The NBA free agency period is a time of so much anticipation, angst, disappointment, and anxiety as fans all over the world wait and see how their teams will improve for the upcoming season. It is a time of pure chaos as the period officially opens up and teams scramble to speak with the players they have in their crosshairs.
It can also be a time of complete shock and awe as players make decisions that shake the NBA to its core.
I am talking about the decisions that come out of nowhere and blindside fans as the news breaks. These decisions involved some of the NBA’s top superstars at the time, who were expected to go in one direction and detour toward another. I am talking about the decisions that led to NBA championships, elation for one franchise, and misery and despair for others. These are the free agency decisions that can be deemed traitorous and skew a player’s legacy forever.
These are the 15 most shocking free agency decisions in NBA history.
15. Chauncey Billups – A Miss In Minnesota
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Previous Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
New Team: Detroit Pistons
Early on in his career, Chauncey Billups moved around to four teams during his five seasons in the NBA. He was a streaky shooter and average defender up until his final season with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2001-02. Billups had averaged 12.5 PPG in the regular season but went off for 22.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 5.7 APG during Monnesota’s First Round playoff series.
Shockingly, Minnesota Executive Kevin McHale would waive Billups that summer. Billups would then sign a deal with the Detroit Pistons as a free agent, and the rest is history. Just two seasons later, Billups would help lead the Pistons to their first NBA championship since 1990 with a win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
To add insult to Minnesota’s injury, Billups would also be named Finals MVP of the 2004 championship victory. He would also average 16.5 PPG, 6.2 APG, and 1.0 SPG over the course of eight seasons with the team and earn four All-Star selections, two All-Defensive Team selections, and three All-NBA Team selections as a member of the Pistons from 2002 thru 2009.
14. Jamaal Wilkes – From A Warrior To Hollywood
Credit: Fadeaway World
Previous Team: Golden State Warriors
New Team: Los Angeles Lakers
In 1974, the Golden State Warriors would make Jamaal Wilkes their 11th overall pick in the NBA Draft. He would go on to win the Rookie of the Year award averaging 14.2 PPG and 8.2 RPG in 82 games played. He would also help them capture the NBA championship that season with 15.0 PPG and 7.0 RPG in the playoffs. Over the next two seasons, Wilkes would make one All-Star appearance in 1976 while averaging over 17.5 PPG and 7.5 RPG in both seasons with Golden State.
When he became a free agent after the 1977 season, many anticipated he would remain with the Warriors in pursuit of an NBA championship, but Wilkes had other ideas.
Wilkes would sign as a veteran free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he would remain over the next eight seasons. Wilkes would earn two All-Star selections during that time as well, but more importantly, help the Lakers capture three more NBA titles in 1980, 1982, and 1985. Over his eight seasons with Los Angeles, Wilkes averaged 18.4 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and 1.2 SPG.
13. Gus Williams – The Dubs Get Burned Again
Credit: Fadeaway World
Previous Team: Golden State Warriors
New Team: Seattle SuperSonics
Gus Williams barely had his feet wet in the NBA before he decided to piggyback off Wilkes’ move from the Golden State Warriors in 1977. Williams was the 20th overall pick of the 1975 NBA Draft by the Warriors, and he averaged just 10.5 PPG over his first two seasons. When he became a free agent in 1977, Warriors fans were all too familiar with this scenario as Williams decided to stay on the West Coast but just move a little north to Seattle instead.
Williams would be a star upon arrival in Seattle. He would help them reach the NBA Finals in 1978 but fall to the Bullets in seven games. In 1979, he and teammate Dennis Johnson would not be denied as Williams averaged 26.7 PPG in the playoffs to capture his first and only NBA championship. Williams would remain with the team for six seasons averaging 20.3 PPG, 6.0 APG, and 2.3 APG, with two All-Star appearances and two ALl-NBA Team selections.
12. Rashard Lewis – Orlando Shells Out Big Money
Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Previous Team: Seattle SuperSoncs
New Team: Orlando Magic
Rashard Lewis spent nine seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics from 1999 thru 2007. During that time, Lewis would become a sharpshooting and scoring forward who recorded three straight 20.0 PPG seasons and an All-Star selection in 2005. Lewis and teammate Ray Allen would also take Seattle to the playoffs three times with little to no sustained success.
In 2007, when Lewis became a free agent, he was presented with a deal that he couldn’t refuse. The Orlando Magic offered him a six-year, $118 million deal that Lewis promptly accepted. It was a shock due to the insane amount of money given to a second option that would continue to be the same in Orlando.
In four seasons with the Magic, Lewis would average 16.3 PPG and earn an All-Star selection in 2009 as the Magic made their way to the NBA Finals that season as well. Lewis finished his career in the top 25 in made three-pointers and as an NBA champion with the Miami Heat in 2013.
11. Carlos Boozer – A Shock In Cleveland
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Previous Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
New Team: Utah Jazz
Carlos Boozer was barely in Cleveland for two years before leaving them in the dust during 2004 free agency. Boozer was a second-round pick of the Cavaliers in 2002 and would remain with them through only the 2003-04 season. In his second season with the team, LeBron James’ rookie season, Boozer would average 15.5 PPG and 11.4 RPG, setting him up for a large payday.
