40+ of the Biggest Trades in NBA History, Ranked
This article appeared in www.cleverclassic.com and has been published here with permission.45. Emeka Okafor to the Charlotte Bobcats (2004)
Established in 2004, the Charlotte Bobcats looked to get their life in the NBA off to the right start by making a move for Okafor — then the number two overall draft pick who had been selected by the Los Angeles Clippers.
While Charlotte may have ended the season in 15th place in the Eastern Conference rankings, Okafor proved to be one of the team’s few positive talking points. Averaging 15.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks, Okafor won 2004’s NBA Rookie of the Year Award.
44. Tyson Chandler to New Orleans Hornets (2006)
Established in 2002 following the Charlotte Hornets’ relocation, New Orleans has not been known for big-money moves. Still, this doesn’t mean that they haven’t acquired their fair share of talent over the years, starting with Tyson Chandler.
By sending P.J. Brown and J.R. Smith to the Bulls, the Hornets got a talented young center in return. In his first two seasons in New Orleans, Chandler led the league in offensive rebounds. More importantly, he led the Hornets to the Southwest Division title, the new franchise’s first trophy.
43. Ron Harper to Los Angeles Clippers (1989)
Sometimes, it’s better to admit your mistakes and make a change than allow disaster to unfold to keep your pride intact. The Clippers did just that when they traded second-overall draft pick, Danny Ferry, for five-season Cavs veteran Ron Harper.
Harper proved to be the guard the Clippers desperately needed, as he got the constantly-struggling Clippers to qualify for the playoffs after 15 years of trying. To top it all off, he got them a second playoff berth a year later, a seemingly-impossible feat.
42. Baron Davis to Golden State Warriors (2005)
As a team in financial disarray, the Charlotte Hornets’ need to offload players was understandable. Still, the fact that the Warriors acquired the two-time NBA All-Star Davis without even conceding a draft pick seemed like a deal of a lifetime. This preconception would soon be proven correct.
The face of the Warriors’ “We Believe” era, Davis helped to reenergize a defeated fanbase and instill hope in the franchise once again. It was this belief that enabled the Warriors to build towards four future NBA Titles.
While some NBA teams rely on their scouts’ abilities as they scoop up the best rising stars at the annual draft, others prefer tapping into their big budgets to lure well-established players to their teams with lucrative contract offers that seem too good to pass up. Let’s look at some of the biggest trades in NBA history that shaped the fates of players and teams alike.