Clippers & Sixers' Shocking Trade Blunders: Will They Regret These 2028 Picks Forever?

As the NBA's trade market heats up, teams are weighing the value of distant first-round picks against the immediate needs of their rosters. The Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers serve as cautionary tales for franchises considering similar trades. Both teams made significant moves in recent years that have led to regret, particularly as they navigate the current season's early struggles.

In 2019, the Clippers made a blockbuster trade, sending Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and five future first-round picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Paul George. This decision was made to entice star forward Kawhi Leonard to join the team. While George and Leonard led the Clippers to four playoff appearances and even their first trip to the Western Conference Finals, the team's overall success has been limited, winning only three playoff series during their tenure.

Fast forward to today, the Clippers find themselves on the brink of disaster. After losing George to the Sixers during the 2024 offseason, they currently hold a disappointing 5-15 record and rank third-worst in the league defensively. The ramifications of the initial trade continue to haunt them: they still owe a fully unprotected 2026 first-round pick to the Thunder, along with the possibility of swapping picks in 2027. The latter could be especially painful, given that the Thunder are expected to be picking near the top of the draft for the foreseeable future.

Adding to the Clippers' woes are looming allegations of salary-cap circumvention. If the NBA finds them guilty, they could face harsh penalties, including the loss of future draft picks and the potential voiding of Leonard's contract. Such outcomes could further diminish the quality of their future picks, amplifying the consequences of their earlier decisions.

The Sixers' Narrow Escape

In contrast, the 76ers' mistakes have been more muted but equally concerning. They traded Al Horford and a protected 2025 first-round pick to the Thunder for Danny Green in 2020, a move made to rectify the issue of Horford's fit alongside star center Joel Embiid. While Green contributed during his time with the team, the Sixers found themselves in a precarious situation heading into the 2024 draft. After trading Green and a late first-round pick for De'Anthony Melton, they were down an additional pick with nothing substantial to show for the Horford trade.

As the 2024 season approached, the Sixers’ fortunes seemed to shift when they acquired George. However, injuries plagued both George and Embiid, leading to a disastrous 24-58 record, the worst since the "Process" era. The Sixers entered the draft lottery with the fifth-best odds for the No. 1 pick, having a 64% chance of keeping their first-round pick and a 36% chance of conveying it to the Thunder. They narrowly avoided disaster when they secured the No. 3 overall pick, deferring their obligation to Oklahoma City until 2026.

This season, the Sixers have started at 10-8 but are already facing significant injury challenges. Embiid has played in only six games due to right knee soreness, while George missed the first 12 games recovering from an offseason procedure. Other roster players, including VJ Edgecombe, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Adem Bona, have also faced injuries, leading to a strain on their season. If Tyrese Maxey continues to play at an All-NBA level, the Sixers may avoid sending a high-end pick to the Thunder. However, if their struggles persist, they could end up giving up a late lottery pick, which would have significant implications for their future given the large contracts of George and Embiid.

As the landscape of the NBA shifts under the new second-apron era, teams must carefully evaluate the risks associated with trading future picks. The experiences of the Clippers and Sixers serve as poignant reminders of the long-term consequences that can arise from short-term decisions. As the season unfolds, other franchises should take heed of these cautionary tales, weighing the immediate benefits against the potential for future regret.