In the world of the NBA, a single player can dramatically influence a team’s fortunes. This is why trades featuring star players can have significant implications.

Adding a crucial player can transform a solid team into a championship contender, sometimes leading to multiple title wins. However, there are instances where a major trade doesn’t deliver, leaving the team in a worse position.

With the recent blockbuster exchange sending Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers and Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks, let’s highlight some of the most notable trades in NBA history.

Wilt Chamberlain’s Move to the Sixers (1965)

When discussing size, Wilt Chamberlain stands out at 7 feet 1 inch and weighing 275 pounds.

Known as “The Big Dipper,” Chamberlain was the leading scorer in his first five seasons with the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors. After the franchise relocated to the West Coast, he returned home during the 1964-65 season, being traded to a struggling team formerly known as the Syracuse Nationals for Connie Dierking, Paul Neumann, Lee Shaffer, and some cash.

Back in Philadelphia, Chamberlain evolved from a scoring leader to an NBA champion within two years, as the Sixers triumphed over his former team, the Warriors, in the 1967 NBA Finals. During his three years with the 76ers, he clinched three MVP awards.

In 1968, he was traded again in a major deal to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he secured a second NBA championship.

Oscar Robertson’s Trade to the Bucks (1970)

Oscar Robertson, a pioneer of the triple-double before it gained mainstream recognition, was an NBA All-Star for his first decade with the Cincinnati Royals.

In 1970, at 31, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks for Charlie Paulk and Flynn Robinson.

In his inaugural season, Robertson steered the young Bucks to the league’s top record, leading them to a sweep of the Baltimore Bullets in the 1971 NBA Finals.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Joins the Lakers (1975)

On that 1970-71 championship Bucks squad, there was also a young center named Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), who was starting to showcase his NBA dominance.

Although the Bucks topped their division during the four years Kareem and “The Big O” played together, they couldn’t return to the Finals. Consequently, in 1975, Milwaukee traded Abdul-Jabbar and Walt Wesley to the struggling Los Angeles Lakers for Junior Bridgeman, Dave Meyers, Elmore Smith, and Brian Winters.

Abdul-Jabbar was honored as NBA MVP in his first two seasons in Los Angeles, helping the Lakers improve. Following a 40-42 record in his first year, the Lakers consistently made the playoffs for the next 13 seasons, winning five NBA championships.

Charles Barkley Transfers to the Suns (1992)

Charles Barkley, a six-time All-Star with a number of MVP finishes with the Philadelphia 76ers, was traded to the Phoenix Suns in 1992 in exchange for Jeff Hornacek, Andrew Lang, and Tim Perry.

After being part of the USA’s gold medal-winning “Dream Team” at the Barcelona Olympics, Barkley made a big impact in Phoenix, driving the Suns to the best record in the NBA and capturing league MVP honors.

Despite this, Barkley lost in the Finals to fellow Dream Teamer Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. He remained an All-Star during his four seasons in Phoenix but never secured that coveted championship ring.

Shaquille O’Neal’s Move to the Heat (2004)

Shaquille O’Neal was the most formidable big man in the NBA at the dawn of the 21st century, winning three consecutive NBA titles while being named Finals MVP each time.

However, following the Lakers’ defeat to the Detroit Pistons in the 2004 Finals, both O’Neal and coach Phil Jackson parted ways. The Lakers traded Shaq to the Miami Heat for Caron Butler, Brian Grant, Lamar Odom, a first-round draft pick in 2006, and a second-round pick in 2007.

In his first season with Miami, the Heat again lost to the Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals, but they bounced back the following year, advancing to the 2006 NBA Finals and defeating the Dallas Mavericks for the championship.

Carmelo Anthony Comes Home to Knicks (2011)

Originally from Brooklyn, Carmelo Anthony marked his return after playing his first seven seasons with the Denver Nuggets.

In a midseason three-team trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves, Anthony joined the New York Knicks alongside Renaldo Balkman, Chauncey Billups, Anthony Carter, Shelden Williams, and a first-round draft pick for 2016.

With the Knicks, Anthony enjoyed six consecutive All-Star seasons, leading the NBA in scoring during the 2012-13 season and finishing third in MVP voting. Although the impact of the other players in the deal was minimal, one of the draft picks acquired by the Nuggets became guard Jamal Murray, a key player in their 2023 championship win.

Paul George’s Trade to the Clippers (2019)

The Los Angeles Clippers made a daring move to enhance their championship aspirations by trading for six-time All-Star forward Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder at a significant price – sending Danilo Gallinari, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, three first-round draft picks, and two more pick swaps.

By acquiring George, the Clippers also managed to lure star free agent Kawhi Leonard, making the hefty cost seem somewhat justified. However, despite the star power of Leonard and George, the Clippers reached the conference finals only once together.

Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander has emerged as one of the league’s elite players, receiving top-five MVP votes in the past two seasons.

Anthony Davis Transfers to the Lakers (2019)

Just before the 2019 NBA draft, the New Orleans Pelicans finalized a trade for their unhappy star Anthony Davis. After the Pelicans won the draft lottery for the No. 1 overall pick, a swift agreement with the Los Angeles Lakers was made.

New Orleans received three players – Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart – along with three first-round draft picks (one being a swap). The Lakers went on to claim the NBA title in 2020 during Davis’s first year with the team.

James Harden Joins the Nets (2021)

In a massive four-team trade, three-time scoring champion and 2018 MVP James Harden joined the Brooklyn Nets in the middle of the 2020-21 season. The Nets, having acquired Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in the previous offseason, believed Harden would complete their “Big Three” for a championship run.

To complete the deal, the Nets relinquished Rodions Kurucs and three first-round picks to the Houston Rockets, along with several draft pick swaps. Additionally, they traded Caris LeVert and two second-round picks to the Indiana Pacers, and sent Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The trade proved to be a failure, leading to a second-round playoff exit and Harden being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers midway through the following season.

Kevin Durant’s Move to the Suns (2023)

After the Phoenix Suns faced disappointments following their loss in the 2021 NBA Finals and an exit in the second round despite having the best regular-season record, the acquisition of All-Star forward Kevin Durant midway through the season was seen as the key to their success.

In a complex four-team trade involving the Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, and Indiana Pacers, the 34-year-old Durant was transferred to Phoenix in a substantial swap of players and draft picks (some of which are still pending).

Even with Durant joining the team, the Suns fell in the second round of the playoffs during that season and were eliminated in the first round the following year.