Top 5 players who are reunited with their former NBA team as 2023 trade deadline closes
The 2023 NBA trade deadline was one for the history books as most of the teams in the league made moves. There are obvious winners and losers during this trade period, and there are those who have the chance to run it back with their former teams.
Many were caught off guard during the trade deadline frenzy as teams made deals from all angles. With the number of trades that happened, there are players who have a second chance at playing for their previous teams. Whether it's for a contending team or a rebuilding one, it's nice to see these five players have another shot.
With that said, here are five players who have the chance to run it back with their previous teams.
Also read: NBA Trade Deadline: Which 5 teams can win the 2022-23 title after roster shakeups?
#1, D'Angelo Russell
D'Angelo Russell started his career as a member of the LA Lakers in 2015 after getting picked second overall. He was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in 2017 and had a short stint with the Golden State Warriors in the shortened 2019-20 season.
Now, after almost four seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Russell is back to help LeBron James and Anthony Davis contend for the championship.
FULL TRADE DETAILS:
Lakers
- D'Angelo Russell
- Malik Beasley
- Jarred Vanderbilt
Utah
- Russell Westbrook
- Juan Toscano-Anderson
- Damian Jones
- First-Round Pick
Minnesota
- Mike Conley
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker
- 3 Second-Round Picks
(via @wojespn) twitter.com/i/web/status/1… https://t.co/JjfoXKMiom
#2, Eric Gordon
Eric Gordon, the No. 7 pick in 2008, started his career as a young, top scorer for the LA Clippers. Gordon spent three seasons with them, averaging a career-high 22.3 points in 2010-11. After bouncing around the league, he's on his way back to Los Angeles, which has transformed into a different team since he first left.
FULL TRADE DETAILS:
Clippers receive:
Eric Gordon
THREE second-round picks
Rockets receive:
John Wall (will be waived)
Danny Green
Pick swap
Grizzlies receive:
Luke Kennard
Oh my. https://t.co/rin9XZnXPs
The Rockets recently traded him for John Wall and Luke Kennard at the deadline. He will add more scoring punch for the Clippers.
#3, Spencer Dinwiddie
When Spencer Dinwiddie first became a recognizable face in the NBA, he was part of the Brooklyn Nets, who were underdogs at the time. Dinwiddie spent five seasons in Brooklyn, averaging a career-high 20.6 ppg in his fourth season, 2019-20.
Spencer Dinwiddie on being traded for Kyrie Irving: “We may not be the best trade package, but we're the best looking, and the Nets needed some help in that department." 😂 https://t.co/FKk9VzSdtd
Now, he's back as a veteran guard who's ready to mentor the younger guys.
#4, Gary Payton II
Gary Payton II's departure from the Golden State Warriors didn't last long as he was recently traded by the Portland Trail Blazers. He was important to the Warriors' championship journey last season. However, the team wasn't able to re-sign him over the summer.
Welcome back to the Warriors, Gary Payton II https://t.co/UQsn6ZF2Vs
Luckily for Payton, the Warriors still made a way to bring him back.
#5, John Wall
John Wall isn't a big fan of being with the Houston Rockets, which is why his contract was bought out over the summer. But after a failed experiment, the Clippers decided to trade him back to his former team at the trade deadline.
Rockets are trading Eric Gordon to the Clippers for John Wall in a multi-team trade, per @ShamsCharania
Danny Green to the Rockets and Luke Kennard to the Grizzlies https://t.co/zHfWk7uzIo
It's still unclear if he'll agree to another buyout or if he'll play for the Rockets.
Also read: Who were the 5 biggest winners at the 2023 NBA trade deadline?