There have been many NBA trades that brought complete changes to several franchises. Some of the biggest trades in the NBA have either involved star players or significantly benefited the teams that signed new players. In this article, we will tell you about some trades that shook up the league and brought substantial change.
Top 20 NBA Trades
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to LA Lakers
Kareem Abul-Jabbar was one of the best NBA players the Milwaukee Bucks had, but he was traded to the LA Lakers, and as a result, he won five championships with them and was noted in franchise history as a legendary player. Abdul and Walt Wesley were traded together for Junior Bridgeman, Dave Meyers, Elmore Smith, and Brian Winters.
Shaquille O’Neal to Miami Heat
Shaquille O’Neal debuted in the NBA with the Orlando Magic but later joined the LA Lakers. His stint with the LA Lakers was successful, but his tensions with Kobe Bryant made him an oddball. But when he was traded to the Miami Heat in 2004, Shaq found success there too and won the championship two years later.
Kevin Garnett to Boston Celtics
When the Boston Celtics signed Kevin Garnett, it became one of the top NBA trades in 2007. Kevin was traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves and was well used by the Celtics, as they formed a great team with him that included Ray Allen and Paul Pierce too. These players won a championship in their first year together.
Wilt Chamberlain to LA Lakers
When the LA Lakers acquired one of the greatest centers in NBA history, they hit a jackpot. The 1959–60 season was the debut season for Wilt, and he became MVP, All-Star Game MVP, and Rookie of the Year and continued his amazing stint in the NBA. Wilt Chamberlain was traded to the Lakers in 1968, and the team won it all with him four years later.
Anthony Davis to LA Lakers
The LA Lakers have been involved in several high-profile trades that have always benefited them. One of them was in 2019, too, when Anthony Davis was traded to their team. The Lakers won the championship the same year and are still competitive with Davis. They still have a good chance to win it all in 2023.
Charles Barkley to Phoenix Suns
Charles Barkley was traded to the Phoenix Suns in 1992, and it went well both for him and the team as he led them to the NBA Finals shortly after his acquisition. However, he couldn’t win the championship because he was beaten by Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls.
James Harden to Houston Rockets
When James Harden was traded to the Houston Rockets in 2012, it came as a shock to many NBA fans because the Oklahoma City Thunder broke their core of young, talented players by sending him to the Rockets. Harden became a great player on their team and also won MVP awards. He was with the team for a whole decade.
Moses Malone to Philadelphia 76ers
When Moses Malone joined the Philadelphia 76ers in 1982, he immediately won the championship with them. Malone averaged 25.8 points and 18.0 rebounds per game during the finals against the LA Lakers.
Chris Paul to LA Clippers
When the LA Clippers acquired Chris Paul in 2011, they became one of the strongest teams in the West. Although they didn’t win it all, they were always very competitive. In the 2013 All-Star Game, Paul led the Clippers to victory, where he scored 20 points and had 15 assists. He earned his first NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award for that performance.
Kawhi Leonard to Toronto Raptors
Leonard is a great player and was traded to the Toronto Raptors in 2018. He led the Raptors to their first championship in franchise history in his first and only season with the team. Kawhi currently plays for the LA Clippers.
Dennis Rodman to Chicago Bulls
Dennis Rodman was sent to the Chicago Bulls from the San Antonio Spurs in 1995. “The Worm” spent three years with the team and won three consecutive championships. Rodman was a rebound specialist and became a great asset for the team.
Carmelo Anthony to New York Knicks
Carmelo Anthony was traded to the New York Knicks in 2011 and became competitive in the league. NYK never got past the second round of the playoffs, but Carmelo’s acquisition turned out to be one of the greatest trades in the NBA because it made the Knicks a dangerous team.
Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to Brooklyn Nets
Despite not being at their peak, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were traded to the Brooklyn Nets in 2013. It was one of the biggest trades that shook up the league, but the players didn’t find much success on the team.
Vince Carter to New Jersey Nets
Vince Carter was signed by the New Jersey Nets in 2004, which was one of the top trades in the NBA. With the Nets, Carter became a great player in the league, but he was not able to lead them to the championship.
Oscar Robertson to Milwaukee Bucks
Oscar Robertson spent ten seasons with the Cincinnati Royals and was then traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. This is definitely one of the biggest trades in Buck’s history, as Oscar won it all in his first season with the team.
Pau Gasol to LA Lakers
Pau Gasol was traded to the LA Lakers in 2008, and he made it to three consecutive NBA Finals appearances with the team. Although he was not victorious in his first year, Gasol won the next two consecutive titles.
Kevin Love to Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Kevin Love in 2014, and this proved to be the right move for them as Kevin formed a fantastic team with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving and helped the Cavaliers win it all after just two years.
Dwight Howard to LA Lakers
Dwight Howard was at his peak in 2012 and dominated on both offense and defense. That’s when the LA Lakers decided to acquire him, and this turned out to be the most valuable trade of the decade. Howard formed a super team with Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash, but the team was swept in the first round.
Scottie Pippen to Chicago Bulls
Scottie Pippen was first drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics and then traded to the Chicago Bulls on Draft Day. He proved to be the perfect sidekick to Michael Jordan and went on to win six championship rings.
Rasheed Wallace to Detroit Pistons
Rasheed Walace was traded two times in 2004, but the second trade turned out to be spectacular for him. After playing just one game for the Atlanta Hawks, Wallace was traded to the Detroit Pistons, where he became a champion in just a few months.
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