10 NBA trades that benefitted all teams involved
NBA trades are some of the most exciting events in the NBA. They have the potential to shift the NBA championship race. While it’s safe to say that most trades have winners and losers, there are rare occasions when all the parties involved in a trade benefit from the deal. Let’s take a look at 10 NBA trades that benefitted all teams involved.
Sacramento Kings – Indiana Pacers (Feb. 08, 2022)
Kings receive: Domantas Sabonis, Jeremy Lamb, Justin Holiday, and a first-round draft pick
Pacers receive: Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, and Tristan Thompson
The Pacers are trading Domas Sabonis, Jeremy Lamb and Jeremy Lamb to Sacramento for Tyrese Hailburton, Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2022
Given the amount of young talent in this trade, both teams would benefit in their own way. Haliburton became the franchise player for the Indiana Pacers, leading them to the Finals of the inaugural NBA Cup. On the other hand, Sabonis gave the Kings another All-Star-caliber player alongside De’Aaron Fox, helping the team end their 16-year-long playoff drought.
Oklahoma City Thunder – Los Angeles Clippers (July 10, 2019)
Clippers receive: Paul George
Thunder receive: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, and seven first-round picks
"I just think both sides won."
– Paul George on the SGA trade
(Via @Farbod_E ) pic.twitter.com/e3IruRZigS
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 17, 2024
With Kawhi Leonard landing in Los Angeles, his first request was to bring Paul George to the Clippers. As a result, the Clippers gave away their young core to land PG in Los Angeles, forming a dynamic duo. After that, Leonard and PG turned the Clippers into legitimate title contenders after the Lob City era.
On the other hand, the Thunder managed to get SGA, who’s now the face of the franchise. With the Thunder, SGA became an All-Star-caliber guard, leading the Thunder to the top position in the Western Conference in the 2023-24 season. Furthermore, the Thunder also used one of the draft picks to get current starter Jalen Williams.
Dallas Mavericks – Atlanta Hawks (June 21, 2018)
Mavericks receive: Luka Doncic
Hawks receive: Trae Young and Cam Reddish
Atlanta and Dallas have agreed to a deal, league sources tell ESPN. They'll trade Nos. 3 and 5 picks, sending Luka Doncic to Dallas and Trae Young to Atlanta, sources said. Dallas will send Atlanta a future first.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 21, 2018
Although both Trae Young and Luka Doncic have proven to everyone they have what it takes to lead a franchise, a lot of basketball fans will agree that the Hawks should’ve used their pick to get Doncic and keep him. Nevertheless, both teams managed to benefit from the trade. Both players have led their respective teams to the playoffs in competitive campaigns.
New York Knicks – Denver Nuggets (Feb. 22, 2011)
Knicks receive: Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter, Renaldo Balkman, and Corey Brewer
Nuggets receive: Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, Kosta Koufos, two second-round picks, first-round pick, and cash
In the 2011 Carmelo Anthony trade the Denver Nuggets were given the rights to a pick swap in the 2016 Draft…
That pick became Jamal Murray who became one of the best players in franchise history and he has an opportunity to be an All-Star guard on a contender for years to come. https://t.co/B6qemesHkQ
— Swipa (@SwipaCam) February 23, 2023
When Carmelo Anthony moved to New York, Madison Square Garden finally had a franchise player to cheer for. But in the process, the Denver Nuggets basically surrendered their promising core. With Melo and Amar’e Stoudemire, the Knicks became a competitive squad in the Eastern Conference for a handful of seasons.
On the other hand, the Nuggets did manage to post a franchise record 57 wins in the 2012-13 season. Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, and Kosta Koufous were on that team.
But more importantly, the Nuggets also used the first-round pick to draft Jamal Murray. Murray helped the Nuggets win its first NBA championship, currently serving as the perfect star to pair alongside three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
Los Angeles Lakers – Charlotte Hornets (July 11, 1996)
Lakers receive: Kobe Bryant
Hornets receive: Vlade Divac
In 1996, the @Lakers sent Vlade Divac to the Hornets in a draft day trade for the 13th pick, Kobe Bryant. The rest is history…
More Lakers talk on 710 AM ESPN https://t.co/Wda75J3NBi pic.twitter.com/AAV30CnbBQ
— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) June 26, 2020
It’s well-known how important the late Kobe Bryant was to the Los Angeles Lakers. He helped the franchise win five NBA championships. The Lakers got Bryant in the 1996 NBA Draft after giving up Vlade Divac in a trade. The All-Star big man however, played an instrumental role in giving the Charlotte Hornets two of the winningest seasons in franchise history.
