NBA Blockbuster Trades Since 2013: Successes, Failures, and Lessons Learned

A look at 14 major trades reveals why teams are hesitant to part with draft picks

Over the past decade, NBA teams have found themselves at the crossroads more times than a tourist in Times Square. Trading away a pile of first-round picks for a shiny, established star? That’s a roll of the dice that can make or break a franchise. When you dig into 14 of the league’s biggest trades since 2013, it’s clear why general managers are now clutching their draft picks like a kid with Halloween candy. Salary cap headaches and a mixed bag of results from past deals have made everyone a little more gun-shy.

This article takes you on a whirlwind tour of the most memorable deals from the last ten years. Remember 2013, when the Brooklyn Nets went all-in for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett? That move is now the poster child for “what not to do.” Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics turned those draft picks into Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown—two players who’ve become the beating heart of Boston basketball. Talk about turning lemons into lemonade.

But hey, sometimes the gamble pays off in spades. The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2019 blockbuster for Anthony Davis? That’s the stuff of Hollywood endings, with a championship banner to prove it. The Milwaukee Bucks’ 2020 trade for Jrue Holiday also gets a standing ovation, as it helped deliver a long-awaited title to Milwaukee.

Of course, not every star-studded deal turns into a fairy tale. The LA Clippers’ 2019 move for Paul George? Ouch. That one’s widely seen as a major flop, especially since Shai Gilgeous-Alexander—shipped out in the deal—has blossomed into an MVP-caliber player elsewhere. The Houston Rockets’ 2019 trade for Russell Westbrook and the Atlanta Hawks’ 2022 swing for Dejounte Murray? Both are filed under “minor headaches” rather than outright disasters, but they’re not exactly cause for celebration either. Russell Westbrook’s legacy keeps growing beyond those trades, highlighted by his recent milestone in becoming the NBA’s all-time rebounding leader among guards — a historic achievement that continues to reshape how his career is viewed. Read more: Russell Westbrook’s historic rebounding record

Some trades land somewhere in the middle—more of a polite golf clap than a standing ovation. The Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2022 pickup of Donovan Mitchell is seen as a minor success, while the Minnesota Timberwolves’ trade for Rudy Gobert that same year is considered a major win. Sometimes, you just need a solid double instead of swinging for the fences. That same superstar evaluation plays out every night in betting markets, where analysts are breaking down form and minutes in tonight’s NBA player prop picks featuring Westbrook, Garland, and Pritchard.

Full breakdown here: tonight’s NBA player prop picks featuring Westbrook, Garland, and Pritchard.

As for the latest blockbusters, the ink is barely dry. The New York Knicks’ 2024 deal for Mikal Bridges and the Orlando Magic’s future acquisition of Desmond Bane are still too fresh to call. The 2025 trade sending De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs? Early reviews say it’s at least a minor success, but as any NBA fan knows, the story’s never over until the final buzzer.

Crunching the numbers, the article finds that about 42 percent of these blockbuster trades are considered successes, while 58 percent land in the “could’ve been better” column. The average value of the traded draft picks? Think mid-to-late first-rounder—not exactly lottery gold, but not peanuts either. Of course, the true impact depends on how the chips fall.

But here’s the real kicker: it’s not just about losing draft picks. Teams often find themselves handcuffed by the massive contracts that come with star players, making it tough to tinker with the roster or add much-needed depth down the road. It’s like buying a sports car and realizing you can’t afford the gas.

Trading for a star can be a ticket to the promised land—a championship parade and confetti raining down. But it’s also a high-wire act with no safety net. For some of these recent trades, the jury’s still out. Only time will tell who ends up with the last laugh. And sometimes, the legends tied to these blockbuster eras find themselves back in the spotlight for very different reasons — including Jason Kidd’s first-quarter ejection after a dispute with referee Scott Foster.

Full story: Jason Kidd’s first-quarter ejection after a dispute with referee Scott Foster.