NBA Trades In Recent History That Turned Out To Be Mistakes

The NBA is full of trades, but not all of them turn out to be wins for the teams involved. Sometimes, a deal that seems like a game-changer ends up haunting a franchise for years. Whether it’s because of an underperforming player, losing key assets, or seeing the traded player thrive elsewhere, the pain of a bad trade can linger. In this article, we’ll dive into some recent NBA trades that looked promising at first but ultimately turned out to be mistakes. We’ll break down the impact on the teams, including key stats, performances, and how these moves affected their futures.

The Bradley Beal Bet By The Suns

When the Suns made the move to acquire Bradley Beal in the 2023 offseason, the idea was to stack him alongside Devin Booker and Kevin Durant to build a superteam. The Suns sent out Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, multiple second-round picks, and pick swaps to the Wizards. At first glance, this seemed like a trade that would push them into championship contention. Contrary, things didn’t go as planned.

In his first season with the Suns, Beal struggled with injuries, limiting him to just 53 games. He posted averages of 18.2 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game, with shooting splits of 43.0% from the field and 33.3% from three. While these are respectable stats, they fall short of the All-Star level performance the Suns had hoped for when they brought him in.

One of the bigger issues with this trade is Beal’s contract. His huge $ 50-plus million deal per season until 2027 has left the Suns with little room for flexibility, making it hard for them to build a deeper roster around their stars. With Beal, Booker, and Durant all on max contracts, filling out the team with quality role players has become a major challenge. The Suns are now capped out and may find themselves in a tough spot if Beal doesn’t improve his performance or stays injured.

Ultimately, the move to get Beal has not yet paid off as expected, and if his health issues continue, this trade might become a serious regret for the Suns. Instead of bringing them closer to a title, it’s put them in a financial bind with limited options to strengthen the squad moving forward.

The Russell Westbrook Experiment With The Lakers

When the Lakers traded for Russell Westbrook in 2021, it was seen as a bold move to create a "Big Three" alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The team gave up key depth pieces like Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell, and draft picks to bring Westbrook in. The hope was that his energy, playmaking, and ability to push the pace would complement the star power of LeBron and AD. Unfortunately for the Lakers, this experiment didn’t pan out.

Westbrook’s time in LA was marked by inconsistency, poor shooting, and a lack of fit with the rest of the roster. During the 2021-22 season, he averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists, but his inefficiency stood out. He shot 44.4% from the field and just 29.8% from three, which was a problem on a team that needed floor spacing. His turnovers (3.8 per game) and defensive struggles also hurt the Lakers' chemistry and performance.

As the season went on, it became clear that Westbrook’s style of play didn’t mesh well with LeBron and AD. His inability to play off the ball and space the floor forced the Lakers into awkward lineups. He showed effort and a relentless motor, but the Lakers finished the 2021-22 season outside of the playoffs, a major disappointment for a team with championship aspirations.

In the 2022-23 season, the Lakers eventually traded Westbrook, with many claiming he was a scapegoat for the team , as part of a multi-team deal that sent him to the Jazz before he landed with the Clippers. While he played well in a different environment, it was clear that the Lakers made a major mistake by giving up their depth and future assets for a player who didn’t fit their system. The fallout from this trade left the Lakers scrambling to rebuild their roster, and it's a move that will be remembered as one of the biggest missteps in recent franchise history.

The Ben Simmons Gamble By The Nets

When the Brooklyn Nets traded James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers in 2022, they believed they were getting a younger, versatile star in Ben Simmons. At the time, it seemed like a decent move—Harden wasn’t happy in Brooklyn, and the hope was that Simmons could be the perfect complement to Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving with his defense, playmaking, and ability to push the pace. But looking back, the Nets might regret not exploring other options for Harden or simply letting him walk in the offseason.

