NBA History: 5 worst trades of the 21st century

#3 Brooklyn Nets indirectly helping Portland Trail Blazers land Damian Lillard in 2012

Men's Basketball Medal Ceremony: Day 15

In 2012, a shaky-looking Brooklyn Nets team made the ill-advised move of trading away an unprotected first-round pick to the Portland Trail Blazers for Gerald Wallace. The reason behind the Nets' decision to do so was their assessment of that draft year's draft class, which the Brooklyn front office deemed to be weak.

The Portland Trail Blazers turned that pick into Damian Lillard, who is now revered as one of the best point guards in the NBA and amongst the best shooters of all time.

---

#2 Cleveland Cavaliers trading Kyrie Irving to Boston Celtics in 2017

Brooklyn Nets vs Boston Celtics - Game four

The definition of a lose-lose trade, the Kyrie Irving to Boston Celtics move will go down as one of the worst trades in NBA history. Fresh off a loss to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, Kyrie Irving requested a trade, and the Cavs granted his wish by sending him to the Celtics.

The Cavs were a strong contender with Irving, but became a punching bag for the Warriors in the subsequent NBA Finals after LeBron James lost his partner-in-crime. James parted ways with the franchise after two years, while Irving had a less than productive spell with Boston. Irving later moved to the Brooklyn Nets.

---

#1 Brooklyn Nets mortgaging their future for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce in 2013

Miami Heat vs Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets dug themselves a deep grave by mortgaging their future by signing off on a deal that sent Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry to them in exchange for the measly price of three future first-round picks - 2014, 2016, and 2018 - and swap rights in 2017 and five players.

Expected to mount a title charge, the Nets instead ended with an underwhelming 44-38 record that season. To rub insult to injury, all three players - Garnett, Terry, and Pierce - ended up leaving after just one year. The Celtics, meanwhile, were able to draft franchise cornerstones, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, with their picks.

You may also like: 5 tallest NBA players heading into the 2021-22 season.