It feels like the NBA’s most landscape-shifting trades tend to come in the offseason when decision-makers have a moment to take a deep breath, fall into a deep depression about how much they dislike their team and ponder all of the wonderful possibilities to build a title contender. And, if you study the league’s history, it feels like that is often the case.
However, while in-season trades don’t often feel as intricate or groundbreaking, some deals take place between the start of the season and the NBA’s trade deadline that not only impact the season going on, but the seasons following it, as well.
With the Feb. 8 NBA trade deadline nearing, The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III, Mike Vorkunov and Fred Katz drafted the top 15 most impactful/consequential in-season trades of the last five seasons. The goal wasn’t necessarily to select the “biggest” one or the trade that involved the most star power, but instead examine the in-season trades that significantly benefited or hindered an organization, either in the short term, long term or both.
Each writer got five picks and selected an in-season trade dating back to the 2018-19 season. Below each deal is an explainer as to why it was selected.
Enjoy.
With the first overall pick, Team Edwards selects … (2020) The Golden State Warriors trade D’Angelo Russell, Jacob Evans III and Omari Spellman to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Andrew Wiggins and 2021 protected first- and second-round picks.
This trade — which happened right before the NBA’s 2020 trade deadline ended — played a massive role in Golden State getting back to the mountaintop. It directly impacted the NBA’s most recent dynasty grabbing its fourth title in eight years, which is huge for historical context.
Wiggins was more than solid during the 2022 season (he technically was an NBA All-Star!), but his performance in the Warriors’ 4-2 series win over the Boston Celtics to capture the championship was where this deal was won. Wiggins averaged 18.3 points and 8.8 rebounds during those six games, was good defensively and added a dynamic this Golden State team needed at that time.
Yes, the Warriors’ core was back healthy by this point, but the addition of Wiggins helped put them back in the NBA’s top spot.
With the second overall pick, Team Katz selects … (2022) The Sacramento Kings trade Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson to the Indiana Pacers for Domantas Sabonis, Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb and a 2023 second-round pick.
There’s something about trading for Sabonis that leaves everyone happy. In 2017, the Thunder flipped him and Victor Oladipo to the Pacers for Paul George in a deal that both teams would do 100 times over. Part of the reason why is because of what Indiana received back for Sabonis in 2022, when they dealt him to the Kings for Haliburton, a 20-something on his way to becoming the face of the league.
The deal was big for De’Aaron Fox, who became an All-Star for the first time in 2023 and catapulted Sacramento back to the playoffs for the first time in 16 years. Meanwhile, Indiana’s future is bright with Haliburton part of it. It’s the greatest win-win trade of the past half-decade.
With the third overall pick, Team Vorkunov selects … (2021) The Denver Nuggets acquire Aaron Gordon and Gary Clark from the Orlando Magic for R.J. Hampton, Gary Harris and a protected 2025 first-round pick.
The Nuggets became title contenders the moment this deal went through. It just took them a while to win the ring because of an injury to Jamal Murray, but Denver went up a level as soon as the team added Gordon in March 2021.
Gordon is a perfect fit in Denver. His skill set is everything the team needs, and he is an ideal running mate for Nikola Jokić. The Nuggets won their first title in large part thanks to Gordon. The price has also been minimal for the Nuggets so far, and the pick they convey to Orlando should be in the latter half of the first…
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