Simmons’ tenure with the Nets has been a disaster so far. In the 2023-24 season, Simmons played only 15 games, dealing with a combination of injuries and mental health struggles. He averaged 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 5.7 assists, far from the All-Star level he showed earlier in his career. His ability to stay on the court is now a major question mark, and the Nets are paying him over $40 million in what’s now his contract year.

Adding to the regret, the Nets eventually moved both Durant and Irving, which signaled a complete rebuild they will face from this season. If they had traded Harden for other young assets or let him leave, they might be in a better spot now, with more flexibility or potential pieces for their future. Instead, they are left with Simmons, an unknown factor heading into 2024-25, and a team that feels stuck in the middle of a long-term project.

As Simmons enters his final year under contract, he’s a huge question mark for the Nets. Will he ever regain his form? Or will the Nets’ gamble on him go down as one of their biggest mistakes in recent history? Right now, it’s looking like the latter.

The Cost Of Losing Jrue Holiday For The Bucks

When the Bucks traded for Damian Lillard in 2023, it was meant to solidify their position as championship favorites by pairing Giannis Antetokounmpo with one of the most lethal offensive players in the league. But this move came at a significant cost—losing Jrue Holiday. While Lillard delivered a strong season, averaging 24.3 points and 7.0 assists in his first year with the Bucks, the trade didn’t play out as planned.

The most painful part for the Bucks was not Lillard’s performance, but what they lost in Holiday. Jrue was not only the defensive anchor but also the heart of the team’s perimeter defense. His departure opened a major hole on that end, and Milwaukee struggled to maintain the same level of defensive excellence they’d built their identity on. To make things worse, Holiday ended up with the Celtics after being dealt from Portland, and he played a pivotal role in Boston's run to the 2024 NBA Championship.

Now, with the 2024-25 season approaching, the Bucks might be second-guessing this trade. While Lillard is an offensive powerhouse, Holiday’s absence hurt the Bucks on both ends of the floor. His elite defense and ability to facilitate were critical during their 2021 title run, and seeing him win with a key rival like the Celtics stings even more. Had the Bucks known that losing Holiday would tip the balance in favor of a direct competitor, they might have reconsidered this deal altogether.

In hindsight, keeping Jrue might have been the better move for the Bucks, especially after seeing how the Celtics thrived with him. Now, the Bucks face the tough reality of needing to rebuild their defense, while watching their former star defend the trophy elsewhere.

Dejounte Murray Left The Hawks In Limbo

The Hawks made a bold move in 2022 by trading for Dejounte Murray from the Spurs, hoping to form a powerful backcourt alongside Trae Young. The cost was high—three first-round picks, a pick swap, and sending out Danilo Gallinari. The hope was that Murray’s defense and playmaking would balance Young’s offensive firepower, creating a duo capable of elevating the Hawks into serious title contention. But two seasons later, it’s clear that this experiment didn’t live up to expectations.

Murray’s numbers during the 2023-24 season were solid—22.5 points, 6.4 assists, 5.3 rebounds, with a respectable 45.9% field goal percentage and 36.3% from three-point range. He played in 78 games, offering consistency on both ends of the floor. Yet, the Hawks struggled to find their rhythm and identity as a team. Their inconsistency led to a mediocre regular season and an early Play-In exit. The chemistry between Young and Murray never fully clicked, as the duo often found it hard to complement each other’s play styles.

After a short but complicated time, the Hawks traded Murray to the Pelicans during the 2024 offseason, with rumors swirling even before the deadline. While the move gives the team a fresh start, it also highlights the failure of the original trade. The franchise spent significant assets for a player they ultimately couldn’t integrate successfully into their long-term plans. The departure of Murray leaves the Hawks without the draft capital they sacrificed, limiting their flexibility to make future moves that could help build around Young.

Looking back, the front office might regret not using those picks to add depth or even a different player who would have complemented Young’s game more naturally. By moving on from Murray so quickly, the Hawks essentially admitted that this gamble didn’t pay off. Now, with limited draft picks and an uncertain roster, the Hawks face a rebuilding process while other Eastern Conference teams continue to get stronger.

