The Los Angeles fan base has been incredibly blessed to see an unprecedented amount of winning in their lifetimes. However, nobody can deny that much of this success was achieved through shrewd front office moves. Here are the 10 best trades in LA sports history.
*The criteria are the value of the trade and the postseason success the player had with the LA team that acquired him.
Honorable Mentions
Lakers Acquire the Pick that Became James Worthy from the Cleveland Cavaliers
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The Trade
Cavs Receive: Don Ford, 1980 first-round pick (which became Chad Kinch)
Lakers Receive: Butch Lee, 1982 first-round pick (which became James Worthy)
While this trade seemed inconsequential at the time, it had huge ramifications for both the Cavaliers and the Lakers. While the Cavaliers were mediocre at the time, nobody could have anticipated them cratering to their worst record in franchise history in the 1982 season. To make matters worse, the Cavs had given their first-round pick to the Lakers in a draft class loaded with talent.
The Lakers, meanwhile, had just won the championship, beating the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1982 NBA finals. After winning a coin flip with the San Diego Clippers, the LA became the first and only team in NBA history to win the championship and possess the first overall pick in the draft, which they used to draft North Carolina star James Worthy.
Even though ‘Big Game’ would go on to become one of the best ever to wear purple and gold, there was so much luck involved to actually land him, and it was unclear whether the Lakers would even select him, so for those reasons, this trade is simply an honorable mention.
Dodgers Acquire Manny Ramirez from the Boston Red Sox
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The Trade
Dodgers Receive: Manny Ramirez
Pittsburgh Pirates Receive: Brandon Moss, Craig Hansen, Andy LaRoche, and Bryan Morris
Boston Red Sox Receive: Jason Bay and Josh Wilson
In one of the biggest blockbuster deals in Dodgers history, the Boston Red Sox traded Manny Ramirez to Hollywood as the Dodgers needed a spark to save their floundering organization. Even though he was 36 years old, Ramirez caught fire after being traded to the Dodgers, hitting .415 with 9 home runs in his first month with the team.
Dodgers fans would instantly embrace Manny Ramirez, and thus Mannywood was born. Manny would finish the 2008 season top 5 in MVP voting and hit an incredible .396 with 17 home runs in just 53 games, helping the Dodgers recapture the NL West title.
Manny would only get hotter in the playoffs, hitting an astounding .520 with 4 home runs in October. After sweeping the Cubs, the Mannywood magic finally ran out as the Dodgers lost to the eventual World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies.
Mannywood sadly came to a crashing ending as Ramirez would be suspended 50 games the following season for testing positive for multiple banned steroids and would be waived by the team in 2010. Even though Manny Ramirez is a superstar and played excellently for the Dodgers, the short run of just 2 years leaves this trade as merely an honorable mention.
The Colts Trade Running Back Marshall Faulk to the Rams
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The Trade
Colts Trade: Marshall Faulk
Rams Trade: Mike Peterson & Brad Scioli
In one of the most stunning trades in NFL history, the Indianapolis Colts decided to move on from reigning offensive player of the year Marshall Faulk in 1999. Faulk was already off to a prolific start to his career, rushing for over 1,000 yards in each of his first 4 seasons with the Colts, and was coming off his best season of his career, leading all running backs in total scrimmage yards with over 2,000 yards.
Pairing Faulk alongside Peyton Manning, it seemed the Colts had drafted the league’s best quarterback-running back duo. However, Faulk decided he wanted to renegotiate his rookie contract and receive a raise, Colts’ owner Jim Irsay refused. The Colts held the 4th overall pick in the draft and decided to draft running back Edgerrin James.
Now that Faulk was expendable, the Colts traded him away to the Rams.
The Rams rewarded Marshall Faulk with the contract he coveted, giving him a 7-year $45 million deal, the largest in franchise history. Faulk would reward the Rams with his best seasons as a pro, winning MVP in his first year with the team in 2000, and led the Rams to their first Super Bowl.
Faulk was the engine behind one of the most prolific offenses in NFL history: The Greatest Show on Turf. This trade would have cracked the top ten list, but the Rams were in St Louis at the time, so this does not qualify, making the Marshall Faulk trade a respectable, honorable mention.
