10 Shocking Trades NBA Fans Still Can’t Believe Happened
In recent years, the NBA has seen several shocking trades that left fans and analysts in disbelief. One moment, a player is the face of a franchise; the next, he’s wearing a rival’s jersey. In this article, we’ll discuss a few trades that sparked debates and, in some cases, changed the course of NBA history.
Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers (2025)
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If you had told Mavericks fans a few years ago that Luka Dončić would be suiting in purple and gold, they would have laughed it off. But 2025 threw a curveball by sending Luka to the Lakers for Anthony Davis. It was the first time two All-NBA stars were swapped midseason.
Kobe Bryant to the Los Angeles Lakers (1996)
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The Hornets had no idea they were handing the Lakers a dynasty when they traded Kobe Bryant for Vlade Divac on draft night. At the time, Charlotte wanted an established center, and he wasn’t exactly a sure bet. Fast forward 20 years, and Bryant became a five-time champion, a Lakers icon, and one of the greatest players ever.
Shaquille O’Neal to the Miami Heat (2004)
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Breakups are messy, and the Shaq-Kobe era ended in spectacular fashion. Shaq teamed up with Dwyane Wade and brought the franchise its first championship in 2006. The Lakers recovered with Kobe and later added Pau Gasol, but watching Shaq hoist a trophy in a Heat jersey stung Lakers fans.
Paul George to the Oklahoma City Thunder (2017)
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One moment, Paul George was the face of the Pacers. The next, he was packing his bags for Oklahoma City. The trade sent George to the Thunder for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis, a questionable move at the time. But Oladipo blossomed into an All-Star, and Sabonis became one of the league’s best big men.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to the Los Angeles Lakers (1975)
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Milwaukee knew Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wanted out, but they didn’t think they were giving the Lakers the key to a dynasty. L.A. sent four players to the Bucks, none of whom became household names. Meanwhile, Kareem spent the next 14 years dominating with the Lakers, winning championships, and acquiring MVPs.
Kevin Garnett to the Boston Celtics (2007)
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After trading for Ray Allen, the Celtics pulled off another blockbuster by sending five players and two first-round picks to Minnesota for Kevin Garnett. The result was an instant contender. Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen led the Celtics to the 2008 championship and became one of the league’s greatest Big Threes.
Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers (2012)
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At the time, it looked like a dream team: Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, and Dwight Howard in L.A. The four-team blockbuster sent Howard from Orlando to the Lakers with sky-high expectations. Instead, injuries, chemistry issues, and a disappointing first-round exit turned this into a nightmare.
Ray Allen to the Boston Celtics (2007)
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Boston’s championship run didn’t start with Kevin Garnett; it started with Ray Allen. On draft night, the Celtics traded for Allen, sending a package including the fifth overall pick to Seattle. Allen was one of the league’s best shooters at the time, but nobody realized how much he would change Boston’s future.
Tracy McGrady to the Houston Rockets (2004)
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The Rockets envisioned a deadly duo with McGrady and Yao Ming, and for a time, it worked. But injuries derailed what could have been. Meanwhile, Orlando struggled before eventually landing Dwight Howard in the draft. This trade remains one of those “what could have been” moments—both for the Magic and for Houston’s superstar experiment.
Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers (2021)
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The Lakers pulled the trigger on a trade with “boom or bust” written all over it. They sent Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and a first-round pick to Washington for Russell Westbrook. The idea was to form a super trio with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. In reality, it went down as one of L.A.’s biggest miscalculations.
James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets (2021)
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James Harden making his way out of Houston wasn’t a surprise, but the trade package Brooklyn put together to land him was jaw-dropping. The Nets went all-in and shipped out a mountain of draft picks and assets in a blockbuster deal involving four teams. Suddenly, Brooklyn had a superteam—Harden, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving.
Chris Paul to the Phoenix Suns (2020)
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The Suns made a stunning move when they acquired the veteran point guard from Oklahoma City. Chris Paul changed everything. Phoenix hadn’t made the playoffs in a decade before he arrived. They became contenders with him running the show and reached the NBA Finals in 2021.
Jrue Holiday to the Milwaukee Bucks (2020)
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The Bucks sent a haul of picks and players to the Pelicans in exchange for a guy often overlooked in superstar conversations. Jrue Holiday was the missing piece; his defense, clutch shot-making, and steady leadership helped deliver Milwaukee’s first NBA championship in 50 years.
Nikola vučević to the Chicago Bulls (2021)
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Orlando shipped off their best player, and Bulls fans were thrilled. Chicago gave up Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter, and two first-round picks to land Nikola Vučević, believing he’d help them become an instant playoff team. It didn’t quite work out as injuries, fit issues, and coaching struggles kept the Bulls from taking that big leap.
Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers (2019)
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This one felt like it came out of nowhere. One night, Kawhi Leonard was a free agent. The next morning, he was a Clipper because they had traded for Paul George. It was an all-in move that cost L.A. a historic haul: five first-round picks, two pick swaps, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Danilo Gallinari.