3 other lopsided NBA trades that blew us all away

The New Orleans Pelicans got an All-Star big, easy.

It didn't take an arm and a leg for the team to snag DeMarcus Cousins away from the Sacramento Kings, giving up rookie Buddy Hield, the expiring contract of former Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, a top-three-protected 2017 first-round pick, and a 2017 second-rounder.

The consensus across the basketball community and online is that Sacramento got royally swindled in the deal, considering the elite talent that Boogie is.

If it makes Kings fans feel any better, their beloved franchise isn't the first to get the wool pulled over their eyes in such a manner. Here are three other trades from year's past where one partner came out smelling like roses, and the other ... not so much.

Vince Carter to the New Jersey Nets (2004)

Trade: Nets receive Vince Carter; Toronto Raptors get Alonzo Mourning, Aaron Williams, Eric Williams, a 2005 first-round pick (Joey Graham), and a 2006 first-round pick (Renaldo Balkman)

The writing had been on the wall for a long time that Carter's tenure north of the border was coming to an end. A slew of injuries and questionable effort when he did see the floor during the latter years were the final nails in the coffin for arguably the most important player the Raptors have ever had in their short existence.

You'd expect management to seek a king's ransom for "Air Canada" Carter, even if his stock wasn't as high at the time as perhaps they would have liked.

Well, Mourning didn't play a single game for Toronto, and the two Williams combined to average just 5.6 points in under 100 appearances. Carter, however, returned to form in his new surroundings, with the change of scenery rejuvenating his stagnant play.

Pau Gasol to the Los Angeles Lakers (2008)

Trade: Lakers receive Pau Gasol and a 2010 second-round pick (Devin Ebanks); Memphis Grizzlies receive Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Marc Gasol, a 2008 first-round pick (Donte Green), and a 2010 first-round pick (Greivis Vasquez)

The only saving grace of the package Memphis landed was the other, lesser-known Gasol brother (at the time, anyway), who went on to become the face of the Grizzlies, make numerous All-Star teams, and even win a Defensive Player of the Year Award.

That didn't happen overnight, though. The older, more established Gasol was the bigger prize here, as pairing him with "The Black Mamba" Kobe Bryant out in Hollywood led to two more championship banners rising to the rafters at Staples Center.

Oh, and analyst Stephen A. Smith's reaction to the trade was pretty priceless, as well.

James Harden to the Houston Rockets (2012)

Trade: Rockets receive James Harden, Cole Aldrich, Daequan Cook, and Lazar Hayward; Oklahoma City Thunder receive Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, two 2013 protected first-round picks (Steven Adams and Mitch McGary), and a 2013 second-round pick (Alex Abrines)

The end goal was for the Thunder to ink Harden to a contract extension, but the deal he sought was too rich for their tastes, and as result, he had to go.

Harden was the Association's premiere sixth man, and the third wheel behind Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. It was clear he had outgrown his role, and in Houston, he'd have the spotlight on him like he never had before. Running the point under new head coach Mike D'Antoni has helped turn the former Sixth Man of the Year into the 2016-17 MVP favorite, ranking third overall in scoring and first in assists.

Veteran sharpshooter Martin lasted for a cup of coffee in OKC, as did Lamb. Adams remains their starting center, and he's no scrub ... but he's no Harden, either.