**”Ex-NBA Player Says This Trade Was Worse Than the Mavericks Giving Up Luka Dončić: A Deep Dive into NBA’s Worst Decisions”**
In the annals of NBA history, there are trades that leave fans scratching their heads, questioning the logic behind them. Trades that leave entire cities in shock, and teams reeling from decisions that don’t seem to make sense in hindsight. One of the most infamous trades in recent memory was the 2018 NBA Draft trade when the Dallas Mavericks traded the rights to Luka Dončić to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Trae Young and a future first-round pick. That trade, in which the Mavericks gave up what would become one of the league’s brightest stars, is often cited as one of the worst in NBA history, especially as Dončić’s meteoric rise to superstardom has left many wondering how the Hawks and other teams passed up on him.
However, as time has gone on, it seems that there may be other trades—perhaps even more surprising and perplexing—that have earned the title of “worst trade ever.” In fact, some basketball minds, including former NBA players, are now suggesting that another trade might eclipse the Luka Dončić deal as the most damaging in the history of the league. One former NBA player recently voiced his opinion that a trade made by a different franchise was, in his estimation, *worse* than the Mavericks’ infamous decision to give up Dončić.
So, what trade could possibly rival or surpass that level of franchise-altering regret? Let’s break down this controversial claim, explore the details of the trade in question, and understand why this former NBA player feels so strongly about it.
### The Context: Luka Dončić and the Mavs’ Deal with the Hawks
Before diving into the trade that is being called worse than the Mavericks’ decision to trade Dončić, it’s essential to revisit the infamous deal involving the Slovenian superstar.
In 2018, the Mavericks were sitting with the third overall pick in the NBA Draft, and the Atlanta Hawks had the fifth pick. The Hawks, with their sights set on drafting Trae Young, orchestrated a deal with the Mavs. Atlanta traded the rights to the third pick to Dallas, in exchange for the fifth pick and a future first-round pick (later becoming the 2019 10th overall pick, which the Hawks used to select Cam Reddish).
This trade initially seemed like a good move for both teams. Dallas was able to draft Luka Dončić, a European sensation who had already proven himself as one of the best young players in the world after his successful run in the EuroLeague. Meanwhile, the Hawks, with the fifth pick, selected Trae Young, a high-scoring, playmaking guard out of Oklahoma who many believed could be the face of their franchise.
However, in hindsight, it’s become clear that the Mavericks got the better end of the deal. Dončić quickly became one of the NBA’s best players, earning multiple All-Star appearances and leading the Mavs into playoff contention every season. Meanwhile, Young, though talented, has had mixed results in Atlanta. While he led the Hawks to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals, his performance has been inconsistent, and the Hawks as a whole have not been able to build on that success.
The trade was initially viewed as a minor gamble, with both teams believing they had found their franchise player. But as Dončić continues to elevate his game, the question lingers: how could the Hawks pass up the opportunity to draft such a generational talent? This is the trade that many fans, pundits, and analysts will refer to as one of the worst in NBA history.
### The New Trade That Could Be Worse
So, what trade is now being cited as *worse* than the Mavericks’ decision to give up Dončić? According to an ex-NBA player, the trade in question occurred in 2013 and involved a team with championship aspirations— the Brooklyn Nets.
In 2013, the Brooklyn Nets made a blockbuster trade with the Boston Celtics, acquiring the legendary trio of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry in exchange for a package of players, including Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks, and Keith Bogans, along with three future first-round picks. The trade was seen as a win-now move, as the Nets, who had just moved to Brooklyn, were looking to build a contender alongside their already established star, Deron Williams.
On paper, this trade seemed like a bold, championship-chasing decision. With veterans like Pierce and Garnett, the Nets thought they were positioned to make a deep playoff run and possibly even challenge for an NBA title. Unfortunately, the trade turned into one of the worst in NBA history, and many believe it has cost the franchise dearly, especially when compared to the long-term damage it caused to the Nets’ future.
