Learn basketball through its greatest games.

Advanced court visionTempo controlPick-and-roll command

Pass-first point guard

The possession starts with vision: manipulate help, deliver teammates the ball on time and control tempo before hunting a shot.

Johnson · Stockton · Nash · Rondo

Study the archetype →

Pressure from the backcourt

Guards

Self-created offenseThree-level scoringLate-clock shotmaking

Scoring guard

A lead guard whose first threat is putting points on the board from every level, forcing the defense to tilt before the pass arrives.

Iverson · Curry · Lillard · Harden

Study the archetype →

Score or create

Guards

On-ball creationSecondary playmakingDownhill burst

Combo guard

Too dangerous to call only a point guard or shooting guard: a creator who can run the offense and become its primary scorer.

Wade · Westbrook · Mitchell · Ginóbili

Study the archetype →

The modern connector

Wings

Point-of-attack defenseCatch-and-shoot rangeLow-usage impact

3-and-D wing

Defend the opponent's best perimeter scorer, preserve spacing and punish any help with a reliable catch-and-shoot three.

Pippen · Leonard · George · Holiday

Study the archetype →

Create over any matchup

Wings

Isolation scoringSize over defendersPost and perimeter craft

Scoring wing

A perimeter-sized primary option who can manufacture shots against switches, traps and playoff defenses built specifically to stop him.

Jordan · Bryant · Durant · McGrady

Study the archetype →

Size becomes the playmaker

Forwards

Frontcourt playmakingTransition initiationMismatch creation

Point forward

A forward who initiates offense, bends the defense as a scorer and sees passing windows normally reserved for lead guards.

James · Bird · Pippen · Antetokounmpo

Study the archetype →

Pull the rim protector out

Bigs

Frontcourt shootingPick-and-pop gravitySpacing at size

Stretch big

A power forward or center whose shooting range changes the geometry of the paint and creates driving lanes for everyone else.

Nowitzki · Bosh · Love · Towns

Study the archetype →

Own the paint

Centers

Post scoringRim protectionRebounding

Traditional big

A center who establishes offense on the block, controls the glass and makes the restricted area feel unavailable at the other end.

Abdul-Jabbar · O'Neal · Olajuwon · Ewing

Study the archetype →

Win the space defenses concede

Shot creators

Pull-up balanceFootwork and countersLate-clock reliability

Midrange specialist

A scorer who turns the supposedly inefficient middle of the floor into a playoff-proof source of controlled offense.

Jordan · Bryant · DeRozan · Durant

Study the archetype →

The scheme starts here

Bigs and back-line defenders

Rim deterrenceCoverage communicationDefensive rebounding

Defensive anchor

The back-line organizer who protects the rim, finishes possessions and gives perimeter defenders permission to be aggressive.

Russell · Duncan · Mutombo · Gobert

Study the archetype →

Better together

Greatest NBA duos

Explore every partnership →

Great partnership

1987–1998

Michael Jordan

Scottie Pippen

Michael Jordan & Scottie Pippen

Chicago Bulls

Great partnership

1979–1989

Magic Johnson

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Magic Johnson & Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Los Angeles Lakers

Great partnership

1996–2004

Kobe Bryant

Shaquille O'Neal

Kobe Bryant & Shaquille O'Neal

Los Angeles Lakers

Great partnership

1956–1963

Bill Russell

Bob Cousy

Bill Russell & Bob Cousy

Boston Celtics

Great partnership

1960–1972

Elgin Baylor

Jerry West

Elgin Baylor & Jerry West

Los Angeles Lakers

Great partnership

1980–1992

Larry Bird

Kevin McHale

Larry Bird & Kevin McHale

Boston Celtics

Great partnership

1985–2003

John Stockton

Karl Malone

John Stockton & Karl Malone

Utah Jazz

Great partnership

2010–2014

LeBron James

Dwyane Wade

LeBron James & Dwyane Wade

Miami Heat

Great partnership

2001–2016

Tim Duncan

Tony Parker

Tim Duncan & Tony Parker

San Antonio Spurs

Great partnership

2016–2019

Stephen Curry

Kevin Durant

Stephen Curry & Kevin Durant

Golden State Warriors

Great partnership

2014–2017

LeBron James

Kyrie Irving

LeBron James & Kyrie Irving

Cleveland Cavaliers

Head to head

Greatest NBA player rivalries

Two stars, one era-defining argument—and the games that made the comparison matter.

