Top TEN most shocking NBA trades

In the wake of this week's unexpected Luka Dončić trade, we're revisiting other blockbuster deals that sent shockwaves through the NBA. Here are 10 of the most surprising NBA trades that reshaped the league over the decades. Wilt Chamberlain to the Philadelphia 76ers (1965) Philadelphia receives: Wilt Chamberlain San Francisco receives: Connie Dierking, Paul Neumann, Lee Shaffer, cash considerations In a trade that feels especially relevant this week, the Warriors sent the league's reigning five-time scoring champion to the 76ers in a shocking mid-season deal in 1965. “Chamberlain is not an easy man to love,” Warriors owner Franklin Mieuli told Sports Illustrated after the trade. “He's easy to hate, and we were the best draw in the NBA on the road, when people came to see him lose. I traded him because of cold, hard facts - I was making money for everyone but myself.” One of the first instances of a superstar being dealt in his prime, the move set a precedent that put NBA fans on edge for years to come. Just two seasons later, Chamberlain led the Sixers past his former team in the 1967 NBA Finals, securing a championship. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to the Los Angeles Lakers (1975) [caption id="attachment_49316" align="alignnone" width="2560"] LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 07: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar reacts on the court after LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers passed Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer, surpassing Abdul-Jabbar's career total of 38,387 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena on February 07, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)[/caption] Los Angeles Receive: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Walt Wesley Milwaukee Receive: Elmore Smith, Brian Winters, Dave Meyers, Junior Bridgeman At just 28 years old, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar made an unprecedented move in 1975, forcing his way out of Milwaukee. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, he made his feelings clear: “Live in Milwaukee? No, I guess you could say I exist in Milwaukee. I am a soldier hired for service and I will perform that service well. Basketball has given me a good life, but this town has nothing to do with my roots.” The trade set the Lakers up for a decade of dominance, while the Bucks wouldn't win another championship for more than 50 years. Charles Barkley to the Phoenix Suns (1992) [caption id="attachment_5425" align="alignnone" width="1400"] Former NBA star Charles Barkley (AFP | Getty Images)[/caption] Phoenix Suns Receive: Charles Barkley Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Jeff Hornacek, Tim Perry, Andrew Lang Given the return Philadelphia received for him, the backlash surrounding the Suns' trade for Charles Barkley was more than justified. Still in his prime, Barkley had been the face of the Sixers since 1984, carrying the franchise for years - only to be dealt with no draft picks included, leaving Philadelphia without future assets. Barkley wasted no time proving his worth in Phoenix, winning MVP in his first season and leading the Suns to the NBA Finals. 4. Shaquille O'Neal to the Miami Heat (2004) Miami Heat Receive: Shaquille O'Neal Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, First-round pick (2006), Second-round pick (2007) The NBA world was stunned when the Lakers' dominant duo of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant split, ending an era that saw them win three straight championships despite behind-the-scenes tension. Teaming up with Dwayne Wade in Miami, O'Neal thrived, averaging 22.9 points and 10.4 rebounds while leading the Heat to the Eastern Conference Finals. The following season, he helped deliver Miami's first NBA championship - while the Lakers experienced a rough transition. Kevin Garnett to the Boston Celtics (2007) [caption id="attachment_909" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 17: Kevin Garnett #21 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on November 17, 2015 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)[/caption] Boston Celtics Receive: Kevin Garnett Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff, Sebastian Telfair, Two first-round picks Despite spending 12 years with the Timberwolves and holding a no-trade clause, Kevin Garnett's shocking move to Boston reshaped the NBA. For the first time, a team assembled three future Hall of Famers in their prime, as Garnett joined Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. Their partnership paid off immediately, with Garnett leading the Celtics to the 2008 championship - establishing the blueprint for future NBA superteams. LeBron James' Sign-and-Trade to the Miami Heat (2010) [caption id="attachment_1286" align="alignnone" width="1024"] CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 7: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates with a fan after scoring against the Toronto Raptors during the second half of Game 4 of the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on May 7, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Raptors 128-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LeBron James[/caption] Miami Receive: LeBron James Cleveland Recieve: Two first-round picks, Two second-round picks, A trade exception While technically a free-agent signing, LeBron James' sign-and-trade deal ensured the Cavaliers received some compensation for his departure - though it did little to soften the blow. In his ESPN special, The Decision, LeBron declared: “I'm taking my talents to South Beach.” The announcement sent shockwaves through the NBA and sparked outrage in Cleveland, where fans burned jerseys in protest. Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert added to the drama, publishing a scathing letter condemning LeBron's exit as “a cowardly betrayal.” Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers (2011, vetoed by the NBA) [caption id="attachment_3332" align="alignnone" width="1024"] LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 03: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets looks on during the first half of the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on April 03, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)[/caption] Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Chris Paul New Orleans Hornets Receive: Lamar Odom (from Lakers), Kevin Martin (from Rockets), Luis Scola (from Rockets), Goran Dragić (from Rockets), 2012 first-round pick (from Rockets) Houston Rockets Receive: Pau Gasol (from Lakers) The real shock of this trade came not from the deal itself, but from the fact that it never happened. NBA Commissioner David Stern, who was acting as the de facto owner of the New Orleans Hornets after the league took control of the team, blocked the trade, citing the now-infamous rationale of “basketball reasons.” The decision sparked an uproar, with fans viewing it as an unfair intervention. Conspiracy theories began circulating, suggesting that the league was trying to prevent small-market teams from creating another Lakers superteam. The incident also raised serious questions about NBA ownership, with growing resentment over the league's power to control a team and interfere in front-office decisions. Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors (2018) [caption id="attachment_1591" align="alignnone" width="1024"] TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 17: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball as Cedi Osman #16 of the Cleveland Cavaliers defends during the second half of the NBA season opener at Scotiabank Arena on October 17, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)[/caption] Toronto Raptors Receive: Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green San Antonio Spurs Receive: DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl, First-round pick (2019) DeMar DeRozan's nine-year reign as the face of the Toronto Raptors, his four All-Star appearances, and his role in leading the team to the No. 1 seed were all shattered by the Kawhi Leonard trade. The move was a bold gamble, leaving DeRozan feeling betrayed after expressing his desire to retire in Toronto, especially with Leonard playing only nine games in the 2018-19 season due to injury. However, the risk paid off when Kawhi led the Raptors to their first-ever NBA Championship in the lone season he played there. Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers (2019) [caption id="attachment_27746" align="alignnone" width="594"] LAS VEGAS, NV - AUGUST 01: Paul George #29 of the 2014 USA Basketball Men's National Team warms up before a USA Basketball showcase at the Thomas & Mack Center on August 1, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)[/caption] Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Paul George Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, Five first-round picks, Two pick swaps Paul George's trade to the Los Angeles Clippers came out of nowhere—and for a historic haul of draft picks, the largest in NBA history at the time. The blockbuster deal wasn't just about acquiring George, though. According to ESPN, Kawhi Leonard made it clear he would only sign with the Clippers if they traded for George. Determined to land the most coveted free agent of the summer, the Clippers made it happen overnight, making waves across the league. Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers (2025) [caption id="attachment_52270" align="alignnone" width="2560"] DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 07: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates after a score in overtime against the Houston Rockets at American Airlines Center on April 07, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)[/caption] Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris Dallas Mavericks Receive: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 first-round pick On Saturday, the Dallas Mavericks stunned the basketball world by announcing a blockbuster trade sending franchise star Luka Dončić, along with Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, to Los Angeles. The mid-season move reportedly caught even Dončić off guard. “I thought I'd spend my career here, and I wanted so badly to bring you a championship,” he shared on social media. “As I turn the page on this next chapter of my basketball journey, I leave behind a city that will always feel like a home away from home.”

Top TEN most shocking NBA trades

Looking at the franchise-altering moves that stunned the basketball world

9. Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers (2025)

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