10 most shocking trades in NBA history ft. Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis
The Luka Doncic trade for Anthony Davis is one of the most shocking in NBA history. Let's take a look at the 10 most shocking NBA trades ever.
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Top 10 most shocking trades in NBA history after Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade
The Dallas Mavericks trading Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis is one of the most astounding moves in NBA history. ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news of the Mavericks trading Doncic to Los Angeles for Davis, sending the entire NBA world into a frenzy for the foreseeable future.
Never before has a team decided to trade a young MVP candidate who is about to enter the prime of his career, for a star of lesser magnitude, nearing the latter half of his career. As NBA fans continue to process the magnitude of one of the most shocking trades in NBA history, it begs the question – what have been some of the most shocking moves made in the trade or free agency market?
Over the last few years, the league has certainly seen a steep incline in player mobility, with superstars switching between teams, or requesting trades nearly every other offseason. This has prompted a number of shocking trades and signings in recent years, such as the unfathomable Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis trade made on Saturday.
However, the NBA has never been a stranger to such blockbuster deals, with superstars changing sides or teaming up ever since the leagues’s inception. With that said, let’s take a look at the 10 most shocking trades and/or signings that have taken fans by storm throughout NBA history.
1. LeBron James Joins the Miami Heat (2010)
No list of shocking moves in NBA history can ever start without ‘The Decision’. Widely regarded as one of the most unprecedented free-agency signings of all-time and one of the initiators of the era of player mobility, LeBron James’ decision to leave his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and sign with a powerhouse like the Miami Heat would be entirely unprecedented.
Announced during a televised special titled ‘The Decision,’ James’ move to team up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh formed a superstar trio that dominated the league. The manner of the announcement and the formation of a ‘superteam’ were groundbreaking at the time, leading to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances and two championships for the Heat.
2. Kevin Durant Signs with the Golden State Warriors (2016)
In terms of shock factor of a breaking news story, no other story has had the same impact as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski announcing that Kevin Durant would be joining with the 73-9 Golden State Warriors. In a move that sent shockwaves through the NBA, Durant left the Oklahoma City Thunder to sign with the Golden State Warriors in 2016.
The Warriors had just set a regular-season record with 73 wins and were already considered a powerhouse. KD’s decision to join a team that had eliminated his Thunder in the Western Conference Finals after being up 3-1 was as unbelievable as it was improbable. His addition resulted in two consecutive championships for the Warriors in 2017 and 2018.
3. Luka Doncic Traded to the Los Angeles Lakers (2025)
While it’s still a little early to entirely rate the outcome of the Luka Doncic trade for Anthony Davis, there is no question about the shock factor of the trade. Not only did the Dallas Mavericks trade one of a handful of untouchable superstars in the NBA, they did so by trading him to fellow conference opponents, the Los Angeles Lakers.
If this wasn’t enough, the context of the trade coming just 7 months after Doncic led the Mavs to the NBA Finals makes this a trade worthy of ending as the most unbelievable trade in NBA history. Time will tell what Mavs GM Nico Harrison was thinking while going through with this deal, but it does not seem like time will do much to favor the idea of trading a 25-year-old generational talent.
4. Shaquille O’Neal Signs with the Los Angeles Lakers (1996)
In the summer of 1996, all eyes were on the next destination of the most dominant player in the league –Shaquille O’Neal. Shaq made headlines that summer, by leaving the Orlando Magic to sign a seven-year, $120 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, a deal that would send ripples throughout the league.
This move was particularly shocking as O’Neal had led the Magic to the NBA Finals just a year prior and was considered the franchise’s cornerstone. Contract negotiations with Orlando had stalled, with the Magic initially offering $80 million, which led to O’Neal’s frustration and eventual departure.
His signing with the Lakers not only transformed the team’s fortunes but also paved the way for a dominant era alongside Kobe Bryant, resulting in three consecutive championships from 2000 to 2002.
5. LeBron James Returns to the Cleveland Cavaliers (2014)
History would repeat itself in 2014,, as LeBron James once again took center stage in the offseason by announcing that he would be taking his talents back to his hometown. After leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010 to join the Miami Heat, where he secured two NBA championships, LeBron James made a surprising and emotional return to Cleveland in 2014.
