What are the Worst Trades in Sports History?

[Unholy Diver]

Markus Naslund for Alek Stojanov was regrettable for the Pens

 

[HisIceness]

In 1996 the Charlotte Hornets drafted a 17 y/o Kobe Bryant, then traded him for Vlade Divac. Divac spent two years in Charlotte and then left for Sacramento as a free agent and was a big part of their Greatest Show on Court years. So Charlotte drafted a generational talent and traded him for a guy who would leave in 1998 and have a better career elsewhere, ouch.

Six years later, the Hornets left Charlotte and while they came back in the form of expansion, the new franchise has never won anything.

 

[Neutrinos]

Phillies trade future HoFer Ryne Sandberg and Larry Bowa to the Cubs for Ivan DeJesus.

January 27, 1982: Phillies make one of the worst trades in MLB history

They also made one of the best trades, trading Rick Wise for Steve Carlton.

It's easy to criticize the deal in hindsight, but in Philly's defense, Ivan de Jesus was only 28 years old, and had just hit .196, with a .233 SLG%, and 0 HR, finishing as a -1.3 WAR player in 106 games that season, so...