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NBA Trade Deadline 2016: Charting The Deadlines Of The Kobe Bryant Era

By Josh Eberley

Feb 3, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) handles the ball against Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) handles the ball against Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images /

2008 The Los Angeles Lakers

We’ve travelled back a fair distance so remember the Lakers were drowning in the post-Shaq era. Shaquille O’Neal had just won championship number four in Miami and the Lakers weren’t a lock to win even if Kobe Bryant dropped 40. Along comes Memphis, Pau Gasol, and some league wide outrage.

The Deal

The Lakers sent Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, a 2008 first-round pick, a 2010 first round-pick, and thank the lord, Marc Gasol. The Lakers in turn received Pau Gasol and a second-round pick.

With hindsight this trade looks more than fair but at the time Pau was viewed as the star that tipped the NBA scale. Gasol joined Bryant in Los Angles and it paid off immediately. The Lakers went to three straight Finals, winning two championships.

Next: 2007