NBA Players Who Transformed Their Career After a Trade

by Jeremy Block - 12/25/2025

A trade is one of the most unpredictable parts of the NBA. It can either make or break a player’s career. Sure, some players are better off with the team they started with, but for others, a change of scenery turns them into a whole new player the basketball world didn’t even know was possible.

We’ve seen it countless times—players grinding away with one team, holding their weight, doing their thing, then after a trade, they immediately look like a veteran All-Star capable of taking over any game when they choose to. Whether it’s a star who needed a new role or a sleeper who just needed a chance to shine, these trades completely changed the course of their careers. Let’s look at the top NBA players who transformed their game after getting traded.

Doc’s Sports offers NBA expert picks for every game on our NBA predictions page.

James Harden

When the Houston Rockets traded for James Harden in 2012, it felt like only Houston knew the potential Harden had to become an MVP-caliber player. With his first few seasons in the league with Oklahoma City, Harden was a solid "3-and-D" guy who could move the ball around and create a little, but not much more, averaging just 12.7 points per game in his three years with OKC. But in the blink of an eye, Harden went from being a reliable sixth man to a full-blown offensive one-man army in Houston.

In Houston, Harden was handed the keys to the castle—and he didn’t disappoint. Posting 25.9 points and 5.8 assists per game his first season, reaching career highs in both categories. From there, it only got better, with Harden eventually averaging 36 points per game and snagging an MVP award in 2017.

It was a transformation that happened overnight. Harden became one of the most unstoppable offensive forces of his generation, but it was that trade to the Rockets that gave him the freedom to develop into a true leader. From setting records for points, assists, and triple-doubles to becoming the face of Houston basketball, that trade made him a game-changing MVP.

Dennis Rodman

Let’s talk about Dennis Rodman, whose career took off after being traded from the Detroit Pistons to the Chicago Bulls in 1995. In Detroit, Rodman was already a dominant glass-cleaner and a nightmare on defense, averaging 8.8 points and 11.5 rebounds per game in his seven seasons with the team. But the move to Chicago? That was exactly what he needed to cement his place as one of the most iconic rebounders in NBA history.

While Detroit needed a bit more from Rodman on the scoring end, Chicago gave him the freedom to focus on what he did best—and what he wanted to do: rebound, defend, and get under the opposing team’s skin. Meanwhile, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen took care of the offense.

As soon as Rodman suited up in a Bulls uniform, he went straight to work. The stats don’t lie: 15.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. That trade turned the Bulls into a legendary dynasty, and Rodman’s impact was crucial.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

How could I leave Shai Gilgeous-Alexander off this list? When the Los Angeles Clippers traded him to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019, they had no idea they were handing over a future superstar to a team on the rise.

At the time, Gilgeous-Alexander was just starting to show flashes of his potential, but in L.A., he was stuck behind Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, averaging only 10 points per game. The trade to OKC? It was the fresh start he never saw coming.

From day one in Oklahoma City, ‘SGA’ became one of the most dynamic young players in the league, capable of scoring from anywhere on the floor. In his first season with the Thunder, he averaged 19 points per game—and that was just the beginning. Over time, Gilgeous-Alexander would take the reins of the franchise, elevate his game to superstar status, win a title and Finals MVP, and eventually average a league-high 32 points per game.

It was obvious the Clippers made a huge mistake, and by the time they realized it, it was too late to undo it.

Ben Wallace

Coming into the league undrafted, Ben Wallace started his career with the Washington Wizards, a team at the time that couldn’t buy a win, barely cracking 20 wins a season. With limited playing time, averaging just 3.5 points and 1.2 blocks in 17 minutes per night, it was clear the Wizards had little interest in him. And honestly? That was a huge mistake.

Fast forward, after Wallace was traded from the Orlando Magic to the Detroit Pistons in 2000, he quickly turned into a defensive juggernaut. Known around the league as “the guy you don’t want to see on your way to the paint,” Wallace became the heart and soul of a Pistons team that would go on to win an NBA championship in 2004.

In Detroit, Wallace would go on to become a four-time Defensive Player of the Year, averaging 2.3 blocks per game and establishing himself as one of the most feared big men of his era. This trade alone unlocked his full potential, allowing him to focus on what he did best—rebounding, blocking shots, and protecting the paint. Without this trade, Wallace may have been just another solid role player, but in Detroit, he became an all-time defensive legend.

Get NBA picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bets by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.

Start:	December 25, 2025 @ 7:00 PM
Expert:	Tony George
Free $60 Account Sign Up

NBA Players Who Transformed Their Career After a Trade

Most Recent NBA Handicapping