Basketball is one of the most popular sports, with fans dotted all across the globe. Hundreds of fans place bets on their favorite teams every day using things like the DraftKings sportsbook in Maryland. Hoping to win big can really add to the excitement of the game and allows you to feel more involved in the competition. One of the most nail-biting times for any NBA fan is trade season. This is where all teams can change up their current line-up and completely shake up their players. There have been many historic NBA trades over time, so let’s count down the top 4!
Top 4 NBA Trades in History
San Antonio Spurs Trade Dennis Rodman To Chicago Bulls
Back in 1995, Dennis Rodman was thought to be one of the best defenders in the NBA and the best rebounder. This is why fans were in shock when the Spurs decided to trade him to the Chicago Bulls. The Spurs coach at the time was Phil Jackson, who admitted that he was cautiously optimistic about bringing Rodman onboard, as although he’s a great player, he was thought to have a very extroverted personality. However, Rodman was too good a chance to miss, and he was a great asset to the Bulls alongside Michael Jordan. For anyone who knows him, there were some great Michael Jordan quotes after this one!
After this trade deal, the Bulls managed to win three NBA titles and Rodman was there each step of the way in rebounding. This shows that while this was a surprising trade, it was a clever move to make.
Dennis Rodman only had 19 career games with 20+ points…
He had 158 20+ rebound games🤯 pic.twitter.com/pPfivZM0Or
— D!ñh0 🇭🇷🇻🇮 2022/23 UCL and NBA champs (@DestShaggator) July 25, 2022
St. Louis Hawks Trade Bill Russell To Boston Celtics
It’s surprising to think that the NBA was going back in 1956, and one trade had the whole of the United States talking. Often considered one of the biggest NBA trades of all time, Boston Celtics managed to sign Bill Russell on draft day. This shocking move proved to be a fantastic one for the Celtics as they went on to win 11 championships and even beat Russell’s former team Hawks in three separate Finals.
One of the reasons it was so shocking for Russell to be traded, was that the Hawks had only just acquired him and then immediately traded him to the Celtics. However, this move definitely worked out well for Boston!
Charlotte Hornets Trade Kobe Bryant To Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe Bryant will always be one of the most legendary players to ever grace the courts. However, back in 1996, Bryant was barely 18 years old when he was drafted, with a lot of people questioning his young age. The trade is considered one of the best moves that the Lakers ever made. Acquiring Bryant allowed him to form the famous pairing with Shaquille O’Neal and lead the Lakers to five NBA Finals victories. Although Bryant is no longer with us, his legacy will live on forever. At the time, it didn’t seem like this would go down as one of the best NBA trades in history.
New Orleans Pelicans Trade Anthony Davis To The Los Angeles Lakers
As with any trade, there are two sides to each deal, and each team wants to ensure they’re getting the best players out there. The Pelicans were happy to trade Anthony Davis to The Lakers, and in return, they got superstar Brad Ingram, Lonzo Ball, and Josh Hart. The Lakers were really pushing for Davis as they wanted to pair him up with LeBron James, and it definitely worked. With the help of that amazing duo, the Lakers were able to win the championship for the 17th time.
Each new season brings a whole host of new trades, some more notable than others. These five trades are historic for a reason, and each led their new teams to victory. So, who knows what trades will happen this season, and who will be the next NBA championship winner? Only time will tell!