Explore every rivalry →

#01Player rivalry

1979–1992

Magic Johnson vs Larry Bird

A college championship rematch became the defining personal duel of the 1980s, with opposite coasts and three Finals meetings carrying the league into a new era.

#02Player rivalry

1959–1969

Bill Russell vs Wilt Chamberlain

The ultimate team defender against the era's greatest statistical force: eight postseason meetings and an argument about winning that still shapes how centers are judged.

#03Player rivalry

2014–present

LeBron James vs Stephen Curry

Four consecutive Finals, a historic comeback and two radically different ways to bend a defense made them the central basketball argument of their generation.

#04Player rivalry

1988–1991

Michael Jordan vs Isiah Thomas

Detroit designed the Jordan Rules and ended Chicago's season three straight times before Jordan and the Bulls finally broke through the Bad Boys.

#05Player rivalry

1998–2015

Tim Duncan vs Dirk Nowitzki

Two all-time power forwards turned a Texas matchup into the West's most dependable chess match, peaking with an overtime Game 7 in 2006.

#06Player rivalry

1999–2013

Kobe Bryant vs Tim Duncan

The defining stars of the post-Jordan West met six times in the playoffs while their franchises combined to win ten championships across their careers.

#07Player rivalry

1996–2010

Kobe Bryant vs Allen Iverson

The two most influential guards of their generation shared a draft class, opposite aesthetics and a Finals remembered for Iverson's fearless opening strike.

#08Player rivalry

1979–1987

Larry Bird vs Julius Erving

Boston and Philadelphia's battle for the East became personal through two complete forwards whose brilliance, physicality and tempers repeatedly collided.

#09Player rivalry

1993–2002

Hakeem Olajuwon vs Shaquille O'Neal

The most polished post center of the era met its most overwhelming young force in the 1995 Finals, then watched the balance of power shift.

#10Player rivalry

2007–present

LeBron James vs Kevin Durant

The era's most complete forward and its purest scoring forward met in three Finals and kept resetting the standard for oversized perimeter creation.

#11Player rivalry

2009–2016

Stephen Curry vs Kevin Durant

Before they became teammates, two MVP scorers pushed the 2016 Western finals to seven games and changed the league with what followed.

#12Player rivalry

2017–present

Nikola Jokić vs Joel Embiid

Three consecutive MVP races made every meeting between the era's two defining centers a referendum on playmaking, scoring and availability.

To BKNDraftPICKround asset+1 assets

Championship cores

Greatest NBA trios

Big three

Bill Russell, Bob Cousy & Sam Jones

Boston Celtics · 1957–1963

Big three

Magic Johnson

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

James Worthy

Magic, Kareem & Worthy

Los Angeles Lakers · 1982–1989

Big three

Larry Bird

Kevin McHale

Robert Parish

Bird, McHale & Parish

Boston Celtics · 1980–1992

Big three

Michael Jordan

Scottie Pippen

Dennis Rodman

Jordan, Pippen & Rodman

Chicago Bulls · 1995–1998

Big three

Tim Duncan

Tony Parker

Manu Ginóbili

Duncan, Parker & Ginóbili

San Antonio Spurs · 2002–2016

Big three

Kevin Garnett

Paul Pierce

Ray Allen

Garnett, Pierce & Allen

Boston Celtics · 2007–2012

Big three

Isiah Thomas

Joe Dumars

Dennis Rodman

Isiah, Dumars & Rodman

Detroit Pistons · 1986–1993

Big three

LeBron James

Dwyane Wade

Chris Bosh

LeBron, Wade & Bosh

Miami Heat · 2010–2014

Big three

Stephen Curry

Klay Thompson

Draymond Green

Curry, Thompson & Green

Golden State Warriors · 2012–present

Big three

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Khris Middleton

Jrue Holiday

Giannis, Middleton & Holiday

Milwaukee Bucks · 2020–2023

The complete season

Greatest NBA teams

Explore every team →

Great team

1961–62

Boston Celtics

60–20 · NBA champions

A fourth consecutive championship team tested to overtime in Game 7 by Baylor and West's Lakers.

Open the story →

Great team

1971–72

Los Angeles Lakers

69–13 · NBA champions

Thirty-three straight wins, 69 overall and a long-awaited Los Angeles championship made this an enduring standard.

