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NBA Trade Deadline Deals That Led to Championships

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 16, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; (Left to Right) Larry Brown and William Wesley and Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton and Mehmet Okur and Chauncy Billups and Rasheed Wallace and Ben Wallace and Lindsey Hunter pose for a photo after the game against the Golden State Warriors at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons won 113-95. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; (Left to Right) Larry Brown and William Wesley and Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton and Mehmet Okur and Chauncy Billups and Rasheed Wallace and Ben Wallace and Lindsey Hunter pose for a photo after the game against the Golden State Warriors at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons won 113-95. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 11, 2015; Springfield, MA, USA; Dikembe Mutombo speaks during the 2015 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Springfield Symphony Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2015; Springfield, MA, USA; Dikembe Mutombo speaks during the 2015 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Springfield Symphony Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Honorable Mention: Dikembe Mutombo to the Philadelphia 76ers (2001)

In 2001, the Philadelphia 76ers were waist deep in the Allen Iverson experiment. Iverson had played at an MVP-caliber level, thus far, but the general consensus around the NBA was that Philadelphia needed a player to solidify the defense and make the Sixers more viable contenders.

Already in possession of the best record in the NBA, the 76ers legitimized their roster by trading for all-time rim protector and rebounder Dikembe Mutombo.

Philadelphia failed to win the title that year, but it made a long-awaited return to the NBA Finals. It was the only team to win a game against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2001 NBA Finals, and Mount Mutombo’s presence was vital every step of the way.

Many have hypothesized that Iverson needed more help on offense, but Mutombo won Defensive Player of the Year and helped Philadelphia dominate the Eastern Conference.

The honorable mention tag is due to the fact that Philadelphia didn’t win a championship, but this move is just as important as any other. It proved that a contending team could take a massive step in the right direction with a deal at the deadline.

The question is, which teams actually came away with titles as a result of their respective deadline deals?

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