20 Blockbuster Trades That Changed The Fate Of Entire NBA Franchises

[ASFN Admin]

You must be registered for see images attach

Credit: Fadeaway World

The NBA has seen numerous blockbuster trades that have completely changed the fortunes of a franchise. Some trades were immediately viewed as blockbuster trades. Others weren’t as noticeable at first, but years later were viewed as trades that changed the trajectory of the NBA.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 20 trades that didn’t just impact a single season. Instead, they changed the fate of the team that made the trades and the outcome of the league itself.

20. Lakers Bring In Luka Doncic, Trade Anthony Davis To Mavericks (2025)​

Los Angeles Lakers Received:
– Luka Doncic (from Dallas)
– Maxi Kleber (from Dallas)
– Markieff Morris (from Dallas)

Dallas Mavericks Received:
– Anthony Davis (from Los Angeles)
– Max Christie (from Los Angeles)
– Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick

Utah Jazz Received:
– Jalen Hood-Schifino (from Los Angeles)
– Clippers’ 2025 second-round pick (from Los Angeles)
– Mavericks’ 2025 second-round pick

When you look at the most shocking trades in the NBA, the biggest one in recent years has to be the Dallas Mavericks trading away their franchise star, Luka Doncic, to the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Mavericks wanted to focus more on defense, so they brought in Anthony Davis, who helped lead the Lakers to a title in 2020. Fans were not happy, as most believed Doncic would follow in Dirk Nowitzki‘s footsteps and play out his entire career in Dallas.

Doncic joined forces with LeBron James, and expectations were high. Unfortunately for Lakers fans, the duo has not won a title together, and now it looks like their partnership is over, as LeBron has informed LA that he does not intend to return.

19. Rockets Steal James Harden Before His Prime (2012)​

You must be registered for see images attach

Houston Rockets Received:
– James Harden (from Oklahoma City)
– Daequan Cook (from Oklahoma City)
– Cole Aldrich (from Oklahoma City)
– Lazar Hayward (from Oklahoma City)

Oklahoma City Thunder Received:
– Kevin Martin (from Houston)
– Jeremy Lamb (from Houston)
– 2013 first-round pick (No. 12 overall, used to draft Steven Adams)
– 2013 second-round pick (No. 32 overall, used to draft Alex Abrines)
– 2014 first-round pick (No. 21 overall, traded on draft night and ultimately became Mitch McGary)

The young Oklahoma City Thunder made it to the NBA Finals in 2012, but fell to the mighty Miami Heat led by LeBron James. Still, their future was bright, and many believed they’d be right back in the Finals with their Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden.

Then, OKC shocked the basketball world by trading Harden to the Houston Rockets. The Thunder traded Harden after having contract disputes with the guard, and they wanted to avoid paying the luxury tax.

Houston immediately gained a franchise superstar who transformed the Rockets into perennial contenders for nearly a decade.

18. Suns Land Charles Barkley And Become Contenders (1992)​

You must be registered for see images attach

Phoenix Suns Received:
– Charles Barkley (from Philadelphia)

Philadelphia 76ers Received:
– Jeff Hornacek (from Phoenix)
– Tim Perry (from Phoenix)
– Andrew Lang (from Phoenix)

The Phoenix Suns were a strong team in the early 1990s that just couldn’t get over the hump. In four straight seasons, the Suns, led by Kevin Johnson, Tom Chambers, and Dan Majerle, won an average of 54 games.

Still, they didn’t have enough to get over the hump out West and reach the NBA Finals. So, the Suns decided to pull a blockbuster trade by bringing in Charles Barkley from the Philadelphia 76ers.

Barkley immediately made an impact, winning the MVP and leading the Suns to 62 victories. The Suns made the Finals but unfortunately ran into Michael Jordan and his Chicago Bulls, losing in six games.

