2012
38-year-old Steve Nash is traded from the Suns to the Lakers for two first round picks and two second round picks. Nash’s second stint with Phoenix had lasted eight seasons, and during that period he set the franchise records for assists, three-point field goals, and offensive win shares. The two-time MVP was a huge disappointment in Los Angeles, battling through various injuries and increasing ineffectiveness for two seasons before retiring.
1915
Ed Sadowski is born in Akron, Ohio. After graduating from Seton Hall, he started his pro basketball career with the Killian Celtics, an Akron-based independent team.
1934
NBA Rookie of the Year Woody Sauldsberry is born in Winnsboro, Louisiana.
1943
Clem Haskins is born in Campbellsville, Kentucky. He was the first Black player on the basketball team at the previously segregated Taylor High School and then the first Black athlete in any sport at Western Kentucky University.
1944
Lou Hudson is born in Greensboro, North Carolina. He was a four-sports star at James B. Dudley High School, also excelling in football, baseball, and track and field.
1956
Pat Cummings is born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He earned all-state honors while starring for Greater Johnstown High School.
1966
Rod Strickland is born in The Bronx, New York. He was inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.
1976
Eduardo Najera is born in Meoqui, Mexico. In 2000, he became the first Mexican-born player to be selected in the NBA Draft.
1977
Jamaal Wilkes signs as a free agent with the Lakers. His former team, the Warriors, are compensated with a first round pick and cash considerations. Wilkes later became a key component of Lakers title teams in 1980 and 1982.
2007
Rashard Lewis is traded from the SuperSonics to the Magic in exchange for a second round pick.
2012
Ray Allen signs as a free agent with the Heat. Allen had spent the prior five seasons with the Celtics.
Joe Johnson is traded from the Hawks to the Nets in exchange for Jordan Farmar, Anthony Morrow, Johan Petro, DeShawn Stevenson, Jordan Williams, a first round pick, and a second round pick.
2014
In a letter published in Sports Illustrated, LeBron James announces that he is leaving the Heat and returning to Cleveland. One day later he signs a free agent contract with the Cavaliers.
2016
Tim Duncan announces his retirement after 19 seasons in the NBA. At the time of his retirement, he is 14th in NBA history in scoring, sixth in rebounds, and fourth in blocks.
More on Trades and Free Agency
- Tough act to follow: 23 (mostly) forgotten NBA players who replaced departing legends
- Foundational pieces: 30 notable NBA expansion draft picks
- Immaculate Grid All-Stars: 10 notable NBA players who have played for 10 or more teams
- Don’t you forget about me: 80 basketball moments from the ’80s that changed the sport forever
- Avengers disassembled: 10 NBA “super teams” that fell short of expectations
- Testing the waters and creating a ripple: 15 free agency signings that changed the NBA
- Keep your bags packed: 15 legendary players who switched NBA teams twice or more in their prime
- Get in loser, we’re winning a title: Nine in-season free agent signees of NBA champs
- Second acts: 22 franchise legends who ended their career with a brief stop on an unfamiliar team
- Swapping with the enemy: Three times the Celtics and Lakers have traded players to each other
More on Tim Duncan
- Polymaths: 24 NBA players who also excelled in other sports
- Over the hill and on the court: 31 NBA players who stayed active into their 40s
- Better luck next time, kid: 19 greatest rookie performances that didn’t earn Rookie of the Year
- Class consciousness: Nine greatest NBA Draft classes of the lottery era (since 1985)
- Noms de plume: 75 greatest NBA and ABA player nicknames
- Gold standards: Ranking the 18 U.S. men’s Olympic basketball teams
- Hollow trophies: 14 early playoff exits by reigning league MVPs
- Fraudulent voting: 20 controversial NBA league MVP decisions
- March sadness: 28 greatest NCAA teams that fell short of reaching the Final Four
Basketball, Listed 