Cousins deal is among 6 worst NBA superstar trades
We know this much: The Kings got absolutely fleeced in their trade of DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans.
We also know this: It's not the first time an NBA franchise has gotten robbed in trading a superstar. Let's take a look at some other historically bad deals of stars traded in their primes and see how they compare.
1968
The superstar: Wilt Chamberlain
The trade: Los Angeles Lakers get Chamberlain; Philadelphia 76ers get Jerry Chambers, Archie Clark and Darrall Imhoff
You could argue Chamberlain was past his prime at age 32, but still. Yikes.
1975
The superstar: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
The trade: Los Angeles Lakers get Abdul-Jabbar and Walt Wesley; Milwaukee Bucks get Brian Winters, Elmore Smith, Junior Bridgeman and David Meyers.
When you trade one of the greatest players in NBA history (albeit one who wanted out of Milwaukee), if you don't get a Hall of Fame talent back in exchange, you're on the losing end.
1976
The superstar: Julius Erving
The trade: The 76ers get Erving; New Jersey Nets get $3 million
To be fair, the Nets needed the money to help pay for entering the league after the ABA-NBA merger, but this one stings a whole lot.
1992
The superstar: Charles Barkley
The trade: Phoenix Suns get Barkley; Philadelphia 76ers get Jeff Hornacek, Tim Perry and Andrew Lang
This somewhat resembles the Boogie trade, except Barkley really forced the deal to happen. While Barkley nabbed an MVP and led Phoenix to an NBA Finals, Hornacek ended up having a great end to his career … in Utah, so at least we know it wasn't the most lopsided trade in NBA history.
2004
The superstar: Vince Carter
The trade: The New Jersey Nets get Carter; Toronto Raptors get Alonzo Mourning, Aaron Williams, Eric Williams and two first-round picks
Carter's stats had weirdly fallen off a cliff the year he was dealt, but when he arrived in New Jersey, he resumed his scoring ways. Meanwhile, it turns out the Raps sold low. VERY low.
2017
The superstar: DeMarcus Cousins
The trade: The New Orleans Hornets get Cousins and Omri Casspi; Sacramento Kings get Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, a 2017 first-round pick and a 2017 second-rounder.
The trades listed above the Cousins deal involve four Hall of Famers and one player most likely headed for Springfield. If Cousins keeps up this pace and ends up in that pantheon (it's more possible than you think), this deal is indeed an all-time stinker.