17. Mavericks Finally Find Dirk Nowitzki’s Co-Star In Jason Kidd (2008)​

You must be registered for see images attach

Dallas Mavericks Received:
– Jason Kidd (from New Jersey)
– Malik Allen (from New Jersey)

New Jersey Nets Received:
– Devin Harris (from Dallas)
– DeSagana Diop (from Dallas)
– Trenton Hassell (from Dallas)
– Maurice Ager (from Dallas)
– Keith Van Horn (sign-and-trade from Dallas)
– 2008 first-round pick (No. 21 overall, used to draft Ryan Anderson)
– 2010 first-round pick (No. 27 overall, used to draft Jordan Crawford)
– $3 million in cash

The Dallas Mavericks originally drafted Jason Kidd in 1994. A few years later, after Kidd was gone, they pulled off an incredible deal on their own by converting a draft-day trade with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1998, which brought Dirk Nowitzki to Dallas.

That deal missed our list because the 2008 trade led to the Mavericks winning their first NBA title. Dallas needed leadership after blowing a 2-0 lead in the 2006 Finals and losing to the eighth-seeded Golden State Warriors the next season.

Kidd brought leadership, passing, and surprising defense to help Nowitzki overcome the Miami Heat’s Big 3 of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh in the 2011 NBA Finals.

16. The Pelicans Trade Anthony Davis To Lakers, Form Dynamic Duo With LeBron James (2019)​

You must be registered for see images attach

Los Angeles Lakers Received:
– Anthony Davis (from New Orleans)

New Orleans Pelicans Received:
– Brandon Ingram (from Los Angeles)
– Lonzo Ball (from Los Angeles)
– Josh Hart (from Los Angeles)
– Draft rights to De’Andre Hunter (No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, from Los Angeles)
– Lakers’ 2021 first-round pick (protected 1-8; became unprotected in 2022 and was used to draft Dyson Daniels)
– Lakers’ 2024 first-round pick (unprotected, with an option for New Orleans to defer the pick to 2025)
– 2023 first-round pick swap rights (with Los Angeles)
– $1.1 million in cash (from Washington)

Washington Wizards Received:
– Moritz Wagner (from Los Angeles)
– Isaac Bonga (from Los Angeles)
– Jemerrio Jones (from Los Angeles)
– Lakers’ 2022 second-round pick

Anthony Davis was clearly the best player in Pelicans franchise history, but after seven years, he had enough. The Pelicans were not a good team, winning just 36 games per season.

Davis wanted out, so he requested a trade from New Orleans and had the Lakers as his preferred destination.

The Pelicans made this happen.

Davis was sent to the Lakers to join forces with LeBron James. The new duo quickly made magic together, winning the championship in the pandemic-shortened season in 2020.

Even if this was the only title the two won together, they still brought another championship to the Lakers franchise.

15. Pacers Draft Kawhi Leonard, Trade Him To Spurs (2011)​

You must be registered for see images attach

Indiana Pacers Received:
– George Hill (from San Antonio)

San Antonio Spurs Received:
– Draft rights to Kawhi Leonard (No. 15 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, from Indiana)
– Draft rights to Davis Bertans (No. 42 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, from Indiana)
– Draft rights to Erazem Lorbek (Indiana’s 2005 second-round pick)

The Pacers fell off the map after displaying a strong team during the 1990s and into the early 2000s. By the 2010s, Indiana was looking to get back on track.

After four straight seasons of missing the playoffs, the Pacers finally saw some postseason action in 2011, before getting bounced in the first round. In the NBA Draft that followed the season, the Pacers held the 15th pick and decided they needed to add a veteran point guard to the roster.

The Pacers ended up drafting Kawhi Leonard and immediately traded him to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for George Hill. Indiana had Danny Granger and a young and developing Paul George, so they felt as if Leonard wouldn’t be needed.

This trade, although not initially looked at as a blockbuster trade, would turn into one of the biggest trades of the 2010s. Leonard would quickly become an important piece on the Spurs, helping to lead San Antonio to two NBA Finals appearances in his first three seasons.

This includes winning the championship in 2014, where Leonard was named the Finals MVP due to his incredible defense against LeBron James. Imagine Leonard on the Pacers next to George and Granger.