Related: The Blockbuster Trade Idea Between The Warriors And The Heat That Could Perfectly Work

The Nets’ Gamble On James Harden Was A Costly Failure

When the Nets traded for James Harden in 2021, they envisioned building an unstoppable trio alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. The price was massive: sending Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, several first-round picks, and pick swaps to the Rockets. On paper, it looked like the trade that would turn the Nets into instant title contenders.

Harden delivered strong stats in his first season, averaging 24.6 points, 10.9 assists, and 8.5 rebounds, but the trio barely played together due to injuries and off-court issues. With Irving missing time and Durant dealing with injuries, Harden was left to shoulder much of the load. By the time the playoffs rolled around, the team’s lack of chemistry was evident, and they were eliminated before reaching the Finals.

The biggest blow came the following season, when Harden grew frustrated with the situation and was eventually traded to the 76ers. The Nets, in return, received Ben Simmons, but his inability to stay on the court made it clear the team had lost the trade. The franchise's long-term flexibility was impacted, as they had already mortgaged their future by giving up valuable young talent like Allen, who went on to become an All-Star.

Today, the Nets are in rebuilding mode, with Durant and Irving also gone. The Harden trade, meant to create a dynasty, ultimately set the team back for years, forcing them to start from scratch without the assets or players they once had. The cost of losing young core pieces and draft picks, combined with the failure to win with Harden, remains one of the biggest what-ifs in the franchise's history.

The Bulls’ Loss With The Lauri Markkanen Trade

When the Bulls sent Lauri Markkanen to the Cavaliers in a 2021 three-team trade, it seemed like a reasonable move at the time. Chicago received Derrick Jones Jr. and a protected first-round pick, moving on from a player who had struggled to find consistency during his time with the team. But, in hindsight, this deal has turned into a significant regret for the Bulls.

Markkanen found his footing with the Cavaliers, averaging 14.8 points and 5.7 rebounds during the 2021-22 season. He played a key role in the Cavs’ resurgence, even serving as a valuable piece in the blockbuster trade that brought Donovan Mitchell to the team. However, the real sting for the Bulls came after Markkanen was traded to Utah in 2022. In his first season with the Jazz , Markkanen exploded into an All-Star, posting career-highs with 25.6 points and 8.6 rebounds while shooting an impressive 49.9% from the field and 39.1% from three.

Markkanen’s leap in Utah made the trade look even worse for the Bulls. What they saw as an inconsistent player with untapped potential turned into a centerpiece for the Jazz, as he earned a massive five-year extension this summer . Markkanen’s All-Star breakout validated his talent, and his ability to lead Utah in a new direction left Chicago reflecting on what could have been.

For the Bulls, this trade has become a missed opportunity. Not only did they fail to see Markkanen’s potential, but they also lost the chance to use him as a foundation or leverage for a more significant trade. Instead, they watched him thrive elsewhere while their return in the deal—Derrick Jones Jr. and a pick—never yielded nearly the same impact.

The Thunder's Misstep On Gordon Hayward

In early February last season, the Thunder were on top of the West, but also looking to add a veteran to improve their playoff hopes. The team let go of Tre Mann, Vasilije Micic, Davis Bertans, and two second-round picks to the Hornets for Gordon Hayward. The idea was to add veteran experience for a playoff run, but the move backfired. Hayward averaged 9.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 51 games but struggled to stay healthy and consistent for the Thunder, playing in just 29 games for them.

In the playoffs, Hayward’s impact was minimal. He played in just two games due to ongoing injury issues, averaging 6.5 points on 38% shooting. The Thunder were knocked out in the second round, with Hayward offering little help. To make matters worse, Hayward announced his retirement at the end of the season, leaving the Thunder without the future assets or the leadership they hoped for from the trade.

