On July 9th 1968, the reigning NBA MVP Wilt Chamberlain was traded from the 76ers to the LA Lakers for Darrall Imhoff, Jerry Chambers, and Archie Clark. This remains the only time the reigning MVP has been traded and it is considered one of the most lopsided trades in NBA history.
On the Lakers, Wilt joined 2 future Hall of Famers in Elgin Baylor and Jerry West, forming what is looked back on as one of the most stacked teams in NBA history. Wilt's 1968-69 season was frustrating, as he often argued with team captain Elgin Baylor and shared a mutual hatred with coach Van Kolff. In the playoffs that year, Wilt stepped it up and helped the team make the team make the NBA Finals, where they met the Boston Celtics. Throughout the series, Wilt was criticized for not playing well and a lot of the media accused him of not trying. Despite this, the series went to 7 games. In game 7, going into the fourth quarter down 15 points, the Lakers mounted a comeback and took the lead with 6 minutes left. But then, Chamberlain rolled his ankle and had to leave the game and did not return. The Celtics came back and won the game, despite a 42 point triple double from Jerry West. West was named the Finals MVP, making it the only time a losing player has won MVP.
The Lakers would make the Finals again the next year, eventually losing to the Knicks. The following off season, they signed future Hall Of Famer Gail Goodrich. This team was good enough for Wilt to win his second Championship the following year. Wilt would play for one more year and retire from basketball in 1973.
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