The Pacers definitely would have had a shot at winning their first NBA championship. Instead, they are still trying to secure their first title.

14. Celtics Trade Aging Stars, Set Stage For Drafting Tatum And Brown (2013)​

You must be registered for see images attach

Brooklyn Nets Received:

– Kevin Garnett (from Boston)
– Paul Pierce (from Boston)
– Jason Terry (from Boston)
– D.J. White (from Boston)

Boston Celtics Received:
– Gerald Wallace (from Brooklyn)
– Kris Humphries (from Brooklyn)
– MarShon Brooks (from Brooklyn)
– Keith Bogans (from Brooklyn)
– Kris Joseph (from Brooklyn)
– 2014 first-round pick (No. 17 overall, used to draft James Young)
– 2016 first-round pick (No. 3 overall, used to draft Jaylen Brown)
– 2018 first-round pick (No. 8 overall, later traded and ultimately became Collin Sexton)
– 2017 first-round pick swap rights (Boston swapped picks and selected No. 1 overall, which was later traded to Philadelphia and became Jayson Tatum)

In 2007, the Boston Celtics changed the landscape in the NBA when they added Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen next to Paul Pierce. In 2013, Boston traded Garnett and Pierce to the Brooklyn Nets, as Brooklyn hoped to win right away after leaving New Jersey.

This didn’t happen. Both Pierce and Garnett were older and past their primes at this point, and the trade looked like a failure for the Nets.

The Celtics, on the other hand, used the picks they received to eventually draft Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. This duo would lead Boston to the NBA Finals twice, winning in 2024.

13. Detroit Pistons Trade For Rasheed Wallace, Become Defensive Juggernaut (2004)​

You must be registered for see images attach

Atlanta Hawks Received:

– Zeljko Rebraca (from Detroit)
– Bob Sura (from Detroit)
– 2004 first-round pick (used to draft Josh Smith)

Boston Celtics Received:
– Lindsey Hunter (from Detroit)
– Chucky Atkins (from Detroit)
– Chris Mills (from Atlanta)
– 2004 first-round pick (used to draft Tony Allen)
– Cash considerations

Detroit Pistons Received:
– Rasheed Wallace (from Atlanta)
– Mike James (from Boston)

When Rasheed Wallace was traded from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta never intended to keep him. Instead, the Hawks wanted to use his expiring contract to help wipe millions of dollars off their payroll.

This led to the Hawks trading Wallace to the Detroit Pistons. This move turned Detroit from a strong team to an instant title contender.

Wallace fit perfectly next to Ben Wallace and the two helped the Pistons become a defensive juggernaut. Detroit, led by Wallace, reached the NBA Finals and upset the superteam Los Angeles Lakers led by Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Karl Malone, and Gary Payton.

12. Celtics Trade For Kevin Garnett, Form Big 3 (2007)​

Boston Celtics Received:
– Kevin Garnett (from Minnesota)

Minnesota Timberwolves Received:
– Al Jefferson (from Boston)
– Ryan Gomes (from Boston)
– Gerald Green (from Boston)
– Theo Ratliff (from Boston)
– Sebastian Telfair (from Boston)
– 2009 first-round pick (top-3 protected, used to draft Wayne Ellington)
– Return of Minnesota’s previously traded 2009 first-round pick (used to draft Jonny Flynn)
– Cash considerations

In the Summer of 2007, the Boston Celtics first made a splash by trading for Ray Allen on draft night. They sent Delonte West, Wally Szczerbiak, and the rights to the fifth pick in the 2007 Draft (Jeff Green) to Seattle in exchange for Allen and Glen “Big Baby” Davis.

This trade was extremely important, but not the one we are considering as a blockbuster trade. About a month later, Boston pulled the trigger on something bigger.

They traded five players, two first-round draft picks, and cash considerations to the Minnesota Timberwolves to acquire the 2003-04 MVP, Kevin Garnett. This led to the Celtics forming a Big 3 and winning the championship in 2008, Boston’s first title since 1986.

