 On July 9 , 1968 , Chamberlain was the centerpiece of a major trade between the 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers , who sent center Darrall Imhoff , forward Jerry Chambers and guard Archie Clark to Philadelphia , making it the first time a reigning NBA Most Valuable Player was traded the next season . Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke gave Chamberlain an unprecedented contract , paying him $ 250 @,@ 000 after taxes ( about $ 1 @.@ 7 million in real value ) ; in comparison , previous Lakers top earner Jerry West was paid $ 100 @,@ 000 before taxes ( about $ 680 @,@ 000 in real value ) . 
