Top 10 all-time biggest NBA trades

The announcement of a trade can shake the basketball world to its core. A simple signature on a piece of paper can profoundly redefine NBA history, bring glory days to a franchise, or even create dynasties. Each trade is a story in itself, blending calculated risks, strategic maneuvering, and sometimes pure chance.

Let’s take a look back at the history of the NBA to examine the 10 best deals. Several factors, such as the player’s impact on the team and the value of the incoming player, come into play.

10) Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers en 2025 : Every self-respecting basketball fan knows exactly when and where they learned about the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade. It was a Sunday morning unlike any other… The man who had led his franchise to the NBA Finals just a few months prior was suddenly traded away, much to the delight of the Los Angeles Lakers. Because in California, LeBron James’ squad possessed an undeniably talented center in Anthony Davis, but one who was far too unreliable. With every contact, every time AD changed his footing, the Staples Center fans prayed that nothing would break. All this while the New Orleans native was supposed to assume the mantle of leader once the King was gone. Given the situation, the future looked bleak on the West Coast. But then, in the blink of an eye, the Lakers acquired one of, if not the, best players of his generation. With the arrival of Luka Doncic, the Lakers have found their franchise player for the next 10 years. A winning bet on paper, amplified by Anthony Davis’s dramatic fall from grace with the Mavericks. He would only stay there for a year and a half before heading to the Washington Wizards. Nico Harrison deserves high praise for his long-term vision, especially considering the Texas franchise only received a meager draft pick in return. Considered by many to be THE craziest trade in history, given the drama surrounding it, we had to include it in this ranking. Even if the lack of notable results so far prevents us from ranking it higher.

9) Scottie Pippen, Chicago Bulls en 1987 :  When we think of the Bulls of the 90s, the first name that comes to mind is none other than Michael Jordan. But right next to him, somewhat hidden in the shadows, is a six-time NBA champion, an essential cog in that well-oiled machine. His name? Scottie Pippen! A 6’8″ forward, the eternal number 2 of Chicago stands out as the perfect counterpart to Jordan. A formidable scorer, he constantly changed his style of play from game to game, depending on what the game demanded. During their first three-peat, he missed only one regular season game. All this, accompanied by a season averaging 7 assists and high shooting percentages. All this, earned for a few future draft picks and a certain Olden Polynice. The transaction took place the day before the 1987 NBA draft. Closely monitored by Jerry Krause, the Illinois franchise orchestrated a trade with the Seattle SuperSonics to acquire him. Ultimately, Scottie Pippen would never play for the team emblazoned on his cap when David Stern selected him 5th overall. It took vision to spot him, and they did. An investment that proved as lucrative as buying Bitcoin in the 2010s. Scottie Pippen, however, never quite lived up to the status of a franchise player.

8) Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors en 2018 : Some believe in a process, others want to win now! Toronto’s run in 2019 is surely the best “win now” strategy in NBA history. A win now strategy is defined as a huge gamble taken by a franchise to win the ultimate title in the very short term. Even if it means jeopardizing the future, the goal here is to win, by any means necessary. An extremely risky choice, as teams have paid the price for their own mistakes for nearly a decade. Yet, in the summer of 2018, the Raptors took this completely crazy gamble. The Canadians didn’t hold back, choosing to trade DeMar DeRozan—a star and fan favorite—for Kawhi Leonard. The talent of the 2014 Finals MVP is undeniable. However, his ability to carry a team as his trade bait did remains to be seen. Especially since DeMar DeRozan was tearing it up with the Spurs. But that was just a drop in the ocean compared to the all-time season produced by the power forward. In hindsight, this Jordan-esque individual campaign belongs in the NBA pantheon, and not at the very bottom. Supported by the arrival of Marc Gasol mid-season, Kawhi Leonard led the Raptors to their first championship ring. Neither Giannis’ Bucks, nor Embiid’s 76ers, nor even Curry’s Warriors could so much as hinder his exploits worthy of a certain number 23. The pinnacle of this journey was on the evening of May 12, 2019, when The Sugar K unleashed one of the greatest buzzer-beaters in our sport. Once this fairytale was over, he immediately found himself on the West Coast with the Clippers. This lack of longevity coupled with the players integrated into this trade prevents him from aiming higher.

7) Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia 76ers en 1965 : Let’s head to the 1960s for our seventh spot. Right in the middle of the Boston Celtics’ ruthless reign, a behemoth, a 7-foot-1 giant, did everything in his power to put an end to this merciless dynasty. Having arrived in the NBA in 1959, Wilt Chamberlain dominated the competition season after season in his home state of Pennsylvania. The 100-point man hadn’t quite gotten over the Warriors’ move to California in the summer of 1962. So when the Philadelphia 76ers appeared in 1965, a prime “The Big Dipper” pressured his franchise to make a deal. Averaging 39 points and 23 rebounds, he left for a package that included $150,000 as well as Paul Neumann, Connie Dierking, and Lee Shaffer. Although the times were different and the prices incomparable to today, the trade seemed utterly inadequate for Wilt Chamberlain, or rather, the future three-time regular season MVP. For in those blue and red jerseys, the center would write the finest chapters of his career. Two years after his arrival, he won his first championship ring and the second title in 76ers history. Beyond this triumph, Philadelphia achieved the extraordinary feat of defeating Russell’s Boston Celtics. They would be the only team to accomplish this feat in over 10 years! A pivotal trade from both an individual and collective perspective.

6) Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers en 2008 : The Spaniard is probably the least flashy player on this list. Seeing him ahead of Wilt Chamberlain or Kawhi Leonard might seem strange from afar. Yet, every basketball expert agrees that Pau Gasol represents a huge cornerstone of Kobe’s legacy. Without him, there would have been no back-to-back championships, no golden second half of his career. To acquire the center’s rights and a second-round draft pick, the Lakers traded bench players like Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, and Aaron McKie. Nothing particularly exciting on paper for either side. This trade, which went largely unnoticed, would nevertheless redefine the history of the NBA. In fact, he was the missing piece Phil Jackson needed to reignite the Lakers’ machine. This great man with an immense basketball IQ, but completely uninterested in the limelight, played for the ultimate victory. These calculated moves put the Black Mamba in a comfortable position. Despite a loss in the 2008 Finals against the Celtics, Los Angeles immediately bounced back with two consecutive titles in 2009 and 2010. This trade is the perfect example of a winning move. And unlike half the players on this list, Pau Gasol brought multiple championship rings to his franchise. Even though he was more of a game changer than Scottie Pippen, he remains second only to Kobe Bryant.

5) Shaquille O’Neal, Miami Heat en 2004 : Are we witnessing the decline of Shaq? Has the “Big Diesel” run out of fuel? Is O’Neal finished at the highest level? Coming off the heels of the heartbreaking NBA Finals loss, 4 games to 1 against the Detroit Pistons, these kinds of comments surrounded the Lakers’ center. Exhausted, the end of the Shaq-Kobe era seemed definitively sealed when the Miami Heat decided to trade Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant, and their 2006 first-round pick to Shaquille O’Neal. A risky decision, almost incomprehensible to most observers. Except that the world quickly realized that the 7-foot-1 giant hadn’t lost his former level. No, the beaches of Los Angeles simply no longer suited him, unlike those of Venice Beach. While his prime may be behind him, his duo with Dwyane Wade is wreaking havoc. A rediscovered inside-outside connection, a synergy that Pat Riley used to bring the NBA trophy back to Florida for the first time in franchise history in 2006. The culmination of a huge process made possible by the power of Shaquille O’Neal. A trade made all the more successful because, even on the other side of the United States, Lamar Odom would also play a significant role in the back-to-back championships of the Kobe-Gasol duo. However, we can’t ignore the fact that the roster around them was more than capable of competing at the highest level. And well, although it was a bold decision, it’s still the Shaq.

4) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Los Angeles Lakers 1975 : In the hall of fame of the century’s biggest trades, the Los Angeles Lakers have their own table, the first legs of which were laid in 1975. Already a three-time regular season MVP and MVP of the 1971 Finals, which he won, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar dominated the United States in Milwaukee. A true love affair, at least until the 1974-1975 season. Less dominant than in his early years, the center felt misunderstood, particularly because of his religious beliefs. The axe fell quickly: The Captain demanded a trade! Without hesitation, the Lakers, adrift for several seasons, seized the opportunity. While the Bucks didn’t have much choice regarding his departure, the compensation offered was remarkably meager. Did the Lakers negotiate well (as is often the case), or did Milwaukee lack foresight? In the end, the result was the same! In exchange for a roster of unknowns (Elmore Smith, Brian Winters, Dave Meyers, and Junior Bridgeman), Los Angeles acquired Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Walt Wesley. The rest is history… A cornerstone of the Los Angeles Showtime alongside Magic Johnson, number 33 would go on to win five more championship rings, three more regular season MVP awards, and a slew of All-Star selections. A figure of this golden generation in every sense of the word, he became the ultimate power forward. The uncertainty surrounding his ability to lead his team to victory was minimal. And unlike the next two players mentioned, he was never the undisputed star of his franchise.

3) Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers 1996 : Replacing an established NBA center with a 17-year-old kid. On paper, it doesn’t add up, something’s not right. Sure, this high schooler is a beast. With 2,883 points scored in a Lower Merion High School jersey, he’s the Delaware Valley’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing the likes of Wilt Chamberlain and Lionel Simmons. USA Today and Parade Magazine even named him the best high school player of 1996. But there’s already a huge gap between the NCAA and the NBA, so between high school and the NBA is a whole other world. Proof of this is that before he joined the NBA, only five players had managed to make this giant leap, without necessarily performing well afterward. Seeing this kid, a lightbulb went off in the brain of Jerry West, then General Manager of the Lakers. He was convinced: the future of the greatest franchise in the NBA was named Kobe Bryant. To ensure they acquired him, a deal was struck with the Charlotte Hornets for them to select him 13th overall in the 1996 NBA draft. In exchange, the North Carolina franchise secured the services of Vlade Divac, a solid big man known for his impressive double-doubles. This explains why the Black Mamba wore a purple cap, not a gold one, on the stage at Madison Square Garden. The rest, as they say, is history! Ranked 6th on our Top 10 list of all-time NBA players, the shooting guard spent his entire career in California. His record speaks for itself: one three-peat plus one back-to-back, 18 NBA All-Star Game selections, and, above all, some of the most iconic moments in franchise history. Even today, the Hornets must be kicking themselves for having had such a gem on their hands. A stroke of genius from Jerry West that inspired a whole generation of players. The difference with our runner-up lies in the counterpart.

2) Bill Russell aux Celtics en 1956 : Imagine if that trade hadn’t happened. Imagine if Bill Russell had chosen St. Louis over the East Coast. Perhaps the greatest dynasty in American sports would never have existed. While Bill Russell remained loyal to the Celtics throughout his career, few people know that he wasn’t drafted by his beloved franchise. No, his arrival was the result of a trade, or rather, a completely outlandish vision straight from the mind of Red Auerbach. Already a monster in the NCAA with seasons averaging over 20 points and 20 rebounds, “The Good Lord” also excelled on defense, where his slight build didn’t prevent him from holding his own against other giants. Incidentally, no university initially wanted him. As the 1956 draft approached, the center was among the favorites to be selected. Meanwhile, Red Auerbach—head coach of the Boston Celtics—heard about the Louisiana native. Without ever having seen him play live, he was captivated by the qualities attributed to him. It was decided: Bill Russell had to join his team. The problem was, due to their excellent regular season, the Celtics only had the 7th pick in the Draft. The coach contacted his former boss, Ben Kerner, currently owner of the St. Louis Hawks. After several negotiations, he agreed to trade Bill Russell for six-time All-Star Ed Macauley and the future rookie Cliff Hagan. Sold! Yes, Red Auerbach was ready to let go of one of the best players in the league for an unknown. His franchise gave him free rein, and the deal went through. Boston had just brought back the man who would make the concept of a championship ring commonplace. With 11 titles won in 12 years, The Good Lord led Boston to the greatest period in its history. The steal is huge, except that the first-ranked franchise didn’t acquire 1 but 2 world-class players in a single trade.

1) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder 2019 : It took a while to realize just how brilliant a move Sam Presti had made in 2019. Generally, when a star player is traded, the other team is a roster of players considered “average.” Now, imagine that among these basketball players, literally considered mere trade cash, is a franchise player of MVP caliber. This is the story of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander! The tale of a young Canadian who landed in the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019. The shooting guard averaged around 10 points per game during a solid rookie season, where he also had some impressive playoff performances. Then came the summer with its share of uncertainty. On the free agent market was a small power forward who had just led his franchise to its first title. Recognize him? We just mentioned him, but Kawhi Leonard was free to join the team of his choice. The LA native naturally set his sights on California. Five years after acquiring the franchise, Steve Ballmer made a bold move by signing Sugar K. And not wanting to do things by halves, the Lakers decided to sign another superstar in the form of Paul George. Coming off his best season ever, he courted the Clippers, who succumbed, ultimately giving up Danilo Gallinari, four first-round draft picks, a trade right, and most importantly… Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. What a mistake! It’s true that at that moment, it was almost impossible to imagine him dominating the league in less than five years. The NBA is also about storytelling and unexpected trajectories. The Canadian ticked both boxes! To call it an explosion would be an understatement, given how much he was going to dominate, and continues to dominate, in Oklahoma. A franchise player for his team, the former Kentucky player is coming off one of the greatest individual seasons in NBA history: MVP and scoring champion of the regular season, Finals MVP, Conference MVP, and an NBA title. At under 28 years old, SGA has his whole future ahead of him. But it doesn’t stop there! We mentioned draft picks earlier. Once used, these picks transformed into Tre Mann and… Jalen Williams! Two members of the Thunder’s formidable trio came directly from this trade! Speaking of which, what happened to Paul George? An epic flop sent to the 76ers five seasons later. What more can be said…