11. Raptors Gamble On Kawhi Leonard For One Season (2018)​

You must be registered for see images attach

Toronto Raptors Received:
– Kawhi Leonard (from San Antonio)
– Danny Green (from San Antonio)

San Antonio Spurs Received:
– DeMar DeRozan (from Toronto)
– Jakob Poeltl (from Toronto)
– 2019 first-round pick (No. 29 overall, used to draft Keldon Johnson)

The Toronto Raptors became a strong team out East during the 2010s. Unfortunately, the duo of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry wasn’t enough to get Toronto over the hump. This was why the Raptors pulled the trigger and traded for Kawhi Leonard, despite knowing Leonard could leave after one year.

Leonard, who wanted to play in his home state of California, basically made it clear that this would be his only season up north. The gamble resulted in the Raptors’ first NBA championship.

Leonard had one of the greatest runs by a player in NBA playoff history. This includes one of the greatest game-winners we’ve ever seen in an NBA playoff game.

Leonard is now back in Toronto. Can he lead them to another title?

10. Lakers Land Wilt Chamberlain And Return To Glory (1968)​

You must be registered for see images attach

Los Angeles Lakers Received:
– Wilt Chamberlain (from Philadelphia)

Philadelphia 76ers Received:
– Darrall Imhoff (from Los Angeles)
– Archie Clark (from Los Angeles)
– Jerry Chambers (from Los Angeles)
– Undisclosed amount of cash

Wilt Chamberlain is arguably the greatest offensive player in NBA history. He was a powerhouse player for first the Warriors and then for the 76ers.

Chamberlain wanted to finish his career out in Philadelphia. In fact, 76ers co-owner Ike Richman promised Chamberlain an ownership stake in the franchise once he retired.

Unfortunately, Richman passed away before Chamberlain was close to calling it quits. The new ownership of the 76ers refused to honor this agreement, causing Chamberlain to demand to be traded.

This occurred in 1968, and Chamberlain was dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers, with Chamberlain and Jerry West, went on to win a then-record 69 games and the championship in the 1971-72 season.

9. Cleveland Ends 52-Year Championship Drought By Adding Kevin Love (2014)​

You must be registered for see images attach

Cleveland Cavaliers Received:
– Kevin Love (from Minnesota)

Minnesota Timberwolves Received:
– Andrew Wiggins (from Cleveland)
– Anthony Bennett (from Cleveland)
– Thaddeus Young (from Philadelphia)
– A $6.3 million trade exception

Philadelphia 76ers Received:
– Luc Mbah a Moute (from Minnesota)
– Alexey Shved (from Minnesota)
– 2015 first-round pick (from Cleveland via Miami, No. 19 overall, used to draft Jerian Grant)

Kevin Love was an All-Star big man who dominated on the boards, as well as scoring in Minnesota. The only problem was the fact that the Timberwolves were a terrible team.

In 2014, Love let Minnesota know that he would not sign a contract extension and would enter free agency. The Timberwolves did not want to lose Love for nothing, so they made the blockbuster trade that would change the NBA forever.

The three-team trade that involved the Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Philadelphia 76ers saw Love land in Cleveland, teaming up with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.

This Big 3 would eventually knock off the 73-win Golden State Warriors, while overcoming a 3-1 deficit in the 2016 Finals. Without Love, this comeback does not happen.

8. Heat Complete Their Big 3 With Shaquille O’Neal (2004)​

You must be registered for see images attach

Miami Heat Received:
– Shaquille O’Neal (from Los Angeles)

Los Angeles Lakers Received:
– Lamar Odom (from Miami)
– Caron Butler (from Miami)
– Brian Grant (from Miami)
– 2006 first-round pick (No. 26 overall, used to draft Jordan Farmar)

The ending of the Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant partnership in LA was a bitter scenario. The two didn’t see eye to eye, and Shaq had enough. He demanded a trade.

The Lakers, who made it clear that they wanted to rebuild around Kobe, not Shaq, decided to honor The Big Diesel’s wishes and traded him to the Miami Heat.

