Worst moment in each NBA franchise’s history
By Brad Rowland
Atlanta Hawks – Trading Dominique Wilkins
On February 24, 1994, the course of the Atlanta Hawks history would be changed forever, as the franchise elected to move on from the best player it had ever employed. Dominique Wilkins was the Hawks’ all-time leading scorer (an honor he still holds) at the time of the trade, and while the team had failed to secure any type of sustained playoff success in his tenure, the fan base nearly revolted at the thought of Wilkins playing in a Los Angeles Clippers uniform.
To make matters worse for Hawks fans, the franchise acquired the rights to then 27-year-old Danny Manning. While the former Kansas star was certainly a big name at the time, Manning failed to make any real strides as a member of the Hawks, and the deal was universally panned.
On the bright side for the city of Atlanta and the franchise’s supporters, Wilkins can now be heard on a game-to-game basis as the team’s color commentator, which eases the angst of some old-school fans. Still, bringing up the trade of Dominique Wilkins within the city’s limits might be grounds for a scrap if you run into the wrong person on the wrong day. The “Human Highlight Film” meant that much to Atlanta and its basketball culture.
Next: Boston Celtics