Many experts in the NBA believe this offseason to be one of the craziest in history. With plenty of big names potentially on the market, we might be heading into a crazy draft night. With that in mind, let’s revisit some of the craziest draft night trades.
Top 10 Craziest Draft Night Trades in NBA History
Often, these crazy draft night trades set one team up for success while the other loses in a big way. Yes, sometimes we get an equal trade. But often, things turn out amazingly for one of the teams involved. Let’s take a look at the crazy trades in no particular order.
Magic And Warriors Swap Picks in 1993
This was the trade that built Penny and Shaq, with the Orlando Magic acquiring the rights to draft Penny Hardaway. They already had Shaquille O’Neal on their roster. In addition to Penny, the Magic got three more first-round picks in 1996, ’98, and 2000. One of them was used to draft Vince Carter, but not by the Magic. The Golden State Warriors selected Chris Webber with the first overall pick. He went on to have a Hall of Fame career but played only one season for the Warriors.
Hawks and Mavericks Swap Stars in 2018
With the latest trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks involving Luka Doncic, the Atlanta Hawks fans can relax. They are no longer the team that made the mistake of trading Doncic. During the 2018 draft, the Hawks and Mavs swapped picks, with Atlanta receiving a future first for the trade. They drafted Trae Young, who is now in trade rumors. Both players have turned out great, but Luka is a perennial MVP candidate, while Young is a perennial All-Star snub.
Phoenix Suns Help the Celtics Win a Championship
During the 2006 NBA draft, the Phoenix Suns had the 21st pick and used it to select Rajon Rondo. But, they traded the rights to Boston for cash and a future first-round pick, which they also traded for more cash. Rondo would go on to play an instrumental role in the Celtics’ championship in 2008. He also helped them make the Finals in 2010. All the Suns got from the trade was cash.
Mavericks Build the Seven Seconds or Less Suns
In the 1998 draft, the Mavericks traded Pat Garrity, Martin Muursepp , Bubba Wells, and a 1999 first-round pick that became Shawn Marion to the Phoenix Suns for Steve Nash. The irony is that Nash eventually wound up in Phoenix, where he won two regular season MVP awards and was the engine that ran the “Seven Seconds or Less” Suns teams. During his time in Dallas, Nash brought the best out of Dirk Nowitzki, but they didn’t win much together.
The Celtics Trick the 76ers
The 2017 NBA draft will go down as a great example of Danny Ainge’s genius. The Boston Celtics had the first overall pick. Knowing the Philadelphia 76ers were hot for Markelle Fultz, the top collegiate prospect, the Celtics traded the first pick for the third and a future first.
The trick is that the Celtics wanted Jayson Tatum all along. They only played the Sixers that they might draft Fultz so they could extract a future first and get their guy. Tatum turned the Celtics into a perennial playoff team, while Fultz is now one of the biggest busts as a No.1 overall pick.
Utah Gets Their Point Guard
During the 2005 draft night, the Utah Jazz sent picks No. 6 and 27, plus a future first-rounder, for the No. 3 pick. They used that pick to select Deron Williams, who had his best days in Utah. He led the Jazz to the Conference Finals in his second season. The Jazz landed him at the right time and then traded him at the right time to the Nets.
The Celtics Build a Dynasty With A Single Move
The Celtics were one of the most successful teams in the 1980s. They had a big three of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish. They got two of those players in the same draft. Nowadays, it is considered one of the craziest draft night trades in NBA history. The Celtics got draft rights to McHale and Parish, while the Warriors got Joe Barry Carroll and Rickey Brown. It is yet another example of how the Celtics traded their first overall pick to build a dynasty. Years later, Danny Ainge will do the same. But in 1980, it was Red Auerbach who traded the No. 1 and No. 13 picks for McHale and Parish.
Spurs Steal Kawhi Leonard
In the early 2010s, the Indiana Pacers were rising. They had a decent team and believed they could go higher if they got a veteran point guard. Enter the San Antonio Spurs, who were willing to give them George Hill. Paul George was fresh off a stellar sophomore year, and the Pacers thought they were ready to contend. So, they traded the No.15 pick in the 2011 draft, which turned out to be Kawhi Leonard, Davis Bertans, and Erazem Lorbek for George.
While the Pacers made the Conference Finals, they never got to the Finals with that roster. LeBron James and the Heatles stood in their way. On the other side, Kawhi helped the Spurs make the Finals in two consecutive years and was the Finals MVP in 2014.
Lakers Get Their Icon
It is easy to judge the Charlotte Hornets after so many years. But nobody believed Kobe Bryant would be the star he was. He was one of the early success stories of players coming out of high school. Charlotte never intended to draft him and play him. They drafted him with the intention to trade him to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1996 draft. In return, they got Vlade Divac, who would eventually wound up on the Kings. Meanwhile, Kobe became one of the greatest players ever.
Bill Russell to the Celtics
Some might say that the Atlanta Hawks got a championship out of this trade. But the Boston Celtics got 11 championships with Bill Russell as their main guy. During the 1956 draft, the Celtics acquired the draft rights to Russell for Cliff Hagan and Ed Macauley. Hagan helped the St. Louis Hawks win the 1958 NBA championship and made the All-Star team six times. He was a Hall of Fame player, but nothing compares to Bill Russell.
© Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The post Top 10 Craziest Draft Night Trades in NBA History appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.