Welcome to the Worst Trades for Each Team in NBA History— a series of stories that looks at arguably the most disastrous move made during a franchise’s time in the league. Per team, we’ll nominate two deals and look at who and what were involved in the trade, the immediate consequences of the move, and the long-term implications it had for whichever teams took part.
These deals are justified as the “worst” using historical context and analyzing what happened because of the trade.
Staff Writers Yazin Ahmed and Dominic Chiappone contributed to this article.
The Worst Trades in Hornets History
Yazin Ahmed: Kobe!
Trade details:
- CHA receives: Vlade Divac
- LAL receives: Draft rights to the 13th pick in the 1996 NBA Draft (Kobe Bryant)
Explanation:
Is there any other choice for the worst deal of all time? Trading a future HOFer for another HOFer but not anywhere close in terms of greatness.
For Charlotte, this deal was exciting. In this class, Kobe was the guy. The high schooler had been working out with the Philadelphia 76ers and giving them straight buckets. Yes, this team needed a center after dealing Alonzo Mourning a few years ago but the opportunity fell into their laps.
Picks flew by until the last lottery team in the Hornets snagged him up. Dell Curry was turning 31 and Kendall Gill was just 27, allowing Kobe a few years to develop before becoming a superstar alongside Glen Rice and Larry Johnson. For a team that wasn’t going anywhere shortly, a rebuild would’ve been ideally centered around Kobe.
Let’s imagine if they kept Kobe. In 1997, they’d move up to the late lottery selecting a Scot Pollard or Austin Croshere. In 1998, more of the same but in 1999, a potential chance to select Baron Davis, making a Baron-Kobe-Rice Big 3.
This manifests you should never make a pre-draft trade. The draft changes unexpectedly along the way and can alter the entire plan of a franchise in a split second.
Dominic Chiappone: So long, Baron
Trade details:
- CHA receives: Baron Davis
- GS receives: Speedy Claxton, Dale Davis
Explanation:
Kobe Bryant for Vlade Divac is too much of an easy choice. That move is (rightfully) defined by hindsight. As great as Kobe was, very few saw what he would become at the start of his career. It’s hard to fault Charlotte there.
What is hard to excuse: dumping a 24-year-old Baron Davis. The season before he got moved, he was a third-team All-NBA selection and finished 10th in MVP voting. Injuries aside, he would at least go on and play at a high level until 2008, famously starring in the “We Believe” Warriors.
The then-New Orleans Hornets finished with 18 wins and lucked into Chris Paul. That excuses things slightly, but landing Paul wasn’t a guarantee. Meanwhile, the return was really bad. Claxton only played in 115 games, with injuries leading to a retirement at age 30. Davis was already in his mid-thirties and one foot out of the league.
Sometimes, luck can bail you out. It certainly did for the Hornets.
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