a Yourlist ranking · the crowd decides the order
From the deal that built the Yankees dynasty to the draft-night heist that reshaped the NBA, vote on which trade had the biggest impact on its sport.
What counts: Ranked by historical impact, how dramatically the trade altered team fortunes, and lopsidedness in hindsight; all years and ratings are approximate and reflect general consensus among sports historians, not official data.
Babe Ruth Sold to the Yankees
Boston owner Harry Frazee sold Ruth to New York to fund a Broadway show, supposedly cursing the Red Sox for 86 years while the Yankees became sports' greatest dynasty. It wasn't technically a trade but a cash sale, yet it's the template for every lopsided deal since. No transacti
Year: 1919-1920Sport: BaseballHistorical Impact: 10/10Lopsidedness: 10/10Key Player Moved: Babe Ruth
added by IJRin 2 rankings
Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings
The Great One was traded from the dynastic Edmonton Oilers to LA in a deal that made grown Canadians cry on television and single-handedly grew hockey across the American Sun Belt. Gretzky led the Kings to their first Stanley Cup Final and NHL expansion into Florida, Texas, and A
Year: 1988Sport: HockeyHistorical Impact: 10/10Lopsidedness: 6/10Key Player Moved: Wayne Gretzky
added by IJR
The Cowboys shipped their star running back to Minnesota for a haul of players and draft picks that Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson turned into Emmitt Smith, Darren Woodson, and the core of three Super Bowl teams. Minnesota got a few good years from Walker before collapsing, while
Year: 1989Sport: FootballHistorical Impact: 9/10Lopsidedness: 9/10Key Player Moved: Herschel Walker
added by IJRHerschel Walker trade
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to the Lakers
Milwaukee dealt its unhappy superstar center to Los Angeles, setting the stage for the Showtime Lakers dynasty once a rookie named Magic Johnson arrived four years later. Kareem's skyhook anchored five championships in LA and cemented his status as the game's all-time scoring lea
Year: 1975Sport: BasketballHistorical Impact: 9/10Lopsidedness: 8/10Key Player Moved: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
added by IJRin 2 rankings
Wilt Chamberlain to the 76ers
The Warriors sent the most dominant scorer basketball had ever seen back to his hometown Philadelphia, where he'd eventually win a title and set the stage for his later move to the Lakers. The trade reshuffled the NBA's competitive landscape during the league's formative supersta
Year: 1965Sport: BasketballHistorical Impact: 8/10Lopsidedness: 6/10Key Player Moved: Wilt Chamberlain
added by IJR
Nolan Ryan for Jim Fregosi
The Mets, tired of Ryan's control issues, dealt the young flamethrower to California for the established but declining Jim Fregosi. Ryan went on to throw seven no-hitters and strike out over 5,700 batters across a Hall of Fame career, while Fregosi flamed out almost immediately.
