7 Biggest Trades in NBA History, Ranked

The biggest NBA trades have had a massive impact on the basketball odds markets. These deals have enhanced teams’ title chances. On occasion, they have backfired, resulting in a period in the doldrums. 

Trades of this size are a risk for the front office. Success leads to acclaim and job security. If it goes wrong, jobs are often lost. 

7 Biggest Trades in NBA History

1. Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a First-Round Pick

Has there ever been a more stunning trade in NBA history? There had been no reporting that Luka Dončić or Anthony Davis were on the trade block. Other teams hadn’t been made aware of their availability. 

When this three-team trade was announced between the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Utah Jazz, ESPN reporter Shams Charania had to confirm he hadn’t been hacked, such was the surprise at the news.

The size of this trade cannot be overstated, as was reflected in the seismic shifts in the Lakers’ and Mavericks’ title prices in BetMGM’s NBA odds. 

2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Walt Wesley for Junior Bridgeman, Dave Meyers, Elmore Smith, and Brian Winters

The Lakers dominate our list of the biggest trades in NBA history. In the summer of 1975, they sent four players to the Milwaukee Bucks for three-time MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. 

Heading into his age-28 season, Kareem won MVP in his first two seasons as a Laker. He was a 13-time All-Star in Los Angeles and a five-time champion. 

After trading one of the game’s greatest ever players, the Bucks made just one Eastern Conference Finals until 2001. 

3. Paul George for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, Five First-Round Picks, and Two Pick Swaps

Given that the Los Angeles Clippers had to make this deal to secure Kawhi Leonard’s signature as a free agent, this was even more significant than it looked. It also was an overwhelming win for the Oklahoma City Thunder, who received a future MVP candidate in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and an unprecedented haul of draft picks. 

One of those first-rounders became Jalen Williams. The Clippers only won three playoff series during George’s five seasons with the team. 

4. Kobe Bryant for Vlade Divac

It’s the Lakers again. This time, general manager Jerry West pulled off a draft night trade for 13th overall pick Kobe Bryant. Los Angeles sent Vlade Divac to the Charlotte Hornets for the high-school phenom. 

Bryant was an All-Star in his second season and earned 15 All-NBA selections. He was a five-time champion as a Laker, while Divac spent just two seasons as a Hornet. 

5. Wilt Chamberlain for Connie Dierking, Paul Neumann, Lee Shaffer, and Cash

This isn’t the last time Wilt Chamberlain appears in these rankings. A five-time All-Star and MVP as a Philadelphia and San Francisco Warrior, Chamberlain was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in January 1965.

He won three consecutive MVPs in his three full seasons as a Sixer and claimed the first title of his career in 1967. 

6. Wilt Chamberlain for Darrall Imhoff, Archie Clark, Jerry Chambers, and Cash

In July 1968, the Lakers became the first team to acquire a reigning MVP via trade when they moved Darrall Imhoff, Archie Clark, Jerry Chambers and cash for Chamberlain. 

The Big Dipper won the second title of his Hall of Fame career as a Laker despite being a long way from his peak. He led the league in rebounding four times during his time period as a Laker.

7. Dennis Rodman for Will Perdue

The Chicago Bulls made the bold move of trading for Dennis Rodman in early October 1995. Rodman had been at the centre of the Bulls’ rivalry with the Detroit Pistons but became an integral member of Chicago’s second three-peat.

Rodman led the NBA in rebounding in all three of his seasons as a Bull. Phil Jackson – with agreement from Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen – allowed Rodman the freedom to be himself away from the hardwood, which enabled him to be at his best on the court.