Worst trade in the 90s?

[NYKalltheway]

So basically which was the biggest mistake by a franchise in the 90s in terms of trading?
A mistake that either made the team irrelevant or cost them the championship perhaps?

[NYKalltheway]

The two that I feel that deserve most mention is Mark Jackson to Clippers and Shawn Kemp to Cavs. I feel that the Knicks could have won a championship with Mark Jackson running the paint, while the Sonics were pretty much destroyed after trading Kemp for Baker (essentially that was the trade).

[Bravo95]

The Hawks traded their best player and franchise icon during midseason when they had one of if not THE best team in the East. Manning was not mentally tough enough to handle the #1 option role, routinely disappeared, and left after half a season. Inflicted permanent damage on the fan base, many fans never returned after that and those who stayed will never trust the front office/ownership no matter what changes are made.

[JordansBulls]

The Nique for Manning trade was one of the worst ever. How do you trade your superstar when you are the top seed midway thru.

[NYKalltheway]

Was Manning an expiring contract?

[Bravo95]

Was Manning an expiring contract?

Yeah, he became a FA. Phoenix was a title contender but almost capped out, and he wanted to sign with them so badly that he (allegedly) told Jerry Colangelo he would sign for any amount they had to basically be their 6th man. He ended up taking something like a 1-year-1 million deal, IIRC. Thankfully, they got bounced early by Hakeem & Clyde.

[NYKalltheway]

So they basically traded their franchise player and a future pick for nothing? Now that's a crap deal

[Bravo95]

Sonics were the best team in the league IMO, but after they got bounced early, I felt like the door was WIDE OPEN for anybody to win the title since MJ wasn't around anymore. We blew our best chance, and Hakeem got it done.