The transaction wire, reconstructed
The biggest NBA trades ever.
Not a winner-and-loser grade. Open every original package, follow picks through swaps and later deals, and see how one transaction changed multiple eras.
01Franchise reset2013
Nets–Celtics blockbusterBrooklyn went all-in on Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Boston turned the distant draft control it received into the foundation of another championship era.13 original assets · 4 outcomes traced→02Superstar package2019
Paul George to the ClippersThe Clippers acquired Paul George and, in practice, secured Kawhi Leonard's commitment. Oklahoma City acquired Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari and extraordinary draft control.10 original assets · 6 outcomes traced→03Draft-night gamble1996
Kobe's draft-night tradeCharlotte selected Kobe Bryant at No. 13 for Los Angeles, then sent his rights to the Lakers for veteran center Vlade Divac.2 original assets · 1 outcomes traced→04Star before the leap2012
Harden to HoustonHouston acquired James Harden days before the season. Oklahoma City chose depth and draft assets rather than extend its Sixth Man of the Year.9 original assets · 3 outcomes traced→05Contender completed2007
Garnett to BostonBoston added Kevin Garnett to Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. Minnesota received five players, cash and two pieces of first-round control.9 original assets · 2 outcomes traced→06Multi-generation trade tree2017
George → Sabonis → HaliburtonIndiana sent Paul George to Oklahoma City for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. Sabonis later became the centerpiece of the package that brought Tyrese Haliburton to the Pacers.3 original assets · 3 outcomes traced→07Draft-rights swap2018
Luka–Trae draft swapAtlanta drafted Luka Dončić third and traded his rights to Dallas for the rights to Trae Young at No. 5 and a protected 2019 first.3 original assets · 2 outcomes traced→08Championship wager2019
Anthony Davis to the LakersLos Angeles paired Anthony Davis with LeBron James. New Orleans received three young players, the No. 4 draft rights and years of first-round control in a three-team transaction.9 original assets · 4 outcomes traced→09Championship catalyst2008
Pau Gasol to the LakersLos Angeles acquired Pau Gasol and a future second-round pick. Memphis received expiring money, two young players, two firsts and the draft rights to Pau's younger brother Marc.9 original assets · 3 outcomes traced→10Dynasty origin1956STLBill Russell to BostonSt. Louis selected Bill Russell second and sent his rights to Boston for six-time All-Star Ed Macauley and the draft rights to Cliff Hagan.3 original assets · 1 outcomes traced→11Franchise cornerstone1975
Kareem to the LakersMilwaukee sent Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Walt Wesley to Los Angeles for Elmore Smith, Brian Winters, Dave Meyers, Junior Bridgeman and future considerations.7 original assets · 1 outcomes traced→12MVP relocation1992
Barkley to PhoenixPhoenix acquired Charles Barkley from Philadelphia for All-Star guard Jeff Hornacek, Tim Perry and Andrew Lang.4 original assets · 1 outcomes traced→13Dynasty breakup2004
Shaq to MiamiLos Angeles sent Shaquille O'Neal to Miami for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant and a future first-round pick.5 original assets · 2 outcomes traced→14One-year championship bet2018
Kawhi to TorontoToronto acquired Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green for franchise icon DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a protected 2019 first.5 original assets · 2 outcomes traced→15Draft-control avalanche2022
Gobert to MinnesotaMinnesota acquired Rudy Gobert for five players, four future firsts and a first-round swap.11 original assets · 3 outcomes traced→16Star-for-future swap2022
Mitchell to ClevelandCleveland acquired Donovan Mitchell for Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji, three unprotected firsts and two swaps.9 original assets · 2 outcomes traced→17Superstar package2023Durant to PhoenixPhoenix acquired Kevin Durant and T.J. Warren while Brooklyn received Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, four firsts, a swap and additional four-team value.10 original assets · 3 outcomes traced→
Nets–Celtics blockbusterBrooklyn went all-in on Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Boston turned the distant draft control it received into the foundation of another championship era.13 original assets · 4 outcomes traced→02Superstar package2019Paul George to the ClippersThe Clippers acquired Paul George and, in practice, secured Kawhi Leonard's commitment. Oklahoma City acquired Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari and extraordinary draft control.10 original assets · 6 outcomes traced→03Draft-night gamble1996Kobe's draft-night tradeCharlotte selected Kobe Bryant at No. 13 for Los Angeles, then sent his rights to the Lakers for veteran center Vlade Divac.2 original assets · 1 outcomes traced→04Star before the leap2012Harden to HoustonHouston acquired James Harden days before the season. Oklahoma City chose depth and draft assets rather than extend its Sixth Man of the Year.9 original assets · 3 outcomes traced→05Contender completed2007Garnett to BostonBoston added Kevin Garnett to Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. Minnesota received five players, cash and two pieces of first-round control.9 original assets · 2 outcomes traced→06Multi-generation trade tree2017George → Sabonis → HaliburtonIndiana sent Paul George to Oklahoma City for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. Sabonis later became the centerpiece of the package that brought Tyrese Haliburton to the Pacers.3 original assets · 3 outcomes traced→07Draft-rights swap2018Luka–Trae draft swapAtlanta drafted Luka Dončić third and traded his rights to Dallas for the rights to Trae Young at No. 5 and a protected 2019 first.3 original assets · 2 outcomes traced→08Championship wager2019Anthony Davis to the LakersLos Angeles paired Anthony Davis with LeBron James. New Orleans received three young players, the No. 4 draft rights and years of first-round control in a three-team transaction.9 original assets · 4 outcomes traced→09Championship catalyst2008Pau Gasol to the LakersLos Angeles acquired Pau Gasol and a future second-round pick. Memphis received expiring money, two young players, two firsts and the draft rights to Pau's younger brother Marc.9 original assets · 3 outcomes traced→10Dynasty origin1956STLBill Russell to BostonSt. Louis selected Bill Russell second and sent his rights to Boston for six-time All-Star Ed Macauley and the draft rights to Cliff Hagan.3 original assets · 1 outcomes traced→11Franchise cornerstone1975Kareem to the LakersMilwaukee sent Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Walt Wesley to Los Angeles for Elmore Smith, Brian Winters, Dave Meyers, Junior Bridgeman and future considerations.7 original assets · 1 outcomes traced→12MVP relocation1992Barkley to PhoenixPhoenix acquired Charles Barkley from Philadelphia for All-Star guard Jeff Hornacek, Tim Perry and Andrew Lang.4 original assets · 1 outcomes traced→13Dynasty breakup2004Shaq to MiamiLos Angeles sent Shaquille O'Neal to Miami for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant and a future first-round pick.5 original assets · 2 outcomes traced→14One-year championship bet2018Kawhi to TorontoToronto acquired Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green for franchise icon DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a protected 2019 first.5 original assets · 2 outcomes traced→15Draft-control avalanche2022Gobert to MinnesotaMinnesota acquired Rudy Gobert for five players, four future firsts and a first-round swap.11 original assets · 3 outcomes traced→16Star-for-future swap2022Mitchell to ClevelandCleveland acquired Donovan Mitchell for Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji, three unprotected firsts and two swaps.9 original assets · 2 outcomes traced→17Superstar package2023Durant to PhoenixPhoenix acquired Kevin Durant and T.J. Warren while Brooklyn received Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, four firsts, a swap and additional four-team value.10 original assets · 3 outcomes traced→