Open the story →

Great team

1986–87

Los Angeles Lakers

65–17 · NBA champions

The most polished Showtime team paired the league MVP with speed, depth and a championship answer to Boston.

Open the story →

Great team

1985–86

Boston Celtics

67–15 · NBA champions

A 40–1 home record, historic frontcourt depth and Bird at his complete peak produced one of basketball's most balanced champions.

Open the story →

Great team

1988–89

Detroit Pistons

63–19 · NBA champions

The Bad Boys converted physical defense, guard depth and years of playoff frustration into a dominant title run.

Open the story →

Great team

1995–96

Chicago Bulls

72–10 · NBA champions

The comeback season that set a wins record and opened Chicago's second three-peat remains the default greatest-team argument.

Open the story →

Great team

2000–01

Los Angeles Lakers

15–1 postseason · NBA champions

After an uneven regular season, the defending champions produced the most overwhelming postseason run of the modern era.

Open the story →

Great team

2012–13

Miami Heat

66–16 · NBA champions

A 27-game winning streak and a seven-game Finals escape captured the perfected version of Miami's superteam.

Open the story →

Great team

2013–14

San Antonio Spurs

62–20 · NBA champions

Collective passing, depth and a year-long response to heartbreak produced basketball remembered as Beautiful Game Spurs.

Open the story →

Great team

2015–16

Golden State Warriors

73–9 · Finals

The regular-season wins record and Curry's unanimous MVP campaign pushed the limits of spacing before a historic Finals reversal.

Open the story →

Great team

2016–17

Golden State Warriors

67–15 · 16–1 postseason

Durant joined a 73-win core and created a team with almost no conventional offensive weakness.

Open the story →

The transaction wire

Trades that changed the NBA

Trace every package →

01TradeJuly 12, 2013

To BOSDraftPICKround asset+6 assetsNets–Celtics blockbuster

BKN receives Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Jason Terry + 1 more

BOS receives Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, Keith Bogans + 6 more13 original assets · 4 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

02TradeJuly 10, 2019

To LAC

To OKC20211STround asset+6 assetsPaul George to the Clippers

LAC receives Paul George

OKC receives Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, 2021 Miami first + 6 more10 original assets · 6 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

03TradeJuly 11, 1996

To CHAKobe's draft-night trade

LAL receives Rights: Kobe Bryant · No. 13

CHA receives Vlade Divac2 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

04TradeOctober 27, 2012

To HOUDraftPICKround asset+1 assets

To OKC20131STround asset+2 assetsHarden to Houston

HOU receives James Harden, Cole Aldrich, Daequan Cook + 1 more

OKC receives Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, 2013 Toronto first + 2 more9 original assets · 3 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

05TradeJuly 31, 2007

To BOS

To MINDraftPICKround asset+5 assetsGarnett to Boston

BOS receives Kevin Garnett

MIN receives Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Ryan Gomes + 5 more9 original assets · 2 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

06TradeJuly 6, 2017

To OKC

To INDGeorge → Sabonis → Haliburton

OKC receives Paul George

IND receives Victor Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis3 original assets · 3 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

07TradeJune 21, 2018

To DAL

To ATL20191STround assetLuka–Trae draft swap

DAL receives Rights: Luka Dončić · No. 3

ATL receives Rights: Trae Young · No. 5, Protected 2019 Dallas first3 original assets · 2 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

08TradeJuly 6, 2019

To NOPDraftPICKround asset+5 assetsAnthony Davis to the Lakers

LAL receives Anthony Davis

NOP receives Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart + 5 more9 original assets · 4 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

09TradeFebruary 1, 2008

To LAL20102NDround asset

To MEMDraftPICKround asset+4 assetsPau Gasol to the Lakers

LAL receives Pau Gasol, 2010 Memphis 2nd-round pick

MEM receives Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie + 4 more9 original assets · 3 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

10TradeApril 30, 1956

To BOSTo STLDraftPICKround assetBill Russell to Boston

BOS receives Rights: Bill Russell · No. 2STLSTL receives Ed Macauley, Rights: Cliff Hagan3 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

11TradeJune 16, 1975

To MILDraftPICKround asset+2 assetsKareem to the Lakers

LAL receives Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Walt Wesley

MIL receives Elmore Smith, Brian Winters, Rights: Dave Meyers + 2 more7 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

