What did eventual NBA champions do at the trade deadline?
hoopshype staff
·3-min read
Jan 10, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The Boston Celtics bench in the final seconds of the game against the Sacramento Kings at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Sometimes it’s trading for a rotational piece. Other times it’s acquiring a legit starter. And other times still it was trading for heavily protected second-round picks that will never covey just to open up roster spots with which to attack the buyout market.
A lot of the time, however, it was doing nothing.
But every NBA trade deadline, all eyes point straight at the league’s top contenders to see what teams with championship aspirations are going to do to bolster their roster, if anything.
Just in the last six years, for example, four teams that went on to win championships those respective campaigns stood pat and didn’t do anything at the trade deadline.
The other two champions, though, picked up a top-notch starter – the Toronto Raptors trading for Marc Gasol at the 2018-19 trade deadline ring any bells? – and a key reserve – the Cleveland Cavaliers acquiring Channing Frye in 2015-16 – at the deadline, proving that champions can make franchise-altering moves midseason.
Below, check out what every eventual NBA champion from this century did at their respective trade deadlines.
Boston Celtics (2024)
Jun 17, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) lifts the trophy after winning the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Traded Lamar Stevens and two second-round draft picks to Memphis for Xavier Tillman.
Traded Dalano Banton and cash to Portland for a trade exception.
Traded a second-round draft pick to Philadelphia for Jaden Springer.
Denver Nuggets (2023)
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
As part of a four-team trade, Denver traded a 2024 second-round draft pick to Orlando, traded Davon Reed to the LA Lakers andBones Hyland to the LA Clippers; Denver received Thomas Bryant from the LA Lakers and also multiple trade exceptions.
Golden State Warriors (2022)
Jun 20, 2022; San Francisco, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (center) gestures as wife Ayesha Curry (left) and guard Damion Lee (right) stand during the Golden State Warriors championship parade in downtown San Francisco. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Nothing.
Milwaukee Bucks (2021)
Jul 22, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward P.J. Tucker (17) holds up a fist as the crowd cheers during the Bucks victory parade. Mandatory Credit: Ebony Cox/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Acquired forward PJ Tucker, forward Rodions Kurucs, a first-round pick and a second-round pick from the Houston Rockets for guard DJ Augustin, forward DJ Wilson and two first-round picks.
Traded forward Torrey Craig to Phoenix in exchange for cash considerations.
Los Angeles Lakers (2020)
Oct 11, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) holds up the MVP trophy after game six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena. The Los Angeles Lakers won 106-93 to win the series. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nothing.
Toronto Raptors (2019)
.
Traded CJ Miles, Jonas Valanciunas, Delon Wright and a 2024 second-round draft pick to Memphis for Marc Gasol; traded Greg Monroe and a 2021 second-round draft pick to Brooklyn for cash.
Golden State Warriors (2018)
Jun 8, 2018; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates with the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after beating the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Nothing.
Golden State Warriors (2017)
Jun 12, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates with the Larry O'Brien Trophy after beating the Cleveland Cavaliers in game five of the 2017 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nothing.
Cleveland Cavaliers (2016)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 19: James Jones #1, Channing Frye #9 and Richard Jefferson #24 of the Cleveland Cavaliers poses for a portrait after winning the NBA Championship against the Golden State Warriors during the 2016 NBA Finals Game Seven on June 19, 2016 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Traded Anderson Varejao and a 2018 first-round draft pick to Portland and Jared Cunningham to Orlando for Channing Frye; Portland traded a 2020 second-round draft pick to Orlando.
Golden State Warriors (2015)
Jun 19, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; General manager Bob Myers waves to the crowd during the Golden State Warriors 2015 championship celebration in downtown Oakland. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Nothing.
San Antonio Spurs (2014)
DENVER, CO - March 28: Austin Daye #23 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against the Denver Nuggets on March 28, 2014 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
Traded guard Nando De Colo to Toronto for forward Austin Daye.
Miami Heat (2013)
MIAMI, FL - JUNE 20: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat celebrates after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 95-88 to win Game Seven of the 2013 NBA Finals at AmericanAirlines Arena on June 20, 2013 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Traded Dexter Pittman, cash and a future second-round draft pick to Memphis for the draft rights to forward Ricky Sanchez.
