Biggest Trades in NBA History: Starting with Wilt Chamberlain
The NBA has seen countless trades that shaped the landscape of the league and altered the course of history. Some deals were so impactful that they changed the trajectory of franchises, created dynasties, and even changed the way the game was played. In this blog, we’ll take a look at some of the biggest trades in NBA history, starting with the monumental trade that brought Wilt Chamberlain to the Philadelphia 76ers.
1. Wilt Chamberlain to the Philadelphia 76ers (1965)
Trade Details:
- Philadelphia 76ers received: Wilt Chamberlain
- San Francisco Warriors received: Paul Neumann, Connie Dierking, and two future draft picks
Why it’s a Game-Changer:
When Wilt Chamberlain was traded from the San Francisco Warriors to the Philadelphia 76ers in 1965, it was one of the most impactful trades in the history of the NBA. Wilt was already a dominant force in the league, having averaged 37.6 points per game in his first few seasons. But when he joined the 76ers, he became an even greater presence. Chamberlain’s impact was immediate; he led the 76ers to the 1967 NBA Championship, and in doing so, he broke the Boston Celtics’ stranglehold on the title. The trade changed the balance of power in the NBA, as the 76ers went on to dominate the league.
Chamberlain, who had been a scoring machine for the Warriors, continued to put up huge numbers, but his arrival in Philadelphia also helped solidify the franchise as a powerhouse. This move paved the way for the 76ers to claim their first NBA Championship since 1955, and Wilt Chamberlain was named Finals MVP. The trade also marked a turning point in the league, as Chamberlain’s style of play forced teams to adapt and raise their level of competition.
2. Kobe Bryant to the Los Angeles Lakers (1996)
Trade Details:
- Charlotte Hornets received: Vlade Divac
- Los Angeles Lakers received: Kobe Bryant
Why it’s a Game-Changer:
Kobe Bryant’s trade to the Los Angeles Lakers from the Charlotte Hornets in 1996 is one of the most famous trades in NBA history, mainly because of the superstar Bryant became. At the time, Kobe was a high school phenom, and his potential was recognized, but the Hornets weren’t sold on him and traded him to the Lakers for veteran center Vlade Divac. What followed was the creation of one of the greatest NBA legacies ever.
Kobe went on to win five NBA titles with the Lakers, earning Finals MVP twice and solidifying himself as one of the greatest players to ever play the game. The trade not only changed the trajectory of the Lakers franchise but also altered the future of the NBA. Without this trade, the Lakers’ dominance of the 2000s might not have been possible.
3. LeBron James to the Miami Heat (2010)
Trade Details:
- Miami Heat received: LeBron James, Chris Bosh
- Cleveland Cavaliers received: Future draft picks
- Toronto Raptors received: Future draft picks
Why it’s a Game-Changer:
In 2010, LeBron James made the decision to leave Cleveland for Miami in what was arguably the most high-profile free agency move in NBA history. This move led to the formation of the “Big Three” in Miami, alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The trade shook the NBA to its core as it was one of the first times a superstar left a team not due to a trade but in free agency, signaling a shift in how teams were constructed moving forward.
James’s move to Miami instantly transformed the Heat into an NBA powerhouse. Over four seasons, the Heat reached the NBA Finals every year, winning two championships (2012, 2013). LeBron’s legacy was cemented during his time in Miami, and the success of the Heat turned the franchise into a global brand.
4. Shaquille O’Neal to the Los Angeles Lakers (1996)
Trade Details:
- Orlando Magic received: Player contracts (including Penny Hardaway) and draft picks
- Los Angeles Lakers received: Shaquille O’Neal
Why it’s a Game-Changer:
When Shaquille O’Neal left the Orlando Magic to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996, it marked the beginning of a new dynasty. While this wasn’t a traditional trade (as Shaq was a free agent), the move drastically altered the course of NBA history. O’Neal, the most dominant center in the league, paired with a young Kobe Bryant, created one of the most formidable duos in NBA history.
The Lakers would go on to win three consecutive championships (2000-2002), with Shaq being the Finals MVP each year. His arrival in Los Angeles marked the beginning of the Lakers’ dominance in the early 2000s. Shaq’s physical presence changed the way teams approached defense, and his partnership with Kobe Bryant brought the Lakers back to glory.
5. James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets (2021)
Trade Details:
- Brooklyn Nets received: James Harden
- Houston Rockets received: Victor Oladipo, Dante Exum, Rodions Kurucs, four first-round picks, and four pick swaps
- Indiana Pacers received: Caris LeVert
Why it’s a Game-Changer:
In January 2021, James Harden was traded from the Houston Rockets to the Brooklyn Nets in a blockbuster deal that formed a new “Big Three” with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. This trade altered the landscape of the NBA, as the Nets became the team to beat in the Eastern Conference and possibly in the entire league.
The trade not only gave Brooklyn one of the most potent offensive trios ever but also helped balance the league’s power. Although the team’s championship aspirations were impacted by injuries in the following seasons, the trade had an immediate effect on the NBA’s competitive balance and ushered in a new era for the Nets.
6. Dirk Nowitzki to the Dallas Mavericks (1998)
Trade Details:
- Milwaukee Bucks received: Robert Traylor
- Dallas Mavericks received: Dirk Nowitzki and Pat Garrity
Why it’s a Game-Changer:
While this wasn’t the traditional type of “blockbuster” trade in terms of fanfare, the trade that brought Dirk Nowitzki to Dallas is one of the most impactful moves in NBA history. The Bucks selected Nowitzki with the 9th overall pick in the 1998 draft but immediately traded him to the Mavericks for Robert Traylor, who would go on to have a much less significant career than Nowitzki.
Nowitzki’s arrival in Dallas changed the entire franchise’s future. Over the next 13 years, Dirk would become one of the greatest players in NBA history, leading the Mavericks to an NBA championship in 2011 and solidifying his legacy as one of the best power forwards to ever play the game. His versatility and ability to stretch the floor redefined the power forward position, and this trade laid the foundation for the Mavericks’ future success.
7. Kevin Garnett to the Boston Celtics (2007)
Trade Details:
- Boston Celtics received: Kevin Garnett
- Minnesota Timberwolves received: Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Theo Ratliff, Gerald Green, and multiple first-round picks
Why it’s a Game-Changer:
In 2007, the Boston Celtics made a trade that would change the franchise’s fortunes forever. They sent a hefty package of young talent and future draft picks to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Kevin Garnett. Garnett, along with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, formed the “Big Three” that brought Boston an NBA championship in 2008.
This trade revitalized the Celtics, turning them from a middling team into an elite contender. Garnett’s leadership and defensive intensity set the tone for the Celtics’ success, and his arrival helped usher in a new era for the franchise. The deal was the catalyst for the Celtics’ return to NBA prominence.