12TradeJune 17, 1992

To PHX

To PHIDraftPICKround assetBarkley to Phoenix

PHX receives Charles Barkley

PHI receives Jeff Hornacek, Tim Perry, Andrew Lang4 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

13TradeJuly 14, 2004

To MIA

To LALDraftPICKround asset+1 assetsShaq to Miami

MIA receives Shaquille O'Neal

LAL receives Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant + 1 more5 original assets · 2 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

14TradeJuly 18, 2018

To TOR

To SAS20191STround assetKawhi to Toronto

TOR receives Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green

SAS receives DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl, Protected 2019 Toronto first5 original assets · 2 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

15TradeJuly 6, 2022

To MIN

To UTADraftPICKround asset+7 assetsGobert to Minnesota

MIN receives Rudy Gobert

UTA receives Patrick Beverley, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt + 7 more11 original assets · 3 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

16TradeSeptember 3, 2022

To CLE

To UTADraftPICKround asset+5 assetsMitchell to Cleveland

CLE receives Donovan Mitchell

UTA receives Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji + 5 more9 original assets · 2 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

17TradeFebruary 9, 2023

To PHX

To BKNDraftPICKround asset+5 assetsDurant to Phoenix

PHX receives Kevin Durant, T.J. Warren

BKN receives Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Rights: Juan Pablo Vaulet + 5 more10 original assets · 3 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

18TradeJuly 16, 2019

To HOU

To OKC20241STround asset20211STround asset+2 assetsWestbrook–Chris Paul swap

HOU receives Russell Westbrook

OKC receives Chris Paul, 2024 protected 1st-round pick, 2021 1st-round swap rights + 2 more6 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

19TradeJuly 6, 2019

To MIA

To PHIJimmy Butler to Miami

MIA receives Jimmy Butler

PHI receives Josh Richardson2 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

20TradeJuly 10, 2010

To MIA

To CLEDraft1STround assetDraft2NDround asset+2 assetsMiami completes the Big Three

MIA receives LeBron James, Chris Bosh

CLE receives Multiple future 1st-round picks, Multiple future 2nd-round picks, Future 1st-round swap rights + 1 more6 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

21TradeJuly 9, 2010

To GSW

To NYKDraftPICKround asset+1 assetsDavid Lee to the Warriors

GSW receives David Lee

NYK receives Anthony Randolph, Kelenna Azubuike, Ronny Turiaf + 1 more5 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

22TradeJune 22, 2017

To MINDraftPICKround asset

To CHIDraftPICKround assetJimmy Butler to Minnesota

MIN receives Jimmy Butler, Rights: Justin Patton

CHI receives Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, Rights: Lauri Markkanen5 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

23TradeJune 28, 2017

To HOU

To LACDraftPICKround asset+2 assetsChris Paul to Houston

HOU receives Chris Paul

LAC receives Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Montrezl Harrell + 2 more6 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

24TradeAugust 30, 2017

To BOS

To CLEDraftPICKround asset+2 assetsKyrie Irving to Boston

BOS receives Kyrie Irving

CLE receives Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Žižić + 2 more6 original assets · 2 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

25TradeSeptember 25, 2017

To OKC

To NYK20182NDround assetCarmelo Anthony to OKC

OKC receives Carmelo Anthony

NYK receives Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott, 2018 Chicago 2nd-round pick4 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

26TradeJune 28, 2007

To BOSDraftPICKround asset

To SEADraftPICKround assetRay Allen to Boston

BOS receives Ray Allen, Rights: Glen Davis

SEA receives Wally Szczerbiak, Delonte West, Rights: Jeff Green5 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

27TradeJune 22, 2016

To NYK20172NDround asset

To CHIDraftPICKround assetDerrick Rose to New York

NYK receives Derrick Rose, Justin Holiday, 2017 2nd-round pick

CHI receives Robin Lopez, Jerian Grant, José Calderón6 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

28TradeJune 23, 2016

To ORL

To OKCDraftPICKround assetSerge Ibaka to Orlando

ORL receives Serge Ibaka

OKC receives Victor Oladipo, Ersan İlyasova, Rights: Domantas Sabonis4 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