This blockbuster trade paired Shaq with another young and explosive guard in Dwyane Wade. In just two years after the trade, the duo led the Heat to their first NBA championship, proving that Shaq was still a force to be reckoned with.

7. Lakers Give Kobe Bryant Help By Trading For Pau Gasol (2008)​

You must be registered for see images attach

Los Angeles Lakers Received:
– Pau Gasol (from Memphis)
– 2010 second-round pick (from Memphis)

Memphis Grizzlies Received:
– Kwame Brown (from Los Angeles)
– Javaris Crittenton (from Los Angeles)
– Aaron McKie (from Los Angeles)
– Draft rights to Marc Gasol (No. 48 overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, from Los Angeles)
– 2008 first-round pick (No. 28 overall, used to draft Donte Greene, whose rights were later traded to Sacramento)

The Los Angeles Lakers desperately needed another star besides Kobe Bryant. After they traded Shaquille O’Neal, things became a real struggle out in Hollywood.

Then, the Lakers sent shockwaves through the NBA by trading for Memphis Grizzlies big man Pau Gasol. This was viewed as a one-sided trade as LA gave up players who weren’t making much of an impact on the basketball court.

The Lakers immediately got better and reached three straight NBA Finals, winning two of them. This trade helped to cement Kobe’s legacy as one of the greatest players, and it proved he could win without Shaq.

6. Thunder Cash In On Paul George (2019)​

You must be registered for see images attach

Los Angeles Clippers Received:
– Paul George (from Oklahoma City)

Oklahoma City Thunder Received:
– Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (from Los Angeles)
– Danilo Gallinari (from Los Angeles)
– 2021 first-round pick (No. 18 overall – Tre Mann)
– 2022 first-round pick (No. 12 overall – Jalen Williams)
– 2023 first-round pick (via Miami, No. 10 overall – Cason Wallace)
– 2024 first-round pick (No. 12 overall – Nikola Topic)
– 2025 first-round pick (No. 15 overall – Thomas Sorber)
– 2026 first-round pick (No. 12 overall – Aday Mara)

The Thunder traded Paul George to the Clippers for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, and one of the largest collections of draft picks ever. This was in 2019.

The deal eventually produced Jalen Williams, who, alongside Gilgeous-Alexander, helped lead the Thunder to an NBA championship in 2025. Without trading George, the Thunder would not have had the opportunity to put together a team with such incredible depth.

Gilgeous-Alexander may also not have had the opportunity to develop into the two-time MVP that he is today. Oklahoma City fans certainly are thanking George for helping to bring such a strong return on his trade.

5. Warriors Trade Wilt Chamberlain To 76ers, Breakup Celtics Run With Title (1965)​

You must be registered for see images attach

Philadelphia 76ers Received:
– Wilt Chamberlain (from San Francisco)

San Francisco Warriors Received:
– Connie Dierking (from Philadelphia)
– Lee Shaffer (from Philadelphia)
– Paul Neumann (from Philadelphia)
– Cash considerations

In 1965, the Warriors were in financial strain. They quickly realized that by trading Chamberlain, they could bring in some money. So, they pulled the trigger.

This trade had huge implications, as in just three years, the 76ers achieved the impossible. They knocked the Boston Celtics out of the playoffs (Eastern Division Finals), ending the Celtics’ run of eight straight championships.

The 76ers, led by Chamberlain, went on to win the NBA championship. They defeated Chamberlain’s old team, the Warriors, 4-2.

4. Bulls Find Scottie Pippen On Draft Night (1987)​

Chicago Bulls Received:
– Draft rights to Scottie Pippen (No. 5 overall pick in the 1987 NBA Draft, from Seattle)

Seattle SuperSonics Received:
– Olden Polynice (No. 8 overall pick in the 1987 NBA Draft, from Chicago)

In 1987, basically no one had ever heard of the name Scottie Pippen. Well, one person had. Bulls general manager Jerry Krause.

He saw the potential in Pippen and made the draft-day trade with the Seattle SuperSonics to pair Pippen with Michael Jordan. This duo would go on to win six NBA championships, something Jordan likely never achieves without Pippen.