Oklahoma City Thunder – Indiana Pacers (June 24, 2016)
Thunder receive: Paul George
Pacers receive: Domantas Sabonis and Victor Oladipo
Breaking: Pacers trade Paul George to Thunder for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis, per @ramonashelburne and @sam_amick pic.twitter.com/JsRRt1ih6k
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 1, 2017
While Paul George headlined the trade, which allowed the Oklahoma City Thunder two more playoff appearances under Russell Westbrook, the deal also benefitted the Pacers. The Pacers enjoyed the rise of Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis, both of whom would become All-Stars. Furthermore, they also helped the squad become a legitimate threat in the East.
Los Angeles Lakers – Memphis Grizzlies (Feb. 1, 2008)
Lakers receive: Pau Gasol and second-round draft pick
Memphis receive: Marc Gasol, Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, and two first-round draft picks
"I think we are the only brothers who ever got traded for each other."
Pau Gasol when talking about his brother Marc pic.twitter.com/TFo4XetDkI
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 13, 2023
In a trade that involved the Gasol brothers, it turned out to be a win-win situation for both teams. Pau Gasol played an instrumental role in helping the Lakers secure two-straight NBA championships. On the other hand, Marc was the face of the franchise that helped the Memphis Grizzlies have their most competitive run in franchise history.
New York Knicks – Chicago Bulls (June 28, 1988)
Bulls receive: Bill Cartwright, a first-round draft pick, and a third-round draft pick
Knicks receive: Charles Oakley, a first-round draft pick, and a third-round draft pick
OTD in 1988, the Knicks traded Bill Cartwright to the Bulls for Charles Oakley. Oak was at the Tyson-Spinks fight with Michael Jordan when he found out about the trade. #theknicksofthenineties pic.twitter.com/HIw8cVcMAv
— Paul Knepper (@paulieknep) June 27, 2021
The Chicago Bulls and the Knicks decided to swap All-Star big men to fit their respective rosters. With the swap, both teams turned out to be relatively successful. The Knicks emerged as a legitimate contender in the East.
On the other hand, Cartwright helped the Bulls win three NBA championships. Furthermore, one of the draft picks that the Bulls received turned out to be four-time NBA champion Will Perdue.
Los Angeles Lakers – Miami Heat (July 14, 2004)
Heat receive: Shaquille O’Neal
Lakers receive: Caron Butler, Brian Grant, a first-round draft pick, and a second-round draft pick
According to @shaq , the Lakers Organization told him that they will trade him if they lost against the Detroit Pistons in 2004. Surely enough The Lakers lost and Shaq was traded to the Miami Heat for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant, And a future first round pick.#Shaq pic.twitter.com/xU570ZuXiD
— The Swish Network (@TheSwishNetwork) April 23, 2020
A heartbreaking deal for Lakers fans, O’Neal was traded to the Miami Heat, where he won his fourth NBA championship. In return, the Lakers labored for several seasons until returning to the Finals stage for three-straight years.
However, the Purple and Gold didn’t go home in buckets when giving up Shaq. They managed to get Lamar Odom and a first-round pick that turned out to be Jordan Farmar. Both players played crucial roles in helping the Lakers win back-to-back NBA championships.
Toronto Raptors – New York Knicks (Dec. 30, 2023)
Knicks receive: OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, and Malachi Flynn
Raptors receive: R.J. Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and a second-round draft pick
Do you think this trade will turn out to be a win-win for both the Raptors and Knicks? pic.twitter.com/ofV17mUJIB
— theScore (@theScore) January 4, 2024
In terms of talent, personnel, and fit, both teams mutually benefitted from this recent NBA trade. OG Anunoby made a positive impact for the Knicks, a team that made waves in the Eastern Conference alongside its promising duo of Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle.
On the other hand, Barrett has felt at home playing for his home city, giving the Raptors a star to build around after the departure of Pascal Siakam.
The post 10 NBA trades that benefitted all teams involved appeared first on ClutchPoints.
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