Miami Heat (2012)
MIAMI, FL - JUNE 21: LeBron James #6 and Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat celebrate after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game Five of the 2012 NBA Finals to win the NBA Championship at American Airlines Arena on June 21, 2012 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2012 NBAE (Photo by David Alvarez/NBAE via Getty Images)
Nothing.
Dallas Mavericks (2011)
Dirk Nowitzki (C) of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates with teammates after winning the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat on June 12, 2011 at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida. Jason Terry scored 27 points and Nowitzki finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds as the Mavericks won 105-95 to take the best-of-seven championship series four-games-to-two to claim their first NBA championship in franchise history. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images)
Nothing.
Los Angeles Lakers (2010)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 21: The crowd is reflected in the championship trophy held by Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant as he rides in the victory parade for the the NBA basketball champion team on June 21, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers beat the Boston Celtics 87-79 in 7 games for the franchise's 16 NBA title. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
Nothing.
Los Angeles Lakers (2009)
Orlando, June 14: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers holds up the Larry O'Brien trophy and the MVP trophy after the Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic 99-86 in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals on June 14, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Traded center Chris Mihm to Memphis for a 2013 second-round pick.
Boston Celtics (2008)
Photo by Elsa/Getty Images
Nothing.
San Antonio Spurs (2007)
CLEVELAND - JUNE 14: (L-R) Bruce Bowen #12, Tim Duncan #21, Finals MVP Tony Parker #9 and Manu Ginobili #20 of the San Antonio Spurs pose for a photo with the Larry O'Brien Championship trophy after they won the 2007 NBA Championship with their 83-82 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Four of the NBA Finals at the Quicken Loans Arena on June 14, 2007 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images)
Nothing.
Miami Heat (2006)
MIAMI - JUNE 2: Derek Anderson #5 and Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat embrace after defeating the Detroit Pistons in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2006 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena on June 2, 2006 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2006 NBAE (Photo by Victor Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
Traded guard Gerald Fitch to Houston for guard Derek Anderson.
San Antonio Spurs (2005)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - JUNE 16: Nazr Mohammed #2 of the San Antonio Spurs tries to stop Antonio McDyess #24 of the Detroit Pistons in the second quarter in Game four of the 2005 NBA Finals at The Palace of Auburn Hills on June 16, 2005 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
Traded forward Malik Rose, a 2005 first-round pick and a 2006 first-round pick to New York for guard Jamison Brewer and center Nazr Mohammed.
Detroit Pistons (2004)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - JUNE 15: Rasheed Wallace #30 of the Detroit Pistons celebrates by kissing the Larry O'Brien NBA Championship trophy after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 100-87 in game five of the 2004 NBA Finals on June 15, 2004 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Traded guard Bob Sura, center Zeljko Rebraca and a 2004 first-round pick to Atlanta and guards Chucky Atkins and Lindsey Hunter and a 2004 first-round pick to Boston for guard Mike James and forward Rasheed Wallace.
San Antonio Spurs (2003)
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 6: Tim Duncan #21 (L) of the San Antonio Spurs talks to his head coach Gregg Popovich during a team practice on October 6, 2003 in Paris, France. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Copyright NBAE 2003 (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Nothing.
Los Angeles Lakers (2002)
Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant (L) and Shaquille O'Neal (R) celebrate in the locker room after game four of the NBA Finals against the New Jersey Nets at Continental Airlines Arena 12 June 2002 in East Rutherford, NJ. The Lakers won their third consecutive title by a score of 113-107 to sweep the best-of-seven series 4-0. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo by JEFF HAYNES / AFP) (Photo by JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)
Nothing.
Los Angeles Lakers (2001)
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers holds the championship trophy after winning game five of the NBA Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers 15 June, 2001 at First Union Center in Philadelphia, PA. The Los Angeles Lakers won the game 108-96 to win the best-of-seven game series 4-1. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo by STAN HONDA / AFP) (Photo by STAN HONDA/AFP via Getty Images)