10. The New York Mets Trade Nolan Ryan to the Angels
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The Trade
Angels Receive: Nolan Ryan, Leroy Stanton, Don Rose, and Frank Estrada
Mets Receive: Jim Fregosi
Looking back, this trade was one of the greatest heists of all time. However, at the time, many did not see it that way, as Fregosi was one of the greatest players in Los Angeles Angels history. The Mets were thrilled to acquire the 6 time All-Star shortstop to fill a major need and were willing to part ways with the erratic arm of Nolan Ryan.
Nolan Ryan quickly proved the Mets made a mistake as he became one of the best pitchers of all time and still holds the record for most career strikeouts, which appears to be unbreakable. In his 1972-1979 tenure with the Angels, Ryan threw 4 no-hitters, won over 100 games, went 3 consecutive seasons with over 300 strikeouts, set the record for strikeouts in a season with 383, struck out a record 19 batters in one game multiple times, and led the American League in strikeouts 7 of his 8 years with the Angels.
Many reading this article are probably wondering, How does acquiring arguably the greatest pitcher of all-time only get you 10th on this list?
The Angels’ lack of playoff success holds this trade back as they only made the playoffs once with Nolan Ryan as their ace, finally winning their first-ever AL West title in what would ultimately be Ryan’s last season with the team in 1979. The Mets had the chance to pair Ryan with Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver, leaving this Nolan Ryan trade as the biggest what-if in Mets history.
9. The Dallas Mavericks Trade Luka Dončić to the Lakers
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The Trade
Mavericks Receive: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick
Lakers Receive: Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markeiff Morris
In one of the most shocking trades in sports history, the Lakers acquired 26-year-old superstar Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks. The trade was shocking because nobody realized Dončić was even on the trade block to begin with. Although there are rumors that Mavs GM Nico Harrison offered Dončić for Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and asked the Timberwolves to trade their young star Anthony Edwards. Many believe Luka was only shopped to the Lakers. Additionally, the Mavericks only receiving one draft pick for a player of Luka’s caliber seemed to be malpractice by Harrison.
What makes the trade so shocking for Mavericks fans is that Luka was entering his prime. Dončić led the NBA in scoring and carried the Dallas Mavericks to their first finals appearance in 15 years in 2024. Luka is one of just six players to ever make 1st team All-NBA in their first five years in the NBA.
To trade a superstar this young is truly unprecedented.
The NBA world has learned since the trade, however, that the Dallas Mavericks had grown tired of Luka Dončić. They had grown weary of Luka coming into training camp out of shape, his history of lower leg injuries, and his lack of defense.
Nico Harrison has been stubborn in his decision to make this trade, as he claims, “defense wins championships.” If Nico truly believes that, then he got what he wanted as he acquired one of the best defenders in the league in Anthony Davis, and pairing him with a young shot blocker like Derrick Lively will give the Mavericks one of the best defenses in basketball.
Lakers fans could not be happier to acquire a player of Dončić’s talent and pair him with one of the most physically gifted athletes of all time in LeBron James.
After signing an extension this summer, Luka will be a Laker for the remainder of his 20s. Although Luka is one of the best players in the league and a potential MVP candidate this season, he has not brought a title to Los Angeles yet, so he is only 9th on this list for now.
8. The Oilers Trade Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings
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The Trade
Kings Receive: Wayne Gretzky, Mike Krushelnyski & Marty McSorley
Oilers Receive: Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, and 3 first-round picks that became Jason Miller, Martin Rucinsky, and Nick Stajduhar, along with $15 million
Known simply as The Great One, the sports world was shocked when the Oilers announced they had traded four-time Stanley Cup champion Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings. Dubbed by many as a King’s Ransom, nobody could believe the greatest hockey player of all time would ever be traded.
In hockey, there is no debate over who is the greatest of all-time. Wayne Gretzky retired as the all-time points and assists leader, along with owning nearly every other record in NHL history. In 1988, Gretzky had just led the Oilers to their 4th Stanley Cup title. Two hours later, Gretzky was notified that the Oilers were looking to trade him.
What could motivate the Oilers to trade away the best hockey player of all time at the height of his powers?
