Trading in sports happens almost all the time, and most seem fair to both teams in one way or another. However, not all trades are created equally. Here are probably the five worst trades in the history of sports.
1. Herschel Walker to the Vikings
(source: allfunkedup.sportsblog.com)
This is far and away the most lopsides trade in NFL history. In Herschel Walker, the Vikings thought they had found the missing piece to a Super Bowl, and they paid handsomely for him. The Vikings gave up five players and seven draft picks (including a first rounder). Not only did Walker not live up to expectations in Minnesota, the Cowboys used a few of those picks into Emmitt Smith and Rod Woodson, who helped the Cowboys win three Super Bowls in the 1990s.
2. Julius Erving to the 76ers
(source: bleacherreport.com)
When teams from the ABA were moving to join the NBA, there was a fee. In order for the New Jersey Nets to join, they basically had to shed some salary to join the NBA. Erving was their franchise player and one of the best players on earth and they traded for $3 Million. While that was a lot more in 1976 than it is now, it is still not worth one of the best and most legendary players ever.
3. Robert Parish and Kevin Mchale to the Celtics
(source: rantsports.com)
Unfortunately for the NBA, a boneheaded trade by Golden State led to the second Celtics dynasty in two decades. In 1980, the Celtics acquired Robert Parish and the 3rd overally pick for the first and thirteenth overall pick. Golden State whiffed on their picks, and the Celtics selected Kevin McHale at 3 and thus, got two thirds of their big three in one trade. The big three of Parish, McHale and Bird helped the Celtics win three titles.
4. Bill Russell to the Celtics
(source: listabuzz.com)
Perhaps the craziest thing is that the last trade isn’t even the biggest steal the Celtics ever got, that would be when they traded for Bill Russell in 1956 from the St. Louis Hawks. The players they gave up were solid, but paled in comparison to Russell, who is a top 5 all-time player. He helped the Celtics to win 11 championships and he is probably the best defensive player and leader in the history of the NBA.
5. Babe Ruth to the Yankees
(source: hollywoodreporter.com)
Of all the god awful trades in history and the ones that have appeared in this article, they pale in comparison to this. In 1920, Babe Ruth was the consensus best player in the world and was helping his Red Sox find success. But in that same year, the Red Sox traded Ruth to the Yankees for $400,000. As I’m sure you know, he went on to dominate for the Yankees and many believe this move cursed the Red Sox. Even more crazy, most of the money the Red Sox received actually went to funding a musical!