Without Pippen next to Jordan, the popularity of the NBA may not have taken off as it did in the 1990s. This is yet another draft day trade that turned out to be a true blockbuster.

3. Lakers Rob The League By Landing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1975)​

You must be registered for see images attach

Los Angeles Lakers Received:
– Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (from Milwaukee)
– Walt Wesley (from Milwaukee)

Milwaukee Bucks Received:
– Elmore Smith (from Los Angeles)
– Brian Winters (from Los Angeles)
– Dave Meyers (No. 2 overall pick in the 1975 NBA Draft, from Los Angeles)
– Junior Bridgeman (No. 8 overall pick in the 1975 NBA Draft, from Los Angeles)

Despite not receiving as much praise as he once did, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is certainly one of the greatest players to ever play in the NBA. And he’s arguably the greatest.

After leading the Milwaukee Bucks to their first championship in 1971, most believed he’d finish his career in Milwaukee. But by 1975, Abdul-Jabbar wanted out of Milwaukee due to “cultural differences.”

Abdul-Jabbar wanted to play in a big city, and it doesn’t get bigger than Los Angeles. In LA, alongside Magic Johnson, Abdul-Jabbar turned the Lakers into the best team of the 1980s, winning five titles in the decade.

2. Lakers Acquire Kobe Bryant On Draft Night (1996)​

You must be registered for see images attach

Los Angeles Lakers Received:
– Draft rights to Kobe Bryant (No. 13 overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, from Charlotte)

Charlotte Hornets Received:
– Vlade Divac (from Los Angeles)

The NBA was in shock on July 18, 1996, when the Los Angeles Lakers signed Shaquille O’Neal as a free agent. Nobody could believe that the Lakers convinced O’Neal to leave the Orlando Magic.

While this news shook up the league, a draft-day trade quietly occurred about a month earlier that would help create a dynasty with O’Neal. Jerry West had his eyes on a young high schooler named Kobe Bryant.

The fact West was the general manager of the Lakers gave him the power to make a deal for the high school star. West made a deal with the Charlotte Hornets to pick Kobe, a player they had no need for, and traded him immediately to LA for Vlade Divac.

Because of this trade, the Lakers created arguably the greatest duo in NBA history. A duo that won three straight championships, and Kobe led LA to two more titles, bringing the Lakers five championships over his Hall of Fame career.

1. Celtics Make The Biggest Gamble Ever For Bill Russell (1956)​

Boston Celtics Received:
– Draft rights to Bill Russell (No. 2 overall pick in the 1956 NBA Draft, from St. Louis)

St. Louis Hawks Received:
– Ed Macauley (from Boston)
– Cliff Hagan (from Boston)

No trade has changed NBA history more. It was the 1956 NBA Draft, and the Boston Celtics had their eyes on Bill Russell. The problem was Boston held the seventh pick.

What occurred next is legendary. Celtics head coach Red Auerbach wanted Russell so bad that he convinced the Rochester Royals, who held the first overall pick, not to select Russell, who was a two-time NCAA champion and an Olympic gold medalist.

The way he achieved this was by offering the Royals’ owner guarantees for the profitable Ice Capades show. Walter Brown, who was the owner of the Celtics, was also the president of The Ice Capades.

This, along with cutting a deal with the St. Louis Hawks, who owned the second pick, allowed Boston to draft Russell, which led to 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons.

No matter what opinion people may have, the Boston Celtics of the late 1950s and into the 1960s are the greatest dynasty in professional sports history. And it all began with a blockbuster trade that occurred on draft night.

NBA Was Built On Blockbuster Trades​

These 20 trades truly changed the outcomes of many teams’ futures. Can you imagine if the Lakers did not trade for Kobe? Or if the Thunder had decided to keep George with Westbrook for a long-term run?

The NBA truly is about placing the right players in the right scenario. That’s what occurred in most of these blockbuster trades, changing the landscape of the NBA as we know it.

Continue reading...