The Thunder sacrificed young talent and draft picks for an injury-plagued player who couldn’t contribute when it mattered most. This trade became a clear misstep as they lost key future assets in the process of trying to add veteran leadership.

John Collins Was A Weird Trade For The Jazz

In July 2023, the Jazz traded Rudy Gay and a second-round pick to the Hawks to acquire John Collins. The idea was to add depth to their frontcourt and potentially boost the team’s playoff chances. Collins, coming off a disappointing season in Atlanta where he averaged 13.1 points and 6.5 rebounds, was seen as a potential low-risk, high-reward addition. But looking back, this trade hasn’t delivered the impact the Jazz needed.

With key players like Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler, and promising rookie Taylor Hendricks, the Jazz already had a strong frontcourt. Collins, while talented, found himself competing for minutes with these younger, more promising players. His role became unclear, and he struggled to make the impact the Jazz hoped for. While playing solid minutes, Collins didn’t help the Jazz make a significant push toward the playoffs, and his contract—$26 million per year—has started to feel like a heavy burden on a team focused on rebuilding.

The Jazz are now left with a veteran player who doesn’t fully fit into their long-term plans, especially with his sizable contract. This move added a player who is no longer seen as a future cornerstone, and his salary is limiting the team’s flexibility to continue developing younger talent.

The Bulls' Vucevic Move That Backfired

The Bulls made a major trade to acquire Nikola Vucevic from the Magic in 2021, sending Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter Jr., and two first-round picks in return. The goal was to pair Vucevic with Zach LaVine and build a team that could compete in the playoffs. But, after several seasons, the move has not produced the desired results.

Vucevic has put up respectable numbers with 18.1 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, but the team has not won a single playoff round since he arrived. This has raised questions about the trade’s long-term impact, especially now that key pieces like Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan are no longer with the team. The Bulls are left in a difficult spot, reportedly looking to move Vucevic, yet struggling to find any significant trade market for him .

One of the biggest challenges has been Vucevic’s $20-plus million contract per season, which limits the team's flexibility in making roster moves. Meanwhile, the Magic are thriving with Wendell Carter Jr. developing into a solid starter and Franz Wagner (one of the picks traded) emerging as a future star alongside Paolo Banchero.

Looking back, the Bulls gave up a lot of young talent and draft capital for a player who hasn’t delivered the playoff success they hoped for. The team now faces an uphill battle to rebuild, with limited assets and a veteran core that hasn’t been able to push the team into serious contention.

The Mavericks' Early Move On Kristaps Porzingis

The Mavericks moved quickly to trade Kristaps Porzingis in 2022, sending him to the Wizards for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans. The trade ultimately worked out well for the Mavericks, who reached the 2024 NBA Finals with Kyrie Irving leading the way. Yet, the timing of the Porzingis trade now raises questions.

Porzingis found new life with the Wizards, averaging 23.2 points and 8.4 rebounds, before playing a pivotal role in Boston's 2024 championship run, where he dominated against his former team.

While Dallas clearly thrived with Irving, they might regret letting go of Porzingis so soon. The team saw immediate results without him, but keeping him could have given them additional flexibility. His resurgence in Washington and Boston proves they might have been better off waiting for him to fully regain form before making a decision.

Ultimately, Dallas made the right call in trading for Irving, but the move to send Porzingis away so quickly leaves the franchise wondering if they could have handled the situation differently.

The Warriors' Chris Paul Gamble That Backfired

When the Warriors traded for Chris Paul in July 2023, sending Jordan Poole and draft picks to the Wizards, they thought they were adding a veteran playmaker who could push them over the top. It seemed like a good idea—get a seasoned leader to guide a team still centered around Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. But looking back now, it feels like the move didn’t work out the way they hoped.

