3 best midseason trades that helped win an NBA championship: Rasheed Wallace to Detroit, Rockets get Clyde Drexler, and more
The NBA trade deadline is fast approaching and teams could be making their biggest decisions of the season. In the past, some teams have made midseason trades that helped them win a championship immediately.
The Milwaukee Bucks have been linked with Jae Crowder, who could prove to be a difference maker in the postseason. The Denver Nuggets, on the other hand, are shopping Bones Hyland in preparation for a deep playoff run.
Let's take a look at the three best midseason trades that helped win an NBA championship.
Honorable Mention: LA Lakers acquire Mychal Thompson in 1987
The LA Lakers acquired Mychal Thompson from the San Antonio Spurs in February 1987. The Lakers were looking for a reliable backup to the aging Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Thompson proved vital to the team's championship win that season.
In Game 6 of the NBA Finals, Thompson had 15 points and nine rebounds in 37 minutes against the Boston Celtics. He was also Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's backup in their 1988 championship win over the Detroit Pistons.
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3 best midseason trades that helped win an NBA championship
#3. Mark Aguirre to the Detroit Pistons in 1989
The Detroit Pistons were close to winning their first NBA championship in 1988, but came up short against the LA Lakers. Heading into next season, the Pistons basically still have the same roster.
However, the front office felt that they needed to make some changes midway through the season. The Pistons traded Adrian Dantley, who was having problems with Isiah Thomas and Chuck Daly, to the Dallas Mavericks for Mark Aguirre.
Aguirre helped the Pistons win their first championship in 1989 by taking on a role he was not accustomed to. He played fewer minutes and took fewer shots, but was still an important part of the team. He's also a part of the Pistons team that won the title in 1990.
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#2. Clyde Drexler to the Houston Rockets in 1995
Clyde Drexler was already one of the best players in NBA history when the Houston Rockets acquired him from the Portland Trail Blazers in 1995. The Rockets were the defending champions, but were struggling to even make the playoffs.
Drexler helped the Rockets stay afloat for the rest of the regular season long enough to make the playoffs. Houston was the sixth seed in the Western Conference, but had one of the greatest championship runs in history by winning their second straight title.
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#1. Rasheed Wallace to the Detroit Pistons in 2004
The Portland Trail Blazers traded Rasheed Wallace to the Atlanta Hawks midway through the 2003-04 season. After playing a game for the Hawks, the Detroit Pistons acquired Wallace in a three-team trade with the Boston Celtics.
Wallace helped the Pistons win one of the most unexpected championships in NBA history. The Pistons knocked off a heavily-favored LA Lakers team that featured Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Gary Payton and Karl Malong in just five games.
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