The NBA trade deadline is chaos in its purest form. Front office personnel keep their phones plugged in as texts, emails, and calls turn into a blur. Fans rapidly refresh X for the latest tweet from Shams to see which players and draft picks are on the move
It seems like every year, the league shifts dramatically at the deadline. Some fringe contenders go all in, while less optimistic front offices enter a full-blown rebuild. These deals can alter power overnight and change the trajectory of franchises.
Some of the most consequential trades in league history have occurred at the deadline. We all remember the blockbusters that resulted in championships—Pau Gasol to the Lakers and Rasheed Wallace to the Pistons. But the list of deadline deals that shook up the NBA goes much deeper, starting with the shocking Luka Doncic trade last February.
No one knows what deals will go down prior to Thursday’s trade deadline. Is Giannis finally on the move? Will Dallas tear it down and trade Anthony Davis? What will Golden State do? The Lakers? The Knicks? But history tells us that whatever happens will impact the season moving forward. These are the 20 Biggest Trade Deadline Deals in NBA History.
20.Blake Griffin to the Pistons (2018)
Pistons receive: Blake Griffin, Willie Reed, Brice Johnson
Clippers receive: Avery Bradley, Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanović, First-round pick, second-round pick
In July 2017, Griffin re-signed with the Clippers, the team that had drafted him No. 1 overall in 2009, for five-years, $173 million. And yet, just six months later, the Clippers sent him off to Detroit. This was a hard pivot that surprised many around the NBA. To Griffin’s credit, he responded with one of the best seasons of his career, finishing third-team All-NBA in 2018-19 and dragging Detroit to the playoffs. But Griffin’s window as a star closed quickly—he struggled with injuries over his three years in the Motor City before the two sides agreed to a buyout in March 2021.
19.Isaiah Thomas to the Celtics (2015)
Celtics receive: Isaiah Thomas
Suns receive: Marcus Thornton, First-round pick
Isaiah Thomas wasn’t viewed as a star when he was dealt to Boston but the Celtics took a low-risk chance on a small guard with a huge chip on his shoulder and reaped the rewards. Thomas blossomed into one of the league’s most electric scorers following the trade. He climbed into the MVP conversation and produced one of the most memorable individual playoff runs in recent NBA history. Thomas instantly became the heartbeat of the team, and is beloved by Boston to this day.
18.Jeff Hornacek to the Jazz (1994)
Jazz receive: Jeff Hornacek, Sean Green, Second-round pick
76ers receive: Jeff Malone, First-round pick
John Stockton and Karl Malone were elite, but needed a third scorer who understood timing, spacing, and how to operate in Jerry Sloan’s system. Hornacek gave the Jazz the balance they’d been looking for. He was essential for Utah as one of the league’s most efficient shooters and a steadying presence in key moments. The Jazz made back-to-back Finals with Hornacek playing a key role. His arrival helped modernize their offense, as the NBA had started getting faster and more perimeter-oriented. Dealing for Hornacek was one of the best moves in Jazz franchise history.
17.Tim Hardaway to the Heat (1996)
Heat receive: Tim Hardaway, Chris Gatling
Warriors receive: Kevin Willis, Bimbo Coles
Pat Riley needed a point guard. Tim Hardaway needed a change of scenery. They both ended up getting what they were looking for following this trade at the 96 deadline. Pairing Hardaway with Alonzo Mourning turned the Heat from a fringe playoff team to a 60-win contender. The move, as predicted at the time, also revitalized Hardaway’s career. He bounced back to his All-NBA form, bombing threes and giving Riley’s defensive-minded team the offensive boost it needed. Though the Heat ultimately struggled against the Knicks and Bulls in the playoffs, Hardaway—who had spent his first seven years in the NBA with Golden State—was a two-time Second Team All-NBA player with Miami (1998, 1999).
16.Deron Williams to the Nets (2011)
Nets receive: Deron Williams
Jazz receive: Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, Two first-round picks
This was Brooklyn’s first big swing amid its relocation from New Jersey to Brooklyn. After a long chase, the Nets bet on Williams, a strong do-it-all point guard, to be the centerpiece of their new franchise. For a while, it looked like a brilliant move, as Williams put up big numbers and looked like one of the best guards in the league. But this iteration of the Nets never became a true contender, and D-Will’s prime faded much quicker than expected.
15.DeMarcus Cousins to the Pelicans (2017)
Pelicans receive: DeMarcus Cousins, Omri Casspi
Kings receive: Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, First-round pick, Second-round pick
This trade looked downright unfair. Pairing Boogie with Anthony Davis gave the Pelicans the most physically imposing frontcourt in the NBA. Though it took some time for Boogie and A.D. to play well together, they eventually found their rhythm. However, this duo never achieved what New Orleans envisioned, as Cousins’ Achilles injury derailed their hopes of becoming a contender. Cousins only spent 1.5 seasons with New Orleans. The injury marked the end of his prime and tanked his value on the market; after finding a dearth of suitors, he signed the midlevel exception with Golden State in 2018.
