The 2005 NBA offseason.

In the order it happened

The transaction timeline

The draft, major signings, trades and roster decisions are ordered chronologically. Complete draft boards, trade packages and free-agent jersey changes are embedded at the moment they happened.

1. June 28 · NBA Draft

   Bogut goes first as Paul and Williams reshape the point-guard map →

   Milwaukee selected Andrew Bogut first, but the defining backcourt decisions came immediately after: Utah moved up for Deron Williams and New Orleans chose Chris Paul, two lead guards who would shape the conference for years.

   The complete draft board is preserved beside this moment →

   Draft board

   2005 NBA

   01

   1

   First overall selection

   Andrew Bogut

   Milwaukee Bucks

   Open every pick→

2. July 21 · Free agency

   Larry Hughes joins LeBron in Cleveland

   Cleveland used its cap space on the reigning steals leader after missing on other wing targets, giving LeBron James a veteran secondary creator as the Cavaliers pushed toward their first playoff appearance of his career.

   Follow the jersey change beside this moment →

   43Free agencyJuly 21, 2005From WASTo CLE→Cleveland gives LeBron a veteran co-creatorThe Cavaliers used their cap room on the reigning steals leader after his career year in Washington, adding a ball handler and perimeter defender beside LeBron James.Washington Wizards → Cleveland CavaliersOpen offseason →

3. August 2 · Five-team trade

   Miami turns one deal into three rotation pillars →

   A 13-player construction brought Antoine Walker, Jason Williams and James Posey to Miami. All three became important pieces of the Heat team that won the championship ten months later.

   The complete trade package is preserved beside this moment →

   00TradeAugust 2, 2005To MIADraftPICKround asset+2 assetsTo MEMTo BOSDraftPICKround asset+1 assetsTo NOHTo UTA→←Miami's five-team overhaulMIA receives Antoine Walker, Jason Williams, James Posey + 2 moreMEM receives Eddie Jones, Raúl LópezBOS receives Qyntel Woods, Curtis Borchardt, Albert Miralles draft rights + 1 moreNOH receives Rasual Butler, Kirk SnyderUTA receives Greg Ostertag14 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

4. August 3 · Free agency

   Raja Bell becomes Phoenix's defensive counterweight

   Phoenix added a rugged perimeter defender and high-volume spot-up shooter whose edge complemented Steve Nash's open-floor offense and helped the Suns withstand Amar'e Stoudemire's lost season.

   Follow the jersey change beside this moment →

   44Free agencyAugust 3, 2005From UTATo PHX→Bell gives Phoenix an edgePhoenix added a physical perimeter defender and dependable spot-up shooter to balance an offense organized around Steve Nash.Utah Jazz → Phoenix SunsOpen offseason →

5. August 19 · Sign-and-trade

   Joe Johnson chooses Atlanta's rebuild →

   Atlanta gave Johnson the ball-dominant role and contract he wanted. Phoenix received Boris Diaw and two first-round picks, creating one of the rare star transactions that immediately clarified both teams' identities.

   The complete trade package is preserved beside this moment →

   00TradeAugust 19, 2005To ATLTo PHX20061STround asset20081STround asset→←Joe Johnson to AtlantaATL receives Joe JohnsonPHX receives Boris Diaw, 2006 1st-round pick · No. 21, 2008 1st-round pick · No. 154 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

6. September 2 · Free agency

   Michael Finley joins San Antonio's title defense

   Released through the new amnesty provision, Finley chose the defending champions over several contenders and gave the Spurs another composed shooter for the postseason.

   Follow the jersey change beside this moment →

   45Free agencySeptember 2, 2005From DALTo SAS→Finley joins the defending championsDallas's amnesty decision made a proven scorer available, and Finley chose San Antonio's established title structure over several contenders.Dallas Mavericks → San Antonio SpursOpen offseason →