Luka Dončić, Kareem, Shaq and others: Rating the NBA’s all-time biggest trades

Luka Dončić, Kareem, Shaq and others: Rating the NBA’s all-time biggest trades

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The Los Angeles Lakers have been concerned in among the largest trades in NBA historical past, however Saturday night time’s deal is likely to be the most important of all time.

Sure, there’s recency bias, and there’s no means of understanding how the deal will pan out. However the Lakers buying Luka Dončić, a 25-year-old who’s a five-time NBA All-Star and five-time All-NBA First Crew choice — somebody who simply led the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals final season — is monumental. Gamers with Dončić’s credentials at his age hardly ever get traded, a lot much less throughout the season.

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

Luka Dončić to Lakers from Mavericks for Anthony Davis in NBA blockbuster

But when legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley will be traded, it stands to purpose there could also be no true untradable participant.

In 10 years, Dončić to the Lakers may rank as the most important commerce in NBA historical past. Solely time will inform. However earlier than Dončić or Anthony Davis play for his or her new groups, there isn’t a denying that is the type of commerce that may alter the facility of the league for the following decade and past.

And there’s loads of dealing nonetheless to be executed earlier than Thursday’s commerce deadline. One main transfer was made Sunday when the San Antonio Spurs acquired De’Aaron Fox from the Sacramento Kings as a part of a three-team deal that additionally included Zach LaVine going from the Chicago Bulls to the Kings. Fox, 27, was an All-Star in 2023 and joins Victor Wembanyama, who made his first All-Star crew this yr and appears to be within the dialog for greatest participant within the league for years to return.

All-Stars like Jimmy Butler and Bradley Beal could possibly be dealt quickly. And, because the Lakers and Mavericks confirmed, there could possibly be some surprises within the works across the NBA.

With that in thoughts, we determined to rank among the trades the place the most important names within the NBA discovered new groups. And sure, Dončić is included.

1. Bucks commerce Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Lakers

In six seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, Abdul-Jabbar received three league MVPs, two scoring titles and NBA Rookie of the 12 months in 1970. He additionally paired with one other all-time nice, Oscar Robertson, to win an NBA championship in 1971, Abdul-Jabbar’s second season. The 7-foot-2 heart’s affect was so nice, the Bucks received an NBA title within the franchise’s third yr of existence, the quickest of any growth crew.

However the Bucks fell wanting successful one other title the following three years, and Robertson retired in 1974 after the crew misplaced in seven video games to the Boston Celtics.

Nearly 5 months after that Recreation 7, Abdul-Jabbar, who grew up in New York and went to varsity at UCLA, knowledgeable Bucks brass he needed to go away Milwaukee. Abdul-Jabbar, Bucks basic supervisor Wayne Embry, two members of the Bucks’ board and Sam Gilbert, Abdul-Jabbar’s adviser, met for dinner in Milwaukee on Oct. 1, 1974. That’s when Abdul-Jabbar let the Bucks know he needed out.

“We requested Kareem if there was dissatisfaction with us, and he stated no, he simply needed to be traded from Milwaukee,” Embry informed the Los Angeles Occasions in 1987. “He stated his way of life and the life-style in Milwaukee weren’t suitable.”

On the ground, Abdul-Jabbar was injured for the primary 17 video games of the season, and the Bucks stumbled by means of a 38-44 marketing campaign.

“I had just one yr left on my contract, and I informed them I actually wasn’t occupied with signing up once more,” Abdul-Jabbar stated. “I needed to go away Milwaukee. If they’d commerce me, it could be the very best factor for everyone.”

Off the ground, the Bucks regarded to accommodate their heart’s request to be dealt to 3 reported locations: New York, Washington or Los Angeles. They needed the very best return for a three-time NBA MVP. Jabbar and the Bucks stored silent till March 14, 1975.

“I’ve no unkind emotions towards the folks of Milwaukee or Wisconsin,” Abdul-Jabbar stated on the time. “I need to underline that. However my household and associates aren’t right here, and culturally, what I’m into doesn’t exist right here. My stick with administration has been nice, and the personnel on the crew are nice. I’ve no complaints on that.”