29TradeJune 29, 2004

To HOUDraftPICKround asset+1 assets

To ORLDraftPICKround assetMcGrady–Francis blockbuster

HOU receives Tracy McGrady, Juwan Howard, Tyronn Lue + 1 more

ORL receives Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley, Kelvin Cato7 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

30TradeJune 25, 2014

To DAL

To NYKDraftPICKround asset+3 assetsTyson Chandler back to Dallas

DAL receives Tyson Chandler, Raymond Felton

NYK receives José Calderón, Samuel Dalembert, Shane Larkin + 3 more8 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

31TradeAugust 23, 2014

To CLE

To MIN20151STround assetKevin Love to Cleveland

CLE receives Kevin Love

MIN receives Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett, 2015 protected 1st-round pick4 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

32TradeDecember 14, 2011

To LAC20152NDround asset

To NOHDraftPICKround asset+1 assetsChris Paul to the Clippers

LAC receives Chris Paul, Two 2015 2nd-round picks

NOH receives Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, Al-Farouq Aminu + 1 more6 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

33TradeJuly 11, 2012

To PHX20131STround asset20151STround asset+2 assetsSteve Nash to the Lakers

LAL receives Steve Nash

PHX receives 2013 1st-round pick, 2015 1st-round pick, 2013 2nd-round pick + 1 more5 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

34TradeAugust 10, 2012

To LALDraftPICKround asset

To ORLDraftPICKround asset+5 assetsDwight Howard to the Lakers

LAL receives Dwight Howard, Earl Clark, Chris Duhon

ORL receives Nikola Vučević, Maurice Harkless, Arron Afflalo + 5 more11 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

The open market

Free-agent moves that changed the NBA

The jersey a star left, the jersey they chose and what changed after the decision.

Explore every move →

01Free agencyJuly 8, 2010From CLETo MIAThe Decision creates Miami's Big ThreeJames left Cleveland to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, concentrating three franchise players in their primes and changing the scale of modern free agency.Cleveland Cavaliers → Miami HeatOpen offseason →

02Free agencyJuly 18, 1996From ORLTo LALShaq chooses the LakersLos Angeles landed a 24-year-old superstar center and paired him with newly acquired Kobe Bryant, creating the foundation of the league's next dynasty.Orlando Magic → Los Angeles LakersOpen offseason →

03Free agencyJuly 4, 2016From OKCTo GSWDurant joins the 73-win WarriorsWeeks after Oklahoma City lost a 3–1 conference-finals lead to Golden State, Durant joined the team that eliminated him and raised an already historic roster's ceiling.Oklahoma City Thunder → Golden State WarriorsOpen offseason →

04Free agencyJuly 11, 2014From MIATo CLELeBron comes homeJames returned to Northeast Ohio after four Finals and two titles in Miami, instantly turning a lottery roster into the center of the Eastern Conference.Miami Heat → Cleveland CavaliersOpen offseason →

05Free agencyJuly 14, 2004From DALTo PHXNash returns to PhoenixPhoenix reunited with Nash and placed his passing, shooting and pace control at the center of an offense that changed how the league imagined spacing.Dallas Mavericks → Phoenix SunsOpen offseason →

06Free agencyJuly 1, 2018From CLETo LALLeBron chooses Los AngelesJames ended Cleveland's four-year Finals run and restored a superstar centerpiece to a Lakers organization that had missed five consecutive postseasons.Cleveland Cavaliers → Los Angeles LakersOpen offseason →

07Free agencySeptember 15, 1982From HOUTo PHIMoses puts Philadelphia over the topThe reigning MVP joined a 58-win contender that had just lost the Finals, supplying the interior dominance Philadelphia lacked against the league's best frontcourts.Houston Rockets → Philadelphia 76ersOpen offseason →

08Free agencyJuly 6, 2019From TORTo LACKawhi chooses the ClippersFresh off a championship and Finals MVP in Toronto, Leonard chose the Clippers once they completed the companion trade for Paul George.Toronto Raptors → Los Angeles ClippersOpen offseason →

The league between seasons

Greatest NBA offseasons

The summers and springs when movement across the NBA redrew the next season before it began.

