Written by Nunzio Ingrassia at Fox Sports.com
Sunday’s stunning trade that sent DeMarcus Cousins to the Pelicans is just the latest example of a woefully lopsided NBA deal. But as the basketball world rips the Kings for the move, they are far from the only organization that has gotten the short end of a trade. Not every swap has a clear winner and loser, but these transactions clearly benefited one team over another, sometimes shifting the balance of power in the league for years to come.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks shipped Kevin Willis and a first-round pick to Miami for Steve Smith and Grant Long in 1994. It wasn’t a blockbuster move, but it gave the Hawks their top scoring option on a perennial playoff team. Smith averaged 18.6 points during his five years in Atlanta. Long provided some size in the frontcourt and averaged double figures in scoring during his two years with the Hawks.
Honorable mention: Hawks acquire Mookie Blaylock and Roy Hinson from Nets for Rumeal Rominson.
Boston Celtics
When the player you acquired helped the franchise win 11 titles, that’s tough to beat. The Celtics picked up Bill Russell from the St. Louis Hawks for All-Star Ed Macauley and the draft rights to Cliff Hagan in the 1956 draft. It might have appeared to be a hefty price to pay for an NBA unknown, but Red Auerbach loved what he saw from Russell in college. The big man became the centerpiece of the Celtics’ dynasty during the ’50s and ’60s and is considered one of the greatest winners in sports history.
Honorable mention: Celtics acquire Robert Parrish and Kevin McHale for Joe Barry Carroll and Rickey Brown in a draft-day deal.
Brooklyn Nets
The then-New Jersey Nets found their floor general in Jason Kidd, whom they acquired from the Suns for Stephon Marbury in 2001. The move paid immediate dividends for New Jersey, which reached the NBA Finals in each of Kidd’s first two years with the team. The do-everything point guard fueled New Jersey’s up-tempo offense and transformed the franchise into a title contender.
Honorable mention: Nets acquire Vince Carter from Raptors for Alonzo Mourning, Eric Williams, Aaron Williams and two first-round picks in 2004.
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