Three months later, on June 16, 1975, the Bucks traded Abdul-Jabbar and Walt Wesley to the Lakers for Elmore Smith, Brian Winters, Dave Meyers, Junior Bridgeman and money.

On the time, everybody knew how seismic the transfer was.

“In a deal that reshapes the face and probably the way forward for professional basketball,” Steve Cady of The New York Occasions wrote, “the Milwaukee Bucks traded Kareem Abdul‐Jabbar to the Los Angeles Lakers.”

The Lakers received 5 NBA championships with Abdul-Jabbar at heart. He went on to win three extra NBA MVP awards and retired as league’s all-time main scorer. The Bucks wouldn’t win one other championship for 46 years.

2. San Francisco Warriors commerce Wilt Chamberlain to 76ers

Like Main League Baseball and the NFL, the NBA began migrating westward within the late Nineteen Fifties and early ’60s. Within the NBA, the Lakers had been first, shifting from Minneapolis to Los Angeles earlier than the 1960 season. Two years later, the Philadelphia Warriors, one of many NBA’s unique franchises, relocated to San Francisco. In tow, they introduced the best offensive pressure the NBA had ever seen: Wilt Chamberlain.

Throughout the 1961-62 season, Chamberlain averaged 50.4 factors, 25.7 rebounds and 48.5 minutes per recreation. Within the 1964-65 season, Wilt continued to place up otherwordly numbers, however even he wasn’t proof against commerce rumors. Chamberlain was averaging 38.9 factors and 23.5 rebounds when the San Francisco Warriors dealt him to Philadelphia, his hometown, on Jan. 15, 1965, for Connie Dierking, Paul Neumann, Lee Shaffer and money.

Chamberlain received three consecutive league MVPs (1966-68) and led the Sixers to the 1967 NBA championship — breaking a string of eight consecutive Celtics’ championships and beating the Warriors for the NBA title.

3. Mavericks commerce Dončić to the Lakers

In magnitude, solely Chamberlain being traded midseason is shut. However Dončić, together with Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, heading to the Lakers in a three-team deal shall be talked about for years to return. The Mavericks acquired Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a first-round choose. Utah Jazz acquired Jalen Hood-Schifino and two second-round picks.

Bearing in mind that Dončić has but to enter his prime, the Abdul-Jabbar-to-the-Lakers commerce is comparable. Dallas landed an elite participant in Davis, however a 25-year-old with Dončić’s credentials being dealt caught all the league unexpectedly. The Lakers, who’ve featured lots of the NBA’s marquee names, now have one of many brightest younger stars — and a league MVP candidate — alongside LeBron James.


Luka Dončić and LeBron James as soon as had been rivals. For the remainder of the season, they’ll be teammates in Los Angeles. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Photographs)

In lots of offers the place a crew trades a star participant, that crew is anticipated to see quite a lot of dropping. However Davis, a member of The Basketball 100, becoming a member of Kyrie Irving ought to maintain Dallas in competition.

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4. 76ers commerce Chamberlain to the Lakers

As famous above, Chamberlain was part of one of many largest trades ever in 1965. Three years later, he was on the transfer once more. His time in Philadelphia netted him a championship, however he requested a commerce as a part of a contract dispute with the Sixers.

On July 9, 1968, the 76ers traded Chamberlain to the Lakers for Darrall Imhoff, Jerry Chambers and Archie Clark. Chamberlain was such an enormous pressure that he was traded twice with championship outcomes.

Sending Chamberlain to the Lakers led to one of many league’s first tremendous groups, as he joined Jerry West and Elgin Baylor. How massive of a deal was this? The late Los Angeles Occasions columnist Jim Murray wrote {that a} crew of Baylor, Chamberlain and West was like a baseball outfield of Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente and Willie Mays or a soccer backfield of Bart Starr, Jim Brown and Gale Sayers.

