Advertisement

What did eventual NBA champions do at the trade deadline?

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.

Denver Nuggets (2023)

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
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 and Bones Hyland to the LA Clippers; Denver received Thomas Bryant from the LA Lakers and also multiple trade exceptions.

Golden State Warriors (2022)

Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Nothing.

Milwaukee Bucks (2021)

Ebony Cox/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
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)

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Nothing.

Toronto Raptors (2019)

Golden State Warriors (2018)

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Nothing.

Golden State Warriors (2017)

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Nothing.

Cleveland Cavaliers (2016)

James Jones, Channing Frye and Richard Jefferson, Cleveland Cavaliers
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)

Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Nothing.

San Antonio Spurs (2014)

Austin Daye, Spurs
Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images

Traded guard Nando De Colo to Toronto for forward Austin Daye.

Miami Heat (2013)

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
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)

David Alvarez/NBAE via Getty Images
David Alvarez/NBAE via Getty Images

Nothing.

Dallas Mavericks (2011)

Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks, 2011 championship
MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images

Nothing.

Los Angeles Lakers (2010)

David McNew/Getty Images
David McNew/Getty Images

Nothing.

Los Angeles Lakers (2009)

Kobe Bryant, 2009 Finals MVP
Kobe Bryant, 2009 Finals MVP

Traded center Chris Mihm to Memphis for a 2013 second-round pick.

Boston Celtics (2008)

Sam Cassell
Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

Nothing.

San Antonio Spurs (2007)

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images

Nothing.

Miami Heat (2006)

Derek Anderson and Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
Victor Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images

Traded guard Gerald Fitch to Houston for guard Derek Anderson.

San Antonio Spurs (2005)

Brian Bahr/Getty Images
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)

Rasheed Wallace, Pistons 2004
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)

Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich, Spurs
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

Nothing.

Los Angeles Lakers (2002)

JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images
JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images

Nothing.

Los Angeles Lakers (2001)

STAN HONDA/AFP via Getty Images
STAN HONDA/AFP via Getty Images

Nothing.

Story originally appeared on HoopsHype