Image Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Top 5 Biggest Trade in NBA History

Doncic-Davis trade deal shocked the basketball world.

Image Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

NBA trade heats up with the highly anticipated trade of the season on Saturday night. The trade deadline approaches in few days and we have already got a blockbuster trade. Doncic-Davis trade deal shocked the basketball world. It will be a three-team deal involving Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz.

Let’s learn about the biggest trades in the NBA history:

1. Luka Doncic to Los Angeles Lakers – 2025

Dallas Mavericks traded their All-Star player, Luka Doncic to Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis and it become the biggest trade of the NBA history. As per reports, the Mavericks approached the Lakers for a potential deal as Luka Doncic was due for a super-max contract extension in the summer. Lakers were also looking for a franchise face and the 25-year-old guard is an ideal player, who can lead the team in post-LeBron James era.

BREAKING: The Dallas Mavericks are trading Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. Three-team deal that includes Utah.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 2, 2025

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2. Shaquille O’Neal to Miami Heat – 2004

Shaquille O’Neal’s move to Miami Heat is one of the most highlighted trades in the NBA history. O’Neal won three straight NBA Championships for the Lakers from 2000 to 2002. There was a rift rumor between Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal ahead of the 2004-05 season. Lakers went ahead with Kobe Bryant and O’Neal was traded to Miami Heat. 2004’s Christmas Day game also became NBA’s most popular game due to rivalry of Bryant and O’Neal. Shaq led Miami Heat to a maiden NBA Championship in 2006.

On this day in 2004, The Big Diesel was traded to the Heat.

When he got to Miami, Shaq promised the fans that he would bring them a championship.

He made good on his promise in 2006, winning the Heat their first title and collecting his fourth ring 🏆 pic.twitter.com/kNRraePCWM
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 14, 2020

3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Los Angeles Lakers – 1975

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s trade to Lakers in 1975 made everyone surprised. The 24-year-old Abdul-Jabbar guided the Milwaukee Bucks for their first-ever NBA Championship. The NBA superstar made a trade request and was sent to Los Angeles Lakers. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won five NBA titles in the 1980s.

4. Charles Barkley to Phoenix Suns – 1992

The basketball era in 1990s was completely ruled by Michael Jordan but no one can deny Charles Barkley’s contribution. He was one of the finest players in the NBA. Barkley was not happy in Philadelphia and made a trade request and was dealt to the Phoenix Suns in 1992. He guided the Suns to NBA Finals in 1993 and made Phoenix a Championship contender in his initial years. Charles Barkley was awarded the 1992-93 NBA MVP Award.

5. Wilt Chamberlain to Philadelphia 76ers – 1965

Do you know Wilt Chamberlain was traded twice in his career? Chamberlain was averaging more than 40 points in his previous six seasons before getting traded in 1965. He made the Warriors a Championship contender but he was still traded to the 76ers for Connie Dierking, Paul Neumann, Lee Shaffer and cash. It was NBA’s first biggest trade which was discussed a lot.

Image Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.