Oiler’s owner, Peter Pocklington, was experiencing severe financial difficulties due to his failed business ventures. Gretzky’s contract was set to expire in 1988, and Pocklington knew he could not afford to pay Gretzky what he was worth. So rather than risking losing Gretzky for nothing in free agency, Pocklington informed Gretzky of the decision that he would be traded.
However, due to his impending free agency, Gretzky had leverage to decide where he would be traded. His top destination was Los Angeles so he could be closer to his wife, actress Janet Jones.
All these factors ultimately led to Gretzky being traded to the Kings, as Gretzky was able to live in Los Angeles, receive a new contract, and Pocklington was able to save the franchise from bankruptcy with the $15 million sent to the Oilers. Everybody’s happy… well, except Canadian citizens. The government attempted to block the trade, and citizens burned a Pocklington effigy outside the stadium.
Why is this trade so low on the list? Despite Gretzky’s greatness and success in Los Angeles, he never won a championship in his time with the LA Kings. He is the final player on this list who failed to win a championship. But he may also be the best player on this list.
7. Pelicans Trade Anthony Davis to the Lakers
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The Trade
Pelicans Receive: Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and three first-round picks
Lakers Receive: Anthony Davis
In 2019, Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis requested a trade. One of the best players in the league, he attracted many suitors, but the fact that he wanted to team up with LeBron James in LA was a poorly kept secret.
The Pelicans were not going to give him away for free and were able to acquire a haul, and rightfully so.
Davis established himself as one of the game’s elite players on offense and defense, making first-team All-NBA 3 times, while leading the league in blocks 3 times.
All that Davis wanted now was to compete for a championship. Even though the Pelicans got three talented young players and solid draft capital from the Lakers, Anthony Davis helped the Lakers win the championship in 2020, making them the clear winners of this trade.
As for the haul, the Pelicans have moved on from all the players included besides Herb Jones.
6. The Lions Trade Matthew Stafford Traded to the Los Angeles Rams
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The Trade
Lions Receive: QB Jared Goff and 6 total draft picks
Rams Receive: QB Matt Stafford
This trade marked the first time in NFL history that two former #1 overall picks were traded for each other in QBs Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff. Both teams were able to get exactly what they needed.
Stafford had done all he could in Detroit and wanted to win a title. With the Lions headed for yet another rebuild, Stafford requested a trade. Meanwhile, Jared Goff had clearly hit his ceiling in LA, and the Rams were ready to make a change at QB.
Being traded to the Lions gave Goff a fresh start, and the draft capital the Lions received allowed them to accelerate their rebuild by drafting key players such as phenom running back Jahmyr Gibbs, speedy receiver Jameson Williams, and reliable tight end Sam LaPorta.
Even though the Lions did not lose this trade, the Rams certainly won the trade as Stafford would lead the Rams to a Super Bowl victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021.
The Rams went all in after adding Stafford, spending even more capital to bring in star veterans Von Miller and Odell Beckham to an already loaded roster featuring superstars Cooper Kupp and Aaron Donald.
In 2024, the Lions and Rams would face each other in the NFC Wild Card round, and Jared Goff would emerge victorious, leading the Lions to their first playoff win since 1991.
5. Wilt Chamberlain Traded to the Los Angeles Lakers
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The Trade
76ers Receive: Darnell Imhoff, Archie Clark, Jerry Chambers
Lakers Receive: Wilt Chamberlain
In 1968, the Lakers acquired superstar Wilt Chamberlain from the Philadelphia 76ers. Standing at 7-feet-1 with a 7-foot-8 wingspan and a vertical of over 45 inches, Chamberlain was the most dominant athlete the NBA had ever seen. After winning his first championship with the Sixers in 1967, Chamberlain had grown frustrated with the city of Philadelphia and Sixers owner Irv Kosloff. There were multiple contract disputes as Chamberlain requested to own 25% of the team. Kosloff denied Wilt’s request, escalating tensions. Chamberlain also reportedly felt like he had outgrown Philadelphia and wanted to move to a big city on the West Coast.
There was no destination more perfect for Wilt than Los Angeles.
The 1968 season ended in disappointment for the Sixers, blowing a 3-1 series lead to Bill Russell’s Boston Celtics in the playoffs. After the season, Sixers head coach Alex Hanum resigned, wanting to move closer to his family. Wilt loved Hanum, and after his resignation, Wilt officially requested a trade.
