12 People who turned their backs on the Philadelphia 76ers

5. Wilt Chamberlain

Chamberlain was born and raised in Philadelphia. He went to Overbook High School in the city before going to college at Kansas. Wilt started his NBA career with the Philadelphia Warriors before the franchise moved to San Francisco. The 7’1 big man was traded to the 76ers in January of 1965 and spent three and a half seasons back in Philly.

Wilt led the Sixers to a championship in 1967. It was their second in franchise history, but the 7’1 big man requested a trade after his team was knocked out by the Celtics in the second round of the playoffs in 1968.

Chamberlain was sick of losing to Bill Russell and Boston, so he pushed the 76ers to trade him to the Lakers. It was a history-making deal for a player to force his way out. Wilt won his second championship in Los Angeles, and the 76ers did not win another playoff series until reaching the NBA Finals in 1977.

Wilt Chamberlain turned his back on the Philadelphia 76ers with his trade request. The franchise was loaded with talent and believed they could have been a title contender for years to come. Instead, Chamberlain went to the Lakers, and the Sixers needed a decade to win another playoff series.