1) Lakers acquire Mychal Thompson from Spurs for Frank Brickowski, Petur Gudmondsson, a first round pick, and a second round pick (1987)

With Thompson, Kareem, Magic Johnson, and James Worthy on the roster, the ’86-’87 Lakers became the first team in NBA history to field four #1 overall picks. It was a major role shift for Thompson, who spent his first seven seasons as Portland’s starting center and was now tasked with backing up Abdul-Jabbar. His playing time and output were inconsistent in the regular season but Thompson did prove invaluable in an NBA Finals rematch with the Celtics. He was the Lakers’ leading bench scorer in that series, with 11.2 points per game, while grabbing 5.2 rebounds per game and applying some needed defensive muscle. Though he was born in the Bahamas, raised in Miami, and played college ball at Minnesota, Thompson supposedly had always dreamed of playing for the Lakers and hung around until 1991, playing in three additional Finals and winning a second title.

2) As part of a three-team trade with Magic and Trail Blazers, Cavaliers acquire Channing Frye for Anderson Varejao, Jared Cunningham, and a first round pick (2016)

After a NBA Finals loss in 2015, the Cavaliers made a series of bold moves in the ensuing regular season, starting with an in-season firing of coach David Blatt. Cleveland then traded the highly popular Varejao, a fan favorite for his frenetic style, constant motor, and signature “Sideshow Bob” hair style. But the Brazilian center also struggled with frequent injuries, including an Achilles’ tear that left him sidelined during those 2015 Finals. He was also increasingly dispensable due to the emergence of Tristan Thompson. The trade brought in Frye, whose ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting proved valuable in Cleveland’s 2016 title run. Varejao was waived by the Trail Blazers and signed soon after with the Warriors. After losing to his former Cavs teammates in the 2016 NBA Finals, Varejao did finally get a title ring in 2017 to cap his NBA career.

3) Spurs acquire Nazr Mohammed and Jamison Brewer from Knicks for Malik Rose and two first round picks (2005)

David Robinson’s 2003 retirement left a void at the center position for the Spurs. Exhibit A was Rasho Nesterovic’s almost invisible performance in a 2004 second round loss to the Lakers. The dire situation forced San Antonio to make a rare deadline trade, and a risky move at that, sending Rose and two picks to the Knicks for Mohammed. This was Mohammed’s third deadline trade in a five year stretch and the young center was potentially damaged goods. But the “Spurs Way” was the right way again, with Mohammed’s defense proving vital to the third title of the Duncan era. This was also notable as a rare shrewd move by Knicks vice president Isiah Thomas, who eventually turned one of those draft picks into David Lee (he also wasted the other pick on Mardy Collins, which is important to note before we go too crazy praising Thomas’ decision-making).

4) Pistons acquire Mark Aguirre from Mavericks for Adrian Dantley and a first round pick (1989)

Maybe the most famous deadline trade in league history and maybe the most surprising, especially to Dantley himself. Brought in just three years prior as the purported final piece of a Pistons championship puzzle, Dantley was the leading scorer in their 1988 NBA Finals loss to the Lakers. Many of his Detroit teammates were equally shocked, especially a young Joe Dumars who considered Dantley a mentor. Plus, Aguirre was hardly an unassailable bet, having supposedly alienated everyone in the Mavericks organization. Fingers were pointed at Isiah Thomas, Aguirre’s childhood friend who was gaining a reputation as having undue influence on Detroit’s personnel decisions. Then, after all the Sturm und Drang, it worked out just fine for Detroit. Aguirre became a key component of back-to-back titles while a suddenly broken-down Dantley was retired just two years later.

5) 76ers acquire Clemon Johnson and a third round pick from Pacers for Russ Schoene, a first round pick, and a second round pick (1983)

Even with the indefatigable Moses Malone in the midst of his second consecutive MVP season, the 76ers had concerns about the center position in ’82-’83. Earl “The Twirl” Cureton was undersized at 6’9″ while rookie Mark McNamara was struggling to adjust to NBA play. An early February loss to the Trail Blazers and their stalwart front court clinched it for Sixers general manager Pat Williams, who sent the young Schoene to the Pacers in exchange for the veteran Johnson. Upon being traded from the league’s worst team to one of the greatest in NBA history, Johnson remarked it was like going “from an outhouse to the White House.” He took advantage of the opportunity, putting in useful minutes off the bench as the Sixers cruised to the NBA title. The young, talented Schoene lasted just 31 games with the Pacers before a back injury waylaid his career.

6) As part of a three-team trade with Hawks and Celtics, Pistons acquire Rasheed Wallace and Mike James for Bob Sura, Lindsey Hunter, Chucky Atkins, Zeljko Rebraca, and two first round picks (2004)

As the 2004 trade deadline approached, everyone knew that the Blazers needed to be blown up and rebuilt from scratch, and everyone sensed the Pistons were a solid veteran big man away from being a title contender. Wallace had been languishing in the final vestiges of the “Jail Blazers” era until getting traded to the Hawks in early February. Also in rebuilding mode, Atlanta immediately searched for a suitor for Wallace. In a complex trade that included three teams, seven players, and two first round picks, Wallace joined the Pistons. Giving up veteran guards Atkins and Hunter was risky for Detroit, but the latter was back on the roster a week later after the Celtics waived him. Wallace made an immediate impact as the Pistons upset the Lakers in the 2004 NBA Finals. The Hawks and Celtics did well with their acquired draft picks, using them on Josh Smith and Tony Allen, respectively.

7) Lakers acquire Mark Landsberger from Bulls for Oliver Mack and two second round picks (1980)

The Lakers didn’t necessarily require front court depth for their 1980 playoffs run, but they got some anyway and it paid off. The 24-year-old Landsberger had a solid ’78-’79 season with the Bulls but was subsequently bumped down the depth chart by the acquisition of veterans Dennis Awtry and Coby Dietrick. Los Angeles gave up next to nothing in return. Mack was a second round pick but was undersized for a shooting guard and barely playing, while second round picks were inconsequential even back then. Landsberger became increasingly relied on in the postseason after the Lakers suspended Spencer Haywood indefinitely. He ultimately stayed with L.A. for three seasons, winning two titles. He also got to play a part in one of the most legendary highlights in NBA history, as the poor sap trying to defend Julius Erving’s incredible sweeping reverse layup during the 1980 Finals.

8) Rockets acquire Clyde Drexler and Tracy Murray from Trail Blazers for Otis Thorpe and a first round pick (1995)

Drexler’s chances at winning a title were looking increasingly dire circa February 1995. After NBA Finals losses in 1990 and 1992, the Blazers had been knocked out of the postseason first round the last two seasons and were looking like a franchise in need of a rebuild. Meanwhile, the defending champion Rockets were dealing with two proverbial flies in their ointment, disgruntled starters Vernon Maxwell and Thorpe. The elegant solution for all involved parties was power forward Thorpe getting traded to the Trail Blazers for the shooting guard Drexler, and the shooting guard Maxwell getting traded to the Nets for the power forward Jayson Williams. When the latter fell through, the Rockets had their man in Drexler but also a back court logjam and a lack of front court depth. They struggled down the stretch of the season but did stumble on some solutions, with Robert Horry shifted to power forward, Charles Jones signed for depth, and Maxwell suspended indefinitely. Despite entering the playoffs as the #6 seed, the Rockets prevailed as underdogs to win a second consecutive title.