Year: 1971Sport: BaseballHistorical Impact: 8/10Lopsidedness: 10/10Key Player Moved: Nolan Ryan
added by IJRin 2 rankings
Kevin Garnett to the Boston Celtics
Minnesota finally cashed in its franchise cornerstone, sending Garnett to Boston to join Paul Pierce and newly acquired Ray Allen, forming an instant Big Three. The Celtics went from 24 wins to an NBA championship in a single season, validating the modern superteam blueprint. Gar
Year: 2007Sport: BasketballHistorical Impact: 9/10Lopsidedness: 7/10Key Player Moved: Kevin Garnett
added by IJR
Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers
New Orleans traded its unhappy superstar big man for a package built around Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and three first-round picks, and Los Angeles paired Davis with LeBron James to win a championship the very next season. The Pelicans used the return to eventually draft Zion Wi
Year: 2019Sport: BasketballHistorical Impact: 8/10Lopsidedness: 6/10Key Player Moved: Anthony Davis
added by IJR
Eric Lindros to the Philadelphia Flyers
After Lindros refused to play for the Quebec Nordiques, a bidding war ended with Philadelphia sending an enormous package of players, picks, and cash to acquire the generational power forward. Quebec used the return to relocate and rebuild as the Colorado Avalanche, who won two C
Year: 1992Sport: HockeyHistorical Impact: 7/10Lopsidedness: 7/10Key Player Moved: Eric Lindros
added by IJR
Ray Bourque to the Colorado Avalanche
After 21 seasons of individual brilliance without a championship in Boston, the legendary defenseman waived his no-trade clause to chase a Stanley Cup with Colorado. He got it in his very first season, skating the Cup around the ice in one of hockey's most beloved storybook endin
Year: 2000Sport: HockeyHistorical Impact: 7/10Lopsidedness: 4/10Key Player Moved: Ray Bourque
added by IJR
James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets
Houston blew up its roster, sending Harden to Brooklyn in a four-team mega-deal that briefly created a superteam with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. The pairing fizzled amid injuries and Irving's absences, and Harden was traded again within a year, making this a cautionary tale a
Year: 2021Sport: BasketballHistorical Impact: 6/10Lopsidedness: 5/10Key Player Moved: James Harden
added by IJR
Chris Webber Draft-Night Trade
On draft night, Orlando selected Chris Webber first overall and immediately flipped him to Golden State for Penny Hardaway plus future picks, one of the most consequential draft-day swaps ever made. Hardaway became an All-Star, while Webber's stormy Warriors tenure ended after on
Year: 1993Sport: BasketballHistorical Impact: 6/10Lopsidedness: 5/10Key Player Moved: Chris Webber
added by IJR
Pau Gasol to the Los Angeles Lakers
Memphis sent Pau Gasol to LA for a package headlined by his younger brother Marc Gasol and spare parts, instantly upgrading the Lakers into champions alongside Kobe Bryant. LA won back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010 largely on Pau's skill and versatility inside. Memphis fans sti
Year: 2008Sport: BasketballHistorical Impact: 7/10Lopsidedness: 8/10Key Player Moved: Pau Gasol
added by IJR
Randy Moss to the New England Patriots
Oakland dumped its disgruntled superstar receiver to New England for a mere fourth-round pick, and Moss responded with a then-record 23 touchdown catches as the Patriots went 16-0 in the regular season. It's one of the most stunningly cheap acquisitions of a top-tier talent in NF
Year: 2007Sport: FootballHistorical Impact: 7/10Lopsidedness: 9/10Key Player Moved: Randy Moss
added by IJR
Jeff Bagwell for Larry Andersen
Boston traded a September call-up minor leaguer named Jeff Bagwell to Houston for relief pitcher Larry Andersen down the stretch of a pennant race. Bagwell went on to win Rookie of the Year, an MVP award, and a Hall of Fame plaque in Houston, while Andersen pitched half a season
Year: 1990Sport: BaseballHistorical Impact: 6/10Lopsidedness: 9/10Key Player Moved: Jeff Bagwell
added by IJRin 2 rankings
Steve Carlton for Rick Wise
A contract dispute led the Cardinals to swap ace lefty Steve Carlton straight up for Phillies pitcher Rick Wise. Carlton responded with one of the greatest individual seasons ever, going 27-10 for a last-place Phillies team and winning the Cy Young, then anchoring Philadelphia's
Year: 1972Sport: BaseballHistorical Impact: 6/10Lopsidedness: 8/10Key Player Moved: Steve Carlton
added by IJR
John Elway Draft-Day Trade
Elway refused to play for the Baltimore Colts, who had drafted him first overall, forcing a trade to Denver for offensive lineman Chris Hinton, a backup quarterback, and a first-round pick. Elway led the Broncos to five Super Bowls and won two championships before retiring as a f
Year: 1983Sport: FootballHistorical Impact: 8/10Lopsidedness: 8/10Key Player Moved: John Elway
added by IJR
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