OTD 1968: MVP Wilt Chamberlain Traded to Lakers

July 9, 1968: Philadelphia #76ers traded HOF C Wilt Chamberlain to the Los Angeles #Lakers for C Darrall Imhoff, PG Archie Clark, SF Jerry Chambers, and cash, making him the very 1st reigning MVP to be traded the next season pic.twitter.com/wDRngyjnE6

— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) July 9, 2021

Fans of all pro sports look forward to the offseason to witness the latest FA signings and trades, like in 2019 when NBA fans saw the Nets-Warriors transaction that sent future HOF Kevin Durant to Brooklyn and promising PG D’Angelo Russell to Golden State. This day in sports history marks the anniversary of the Philadelphia 76ers infamously trading one of their greatest players ever and one of the best centers of all time to the Los Angeles Lakers.

During his four years in Philadelphia, Wilt Chamberlain posted an unbelievable line of 27.6 PPG, 23.9 RPG, and 6.8 APG. Chamberlain essentially forced a trade from the 76ers since the new GM refused to keep the promises of the previous GM (who traded for Wilt in 1965). After playing his final NBA seasons with the Lake Show, and winning his second championship, Wilt retired. He is remembered as one of the best big-men ever to ever grace the hardwood.

April 16, 1967: Philadelphia 76ers C Wilt Chamberlain set an NBA Finals record for REBs (26) in 1 half, grabbing 38 total in a Game 2 win over the San Francisco Warriors, his former team. The 2 teams also tied an NBA Playoff record with 169 total REB
pic.twitter.com/rbLyKq1sWh

— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) April 16, 2021

May 7, 1972: Los Angeles Lakers won their 1st NBA title since moving from Minneapolis, defeating the NY Knicks 4-1, giving 33-year-old Jerry West his only career Championship and 35-year-old Wilt Chamberlain his only Lakers Championship (2nd in career) pic.twitter.com/2AwCFO5qfL

— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 7, 2021