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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 9:36 PM
Every NBA team’s best trade in franchise history
Key Things to Know
  • Jack Simone evaluates the best trade in franchise history for every NBA team.
  • Historic draft-night deals selected include Boston landing Bill Russell and Chicago acquiring Scottie Pippen.
  • The writer selects Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975 as the top trade for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Jack Simone ranks and analyzes the single greatest trade in the franchise history of each NBA team in an alphabetical review. The list highlights historic transactions that landed iconic franchise legends, including the Boston Celtics acquiring Bill Russell in 1956, the Los Angeles Lakers trading for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975, and the Chicago Bulls acquiring Scottie Pippen on draft night in 1987.

Simone also identifies high-impact modern moves across the league, highlighting the Dallas Mavericks trading for Dirk Nowitzki in 1998, the Miami Heat adding Shaquille O'Neal in 2004, and the Indiana Pacers acquiring Tyrese Haliburton in 2022. The evaluations focus heavily on championship contributions, player caliber, and long-term franchise impact.

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