14.Jason Kidd to the Mavericks (2008)
Mavericks receive: Jason Kidd, Antoine Wright
Nets receive: Devin Harris, Trenton Hassell, DeSagna Dip, Keith Van Horn, Two first-round picks
Twenty months after falling in the NBA Finals to the Heat, the Mavericks traded for an aging Jason Kidd, believing that his leadership and one-of-a-kind playmaking could book them a return trip. The trade wasn’t an instant success but Kidd was a crucial part of Dallas’ 2011 championship run three years later. Kidd’s arrival didn’t set off instant fireworks, but it eventually played a crucial role in one of the most unlikely title runs in modern NBA history.
13.Kyrie Irving to the Mavericks (2023)
Mavericks receive: Kyrie Irving, Markieff Morris
Nets receive: Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, First-round pick, Two second-round picks
Trading for the controversial scorer was viewed as a gamble—a test of whether Kyrie’s talent could outweigh his off-court turbulence. But Dallas needed another elite playmaker to complement Luka Dončić, and were willing to part with valuable pieces to make it happen. They took the risk and were rewarded for it. Kyrie’s shotmaking took pressure off Luka and helped the Mavs reach the 2024 NBA Finals, which they lost in five games to the Celtics.. The duo did not play together long, as Dončić was dealt to the Lakers in February 2025.
12.Dikembe Mutombo to the 76ers (2001)
76ers receive: Dikembe Mutombo, Roshown McLeod
Hawks receive: Theo Ratliff, Nazr Mohammed, Pepe Sánchez, Toni Kukoč, First-round pick
After starting center Theo Ratliff went down with a season-ending injury, it became apparent that Philadelphia needed size and rim protection to support Allen Iverson’s MVP-level offense. Mutombo filled both needs right away. He cleaned up mistakes, cleaned up the boards, and helped the Sixers win the Eastern Conference; they lost the Finals to the Kobe/Shaq Lakers in five. This was a textbook example of a deadline move giving a team exactly what it needed. Mutombo signed a four-year, $68 million extension with Philly after this season but was traded to the Nets in August 2002.
11.Marc Gasol to the Raptors (2019)
Raptors receive: Marc Gasol
Grizzlies receive: Jonas Valanciunas, C.J. Miles, Delon Wright, Second round pick
Marc Gasol was never the flashiest player in the league, but he did the little things needed for a championship team—team defense, defensive rebounding, and unselfishness. The Raptors gave up some real assets to scoop him up, but Gasol’s passing, toughness, and defensive IQ stabilized the Raptors from the moment he arrived. In the playoffs, he contributed on both ends. Gasol gave Toronto the big body it desperately needed to defend Joel Embiid, and hit some clutch outside shots. Kawhi Leonard is the star remembered for Toronto’s title run, but Gasol was the piece that allowed everything else to work—the unsung hero.
10.Kevin Durant to the Suns (2023)
Suns receive: Kevin Durant, T.J. Warren
Nets receive: Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, Four first-round picks, First-round pick swap
Durant heading to Phoenix sent shockwaves through the league. Betting that Durant’s prolific scoring would vault them back to the Finals, the Suns gave up most of their assets to build a superteam around KD and Devin Booker. The chemistry between Durant and Booker was on point early, but injuries and depth issues ultimately prevented the Suns from reaching the ceiling they envisioned. Durant’s Suns tenure only lasted 2.5 seasons, as he was traded in June 2025 to the Houston Rockets in a historic seven-team deal.
9.James Harden to the 76ers (2022)
76ers receive: James Harden, Paul Millsap
Nets receive: Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, Two first-round picks
James Harden’s exit from Brooklyn was a long-running saga throughout the 2021-22 season. From the start, Philly was the obvious landing spot for The Beard. Sixers’ president of basketball operations Darryl Morey was familiar with Harden from their time together in Houston and the Sixers needed a perimeter player to take the pressure off Joel Embiid. Early on, the two-man game between the two All-Stars looked unguardable but then the inevitable occurred: Embiid got hurt and Harden shrank in the postseason. Harden would only spend 1.5 years in Philly before requesting a trade and being dealt to the Clippers.
8.Tyrese Haliburton to the Pacers (2022)
Pacers receive: Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, Tristan Thompson
Kings receive: Domantas Sabonis, Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb, Second-round pick
It wasn’t immediately clear who won this deal, but, with time, it became evident the Pacers pulled off a heist. Haliburton was already showing star traits in Sacramento, and Indiana pounced when it had the opportunity to pick him up—even if it meant trading their own promising young player, Sabonis. But the Pacers rebuilt their entire identity around the point guard’s speed and creativity. Haliburton would blossom into the face of the franchise, one of the best passers and closers in the league, and nearly led Indiana to the 2024-25 title. This was a full franchise reset, and Indiana was rewarded for its boldness.
7.Ray Allen to the SuperSonics (2003)
SuperSonics receive: Ray Allen, Kevin Ollie, Ronald Murray, First-round pick
Bucks receive: Gary Payton, Desmond Mason
This deal looked questionable from the jump. Why would the Bucks move their young franchise icon, Ray Allen, for Gary Payton? Of course, The Glove had long been known as one of the best defenders in the game, but his prime was nearing its end. Even more concerning, Payton was an unrestricted free agent after this season. He only stuck around for 28 regular-season games plus the playoffs, and then signed with the Lakers during the summer. Meanwhile, Allen became the face of the Sonics franchise over the next four years. The Sonics still struggled with Allen on the roster, but he was an All-NBA player. One team in this deal thought short-term; the winner thought long-term.
