It’s been 14 years since LeBron James announced his decision to the world on national television, shaking up the NBA landscape. After negotiations with the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers, the King would shake up the basketball landscape and take his talents to South Beach with the Miami Heat.
Since then, several other blockbuster free agency moves have left their mark on the league. Here are 10 of the NBA’s biggest free agency moves since 2010.
After the Miami Heat’s shocking loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 NBA Finals, questions were raised about the Heat’s Big Three’s ability to win titles. Enter Ray Allen, the All-Star guard and 2008 NBA champion who left the Boston Celtics to try to win another title at the end of his career with the Heat. three-year, $9.5 million contract He achieved astonishing results, becoming the man some say “saved LeBron’s career” by hitting the iconic tying 3-pointer in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals to force a Game 7, helping secure LeBron James’ first championship.
Andre Iguodala’s decision to join the Golden State Warriors in 2013, a year before their first title in decades, proved its long-term value. Despite his stellar showing with the 76ers and a season with the Denver Nuggets, Iguodala saw potential in the Warriors’ young, promising core. The signing paid off, leading to a championship in 2015 and his only NBA Finals MVP award.
In 2014, “I’m going home” LeBron James made headlines all over the world when he returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite winning two titles in four years with the Miami Heat, James was determined to bring the Larry O’Brien Trophy back to his hometown. Although he became the league’s biggest villain after his departure, his return marked the beginning of a story for Cleveland.
After dislocating his shoulder in the 2015 Eastern Conference Finals, Kevin Love knew the work wasn’t done. The Cavaliers signed him to a five-year, $110 million contract. His contributions were key to Cleveland’s 2016 championship run, with a 3-1 comeback win over the Golden State Warriors.
Kevin Durant shocked the NBA on July 4, 2016, when he joined the Golden State Warriors the team that had previously eliminated his Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals in the previous months. Paired with Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry, the rookie helped Durant win two championships and two Finals MVP titles with the Warriors.
In one of the biggest trades in NBA history, the Houston Rockets traded seven players and a first-round pick to acquire Chris Paul from the Clippers. Paul’s partnership with James Harden led them to a 65-win season and a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2018. It wasn’t technically a free agent signing, but Paul had signaled his desire to move on and had essentially forced the Clippers’ hand.
The “Summer of LeBron” ended with him signing a four-year, $154 million contract with the Lakers, after growing interest from teams like the Spurs, Rockets, 76ers and Clippers. James’ promise to bring another title to Los Angeles paid off, leading the team to its 17th title since the late Kobe Bryant in 2010.
When the news broke that Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant were set to join the Brooklyn Nets, NBA fans were shocked after rumors surfaced that they were set to sign with the New York Knicks. Despite Durant missing his rookie season and Irving struggling with New York’s COVID-19 protocols, the duo provided some powerful moments that electrified Nets fans everywhere.
The Los Angeles Lakers are the only team in NBA history to win a championship under the extremely unique conditions that took place under the bubble due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After completing a blockbuster trade for Anthony Davis for a winning mindset, the Lakers re-sign the great man during the 2020 offseason. The move helped set the team up to remain competitive in the years to come as LeBron James’ basketball days drew to a close.
Basketball analysts have questioned the New York Knicks’ decision to sign Jalen Brunson to a four-year, $104 million contract due to his size and poor record as a starter with the Dallas Mavericks. Since Brunson’s arrival, his recent playoff success with the team has attracted key players like Donte Divincenzo, Josh Hart and newcomer Mikal Bridges, paving the way for the Knicks to potentially be in the Eastern Conference in 25 years.
