2012 NBA Trades

Charlotte acquired Hakim Warrick from New Orleans Hornets for Matt Carroll.

Houston acquired James Harden before his age-23 season for Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb and draft assets, then developed him into an MVP and the engine of eight seasons of contention.

In a four-team blockbuster, the Lakers acquired Dwight Howard, Denver acquired Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia acquired Andrew Bynum and Jason Richardson, and Orlando received Nikola Vucevic, Maurice Harkless, Arron Afflalo, Al Harrington, additional players, and five draft picks.

The Clippers obtained veteran guard Willie Green from Atlanta for the NBA rights to Sofoklis Schortsanitis and a trade exception in July 2012. Green became a playable Clippers reserve, whereas the Hawks received roster and cap flexibility rather than an NBA player. The inherited Slight Hawks Edge grades account for financial purposes, not greater Hawks on-court production.

Cleveland acquired Jeremy Pargo, 2014 second round pick (#52-Vasa Micic) and cash considerations for D.J. Kennedy; the completed outcomes give the Cavaliers a modest realized-value edge.

On July 24, 2012, Minnesota traded Wayne Ellington to Memphis for Dante Cunningham. Cunningham gave the Wolves 161 games over 2012-13 and 2013-14, contributing 1,205 points and 738 rebounds. Ellington played 40 Memphis games in 2012-13, scoring 218 points and making 41 threes before being traded onward. Wolves Win, Minnesota A-, Memphis C+.

Boston acquired Courtney Lee in a July 2012 three-team sign-and-trade involving Houston and Portland. The Rockets received Sean Williams, E'Twaun Moore, JaJuan Johnson and a future second-round right linked to Alex Abrines; the Trail Blazers received Sasha Pavlovic and picks later tied to Jeff Withey and Marko Todorović, plus cash. The inherited slight Rockets edge grades Boston C, Houston B+ and Portland B.

Atlanta acquired Kyle Korver from Chicago on July 16, 2012, sending the Bulls cash and a trade exception. Korver became a central shooter in the Hawks' ball-movement system and earned an All-Star selection with the 60-win 2014-15 club. Atlanta's sustained on-court gain dwarfed Chicago's financial return.

On July 16, 2012, Sacramento Kings acquired James Johnson from Toronto Raptors in exchange for 2014 conditional second round pick (if pick is #31-55) (#37-DeAndre Daniels).

New York acquired Raymond Felton; Kurt Thomas from Blazers for Jared Jeffries; Dan Gadzuric; rights to Kostas Papanikolaou; rights to Giorgos Printezis; 2016 second round pick (originally protected top 37, but protection later removed as part of subsequent trade between Kings, Knicks) (#37-Chinanu Onuaku); cash considerations. The value leaned toward New York, but the partner still received meaningful return.

Minnesota acquired 2017 second round pick (protected top 55) (not exercised) while sending out Brad Miller; 2013 second round pick (#52-Lorenzo Brown); 2016 second round pick (#35-Rade Zagorac) in the 2012-07-13 transaction with Hornets.

On July 13, 2012, Minnesota sent Brad Miller and two future second-round selections to the New Orleans Hornets for a heavily protected 2017 second-round pick that never conveyed. The incoming selections were later identified as 2013 No. 52 Lorenzo Brown and 2016 No. 35 Rade Zagorac. New Orleans moved Miller and both picks onward in a July 27 three-team arrangement involving Robin Lopez and Hakim Warrick, rather than receiving playing minutes from all three. Pelicans Win, Hornets B, Minnesota C- for salary flexibility despite losing future draft assets.

The Nets acquired Reggie Evans; Clippers' option to swap 2016 second-round picks (if pick is #31, 55) (#55, Marcus Paige) from Clippers in exchange for Clippers' option to swap 2016 second-round picks (if Clippers pick is #31, 55) (#33, Cheick Diallo).

Atlanta dealt Marvin Williams to Utah for Devin Harris in July 2012, converting a former No. 2 pick's remaining contract into a veteran point guard. Harris spent one season with the Hawks and supplied backcourt depth; Williams became a Jazz forward for two seasons. Atlanta's rebuilding flexibility and Harris's immediate role support the recorded Hawks Win.

Brooklyn acquired Joe Johnson from Atlanta in 2012 for five veterans and a complex package of picks and swap rights. Johnson became a leading Nets scorer for several seasons; Atlanta gained cap flexibility and redirected valuable picks through subsequent transactions. The inherited Hawks Win, A- to C, reflects the Hawks' rebuild rather than a claim that Johnson failed in Brooklyn.

Dallas received Darren Collison; Dahntay Jones from Indiana Pacers and sent Ian Mahinmi in return.

Trading Kyle Lowry was painful in isolation but strategically balanced by the pick Houston received.

The realized return strongly favored Houston: Houston received Toney Douglas; Jerome Jordan; Josh Harrellson; 2014 second-round pick (#42-Nick Johnson) and additional assets from New York Knicks for Marcus Camby.

Phoenix sent Steve Nash to the Lakers in a sign-and-trade for two first-round picks, two second-round picks and cash, while injuries limited Nash to sixty-five games across three seasons.

