12 NBA Superteams You Never Knew Almost Happened
It’s hard not to wonder how different the league might look today if a few trades or draft-night calls had gone the other way. Deals that seemed set in stone were yanked at the last second, which left us imagining their impact.
Here’s a look at fifteen near-miss rosters that could have flipped rivalries, shifted dynasties, and made the last few decades feel like a whole new era.
Carmelo and Paul George Join LeBron in Cleveland
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During the 2017 draft, Cleveland worked on a blockbuster that would send Carmelo Anthony and Paul George to join LeBron James. Reports suggest that the teams agreed, but only for Indiana’s front office to back out late. Had it stuck, a Cavs roster with Kyrie Irving still in the mix might have stood toe-to-toe with Golden State.
Kyrie Irving to Milwaukee for Middleton and Brogdon
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Kyrie’s trade request set off a wild summer in 2017, and Milwaukee pushed hard with a proposal built around Chris Middleton, Malcolm Brogdon, and a first‑rounder. Cleveland worried the return was too developmental for a team chasing rings. Pairing Kyrie with Giannis back then might have forced a very different Eastern arms race.
Clippers Keeping Pick That Became Kyrie Irving
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In 2011, the Clippers sent their pick and Baron Davis to Cleveland for Mo Williams. That pick became Kyrie Irving. Keeping it would have paired Irving with a young Blake Griffin, possibly eliminating the need for Chris Paul. The franchise might have built differently by exploring trades for other available stars like Carmelo or Dwight Howard.
Hakeem, Jordan, and Drexler in Houston
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Before the 1984 draft became history, Portland considered a swap that would have sent Clyde Drexler and the second pick to Houston. The Rockets could have used it on Michael Jordan and created a core with Hakeem Olajuwon and Drexler already in place. That kind of backcourt‑frontcourt balance might have reshaped entire playoff brackets.
Carmelo Anthony Drafted by Detroit
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In 2003, Detroit passed on Carmelo Anthony for Darko Miličić. The Pistons still won a title, but their offense lacked a go-to scorer. Anthony would have instantly led them in points, and adding his firepower to their elite defense might have created a rare team with both grit and an unstoppable primary option.
Kobe and Shaq Reuniting with Dirk in Dallas
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In 2007, Mark Cuban came close to acquiring Kobe Bryant in a trade for Josh Howard, Jason Terry, and a draft pick. At the same time, Dallas explored signing Shaquille O’Neal after a potential buyout. A trio with Dirk, Kobe, and Shaq would have created a Western powerhouse few could match.
Kevin Garnett’s Almost-Laker Move
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Phil Jackson’s front office once lined up a swap that would bring Kevin Garnett to the Lakers for Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum. Garnett ultimately hesitated, wary of fit and locker‑room dynamics. A Lakers team with his defensive intensity beside Kobe Bryant might have carved out an entirely new trophy count for that decade.
Magic Johnson Sharing the Court with Kobe and Shaq
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Magic’s brief comeback ended in 1996, but had he played one more year, he’d have been teammates with rookie Kobe Bryant and newly signed Shaquille O’Neal. Though Magic was no longer dominant, his vision combined with Shaq’s force and Kobe’s potential would have offered a rare transitional season in Lakers history.
Scottie Pippen Almost Joining the Lakers
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In 1999, the Lakers explored sending Glenn Rice, Robert Horry, and Travis Knight to Portland for Scottie Pippen. Adding Pippen’s defense and playmaking to a roster already led by Shaq and Kobe might have changed how those early 2000s Finals played out by giving Los Angeles even more ways to handle elite perimeter threats.
LeBron and Wade Nearly Sign with Chicago
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Before joining forces in Miami, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade reportedly explored signing with Chicago in 2010. Pairing with Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, and Luol Deng could have turned the Bulls into instant title favorites. Injuries later slowed Rose, but that short window might have rivaled any superteam era.
Chris Webber Staying with Shaq in Orlando
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In 1993, the Magic drafted Chris Webber and then flipped him for Penny Hardaway minutes later. Had they kept Webber, his versatile passing and mid‑range ability would have complemented Shaquille O’Neal’s interior dominance. That mix could have become a nightmare for defenses and altered how Orlando built around their young cornerstone.
Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash Traded for Vince Carter
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Toronto once rejected a Dallas offer that would have sent Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash north for Vince Carter and Antonio Davis. At that point, Dirk was still unproven, and the Raptors hesitated. A Carter‑Nash‑Dirk trio in Toronto could have rewritten the franchise’s future and reshaped the early 2000s playoff picture.
Tim Duncan, Tracy McGrady, and Grant Hill in Orlando
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In 2000, Tim Duncan considered joining Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill in Orlando. Talks were serious, but Duncan decided to remain with San Antonio for personal reasons. Had he committed, the Magic would have had a foundation combining size, versatility, and scoring that might have quickly dominated the conference.
Chris Paul’s Blocked Lakers Trade
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The Lakers had lined up a major trade in 2011 that brought Chris Paul in to run the offense next to Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum. The league famously vetoed the deal. Watching Paul orchestrate an attack with Kobe’s scoring threat would have been a dramatic twist in Los Angeles basketball history.
Jason Kidd Nearly Signed with the Spurs in 2003
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Fresh off a Finals run with New Jersey, Jason Kidd met with San Antonio in 2003. The Spurs offered him a chance to play alongside Tim Duncan and Manu Ginóbili on a team already built for deep playoff runs. Kidd seriously considered it before re‑signing with the Nets and leaving Spurs fans to imagine what might have been.