A Look Back at the Most Impactful NBA 2020 Trades That Shaped the League
Looking back at the 2020 NBA trade landscape, I can’t help but reflect on how certain moves felt like destiny unfolding—almost like that old Filipino saying, "Sumabay na rin ako kung saan ako dinala ng sistema." I went where the system took me, watching these trades reshape franchises and careers in real time. It was a strange season, shadowed by the pandemic, but the front offices weren’t sleeping. They made bold, almost desperate moves that would define the next era of the league. I remember thinking then, as a longtime analyst and fan, that we were witnessing a turning point. The ripple effects are still being felt today, and honestly, some of these deals turned out better than anyone could have predicted.
Let’s start with the blockbuster that nobody saw coming: James Harden heading to the Brooklyn Nets. This wasn’t just a trade—it was a seismic event. The Rockets sent Harden to Brooklyn in a four-team deal that involved the Pacers and Cavaliers, with Houston landing Caris LeVert (who was quickly rerouted to Indiana for Victor Oladipo) and a haul of draft picks, including four first-rounders and four pick swaps. At the time, I thought, "This is either genius or chaos." Pairing Harden with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving felt like stacking talent for talent’s sake, but the fit was awkward from the start. Harden’s ball-dominant style clashed with Irving’s freelance approach, and though they put up historic offensive numbers—I recall the Nets averaging around 118 points per game after the trade—the defense was often nonexistent. In hindsight, that trade symbolized a "win-now" mentality gone too far. It was exciting, no doubt, but it also highlighted how superteams can unravel under pressure. Brooklyn’s 2021 playoff run ended in disappointment, and Harden’s eventual exit to Philadelphia only confirmed my initial skepticism. Still, you have to admire the audacity. The Nets bet big, and for a moment, they had the most feared offense in the league.
Then there was the Jrue Holiday trade, which I believe was the stealth masterpiece of 2020. Milwaukee sent Eric Bledsoe, George Hill, three first-round picks, and two pick swaps to New Orleans to acquire Holiday. At first, I wondered if the Bucks overpaid—giving up that many picks for a 30-year-old guard seemed risky. But wow, was I wrong. Holiday’s impact was immediate and profound. He brought a two-way toughness that Milwaukee desperately needed, averaging 17.7 points and 6.1 assists in the regular season and then locking down opponents in the playoffs. I’ll never forget his clutch steal against Devin Booker in the Finals, a play that essentially sealed the championship for the Bucks. That trade wasn’t just about stats; it was about culture. Holiday’s leadership elevated Giannis Antetokounmpo and the entire roster, proving that sometimes the right fit matters more than the flashiest name. In my view, this was the deal that truly shaped the league’s balance of power, cementing Milwaukee as a legitimate dynasty contender.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Chris Paul to Phoenix move was a masterclass in roster building. Oklahoma City traded CP3 to the Suns for Kelly Oubre Jr., Ricky Rubio, and a 2022 first-round pick. Many critics, including myself initially, thought Paul was past his prime at 35. But his leadership transformed the Suns overnight. They jumped from 34 wins in the bubble to 51 wins in 2021, and Paul’s 16.4 points and 8.9 assists per game don’t even tell the full story. He mentored Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, turning Phoenix into a Finals team. I’ve always believed that veteran presence is undervalued in trades, and this one exemplified that. Paul didn’t just improve the Suns; he revived his own legacy, showing that IQ and experience can outweigh youth. It’s deals like this that remind me why I love analyzing the NBA—the intangibles often make all the difference.
Of course, not every trade panned out as hoped. The Russell Westbrook to Washington deal, which sent John Wall and a protected first-round pick to Houston, was a classic case of star power overshadowing fit. Westbrook put up triple-doubles—averaging 22.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 11.7 assists with the Wizards—but the team barely scraped into the playoffs. As much as I admire Westbrook’s ferocity, his style often felt out of sync with modern spacing and efficiency. It was a fun experiment, but it didn’t move the needle for Washington in the long run. Similarly, the Victor Oladipo to Houston trade felt like a stopgap; he played just 20 games for the Rockets before moving on, underscoring how some deals are mere bandaids on deeper issues.
Reflecting on all this, the 2020 trade period was a lesson in adaptation. Teams that prioritized chemistry and fit, like Milwaukee and Phoenix, reaped the rewards, while those chasing headlines faced tougher reckonings. From my perspective, the league’s evolution hinges on these moments—where front offices either read the tea leaves or get swept away by them. As we look ahead, it’s clear that the 2020 trades didn’t just reshuffle rosters; they set a new precedent for risk and reward in the NBA. And if there’s one takeaway I’d emphasize, it’s that the best moves often align with the flow of the game, much like going where the system takes you.
