The 8 Greatest Trades That Almost Happened

TLDRA look at the top eight NBA trades that almost happened, including potential super teams and missed opportunities.

Key insights

💣The New York Knicks declined a trade that would have brought Kevin Durant to the team, potentially creating a super team.

🤝The Milwaukee Bucks refused a trade that would have sent Steph Curry to the team, missing out on a powerhouse duo with Giannis Antetokounmpo.

🐍The Cleveland Cavaliers tried to trade Kobe Bryant for LeBron James, but the deal fell through, denying the chance of a historic partnership.

🔥The Los Angeles Clippers missed the opportunity to acquire Michael Jordan, which could have made them a dominant team in the NBA.

🚀The Los Angeles Lakers had a trade for Chris Paul vetoed by the commissioner, preventing the formation of a superteam with Kobe Bryant.

Q&A

Why did these trades not happen?

Various reasons such as concerns about injuries, disagreements on player evaluations, and financial considerations led to the deals falling through.

How would these trades have changed NBA history?

These trades had the potential to create dominant teams, impact championship outcomes, and change the trajectories of players' careers.

Who were the winners and losers?

The winners and losers varied for each trade, with some teams missing out on star players and others benefiting from the deals not happening.

Which trade had the biggest impact on the NBA?

The trade involving Chris Paul and the Los Angeles Lakers being vetoed by the commissioner is widely regarded as one of the biggest what-ifs in NBA history.

Are there any other notable trades that almost happened?

Yes, there are countless trade scenarios that were discussed but never materialized, making for interesting speculation and hypothetical situations.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Introduction to the top eight NBA trades that almost happened.

00:11The New York Knicks declined a trade for Kevin Durant, potentially missing out on a championship-caliber team.

02:10The Milwaukee Bucks refused a trade for Steph Curry, depriving them of a powerful duo with Giannis Antetokounmpo.

04:54The Cleveland Cavaliers attempted to trade Kobe Bryant for LeBron James, but the deal fell apart, altering NBA history.

06:33The Los Angeles Clippers missed the opportunity to acquire Michael Jordan and build a dominant team.

08:15The Los Angeles Lakers had a trade for Chris Paul vetoed, leaving fans wondering what could have been.

10:14Discussion of other notable NBA trades that almost happened and the impact they could have had.

11:23Closing thoughts on the top eight NBA trades that almost happened and their significance.