The 1971-72 Lakers received a document 33 straight video games and a then-record 69 video games within the common season en path to the 1972 championship. Chamberlain was the NBA Finals MVP, averaging 19.4 factors and 23.2 rebounds with a brand new massive three of himself, West and Gail Goodrich after Baylor retired in 1971 due to a knee damage.

5. Cincinnati Royals ship Oscar Robertson to Bucks

In his 10 seasons with the Royals, Robertson racked up accolades. He received NBA Rookie of the 12 months in 1961.  He was MVP in 1964. He averaged a triple-double for his first 5 seasons. He was a 10-time All-Star and was All-NBA First Crew his first 9 years. He did every thing … besides win a championship.

Close to the top of his Royals tenure, there was friction between Robertson and Royals coach Bob Cousy. On April 21, 1970, the Royals dealt him to the Bucks for Flynn Robinson and Charlie Paulk.

“I had the ultimate say the place I needed to go,” Robertson informed the Cincinnati Inquirer after the commerce. “I picked Milwaukee as a result of it was the very best supply.”

He teamed up with a younger Abdul-Jabbar, and the duo helped the Bucks win a championship in 1971. Robertson additionally earned two extra All-Star appearances in Milwaukee earlier than retiring after the 1973-74 season.

6. Lakers commerce Shaq to Warmth

O’Neal was an NBA MVP (2000) and  three-time NBA Finals MVP by 2004, however the Lakers balked at signing him to a different contract extension. The Lakers misplaced to the Detroit Pistons within the finals that summer season, and so they had a younger celebrity in Kobe Bryant who had clashed with O’Neal concerning the heart’s conditioning, amongst different issues.

The Lakers had been crushed down by accidents, and dropping to a hungry Pistons crew was the fruits of points between O’Neal and Bryant. The Lakers would resolve to not retain coach Phil Jackson, who had led them to 3 straight titles from 2000 to 2002. Basic supervisor Mitch Kupchak stated after the season he would contemplate buying and selling O’Neal — who had been the face of the franchise since arriving from the Orlando Magic as a free agent in 1996. O’Neal responded by demanding a commerce.

On July 14, 2004, the Lakers traded O’Neal to the Miami Warmth for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant and a future first-round choose. O’Neal’s presence proved massive — actually and figuratively — as Miami received the 2006 NBA championship. He teamed up with Dwyane Wade, who was named the finals MVP.


Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade made for a dynamic 1-2 combo for the Miami Warmth in 2006. (Jesse D. Garrabrant / NBAE by way of Getty Photographs)

Odom additionally benefited from the commerce, as he was a key a part of back-to-back titles with the Lakers in 2009 and 2010. Moreover, Odom received NBA Sixth Man of the 12 months in 2011.

7.  New York Nets ship Dr. J to 76ers for $3 million

On Oct. 20, 1976, the Nets traded Julius Erving to the 76ers for $3 million.

Sure, the Sixers landed Erving with out giving up any gamers. Why? The Nets couldn’t afford to extend Erving’s wage due to charges related to becoming a member of the NBA from the ABA — together with a $4.8 million “invading price” from the New York Knicks. The Sixers provided $3 million for Erving’s contract and an extra $3 million to cowl charges to the be part of the NBA.

Erving was a star within the ABA and had led the Nets to the 1976 ABA championship earlier than the league folded. The Nets had been one in all 4 ABA groups absorbed by the NBA.

With wage calls for the Nets couldn’t meet, crew proprietor Roy Boe gave Erving permission to talk with the Lakers and Bucks earlier than deciding on the Sixers.

Erving continued his Corridor of Fame profession in Philly, successful league-MVP honors in 1981 and a championship in 1983.

8. 76ers commerce Barkley to Suns

Barkley established himself as a star in Philadelphia. He had turn into the very best participant on the Sixers with Moses Malone traded to Washington in 1986 and Erving retiring in 1987. However the Sixers couldn’t get previous Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, who had received back-to-back championships. Philadelphia misplaced within the postseason to the Bulls in 1990 and 1991. The Sixers missed the playoffs in 1992, however Barkley was an All-Star and made All-NBA Second Crew.

