Ranking impact of all 6 NBA blockbuster trades from craziest offseason ever

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Ranking impact of all 6 NBA blockbuster trades from craziest offseason ever

Bailey Bassett, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Thu, Jul 2, 2026 ·

4 min read

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Ranking impact of all 6 NBA blockbuster trades from craziest offseason ever appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .

The 2026 NBA offseason has been the craziest in history. A blockbuster trade has been reported on a near-daily basis, the 2026 NBA Draft was considered one of the greatest classes ever, and there have already been some huge free agent signings . LeBron James ' free agent decision hasn't even been made yet, either.

The frequency of the blockbusters has been the most shocking part of this offseason, though, and each deal involving superstars has sent ripple effects through the entire league. So, of the six biggest trades so far, how do they rank in terms of league-wide impact?

6. Walker Kessler trade

Los Angeles Lakers receive:Walker Kessler

Utah Jazz receive:2031 and 2033 first-round picks, 2028 and 2030 first-round pick swaps

The Los Angeles Lakers underwent drastic changes this offseason. They signed Collin Sexton , Sandro Mamukelashvili , and Quentin Grimes in free agency while moving on from LeBron James, Marcus Smart , Luke Kennard , and most likely, Rui Hachimura . They also partook in a blockbuster trade for a center, and acquiring a high-level big man has been long overdue for the Lakers.

Los Angeles traded for Walker Kessler, who is one of the best shot blockers in the NBA, but a player who only suited up for five games last season. Theoretically, Kessler should be a perfect fit alongside Luka Doncic . The two should be deadly in the pick and roll, where Kessler will benefit from Doncic's lob-throwing and dump-off passing ability. The Lakers also needed someone to cover the backend because of Doncic and Austin Reaves ' lack of defensive prowess.

While the fit makes sense, the Lakers certainly paid the Jazz a pretty penny to make the deal happen. The Jazz were looking to contend this year, but considering they couldn't work out an extension with Kessler, they were smart to add so much draft capital. The two first-round picks won't come until Doncic is out of his prime, so this deal really extends Utah's contention window. The Jazz are young and talented, and now that they have plenty of future capital, they seem to be following the footsteps of the Oklahoma City Thunder in terms of roster building.

5. Ja Morant trade

Memphis Grizzlies receive: Jerami Grant , Kris Murray

Portland Trail Blazers receive: Ja Morant

It is possible that the Lakers-Jazz trade could have greater long-term implications than the Ja Morant trade , but this deal ranks higher because a change of scenery could get Morant back into superstar form. The former Memphis Grizzlies point guard looked like one of the future faces of the league when he earned two All-Star nods early in his career, but injuries and off-court issues have derailed his career as of recent.

Ultimately, Morant and the Grizzlies became so disgruntled with each other that Memphis was forced to trade him for next to nothing. It only took Jerami Grant and Kris Murray for the Portland Trail Blazers to land a potential star. Grant has become a solid player, but he isn't on a very team-friendly deal, and Murray is labeled a 3-and-D player but can't shoot the deep shot.

With this trade, the Grizzlies have officially moved on from an era, as they'd already previously traded Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane . The Trail Blazers, meanwhile, are changing the narrative on how to construct a roster while trying to take the next step forward into true contention. Morant's addition means that Portland is loaded with guards , as they've also got Jrue Holiday , Damian Lillard , Scoot Henderson , and Shaedon Sharpe . Perhaps the team will make another blockbuster to better balance out the roster.

4. Kawhi Leonard trade

Toronto Raptors receive: Kawhi Leonard

Los Angeles Clippers receive: Brandon Ingram , Gradey Dick , two first-round picks, two second-round picks, pick swap

The Toronto Raptors traded for Kawhi Leonard . The last time they did that, they were rewarded with an NBA Finals victory directly after. Leonard's return to Canada certainly improves the Raptors chances of winning it all again. However, this Leonard-centered trade is arguably riskier than it was the last time The Klaw was dealt.

Leonard is older and has had some major injury issues in recent years. A trade package of Brandon Ingram , Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and a swap option is also arguably a larger package than what was sent to the San Antonio Spurs back in the day. Even so, Leonard is still one of the best defensive players in NBA history and fresh off a great offensive season in which he scored 27.9 points per game. Reports have also suggested that he is willing to re-sign with the Raptors, whereas he left the team after one season during his last stint in Toronto.

This trade continues the Los Angeles Clippers recent trend of getting younger but remaining competitive. Ingram will pair with Darius Garland and ensure the Clippers don't plummet to the bottom of the Western Conference standings. Los Angeles received more draft capital in this deal than most would have guessed, too. The Leonard era in Los Angeles can officially be marked off as a failure, but his latest trade certainly has big implications on the league as a whole.