Explore every great offseason →

Offseason

2019

NBA · ranked

Trades

Anthony Davis
Pelicans → Lakers
Paul George
Thunder → Clippers
Russell Westbrook
Thunder → Rockets

Free agency

Kawhi Leonard
Signs with Clippers
Kevin Durant
Signs with Nets
Kyrie Irving
Signs with Nets

Offseason

2010

NBA · ranked

Trades

Chris Bosh
Sign-and-trade to Heat
David Lee
Sign-and-trade to Warriors

Free agency

LeBron James
Signs with Heat
Amar'e Stoudemire
Signs with Knicks
Carlos Boozer
Signs with Bulls

Offseason

1996

NBA · ranked

Trades

Kobe Bryant
Draft rights → Lakers
Ray Allen
Draft-night swap

Free agency

Shaquille O'Neal
Signs with Lakers
Dikembe Mutombo
Signs with Hawks

Offseason

2017

NBA · ranked

Trades

Chris Paul
Clippers → Rockets
Paul George
Pacers → Thunder
Kyrie Irving
Cavaliers → Celtics

Free agency

Gordon Hayward
Signs with Celtics
Paul Millsap
Signs with Nuggets
JJ Redick
Signs with 76ers

Offseason

2007

NBA · ranked

Trades

Kevin Garnett
Wolves → Celtics
Ray Allen
Sonics → Celtics
Zach Randolph
Blazers → Knicks

Free agency

Open the deadline archive →

Rashard Lewis
Signs with Magic
Grant Hill
Signs with Suns

Before time expires

Greatest NBA trade deadlines

The frantic in-season windows when one phone call changed a title race, a rebuild or both.

Trade deadline

2025

NBA · ranked

Deadline trade ledger

01
Luka Dončić
Mavericks → Lakers
02
Anthony Davis
Lakers → Mavericks
03
Jimmy Butler
Heat → Warriors
04
De'Aaron Fox
Kings → Spurs

Trade deadline

2023

NBA · ranked

Deadline trade ledger

01
Kevin Durant
Nets → Suns
02
Kyrie Irving
Nets → Mavericks
03
D'Angelo Russell
Wolves → Lakers
04
Jakob Poeltl
Spurs → Raptors

Trade deadline

2008

NBA · ranked

Deadline trade ledger

01
Pau Gasol
Grizzlies → Lakers
02
Shaquille O'Neal
Heat → Suns
03
Jason Kidd
Nets → Mavericks
04
Ben Wallace
Bulls → Cavaliers

Trade deadline

2022

NBA · ranked

Deadline trade ledger

Explore every great draft class →

01
James Harden
Nets → 76ers
02
Domantas Sabonis
Pacers → Kings
03
CJ McCollum
Blazers → Pelicans
04
Kristaps Porziņģis
Mavericks → Wizards

Trade deadline

2004

NBA · ranked

Deadline trade ledger

3 moves · chronological

01
Rasheed Wallace
Hawks → Pistons
02
Mike James
Celtics → Pistons
03
Chucky Atkins
Pistons → Celtics

Where eras begin

Greatest NBA draft classes

The deepest classes in NBA history, ranked by stars, championships, longevity and talent found throughout the board.

Draft class

1984 Draft Class

Jordan · Olajuwon · Barkley · Stockton

Draft class

1996 Draft Class

Bryant · Iverson · Nash · Allen

Draft class

2003 Draft Class

James · Wade · Anthony · Bosh

Draft class

1985 Draft Class

Ewing · Malone · Mullin · Dumars

Draft class

2009 Draft Class

Curry · Harden · Griffin · DeRozan

Explore the class →

More than the trophy

Greatest NBA award seasons

The winning seasons that made a trophy feel inevitable—and the historical case for why each one still matters.

Explore every award ranking →

MVP

Greatest NBA MVP seasons

#1 Stephen Curry

2015-16

Golden State Warriors

Finals MVP

Greatest NBA Finals MVP seasons

#1 LeBron James

2015-16

Cleveland Cavaliers

Defensive Player

Greatest NBA Defensive Player of the Year seasons

#1 Hakeem Olajuwon

1993-94

Houston Rockets

Sixth Man

Greatest NBA Sixth Man seasons

#1 Manu Ginobili

2007-08

San Antonio Spurs

Rookie of the Year

Greatest NBA Rookie of the Year seasons

#1 Wilt Chamberlain

1959-60

Philadelphia Warriors

Most Improved

Greatest NBA Most Improved Player seasons

#1 Tracy McGrady

2000-01

Orlando Magic