Trade deals in sports often make headlines, and some transactions have been historic in their impact on teams and franchises. Recently, the NBA witnessed a game-changing deal with Luka Doncic moving from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. This trade joins the ranks of other monumental trades throughout NBA history.

Many legendary players have switched teams, and these blockbuster trades have significantly shaped the league. Notably, trades that occurred on draft night, such as the Dallas Mavericks acquiring Dirk Nowitzki or the Los Angeles Lakers getting Kobe Bryant, have been excluded from this discussion. Additionally, moves that were essentially free-agent signings, like LeBron James joining Miami via a sign-and-trade from Cleveland in 2010, are not included either.

One of the earliest memorable trades occurred in 1968 when Wilt Chamberlain, who had famously scored 100 points in a game a few years before, was sent from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Lakers. In return, the 76ers received Darrall Imhoff, Archie Clark, Jerry Chambers, and cash.

In 1975, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, already a two-time MVP and an NBA champion, transitioned from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Lakers in exchange for Elmore Smith, Brian Winters, Dave Meyers, and Junior Bridgeman. The next significant shift happened in 1976 when Julius Erving, the standout ABA MVP, was traded from the New York Nets to the Philadelphia 76ers for a whopping $3 million.

Charles Barkley made waves in 1992 when he was traded from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Phoenix Suns, a move that propelled the Suns into the 1993 NBA Finals, although they fell short of the championship. His acquisition was in exchange for Jeff Hornacek, Tim Perry, and Andrew Lang.

Jason Kidd’s career was punctuated by several key trades, beginning with his move from Dallas to Phoenix in 1996, where he enjoyed an All-Star season. Later, he was traded from Phoenix to New Jersey in 2001, contributing to two finals runs for the Nets. Ultimately, he returned to Dallas in 2008, helping the team secure the NBA title in 2011.

In the year 2000, Patrick Ewing’s departure from the New York Knicks was a significant event. The Knicks facilitated a complex four-team deal, resulting in Ewing being sent to Seattle while acquiring Glen Rice from the move. Another major trade occurred in 2004 when Shaquille O’Neal joined the Miami Heat after being sent from the Lakers, which eventually led to Miami’s first championship two years later.

Kevin Garnett’s trade in 2007 to the Boston Celtics from the Minnesota Timberwolves was another defining moment, as he joined several key players in a deal that included multiple first-round picks. This move paid off handsomely for Boston, as they clinched the NBA title in 2008.

In 2011, Carmelo Anthony made headlines by moving to the New York Knicks from the Denver Nuggets in a trade involving numerous players and draft picks. This monumental deal underscored the importance of big trades in shaping franchises.

The Toronto Raptors made history in 2018 after acquiring Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green from the San Antonio Spurs. This move successfully led to the Raptors’ first NBA Championship in 2019, with Leonard playing a crucial role.

The Lakers continued to make headlines with the acquisition of Anthony Davis in 2019 in a trade that involved several young talents and picks. This set the stage for the Lakers’ successful title run in 2020.

Recent years have showcased more blockbuster trades, including James Harden’s move to Brooklyn in 2021 to join superstars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. This monumental deal aimed to create a powerhouse trio, although things did not pan out as expected due to injuries.

In 2022, Harden transferred from Brooklyn to Philadelphia as the 76ers welcomed him in exchange for Ben Simmons and additional players. The latest significant move occurred in 2023, with Kyrie Irving moving to the Mavericks, forming a formidable duo with Luka Doncic.

Lastly, this pattern of midseason trades reached a fever pitch in 2025 when Luka Doncic was traded to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, marking a historic first in the league for All-NBA players changing teams midseason.