Paul, who was 39 years old, struggled through the 2023-24 season, averaging 9.2 points, 6.8 assists, and 3.9 rebounds in just 58 games. His age and injuries were a constant concern, and he wasn’t able to help the team reach the playoffs. By the end of the season, the Warriors waived him, effectively admitting that the trade hadn’t panned out. Paul then signed with the Spurs on a one-year deal , leaving the Warriors behind with no playoff run and without their young scorer Jordan Poole, who they sacrificed in the deal.

It’s tough for the Warriors because they let go of a key piece from their 2022 championship run in Poole, a player who brought energy and scoring off the bench. Trading him for a 39-year-old Paul, who ended up getting waived, has left the team feeling like they lost future potential for a short-term move that didn’t deliver. Now, they’re stuck having paid Paul a hefty $30 million for the 2024-25 season, despite him no longer being on the roster.

In the end, the Warriors are left wondering if they acted too hastily, swapping youth for experience that didn’t help them get back to a title.

The Wizards’ Lost Chance On Daniel Gafford

Last February, the Wizards shipped Daniel Gafford to the Mavericks for Richaun Holmes and a first-round pick. At first, the deal seemed fine—move a young center for a draft pick and a veteran—but it didn’t pan out like that. Gafford immediately became a key player for the Mavericks, anchoring their defense with 11.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. He played a huge part in their run to the 2024 NBA Finals, showing exactly why he’s so valuable.

Meanwhile, the Wizards didn’t see much from Holmes, who struggled to make a real impact on the court. With Gafford thriving and helping the Mavericks reach the Finals, the Wizards’ front office is likely wondering why they moved on so quickly from a guy who’s proving to be a top-tier defensive center, especially on such a manageable contract.

Looking back, it feels like the Wizards underestimated Gafford’s potential. He’s young, energetic, and a defensive force—exactly the kind of player they could have built with as they try to shape their future. Instead, they handed him to the Mavericks, who are now reaping all the benefits. Letting Gafford go might go down as a long-term regret for the Wizards, especially since he’s now a key piece on a Finals team while they’re still figuring things out.

Victor Oladipo’s Short-Lived Time With The Heat

The Heat had high hopes for Victor Oladipo, seeing him as the missing piece to boost their playoff chances alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Miami acquired him from the Rockets in March 2021, giving up Avery Bradley, Kelly Olynyk, and a draft pick. Oladipo’s scoring and defensive abilities were supposed to complement Miami’s core, but the plan never materialized.

After only four games, Oladipo suffered a season-ending quad injury, a blow that derailed both his season and the Heat’s ambitions. Although he eventually returned, he was never the same explosive player he once was. Miami stuck with him through multiple injury recoveries, hoping he could regain form, but Oladipo remained inconsistent.

By 2023, the Heat decided to move on, trading him to the Thunder in a salary-clearing deal. The Oladipo experiment ended as one of those “what if” scenarios, where injuries prevented both the player and the team from reaching their full potential.

Grayson Allen's Exit From The Grizzlies

When the Grizzlies traded Grayson Allen to the Bucks in August 2021, they received Sam Merrill and two second-round picks in return. At the time, the move made sense for the Grizzlies, as they were clearing space for rising stars like Desmond Bane and later, Luke Kennard, to step into larger roles.

But in hindsight, the trade hasn’t aged well for the Grizzlies. Allen quickly became a valuable piece for the Bucks, averaging 10.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in the season following the trade, and providing both solid shooting and defense. His ability to contribute to the Bucks’ rotation, and later on for the Suns, showed that Allen could have continued to be a strong role player for the Grizzlies.

On the other hand, Sam Merrill, who was part of the deal, never had a meaningful impact with the Grizzlies, playing limited minutes before being waived. While the Grizzlies now have Kennard and Bane as important contributors, there’s no denying that they didn’t get much out of the Allen trade. With Merrill offering little in return, and Allen excelling in Milwaukee and Phoenix, the Grizzlies might feel like they didn’t maximize their return for a solid player.

Related: Los Angeles Clippers: The Best Player In Each Season Of The 21st Century