Despite never winning MVP as a Laker, Wilt had a successful tenure in Los Angeles. Teaming up with Hall of Famers Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and Gail Goodrich, the Lakers created the NBA’s first superteam. Wilt and West were a particularly dominant duo leading the Lakers to a record 33 consecutive game-winning streak, a record that still stands today. In 1971, Chamberlain would lead the Lakers to their first championship in 20 years, earning finals MVP in the process.
Chamberlain is not only one of the greatest players in NBA history, but he also helped lead the Lakers to the ultimate goal: a championship. This combination of greatness and winning puts him in the top 5, but because he did not win multiple titles, we cannot put him above the next 4 players on this list.
4. The Memphis Grizzlies Trade Pau Gasol to the Lakers
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The Trade
Lakers Receive: Pau Gasol
Grizzlies Receive: Kwame Brown, Marc Gasol, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, and 2 first-round picks
In 2008, many were stunned to see the Grizzlies trade away their star big man, Pau Gasol, for Kwame Brown and a package of unproven talent. Additionally, many around the league had no idea Pau was even available. Some wondered if there was collusion between the Grizzlies and Lakers since the Grizzlies’ GM just so happened to be Lakers legend Jerry West.
Before this trade, Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant had become extremely unhappy with the organization. After the Lakers traded Shaq to the Miami Heat, they had completely failed to surround Kobe with competent players. Kobe was having some of the best scoring seasons in NBA history, but he was all about winning championships, and the Lakers’ roster was nowhere close to contention.
In 2007, Kobe had requested a trade, but Lakers’ owner Jerry Buss convinced him to stay. The Lakers knew there was a ton of pressure to land a legit second option for Kobe to win a title, and they finally were able to pull it off at the deadline.
Pau had never experienced playoff success of any kind in Memphis, but Gasol’s ability as a scorer and a passer made him a perfect fit for Kobe within Phil Jackson’s triangle offense. Pau improved his toughness and defensive under the mentorship of Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson.
Even though many questioned the package the Grizzlies received at the time, they still landed Pau’s younger brother, Marc Gasol, who became one of the best players in franchise history and the focal point of the Grizzlies’ grit and grind mentality.
Pau was a crucial part of the Lakers’ back-to-back championships, including their 2010 win over longtime rival Boston. His arrival directly led to those two titles, which is why Gasol ranks No. 4 on this list—above even some of the greatest athletes in sports history.
3. The Boston Red Sox Trade Mookie Betts to the Dodgers
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The Trade
Red Sox Receive: Alex Verdugo, Jeter Downs, Connor Wong
Twins Receive: Kenta Maeda
Dodgers Receive: Mookie Betts, David Price
In 2020, Mookie Betts was already building a Hall of Fame candidacy in Boston. Betts was a 3x Gold Glove Winner, 3x Silver Slugger Winner, an AL MVP, AL batting champion, and a World Series champion during his first five years in Boston.
However, in 2020, the Red Sox and Betts had two different goals. Mookie wanted a $400 million contract while the Red Sox were looking to cut salary. After contract negotiations failed, the Red Sox traded Mookie a year before he hit free agency to avoid losing him for nothing.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, were more than happy to sign Mookie to a 12-year $365 million contract, making Mookie a Dodger for the remainder of his career. They were not only willing to take on the remainder of David Price’s massive contract but also to part with three of their top prospects, including Alex Verdugo, to land Mookie.
Betts has certainly rewarded the Dodgers, helping lead the team to 3 World Series wins. Mookie has been dominant as a Dodger, winning 4 Silver Slugger awards, 4 1st All-MLB teams, and has been one of the premier leaders of the team since he landed in Los Angeles.
He has been incredible defensively in both the outfield and the infield and has been an incredible teammate for the Dodgers.
There’s no way to quantify just how impactful Mookie Betts has been for the Dodgers. Meanwhile, the prospects the Red Sox received never panned out, and the Red Sox are still recovering from the loss of trading a player of the caliber of Mookie Betts so early in his career. This is not just one of the best trades in baseball history, but it is also the best trade in Dodger history, making it into our top 3 Los Angeles sports trades of all-time.