The Nets quickly realized that the aging Celtics veterans were not the pieces they needed to push them over the top. Injuries plagued the team, and the trio of Pierce, Garnett, and Terry failed to produce the level of performance that the Nets had hoped for. The team’s playoff run in 2014 ended in the Eastern Conference semifinals, and the following seasons were filled with disappointment.
### The Long-Term Impact of the Nets’ 2013 Trade
Where the Brooklyn Nets’ 2013 trade truly becomes devastating, however, is in the aftermath. The three first-round picks that the Nets sent to Boston in the deal (2014, 2016, and 2018) would ultimately turn into key assets for the Celtics, setting up the franchise for future success.
The 2014 pick became the sixth overall pick, which the Celtics used to select Marcus Smart—arguably one of the best defenders in the NBA and a crucial component of the Celtics’ recent championship-contending teams. The 2016 pick became the third overall pick, which Boston used to select Jayson Tatum, who has since become the cornerstone of the Celtics’ franchise. The 2018 pick was used by the Celtics to select another key player, Robert Williams III.
In exchange for these three first-round picks, the Nets received two seasons of diminishing returns from the aging Celtics stars. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were past their prime, and their skills had significantly declined by the time they reached Brooklyn. While the Nets did make the playoffs, they failed to live up to expectations, and the trade ultimately crippled their future.
Fast forward to today, and the Brooklyn Nets are still recovering from the long-term effects of that trade. Despite eventually rebuilding their roster through trades, free agency, and draft picks, the loss of those three valuable first-round picks remains a critical blow to the franchise’s long-term prospects. Had the Nets kept those picks, they could have built a much more sustainable, long-term contender rather than being stuck in the cycle of trading away future assets for win-now moves.
### Comparing the Trades: What Makes the Nets’ Trade Worse?
So, why does this former NBA player believe that the 2013 trade between the Nets and Celtics was worse than the Mavericks giving up Luka Dončić? There are several factors at play here.
1. **Future Assets Lost**: The Nets’ trade ultimately cost them valuable future assets—three first-round picks that could have been used to draft young, talented players who could contribute to the team for years to come. The Mavericks’ decision to trade down in 2018 was risky, but they still retained a future star in Dončić, whereas the Nets completely mortgaged their future by giving away multiple draft picks for aging veterans.
2. **Lack of Championship Success**: While the Mavericks’ trade allowed them to build around Dončić and create a team with legitimate championship potential, the Nets’ trade yielded no such results. Despite all the hype and the star power of Pierce and Garnett, the Nets never came close to winning an NBA championship, leaving them with little to show for the trade.
3. **Impact on Team Development**: The Celtics’ subsequent success, fueled by the draft picks from the Nets, allowed them to rebuild their team into a perennial contender. The Nets, on the other hand, were stuck in a rebuild, with no real future assets to rely on. The Mavericks, by contrast, have been able to build around Dončić and continue to improve their roster, even after making that trade.
4. **A Legacy of Bad Trades**: The 2013 trade for Pierce and Garnett is just one of many moves that have haunted the Brooklyn Nets. Over the years, the Nets have been involved in several trades that failed to produce long-term success, while other teams have been able to capitalize on their assets. The 2013 trade remains one of the most significant failures in NBA history.
### Conclusion: The Ultimate Verdict
The 2013 Brooklyn Nets-Boston Celtics trade remains a cautionary tale in NBA history. While the Mavericks’ decision to trade for Dončić seemed questionable at first, it ultimately paid off in the long run, with Dončić becoming one of the most exciting young stars in the league. On the other hand, the Nets’ trade left them with nothing to show for it—no championship, no future assets, and a franchise that would take years to recover.
In the eyes of some former players, the long-term damage caused by the Nets’ trade for Pierce, Garnett, and Terry outweighs the regret felt by the Mavericks in giving up Dončić. While both trades have had lasting effects on the franchises involved, the Nets’ deal is seen as one of the most disastrous in NBA history, simply because it set the team back for years without yielding any immediate or long-term success.
