris Webber to 76ers in exchange for Kenny Thomas, Collis Williamson and Skinner.

Why is the blood loss:

Although Webber's injury declined, he still averaged 21+9 before the trade, and all three of them were substitutes (Thomas averaged 4 points per game).

The Kings completely ended the glorious period of the "Princeton System". After Weber left the team, the team did not enter the playoffs for 16 consecutive years.

The core lessons of the loss-making trade:

Don't exchange the future for the sunset (Nets for Pierce);

Don't give up MVP for small money (Thunder abandoned Harden);

Don't underestimate the potential of rookie (The Bucks sent Dirk away, and the 76ers missed Tatum);

Don't hollow out the wealth for the stars (the risk of replacing George in the Clippers still);

Don't exchange the super giant for air (The Cavaliers sent James away).

These trades remind the team: a wrong decision may make the team sink for ten years. The Thunder’s reverse operation in recent years - holding 15 first-round picks to "hoard the future" may be the best response to these bloody and tears history.