2. The Milwaukee Bucks Trade Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to the Los Angeles Lakers
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The Trade
Lakers Receive: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Walt Wesley
Bucks Receive: Elmore Smith, Brian Winters, Junior Bridgeman, Dave Meyers
In 1975, there was no debate that Kareem Abdul Jabbar was the best player in the NBA. At just 28 years old, Kareem was already a 3x MVP and an NBA champion in 1971. However, the superstar center grew tired of Milwaukee and wanted to move back to a bigger city. Kareem was born in New York and played his college basketball career at UCLA, and privately expressed his desire for the Bucks to trade him to a bigger market.
The team that offered the best package for the 3x MVP was the Los Angeles Lakers, so the Bucks took the chance to acquire players who wound up being quality players in Bridgeman and Winters to avoid any drama.
Even though the Bucks were not fleeced in this deal, there is no question that the Lakers were the big winners. Although the Lakers did not win right away with Kareem, that would quickly change once the Lakers drafted Hall of Fame point guard Magic Johnson. Pairing Kareem with Magic ushered in the Showtime Lakers era, kickstarting one of the greatest dynasties of all-time as the pair led the Lakers to 5 titles in 8 years.
In addition to the five championships, Kareem was a 3x MVP, 7x first-team all-NBA, 3x leader in blocks, and a finals MVP for the Lakers. Kareem would not only set the record for blocks as a Laker, but his career would end triumphantly as he set the all-time scoring record as a Laker, a record that stood for nearly 40 years.
The Charlotte Hornets Trade Kobe Bryant to the Lakers on Draft Night
The Trade
Hornets Receive: Vlade Divac
Lakers Receive: Kobe Bryant
Many view this trade as one of the most lopsided in NBA history, and they would be correct, as Kobe Bryant is one of the five greatest players of all-time and spent his entire legendary career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
However, at the time, this trade was highly controversial. Lakers head athletic trainer Gary Vitti thought the organization was insane for even considering it. Vlade Divac had helped lead the Lakers to the NBA Finals in Magic Johnson’s final season in 1991, and he remained a solid contributor throughout the 1990s.
Meanwhile, drafting players straight out of high school was still viewed as extremely risky. Kobe Bryant entered the 1997 draft out of Lower Merion High School, and whoever selected him would be taking the youngest player in NBA history. With the 13th pick, the Charlotte Hornets selected Bryant in what is widely considered the greatest draft class of all time.
Still, Lakers general manager Jerry West had seen enough. After watching Bryant’s pre-draft workout—one he later called the greatest he had ever witnessed—West was determined to find a way to acquire the 18-year-old phenom, even though the Lakers already had two All-Star guards in Nick Van Exel and Eddie Jones. He pulled the trigger anyway, trading the team’s best center, Vlade Divac, for the unknown but electrifying kid from Pennsylvania.
To this day, it’s unclear whether Bryant refused to play for the Hornets or whether Charlotte never actually wanted him. Either way, Kobe became a Laker, and Divac was bound for Charlotte. That is, until Divac nearly refused to report and even threatened to retire. Somehow, Jerry West convinced him to put his emotions aside and go through with the trade—cementing what would go down as one of the greatest heists in NBA history.
This trade was not merely just for Kobe Bryant, but it also freed up extra cap space to sign free agent center Shaquille O’Neal. After the Magic front office, media, and fanbase collectively agreed they did not want to pay Shaq a maximum contract, Jerry West had no problem giving Shaq the massive contract he rightfully deserved with the new cap space he freed up by trading Divac. Now, West was able to pair Shaq with Kobe, which became one of the greatest duos of all-time, leading to 3 consecutive NBA championships.
Kobe Bryant would go on to surpass all Lakers and LA athletes, emerging as the greatest Laker of all-time, a title stamped by all the Laker greats, including Magic, Shaq, James Worthy, Jerry West, and Kareem.
Kobe won 5 championships, finishing 3rd all-time in scoring, winning MVP once, as well as becoming a 2x scoring champion, making all-NBA first team 11 times, and first team all-defense 9 times, the most ever for a guard. Bryant has also beaten the most 50-win teams in the playoffs in NBA history and is considered one of the most clutch players of all time.
There will truly never be another Kobe Bryant, as he is no doubt the greatest trade any LA sports team has ever made.