The Five Biggest and Best Trades in NBA History
By
Blake Roberts
Founder & Editor in Chief Updated: 28 June 2023
Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief
Blake Roberts is the founder of Betting.US and is currently heading the creative team as Editor in Chief. Born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia, Blake is a great sports fan, with football and basketball being his favorite. He’s our trusted voice for all betting-related matters.
- Biggest Trades in NBA History
- NBA Basketball Trades Explained
- Davis to Lakers Impact
- Paul George Joins Clippers
- Harden’s Move to Brooklyn
- Deron Williams in New Jersey
- Carmelo’s NY Adventure
- Frequently Asked Questions
The world of basketball is filled with many incredible moments, but some of the best trades in NBA history have left an indelible mark on the sport. The best win-win trades in NBA history have shaped the league, creating dynasties, turning around struggling franchises, and setting the stage for some of the most exciting matchups in NBA history. In this blog, we will explore some of the best trades in NBA history, in-depth.
Biggest Trades in NBA History
In today’s blog, we’ll be looking at the biggest trades in NBA history and the impact they’ve had on the teams and players involved. We’ll be showing you some game-changing moves that shook the NBA, including Anthony Davis to the Lakers, Paul George to the Clippers, James Harden to Brooklyn, Deron Williams to New Jersey, and Carmelo Anthony to New York.
Each trade has its own unique story and lasting effects, and today, we’re going to show you why each trade had such an impact in the NBA world.
NBA Basketball Trades Explained
NBA basketball trades are an incredibly important part of the league, allowing teams to exchange players and assets to improve their rosters, clear salary cap space, or acquire promising young talent. The process of trading players is almost identical to all other professional sports leagues, including the NFL and MLB. There are several reasons why trades occur, as we’ll see in the table below:
| Reason For Trade | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Talent Acquisition | Teams often trade to acquire a star player or fill a positional need. This can instantly improve a team’s performance, making them more competitive or even championship contenders. |
| Salary Cap Management | The NBA has a salary cap in place to maintain competitive balance. Teams often make trades to clear cap space, enabling them to sign free agents or avoid luxury tax penalties. |
| Draft Picks and Assets | Teams may trade for draft picks or young players with potential. This is particularly common among rebuilding franchises looking to develop a core of talented players for future success. |
| Change of Scenery | Sometimes, a trade benefits both teams and players involved. A change of scenery can rejuvenate a player’s career or improve team chemistry, leading to better on-court results. |
| Expiring Contracts | Teams often trade players with expiring contracts to avoid losing them for nothing in free agency. In return, they may receive players or picks that can help them in the long run. |
In the remainder of this blog, we will show you some of the biggest trades in NBA history, looking at why they occurred, how they impacted the teams involved, and what the players got out of the deal.
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Davis to Lakers Impact
The Anthony Davis to Lakers trade was a monumental event in the NBA. The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and several other draft picks. This trade deal significantly impacted both franchises.
For the Lakers, the trade brought an elite superstar on board to join forces with LeBron James. The duo proved to be a match made in heaven, and their on-court chemistry was unparalleled; they aided in creating one of the strongest teams in NBA history. While the team worked as a whole, most believe these two players jointly led the Lakers to their 17th championship in the 2019-2020 season.
Davis played a crucial role throughout the playoffs, and his defensive abilities and offensive skills transformed the Lakers into one of the best teams in the league.
However, like most NBA basketball trades, this wasn’t a one-sided deal. The Pelicans received a range of young talent and draft picks to jumpstart their rebuilding process, something that proved to be marginally effective in the long run.
For example, Ingram turned into an All-Star, while Ball was able to harness his playmaking abilities. Hart also provided valuable contributions, giving the team significant benefits on the court. The trade laid the foundation for a promising future in New Orleans, making it a win-win situation for both teams.
Paul George Joins Clippers
Paul George’s trade to the LA Clippers was another significant event in the NBA world. Oklahoma City Thunder sent George to the Clippers in exchange for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, and a massive haul of draft picks. This trade had far-reaching consequences for both franchises. This trade was made in 2019.
The Clippers were already a competitive team, but adding George, an All-Star and two-way standout, made them a true force to be reckoned with in the NBA. The trade also helped to attract Kawhi Leonard in free agency.
Together, Leonard and George formed a defensive duo that turned the Clippers into one of the best teams in the league at the time. Although their playoff success has been somewhat mixed in recent years, the duo continues to be a strong part of the team and is widely seen as an example of a great NBA trade.
For the Thunder, the trade on their end marked the start of, essentially, a full-scale rebuild. Since the trade was confirmed, Gilgeous-Alexander become one of the team’s most up-and-coming stars, and the numerous draft picks acquired gave Oklahoma City tons of leverage to rely on when building and putting together future teams.
Harden’s Move to Brooklyn
James Harden’s move to the Brooklyn Nets sent shockwaves throughout the NBA in 2021. The Houston Rockets traded the former MVP to Brooklyn in a four-team deal that also involved the Indiana Pacers and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The trade had a huge impact on all four teams.
The Nets, already fielding stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, became an offensive superpower with the addition of Harden. This “Big Three” was expected to dominate the league and lead Brooklyn to championship glory. While they did at times show glimpses of their potential, injuries and on-court issues hampered their progress. Unfortunately, just over a year after first signing Harden, he was traded to Philadelphia.
For the Rockets, the trade signified the end of an era and the start of a rebuild. They received Rodions Kurucs, Dante Exum, Brooklyn’s 2022, 2024 and 2026 first-round picks, pick swaps with Brooklyn in 2021, 2023, 2025 and 2027, and Milwaukee’s 2022 first-round pick.
Indiana received Caris LeVert, along with second-round picks in 2023 and 2024, and Cleveland received Jarret Allen and Taurean Prince.
Deron Williams in New Jersey
Deron Williams’ trade to the New Jersey Nets in 2011 was a significant event in the NBA at the time. The Utah Jazz sent the All-Star point guard to New Jersey in exchange for Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, a 2011 first-round pick, and a 2013 first-round pick.
The Nets hoped that acquiring Williams, a premier playmaker, would boost their team’s performance and make them more competitive in the Eastern Conference. Initially, Williams did provide a spark; however, persistent injuries and inconsistent play during his tenure in New Jersey hindered the team’s success. The Nets never fully capitalized on Williams’ talent, and he was eventually bought out of the deal in 2015.
For the Jazz, the trade started something of a transitional period. While they lost a star player, they received promising young talent and valuable draft picks in return. Favors became one of the team’s most successful acquisitions, and they combined his skills with Gordon Hayward, who, playing forward, helped Utah to maintain their streak of six straight playoff appearances.
Carmelo’s NY Adventure
Carmelo Anthony’s trade to the New York Knicks in 2011 was a headline-grabbing event in the NBA. The Denver Nuggets sent Anthony, Chauncey Billups, and other players to New York in a multi-player deal that included the Knicks sending Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, and Timofey Mozgov to Denver, along with draft picks.
The Knicks hoped that acquiring Anthony, a high-success scorer, would help them return to the NBA’s elite. Melo had some impressive individual achievements during his time in New York, including a scoring title in the 2012-2013 season.
However, team success proved elusive, as the Knicks only managed to win one playoff series during his time with them. Anthony’s time in New York was marked by both highs and lows, and the loss of other players in the deal only made things worse.
For the Nuggets, the trade provided them with a wealth of young talent and assets to begin a new era. Gallinari and Chandler became key players for the team, while the draft picks allowed Denver to invest in its future. The team went on to win 57 games the following season, and in 2016, they picked up Jamal Murray, too.
