On August 9, 1988, in a move that heralded significant change in the NHL, the Oilers traded Gretzky, along with McSorley and Krushelnyski, to the Kings for Carson, Martin Gelinas, $15 million in cash, and the Kings' first-round draft picks in 1989 (later traded to the New Jersey Devils – New Jersey selected Jason Miller), 1991 (Martin Rucinsky), and 1993 (Nick Stajduhar).
Ko je Pocklington generalnemu direktorju in trenerju Oilersov Glenu Satherju razkril načrte za prestop, je Sather začel aktivno delovati v smeri preprečitve prestopa, toda ko je izvedel, da je tudi Gretzky sodeloval pri dogovoru, si je premislil in v zameno zahteval Luca Robitailla.