Philadelphia 76ers: 5 Worst Trades In Franchise History
The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the more storied franchises in NBA history. They have had some of the greatest-ever players–the likes of Moses Malone, Wilt Chamberlain and Allen Iverson all spring to mind. Let’s take a look at the five worst trades in franchise history.
Andrew Bynum did not suit up for the Sixers at all in 2012-13.
Photo Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr.com
5. The Andrew Bynum trade
Los Angeles Lakers Received: Dwight Howard, Chris Duhon and Earl Clark
Orlando Magic Received: Nikola Vucevic, Moe Harkless, a Sixers’ future first-round pick, Christian Eyenga, Josh McRoberts, the Lakers’ 2017 first-round pick, Arron Afflalo, Al Harrington and the Nuggets’ 2014 first-round pick
Denver Nuggets Received: Andre Iguodala
Philadelphia 76ers Received: Andrew Bynum, Jason Richardson
The trade to secure Andrew Bynum was one that showed ambition, took a risk and said one thing: The Sixers want to win a championship. We all know how the story went; Bynum hasn’t played a game in Philly and probably will not. I really liked the trade, but in hindsight, the Sixers gave up promising players (Moe Harkless), first-round picks and their franchise leader (Andre Iguodala) to get what? Andrew Bynum has scored the same amount of points at the Wells Fargo Center as you and me. Zero.
4. Chris Webber‘s arrival in Philly
Sacremento Kings Received: Brian Skinner, Kenny Thomas and Corliss Williamson
Philadelphia 76ers Received: Chris Webber, Matt Barnes and Michael Bradley
Throughout his time in Philadelphia, Allen Iverson didn’t get a lot of help. He almost single-handidly dragged the Sixers to an NBA Finals in 2001–falling short to Shaquille O’Neal‘s Lakers. In 2004, the front office in Philly decided to pair AI up with a former member of the ”Fab Five,” Chris Webber. Much was expected of Webber; he led the Kings to the Western Conference Finals and pairing him up with The Answer would surely result in a championship? Wrong. The Sixers never made it past the first round with C-Webb.
3. The Sixers Trade Away Moses Malone
Philadelphia 76ers receive: Cliff Robinson and Jeff Ruland
Washington Bullets receive: Moses Malone, Terry Catledge and two first-round picks
Moses Malone won the MVP award and an NBA championship in his first season in the City of Brotherly Love. It is not as if Malone’s production stopped after leaving Philly: He continued to make All-Star Games and score the basketball well–averaging more than 20 points a game for three more seasons.
Cliff Robinson wasn’t a bad player, he just couldn’t stay healthy. He missed over 100 games in three years before departing from Philadelphia.
Wilt Chamberlain (13), shown working against Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics in an undated game photo, was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1968. (Photo: New York World-Telegramand the Sun staff photographer/derivative work: Sportingn/via Wikimedia Commons)
2. Trading the 100-point man
Los Angeles Lakers Received: Wilt Chamberlain
Philadelphia 76ers Received: Jerry Chambers, Archie Clark and Darrall Imhoff
Wilt Chamberlain is arguably one of the greatest players ever to play the game. He once averaged 50 points per game in a season and was known for dominating his opposition at both ends of the floor. After being traded from Philadelphia, he went on to continue dominating and being one of the best centers in NBA history. His replacements were fairly average. Archie Clark is the only player that averaged double figures in any statistic–averaging more than 10 points per game.
1. Charles Barkley Trade
Phoenix Suns Received: Charles Barkley
Philadelphia 76ers Received: Jeff Hornacek, Andrew Lang and Tim Perry
When the player you trade wins MVP honors the year after, you know you’ve made a big mistake. The Round Mound of Rebound is one of the greatest power forwards in history. The year following the trade, the Sixers won 26 games while the Suns got to the NBA Finals. That tells you all you need to know–this is one of the worst trades in NBA history.