5 Worst Trades in Nets Franchise History

Gerald Wallace
Gerald Wallace is a fan favorite. But how long will it make sense? (AP)

5. August 6, 2002: Keith Van Horn and Todd MacCulloch to the Philadelphia 76ers for Dikembe Mutumbo

Dikembe Mutombo underwhelmed in New Jersey. (AP)

Keith Van Horn had a poor 2002 Finals performance as the Los Angeles Lakers swept the Nets in New Jersey’s first franchise NBA Finals appearance. After being publicly blasted by Kenyon Martin and privately criticized by Jason Kidd and other teammates, Van Horn was shipped to Philadeliphia along with MacCulloch, who had just been abused by Shaq in the Finals, in exchange for defensive stalwart center Dikembe Mutombo.

In theory, the trade worked. The Nets needed an inside presence to go up against the likes of Shaq or Tim Duncan, and moving Van Horn opened up the starting small forward spot for Richard Jefferson. But Mutombo spent much of the year injured, playing in only 24 games in the regular season and only 11.5 minutes per game in the playoffs. The Nets bought him out in October 2003, and the future Geico spokesman went on to sign with the neighboring Knicks.

Next: #4 (2012)