6.Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks (2011)
Knicks receive: Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Renaldo Balkman, Anthony Carter, Shelden Williams
Nuggets receive: Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, First-round pick, Two second-round picks, Cash
Timberwolves receive: Corey Brewer, Anthony Randolph, Eddy Curry
This trade was a spectacle. Knicks fans had been dreaming about having a true superstar on the roster again, and then the moment finally came. New York had to pay a significant cost—multiple starters, picks, and a pricey contract extension for Melo from the jump—but they got the headliner fans (and owner James Dolan) craved. Melo provided a burst the franchise hadn’t seen in years, and Madison Square Garden lit up every time he got rolling. Though the trade didn’t lead the Knicks to the Promised Land, Melo, who finished third in MVP voting in 2012-13, gave the franchise new life.
5.Rasheed Wallace to the Pistons (2004)
Pistons receive: Rasheed Wallace, Mike James
Celtics receive: Chucky Atkins, Lindsey Hunter, First-round pick, Cash
Hawks receive: Željko Rebrača, Bob Sura, Chris Mills, First-round pick
This deal is the gold standard for a midseason chemistry fix. Sheed was one of the most talented players in the league, but also the league’s greatest enigma given his propensity for on-court blow-ups and racking up technical fouls. Portland finally decided to move on, trading Wallace to the Hawks. (Don’t worry, a lot of people forget that was Wallace’s first stop post-Portland.) But he only played one game for Atlanta before being traded again, this time to the Pistons. Sheed walked into a veteran locker room built on toughness and immediately blended in. His ability to stretch the floor gave the offense a new dimension and he was a terror as a help defender. Detroit would storm through the East and topple the Lakers in the Finals. This was the perfect move at the perfect time.
4.Clyde Drexler to the Rockers (1995)
Rockets receive: Clyde Drexler, Tracy Murray
Trail Blazers receive: Otis Thorpe, Draft rights to Marcelo Nicole, First-round pick
Clyde Drexler, who was eager to get out of Portland, gave Houston the jolt it desperately needed amid its title defense. The Glide provided a spark the Rockets had lacked all year. It didn’t look like the team had any juice apart from Hakeem Olajuwon, Drexler’s former Phi Slama Jama teammate. But from the moment Drexler arrived in Houston, the Rockets suddenly looked like a threat again. He averaged 21 a game down the stretch, then raised his play in the postseason as the Rockets embarked on one of the wildest championship runs ever, winning nine road playoff games and defeating four 50-win teams. The run culminated in a sweep of the Magic in the Finals.
3.Pau Gasol to the Lakers (2008)
Lakers receive: Pau Gasol, Second-round pick
Grizzlies receive: Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, Draft rights to Marc Gasol, Two first-round picks
Pairing Pau with Kobe Bryant instantly elevated the Lakers from fringe contender to legitimate title threat, and the results came fast. Gasol fit Phil Jackson’s system like it had been built specifically for him; he was an unselfish big with a high basketball IQ and skilled post moves. L.A. made three straight Finals, winning two, and Gasol became the perfect co-star to Kobe during his second championship era. The Grizzlies got Pau’s brother, Marc Gasol, out of the deal, which eventually paid off, but the Lakers still clearly got the better of this deal.
2.Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Nets (2013)
Nets receive: Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Jason Terry, D.J. White
Celtics receive: Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks, Keith Bogans, Kris Joseph, Three first-round picks, First-round pick swap
This trade looked wild at the time and looks even crazier today. The Nets, who moved to Brooklyn in 2012, were eager to make a splash. They wanted star power, and they wanted it now, so they pushed in all their chips for K.G. and The Truth—two legends with something to contribute but no longer at the peak of their powers. The Nets talked themselves into the idea that their leadership and edge could outweigh the very real mileage on their bodies. Predictably, the move backfired. Boston walked away with the picks that would turn into Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, whereas Brooklyn got an early playoff exit. Neither legend stuck around Brooklyn for long. Pierce was traded to the Wizards in 2014, and the Big Ticket was traded back to the Timberwolves in 2015. This is one of the biggest “what were they thinking?” moves not just in NBA history, but in the history of professional sports.
1.Luka Doncic to the Lakers (2025)
Lakers receive: Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris
Mavericks receive: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, First-round pick
Could any other deal possibly be No. 1? This was the rare modern blockbuster that felt seismic the moment it broke. Was it fake news? Did someone hack Shams? It actually seemed too enormous to be real. The Lakers are always big game hunting and they pounced when Dallas showed interest in moving the face of its franchise. Los Angeles immediately improved around LeBron and shaped their next decade. The Mavericks, meanwhile, hit reset with Anthony Davis and a 2029 first-round pick. Though this trade has yet to result in a championship, nothing else comes close to the star power and shock value this one provided.