2: Bob McAdoo
Back when they were known as the Buffalo Braves, Bob McAdoo was selected with the second overall pick in the 1972 NBA Draft. He looked like a future star right away, winning Rookie of the Year and subsequently leading the Braves to a playoff appearance in his second full season.
His third year was his best yet, averaging 34.5 points and 14.1 rebounds per game while shooting over 51% from the field. It was enough to earn MVP honors, the only player to win the award in franchise history.
McAdoo’s time with the Braves ended on bad terms
With his contract about to conclude at the end of the 1976-77 season, talks began on both sides about a second deal with the team. However, negotiations broke down to the point where the relationship didn’t seem fixable.
McAdoo was then traded midseason to the New York Knicks for a package centered around veteran big John Gianelli and cash. Gianelli ended up playing just 57 games with the team before joining the Milwaukee Bucks.
As for McAdoo, he made two more All-Star appearances in New York while he remained in the league up until 1986. He won two championships coming off the bench for the Los Angeles Lakers and was named to the NBA’s list of the 75 greatest players of all time.