With the crew headed within the fallacious path, and with Barkley sad, he was despatched to the Phoenix Suns on June 17, 1992, in a commerce for Jeff Hornacek, Tim Perry and Andrew Lang.

“We needed to make a change in personnel to get to the following stage,” stated Cotton Fitzsimmons, the Suns’ director of participant personnel, throughout a 1992 information convention saying the deal. “I can’t consider one other participant, apart from a couple of facilities, who may be capable of take us to a different stage higher than Charles can.”

Becoming a member of Kevin Johnson in Phoenix, Barkley received his solely NBA MVP in 1993. The Suns, nevertheless, misplaced to the Bulls within the NBA Finals that season. Barkley’s Suns by no means made it again to the finals.

9. Path Blazers ship Clyde Drexler to Rockets

The Portland Path Blazers made two runs to the NBA Finals within the early Nineties with Drexler, dropping in 1990 to the Pistons and in 1992 to the Bulls. By 1995, Portland was now not in title competition, and the crew selected to ship its star to a crew that had an opportunity of successful a championship.

On Feb. 14, 1995, Blazers despatched Drexler and Tracy Murray to the Houston Rockets for Otis Thorpe, a first-round draft choose and the draft rights to Marcelo Nicola.

Drexler joined a Rockets crew that had received the NBA championship the yr earlier than, and he helped the Rockets repeat with a sweep of the Magic within the finals. The Rockets had been struggling a lot of the season earlier than Drexler’s arrival. He averaged 21.4 factors enjoying together with his former school teammate, Hakeem Olajuwon. Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich stated the Rockets wouldn’t have repeated if not for including Drexler.

10. Baltimore Bullets ship Earl Monroe to Knicks

The Bullets traded Monroe to the Knicks for Mike Riordan, Dave Stallworth and money on Nov. 10, 1971. The Bullets misplaced the 1971 NBA Finals to Milwaukee, and their star guard was sad. A contract dispute led to the Bullets dealing their star to the Knicks.

There have been issues about whether or not Monroe’s freewheeling model may mesh with the Knicks team-wide system.

“We made the commerce as a result of Monroe is a superb basketball participant,” Holzman stated after the commerce. “I’m certain he can alter to our model of play.”

Monroe was among the best guards within the NBA, and he joined Corridor of Famer Walt Frazier within the Knicks backcourt, in addition to Corridor of Fame heart Willis Reed. The Knicks received the 1973 championship with the assistance of this trio.

Honorable Mentions

Celtics add KG, Ray Allen

The summer season of 2007 proved massive for Boston. The Celtics acquired former league MVP Kevin Garnett from the Minnesota Timberwolves for Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Inexperienced, Theo Ratliff, Sebastian Telfair and two 2009 first-round picks. The Celtics added Allen from the Seattle SuperSonics, together with Glen Davis, for Delonte West, Wally Szczerbiak and the fifth choose in 2007, Jeff Inexperienced. The Celtics went on to win the 2008 championship.

Pau Gasol lands in L.A.

Gasol was a star in Memphis, however the Grizzlies weren’t near a title contender. The Lakers had been in want of an All-Star-caliber participant to pair with Bryant. On Feb. 1, 2008, the Lakers made the deal to carry Gasol and a second-round draft choose from Memphis for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, the draft rights to Pau’s brother, Marc Gasol, and first-round picks in 2008 and 2010.

Gasol helped the Lakers attain the finals in 2008, the place they misplaced to the Celtics. He would then assist the Lakers win back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010.

Kawhi doesn’t get his want

Kawhi Leonard was the 2015 NBA Finals MVP for San Antonio, however by the 2017-18 season, it had been reported he deliberate to signal with the Lakers as a free agent in 2019.

Slightly than commerce Leonard to the Lakers, the Spurs despatched him and Danny Inexperienced to the Toronto Raptors for DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a first-round draft choose on July 18, 2018. Leonard solely spent one season with the Raptors, however he led them to their lone NBA championship in 2019 earlier than leaving to signal with the LA Clippers as a free agent.

(High photograph of Luka Dončić and Shaquille O’Neal: Troy Taormina / USA At present)



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