Top 10 Shocking NBA Trades Near the Deadline

The NBA trade deadline always brings blockbuster moves. Here are 10 of the biggest swaps to happen close to the deadline.

10

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9

[{"selector":"#anim-0c0cbe57-ebb3-45e6-9880-42f4900c8fc4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-00fc5fb5-c8a2-4766-9205-3fcabc2add51","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-522.72733%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-875071c5-1922-4b1d-927a-89fdb20d696e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-af26cc2c-8587-4b49-a01f-7d33b9360944","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.1593%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0b3f812a-2bac-4528-a8a4-1d1f4bc1348c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-20c12482-5ddb-4db5-8f4b-8bc0fc3543ee","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.04703%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d854a13c-3607-4109-b563-96c2a2bd2f82 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The Pelicans paired DeMarcus Cousins with Anthony Davis, forming a powerful frontcourt. Cousins averaged 25.2 points and 12.9 rebounds per game before an injury. IMG Source-X

8

[{"selector":"#anim-6dc3e1db-2f47-4e8b-a728-a66277797e25","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-71adcf57-5a67-468d-a900-b122cfb681b7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-522.72733%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5d2fbdbb-1e0d-4954-831d-aba02527fe80","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b6110257-beef-44af-8d63-46f2b297fd80","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.1593%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cc1eadaf-d310-4717-a765-c51d27e16750","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-814ea193-3c18-4f85-b298-fdafc2c45b0f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.04703%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a0948f1f-0435-4ab7-813d-348ffb5a5ab1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The Nets went for Deron Williams , one of the best point guards at the time. He averaged 16.6 points and 7.5 assists across four seasons with the team. IMG Source-X

7

[{"selector":"#anim-1a4e3c05-dfb4-4cd7-b12b-19d23843894d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-04f6f250-8b50-4afc-bcbc-792f976e2fa7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-522.72733%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-da7439bc-e915-4742-b691-026c25746303","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1571a6d4-d875-40d2-944a-78e4fa4697d3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.1593%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9f1b80db-554f-4953-92e7-3596abd51158","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7b4a5977-e633-47df-bacf-74836b9585a4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.04703%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ec6d3a14-d3c5-4472-b732-a167aad65825 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The Mavericks acquired Jason Kidd , who became a vital part of their 2011 NBA championship team. In his second stint with Dallas, he averaged 8.2 assists per game. IMG Source-X

6

[{"selector":"#anim-3b0c1766-3695-4e83-ab48-95419bd7fa5c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9d51d453-5dce-4198-ad0a-cb549dfc156d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-522.72733%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b2779b64-8a15-450c-851c-d0461bb3b678","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f13064ca-249b-4d9c-bfd0-ede8eebcc7fe","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.1593%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dbc87b91-5fcf-4285-91ac-1d03bdd21081","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d5ba6b24-f086-4499-9cc7-c6b0884f1d00","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.04703%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0093c694-80b6-41d4-b3d7-805c1986a22f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] James Harden went to the 76ers, forming an offensive duo with Joel Embiid. He led the league in assists in 2022-23 but was later traded again. IMG Source-X

5

[{"selector":"#anim-94747f12-d229-4277-be36-02c5c4e7c6fb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ba141328-40b7-4102-9da7-bab04202c3c4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-522.72733%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bb98caa3-15be-4481-8d5a-720a686f3a26","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b145aa96-bb68-48e2-8e0b-559be6bf33b0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.1593%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8b0980f4-722e-4cb7-a5f6-3a59d8863ed4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9a7febc6-cf80-4605-afa4-19772890ec87","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.04703%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-15995e7d-18d3-451a-a1cd-beabbdb434d9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Ray Allen was traded to Seattle, where he averaged 24.6 points per game. However, the SuperSonics made the playoffs only once with Allen. IMG Source-X

4

[{"selector":"#anim-835203ea-36b5-42d5-b213-80b18ccf6a9b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2d238db3-9ad8-4ab9-8f19-341a1d351a37","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-522.72733%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-43282c80-3dc2-48c1-aa22-ce070c40c9a2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7bd3c4f0-4458-44c0-bfea-c239a0fefe75","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.1593%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1cd063b1-10f8-46e0-901d-671e4f726bb6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8ea1fa24-88fe-4f15-872c-9ef8a6e17633","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.04703%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3d98a7aa-86dc-4a50-a15f-f5f9b7ae2639 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The Lakers traded for Pau Gasol , leading to back-to-back titles. Gasol averaged 17.7 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks over six seasons in Los Angeles. IMG Source-X

3

[{"selector":"#anim-511637dc-bcdc-4fa7-990a-3c2a4f3ea23f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e70a54ad-67fd-4f7f-a718-7dc41062e5aa","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-522.72733%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-13bea019-2d7b-47d3-8cd4-4ca7ae87afe1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-114dfe11-3e3b-4d78-89a5-4784c5cc8864","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.1593%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-97026234-5b9a-41ce-a597-4b9397062885","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8af04ca4-2d9f-4be2-8f8c-26e3eb4760f0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.04703%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-869c0008-e070-4158-a754-0b21cdf90496 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] It took three teams to get Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks. He led the NBA in scoring in 2012-13 but the Knicks missed the playoffs in his last four years with the team. IMG Source-X

2

[{"selector":"#anim-a43cb6af-49e8-450f-9717-ac6c37166b7d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6331df14-ca13-4693-8ae6-00aa22971d32","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-522.72733%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3bc5d071-dca4-4de2-b4f0-e76104727358","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2ce962cb-9c60-4110-8f2b-10f894e1f45d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.1593%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-35af20e8-1565-47aa-89b9-b7a613962b9d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-461d3ff7-f950-4f32-8743-5325f68b565c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.04703%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-acc790b9-0743-4174-881a-717c69fd64b9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The Suns made a huge move for Kevin Durant . He’s averaging 27 points per game with the Suns, though the team has yet to see the results it seeks. IMG Source-X

1

[{"selector":"#anim-21d1819c-9b1f-4402-8c26-d41fc08e41b7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-33c85b1e-2953-45ab-8090-70fb213b3a35","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-522.72733%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1791c466-c667-4cb9-a09a-151d33760147","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0d7b2b52-921a-4137-9eec-655030bdb407","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.1593%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-484b20f8-018e-4790-982f-fef9c4a02aa4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-01dd3189-5e39-44b4-b7f3-a1d2ac7802ab","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.04703%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7b5ef999-d718-4b40-9951-139fdc6fdeee [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] In a historic trade, the Lakers got Luka Dončić , considered one of the most prolific scorers in the league, while the Mavericks got Anthony Davis. IMG Source-X

Top 10 Shocking NBA Trades Near the Deadline

10

Miami Heat Acquire Goran Dragić (2015)

9

Pelicans Get DeMarcus Cousins (2017)

8

Nets Land Deron Williams (2011)

7

Mavericks Bring Back Jason Kidd (2008)

6

76ers Trade for James Harden (2022)

5

SuperSonics Acquire Ray Allen (2003)

4

Lakers Get Pau Gasol (2008)

3

Knicks Land Carmelo Anthony (2011)

2

Suns Acquire Kevin Durant (2023)

1

Lakers Shockingly Get Luka Dončić (2025)