This decision was unexpected to saw the least, given the acrimonious nature of his departure and the Cavaliers’ struggles in his absence. James’ return was driven by a desire to bring a championship to his home state, a goal he achieved in 2016, delivering the Cavaliers’ first-ever NBA title – and also prompting Kevin Durant to the Warriors.
6. Shaquille O’Neal Traded to the Miami Heat (2004)
Just like LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal makes a double appearance on this list, with another move that would rock the NBA and alter the course of history. After a successful tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers, including three consecutive championships, O’Neal was traded to the Miami Heat in 2004.
The trade was surprising, given Shaq’s central role in the Lakers’ success, and it would have taken the top spot in this list for the biggest trade of all-time. However, there had been rumblings of the discontent between Shaq and Kobe Bryant for quite some time. After their 2004 NBA finals campaign, where the Lakers suffered an embarrasing loss to the Detroit Pistons, another history altering move was made.
Shaq would be traded by the Lakers front office to Miami. In exchange, the Lakers received Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, and a future first-round pick. O’Neal’s arrival in Miami had an immediate impact, leading the Heat to their first NBA championship in 2006.
7. Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen Traded to the Boston Celtics (2007)
In a series of moves that revitalized the Boston Celtics, the team acquired Kevin Garnett from the Minnesota Timberwolves and Ray Allen from the Seattle SuperSonics in 2007. These trades were unexpected, as the Celtics had been struggling in the preceding years, riding on the back of a young Paul Pierce.
The addition of Garnett and Allen, alongside Pierce, formed a formidable trio that led the Celtics to an NBA championship in 2008, their first in over two decades. However, this trade was unexpected for a number of reasons, including the future of the NBA. The formation of the the Celtics big three would trigger the ‘superteam’ era, eventually leading to LeBron James forming a big three in Miami.
8. Wilt Chamberlain Traded to the Los Angeles Lakers (1968)
Wilt Chamberlain was one of the greatest players to ever step foot on the hardwood, but his win column spoke a different language than his statistics. Although his stat sheet remains unmatched, for the most, Chamberlain was in search of a championship to solidify his career, and he would do so by heading to the Los Angeles Lakers in one of the first major offseason trades.
In 1968, the NBA landscape was shaken when the Philadelphia 76ers traded Wilt Chamberlain to the Los Angeles Lakers. Chamberlain was exchanged for Darrall Imhoff, Archie Clark, and Jerry Chambers, a return haul that would be infinitely unimpressive when put up against the numbers of Wilt The Stilt.
The trade was fairly surprising, given Chamberlain’s stature and the relatively modest return for the 76ers. His arrival in Los Angeles bolstered the Lakers’ lineup, leading to an NBA championship in 1972.
9. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George Join the Los Angeles Clippers (2019)
Looking back at more recent history, the Los Angeles Clippers pulled off what seemed like the ultimate move to define the future of the NBA when they swung for Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in the same night. In a stunning offseason move in 2019, Kawhi Leonard, fresh off an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors, signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Simultaneously, reports would emerge that the Clippers orchestrated a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder to acquire Paul George, sending shockwaves through the league. In a two-for-one type of acquisition, the Clippers landed two of the premier two way wings in the league within seconds of each other.
The acquisition of the two superstar players transformed the Clippers into immediate championship contenders, although this dominant pairing would bring forth minimal returns for the Clippers. In their five seasons together, the Clipper made the Western Conference Finals just once, with Leonard and George sitting out for a majority of their time together due to a number of piling injuries.
10. Charles Barkley Traded to the Phoenix Suns (1992)
Closing off the list is none other than the Round Mound of Rebound. In 1992, the Philadelphia 76ers traded Charles Barkley to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Jeff Hornacek, Tim Perry, and Andrew Lang. The trade had immense shock factor, as a win now trade request being put in by a star player was not something that was the norm in that era.
The trade was unexpected, as Barkley was the 76ers’ franchise player and had expressed a desire to compete for a championship. However, his feelings would change soon, and upon requesting a trade, he was dully shipped by the Sixers. His move to Phoenix rejuvenated his career, earning him an MVP award, and instantly leading the Suns to the NBA finals before falling short to Michael Jordan and the Bulls.
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Armaan Gupta
(390 Articles Published)