Trade Deadline: Biggest Trades in NBA History
1. Bill Russell Shipped Off to Boston
Feb 16, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; NBA legend Bill Russell speaks during a special tribute to him during the 2014 NBA All-Star Game Legends Brunch at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
A 1956 draft-day trade would change the culture of the Boston Celtics for years to come. The St. Louis Hawks (yes, that was a real team) traded a guy named Bill Russell to the Celtics for Cliff Hagan and Ed Macauley due to insufficient funds to sign Russell out of the draft.
Russell would go on to average at least 19.6 rebounds per game in each of his first 11 seasons and never averaged less than 18.6 rebounds in his 13-year career. He would win the MVP award five times and ranks second all time in rebounds with 21,620 in just 963 games.
Oh, in those 13 years that Russell was on the Celtics they only won 11 NBA championships. Not too shabby.