THE STORY
In the 1998 NBA Draft, the Milwaukee Bucks selected Dirk Nowitzki with the 9th overall pick but immediately traded his rights to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Robert Traylor. Nowitzki went on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Mavericks, including an NBA championship in 2011.
TEAMS / PEOPLE:
NBA teams and players
WHY IT MATTERS
This trade is often cited as one of the most lopsided in NBA history, as Nowitzki became a franchise cornerstone for Dallas, while Traylor's impact was minimal.