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Every NBA team’s best trade in franchise history

Trades shape the NBA, and every team has won their fair share of deals.

Published: Monday, 5 October 2026 at 9:28 PM
Every NBA team’s best trade in franchise history
Key Things to Know
  • Jack Simone ranks the best trades in franchise history across NBA teams.
  • The writer selects Bill Russell in 1956 and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975 as historic franchise-defining trades.
  • Draft-day moves for Scottie Pippen in 1987 and Dirk Nowitzki in 1998 are cited among the top selections.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Writer Jack Simone outlines the best trades in franchise history for NBA teams in an alphabetical breakdown. The selections evaluate past blockbuster acquisitions and draft-day trades that significantly reshaped organizations, highlighting key transactions that led to championships or secured franchise cornerstones.

Among the featured moves, Simone highlights the Boston Celtics acquiring Bill Russell in 1956, the Los Angeles Lakers landing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975, and the Chicago Bulls trading for Scottie Pippen in 1987. Other listed moves include Dallas trading for Dirk Nowitzki and Miami acquiring Shaquille O'Neal.

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