3. Jaylen Brown trade

Boston Celtics receive: Paul George , 2028 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick, two second-round picks

Philadelphia 76ers receive: Jaylen Brown

The latest blockbuster of the offseason, the Boston Celtics shocked the basketball world when they traded Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers . While it has been well-known that the former NBA Finals MVP was on the trading block, fans are shocked by how little Boston got back for their star.

The 76ers acquired Brown for just two first-round picks and a well-past-his-prime Paul George . One of those firsts could even become just a pick swap. Clearly, the Celtics relationship with Brown was past the point of no return because the team's trade return was greatly reduced from their initial asking price.

Boston was perennially a contender when deploying the duo of Brown and Tatum . Now, they are likely to take a major step back. The 76ers, meanwhile, have catapulted themselves into being the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. Brown is a perfect fit alongside Joel Embiid , V.J. Edgecombe , and Tyrese Maxey . The team's trade could even be enough to incentivize LeBron James to join forces with the Philadelphia team.

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo trade

Milwaukee Bucks receive: Tyler Herro , Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jacquez, Kasparas Jakucionis , 2026 first-round pick ( Nate Ament ), two future first-round picks, 2023 pick swap, 2033 second-round pick

Miami Heat receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo , Bobby Portis

The Celtics tried to trade Brown for Giannis Antetokounmpo before the Milwaukee Bucks agreed to the Miami Heat's offer . Miami's package made more sense, as it gives the team another All-Star, tons of depth, a couple of prospects, and a surplus of draft picks. Now, Milwaukee is in a great position to rebuild for the future.

The 13th overall pick the Bucks added was one of two lottery picks the team used in the 2026 NBA Draft. Nate Ament and Brayden Burries have tons of potential. Plus, Kasparas Jakucionis was a first-round pick just one year prior, and Kel'el Ware was selected 15th overall the year before that. Tyler Herro is an elite scoring guard, and Jaime Jacquez is a glue guy. Trading the best player in franchise history couldn't have been easy for the Bucks, but if there was a trade to accept, this was it.

In short, this trade is impactful because one of the best players in NBA history is moving from one team to another. The Heat now have a two-time MVP and physical specimen to pair with Bam Adebayo, who dropped 83 points in a game last season. Miami's depth looks to be questionable, but their elite duo is more than capable of carrying them to a championship.

1. LaMelo Ball trade

Charlotte Hornets receive: Naz Reid , 2033 first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps, three second-round picks

Chicago Bulls receive: Nic Claxton

Minnesota Timberwolves receive: LaMelo Ball , Josh Green , Mo Gueye, 2026 second-round pick ( Isaiah Evans )

Brooklyn Nets receive: Julius Randle , 2026 first-round pick ( Joshua Jefferson )

The deal that kicked of trade season saw the Minnesota Timberwolves send Julius Randle and their first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets. The Chicago Bulls took on Nic Claxton's contract in the trade, and Minnesota added just Mo Gueye and a second-rounder. It was a clear cap savings move for the Timberwolves that allowed them to re-sign Ayo Dosunmu. However, Minnesota made the most of their trade down, as they selected Isaiah Evans, arguably the biggest draft day steal in the 2026 class.

Randle will bring much-needed physicality to a young Nets team, as will Joshua Jefferson, who they added with the first-round pick. The team that had five first-round rookies on the roster last year is trying to improve their identity. Chicago was also smart to hop into this deal because they gave up almost nothing to add Claxton. The big man is one of the best defenders in the NBA, and now Chicago's roster is littered with length and athleticism.

Eventually, LaMelo Ball was also traded to the Timberwolves , and that deal was lumped into the Randle trade to make it a four-team transaction. Ball's style of play was critisized for not leading to winning with the Charlotte Hornets, but there is no denying his talent. Some viewed the trade as a huge flop for Minnesota, while others viewed it as a big win. ClutchPoints graded the deal as an A+ for Minnesota . The Timberwolves only had to give up one unprotected first-round pick, which won't transfer until 2033. Plus, it seems likely that none of the three swap options they gave up will ever convert.

The Timberwolves gave up fan-favorite Naz Reid to make the deal happen, but it was well worth it to create one of the best backcourts in the NBA with Ball teaming up with Anthony Edwards . Reid brings size to a Charlotte team that was desperately in need of center help. He is a unique big man capable of displaying an advanced handle and knocking down 3-pointers.

While Ball isn't the level of player that Brown or Antetokounmpo are, he is one of the biggest superstars in the NBA due to his fame dating back to his freshman year at Chino Hills. Ultimately, though, this trade ranks as more impactful on the NBA as a whole because four teams underwent drastic changes.

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