5 NBA Trade Deadline Deals to Get Teams to the Finals

The Nba trade deadline has come and gone. Every year in most of all sports, teams will try to acquire players to get their team to the next level and try to make a championship run. This year is no exception in the Nba. Some noteable trades in the past 48 hours have been Andre Iguodala and D'Angelo Russel changing teams. The Miami Heat traded away Justice Winslow, James Johnson (who was dealt again to Minnesota), and Dion Waiters to the Grizzlies for Andre Iguodala, Jae Crowder, and Solomon Hill. Also D'Angelo Russel, Omari Spellman, and Jacob Evans go to the Timberwolves in exchange for Andrew Wiggins and 2 future picks, one of them being top 3 protected. There were many trades today, but one I do not understand is Detroit trading Andre Drummond to the Cleveland Cavaliers for basically a bag of chips. In all seriousness, Detroit received Brandon Knight, John Henson, and a second round pick. Drummond goes from one losing team to another and in the same division, and he is one of the top centers in the league. We shall see what the future holds for these teams and other, but lets take a look back at some trades that got teams to the next level immediately.

In 2001 the Philadelphia 76ers made a trade with the Atlanta Hawks to get Allen Iverson and company a much needed big man. The 76ers were already atop the Eastern conference standings before the trade, thriving with Theo Ratliff. Dikembe Mutumbo is 4 inches taller and just a force at the center position. He helped propel the 76ers defense, and gave them a real shot to win an Nba championship. Unfortunately for Iverson, Mutumbo, and the 76ers they ran into an unstoppable force in Kobe, Shaq, and the Lakers. 76ers were able to steal one game in Los Angeles, but the Lakers took the next 4 games in a rather easy matchup.

Trade details 76ers get: Dikembe Mutumbo, Roshown McLeod

Hawks get: Theo Ratliff, Pepe Sanchez, Toni Kukoc, and Nazr Mohammed

In 2008 the Los Angeles Lakers made a trade for Pau Gasol in order to help Kobe make another title run. The Lakers had a good team with Kobe, Bynum, and Lamar Odom, but Pau Gasol took them to the next level. Marc Gasol, Pau's younger brother was able to really establish himself in Memphis and has had a great Nba career. 2008 was the year the Celtics were able to prevail over the Lakers to win a title. With Pau Gasol the Lakers transformed into a top contender and were able to win back to back championships, and appear 3 years in a row.

Trade details Lakers get: Pau Gasol, second round draft picl

Grizzlies get: Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, 2 first round picks, and rights to Marc Gasol

In a rare trade deadline deal the San Antonio Spurs acquired Nazr Mohammed from the Knicks in 2005. The Spurs were running 6'7" Malik Rose as starting center for the 2004-2005 season, and Nazr Mohammed was a huge upgrade as the two were traded for each other. Nazr Mohammed a legitimate 7 footer and offered a lot more than Malik Rose could. He helped Tim Duncan and the Spurs get their 3rd championship that season. A good scorer inside and a decent defender, and that was enough to solidify a solid title run for the Spurs.

Trade details Spurs get: Nazr Mohammed, and Jamison Brewer

Knicks get: Malik Rose, and 2 first round picks

In 2004 the Detroit Pistons were among the top teams in the East and were looking for one more piece to go along with their unusual core. A team led by Chauncey Billups, Ben Wallace, Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince. Not having a major star looked a little odd, but Detroit did not care about all that. They had an outstanding coach in Larry Brown and adding Rasheed Wallace was a little risky with his known attitude problems. Detroit took the risk with Wallace, and it certainly paid off as they were able to the dethrone the Los Angeles Lakers who were looking to win their 4th championship in a row. The Lakers were a huge favorite to win the title, but Detroit simply outplayed the Lakers who were trying to get Gary Payton and Karl Malone their first championships at the time. Solid trade deadline pickup for the Pistons.

Trade details Pistons get: Rasheed Wallace, Mike James

Hawks get: Chris Mills, Zeljko Rebraca, Bob Sura, 2004 first round pick

Celtics get: Chucky Atkins, Linsey Hunter, 2004 first round pick

In 1995 the Houston Rockets made a trade to acquire Clyde Drexler to try and get them back to another championship run. With Michael Jordan in another league playing baseball, the Rockets wanted to make it back to the promise land. Clyde Drexler was able to prevail and help Hakeem, and the Rockets win back to back championships. The Rockets had a solid team, and were coming off winning an Nba title. The trade for Drexler turned out to really solidify Houston into winning another Nba title, as they paired Clyde Drexler with one of the all time great centers to ever play the game.

Trade details: Rockets get: Clyde Drexler, Tracy Murray

Trailblazers get: Otis Thorpe, Marcelo Nicola, 1995 first round draft pick