New Orleans clearly won the Ryan Anderson sign-and-trade. Anderson became a high-volume floor-spacing forward and important scorer for four seasons, while Gustavo Ayon lasted only part of one season in Orlando before being waived.

In a 4-team transaction, Dallas received draft rights to Tadija Dragicevic; cash; $8.9M trade exception and sent Lamar Odom; draft rights to Shan Foster.

The Nets acquired rights to Tornike Shengelia from 76ers in exchange for cash considerations.

The Nets acquired rights to Tyshawn Taylor from Blazers in exchange for cash considerations.

Cleveland acquired Kelenna Azubuike and rights to Tyler Zeller for Jared Cunningham, Bernard James and Jae Crowder, but the outgoing package produced a modestly stronger realized return.

Dallas received cash considerations from Los Angeles Lakers and sent draft rights to Darius Johnson-Odom in return.

Indiana earned a modest hindsight edge over Sacramento Kings, with rights to Orlando Johnson providing the better realized return.

Miami came out ahead in the 2012-06-28 transaction with Philadelphia 76ers, receiving rights to Justin Hamilton; first-round pick (protected top 14 in 2013-15, else 2015 second-round pick, 2016 second-round pick) (2015 #33-Jordan Mickey) (2016 #31-Deyonta Davis) for rights to Arnett Moultrie.

Houston’s draft-night exchange with Milwaukee created a useful strategic edge.

Charlotte acquired Ben Gordon; first round pick (protected top 14 in 2013, top 8 in 2014, top 1 in 2015, unprotected in 2016) (2014 #9-Noah Vonleh) from Detroit Pistons for Corey Maggette.

Houston gained a modest edge by turning Chase Budinger into the pick used on Terrence Jones.

Washington acquired Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza from New Orleans on June 20, 2012 for Rashard Lewis and the No. 46 pick that became Darius Miller. Lewis never played for the Hornets and was waived June 30. Miller appeared in 102 games in his first New Orleans stint through 2014-15; his later 2017 return was a separate free-agent signing. Okafor played 79 Washington games and Ariza played 133 in two seasons. Wizards Win, Washington A- for starting-caliber defense and wing play, New Orleans B- for the pick and financial reset.

Portland sent Gerald Wallace to the Nets for Mehmet Okur, Shawne Williams and a 2012 first-round pick protected only in the top three; the pick conveyed at No. 6 and became Damian Lillard.

Golden State acquired a 2012 second-round pick from Atlanta for cash considerations on March 15, 2012. The acquired choice became No. 52 Ognjen Kuzmić, who later appeared briefly for the Warriors. Atlanta received a certain payment, while Golden State gained a limited developmental center. Hawks Win, Atlanta C, Golden State D+ in the inherited evaluation.

Cleveland acquired Luke Walton, Jason Kapono and 3 additional assets for Ramon Sessions, Christian Eyenga and Cavaliers' option to swap first round pick (least favorable of Cavaliers 2013 first round pick, Heat 2013 first round pick (protected top 10), Kings 2013 first round pick (protected top 13)) with Lakers 2013 first round pick (protected top 14 in 2013, else extinguished) (2013 #30-Nemanja Nedovic), producing a clear Cavaliers win on realized player, draft and roster value.

Washington received Nenê from Denver plus Brian Cook and a 2015 second-round right from the Clippers in a March 2012 three-team trade. Denver obtained JaVale McGee, Ronny Turiaf and conditional second-round consideration. Los Angeles acquired scoring guard Nick Young. Contemporary official Nuggets and Wizards releases verify all three incoming packages. The inherited Wizards Win grades Washington B+, Denver C+ and Los Angeles C.

Golden State realized the stronger long-term return. The Warriors acquired Richard Jefferson; T.J. Ford; first round pick (protected top 14 in 2012-14) (2012 #30-Festus Ezeli) from San Antonio Spurs for Stephen Jackson.

On March 15, 2012, the Lakers acquired Jordan Hill from Houston for Derek Fisher and Dallas's protected first-round pick. Fisher never appeared for the Rockets and was waived March 19, but Houston later included the Dallas-origin selection in its October James Harden package to Oklahoma City; the pick eventually became No. 21 Mitch McGary in 2014. Hill played 178 Lakers regular-season games across four seasons with 91 starts and 1,764 points. Lakers Win, Los Angeles B+ for direct frontcourt output and Houston B- for the consequential later use of a movable draft asset.

The long-term result was ultimately favorable to Blazers: Houston received Marcus Camby from Portland Trail Blazers for Hasheem Thabeet; Jonny Flynn; 2012 second-round pick (if pick is #31-#55) (#40-Will Barton).

Indiana earned a modest hindsight edge over Toronto Raptors, with Leandro Barbosa providing the better realized return.

Philadelphia 76ers came out ahead in the 2012-03-15 trade with Memphis, which received rights to Ricky Sanchez for Sam Young.

Golden State acquired Andrew Bogut and Stephen Jackson for Monta Ellis, Ekpe Udoh and Kwame Brown, choosing Stephen Curry’s timeline and adding the defensive center of the 2015 champion.