The 12 Worst Trades in Sports History

Every year there are thousands of trades in pro sports. Both sides involved in the trade hope to improve their team by giving up as little as possible and getting back as much as possible. Unfortunately, things don’t always go according to plan.

Almost all of the most famous dynasties in sports history were built on lopsided trades — starting back in the 1920’s when Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees for cash to finance a (gulp..) Broadway musical — to 1987 when the Seattle Sonics traded Scottie Pippen to the Bulls for Olden Polynice.

As you can see, trades can drastically change the history of a franchise. For better or for worse.

Here are the 12 Worst Trades in Sports History.