He would get that payday with the Utah Jazz, who he surprisingly chose over James and the Cavaliers. In Utah, Boozer would combine with point guard Deron Williams to form one of the best duos in the West at the time. With the Jazz, Boozer would make Utah a perennial playoff team while making two All-Star appearances and earning an All-NBA Team selection in 2008. In six seasons with the Jazz, he would average 19.3 PPG and 10.5 RPG but never did capture that championship he sought.
10. DeAndre Jordan – From L.A. To Dallas To L.A. Again
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Previous Team: Los Angeles Clippers
New Team: Los Angeles Clippers
This next deal is one of the weirdest situations I have ever seen unfold in free agency. With the Clippers from 2009 through 2015, DeAndre Jordan became one of the best big men in the NBA, winning two rebounding titles and earning an All-Star and All-NBA Team selection. When he hit free agency in 2015, the thought was he was going to stay with the Clippers, but he was heavily sought after by the Dallas Mavericks as well.
After agreeing in principle to an $80 million deal with Dallas, things got weird for everybody. A conglomerate of Clippers players, coaches, and even the owner flew out to Houston to meet with Jordan. They apparently locked themselves in his house and cut off all other communication until Jordan agreed to return to the Clippers and finish the job they started. Eventually, Jordan agreed and went back to the Clippers, leaving Dallas left empty-handed.
Jordan would eventually sign with Dallas, but not until three years later when he was already on a decline from his All-NBA self. Jordan and the Clippers group disbanded to different parts of the NBA, all without a championship to show for it. That is until 2023 when Jordan won his first NBA title coming off the bench for the Denver Nuggets.
9. Chris Bosh – From The Great White North To South Beach
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Previous Team: Toronto Raptors
New Team: Miami Heat
In the same draft as Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and LeBron James, Chris Bosh was the fourth overall pick by the Toronto Raptors. For seven seasons we watched as Bosh developed into one of the best power forwards in the NBA. Over the course of those seven seasons with the Raptors, Bosh averaged 20.2 PPG, 9.4 RPG, and 1.2 BPG. He earned five All-Star appearances and an All-NBA Team selection in 2007.
When he became a free agent at the end of the 2010 season, everybody knew that Bosh was likely to leave Toronto. I do not believe anyone anticipated what would happen next.
With his fellow draft class members, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James being free agents at the same time, Bosh, and Wade would announce their plan to sign with the Miami Heat while the whole world waited for James’ decision. After the Big 3 was complete, it was off to the races.
Bosh would be a critical part of four straight trips to the NBA Finals from 2011 thru 2014 and two NBA championships. He would earn All-Star selections in all six seasons he spent with the Heat averaging 18.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 0.9 SPG, and 0.9 BPG. In 2016, Bosh would be forced to walk away from the game of basketball due to blood clots around his heart at just 32 years old.
8. LeBron James – The King Goes Hollywood
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Previous Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
New Team: Los Angeles Lakers
When LeBron James became a free agent again in 2018, the entire world could have guessed that he was going to the Lakers. It was reported that he was in the works to star in the new Space Jam reboot and along with his business endeavors, Los Angeles seemed like the perfect fit for him.
Still, seeing LeBron James leave the Cavaliers after leading them to four straight NBA Finals and their first NBA championship in franchise history brought up some bad memories. There was still an expectation that he could stay and finish his career in Cleveland and potentially give them another NBA title. That would not be the case as James took the deal with L.A.
In the last five years, there have certainly been plenty of ups and downs for James and the Lakers. Injuries and missing the playoffs in 2019 only led to moves that ultimately led to another championship and Finals MVP for James in 2020. Since then, there have been even more ups and downs as the Lakers try to squeeze the last bit of production out of James, who is still performing at an elite level. For now, the Lakers haven’t been back to the NBA Finals since 2020 but came close in 2023 by advancing to the Western Conference Finals. Let’s see how the future unfolds for them in 2023-24.
7. Karl Malone – One Last Chance At A Championship
Credit: Fadeaway World
Previous Team: Utah Jazz
New Team: Los Angeles Lakers
For 18 seasons from 1986 thru 2003, Karl Malone was a staple in Utah as a member of the Jazz. He formed one of the greatest pick-and-roll duos ever with John Stockton while earning two MVP awards, two trips to the NBA Finals, and 14 All-Star appearances, among other accolades. He had given everything he had to the Jazz organization and then some, making his decision in 2003 even weirder.
It was thought that Malone would retire with the Jazz, but with one season likely left in the NBA, Malone decided to leave the only home he had ever known and team up with Kobe Bryant, Shaq, and Gary Payton in Los Angeles. The trio would be great during the regular season and playoffs, advancing to the NBA Finals. An injury to Malone and a stifling Detroit defense stopped the Lakers and Malone from capturing an NBA title.
Malone would retire following the season as the second-leading scorer in NBA history and a guaranteed first-ballot Hall of Famer.
6. LeBron James – I’m Coming Home
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Previous Team: Miami Heat
New Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Back in 2010, when LeBron James left the Cavaliers, it left the organization in shambles, but we will get to that later. James would enjoy four of the best years of his career in Miami from 2011 thru 2014. James would lead the team to four straight NBA Finals appearances, winning two NBA championships and two Finals MVPs in the process. He would also capture back-to-back MVP awards in 2013 and 2013.
After a loss to the Spurs in the 2014 Finals, it was time for James to think about his future once more. In a heartfelt letter he penned via The Players Tribune, James decided to go back to Cleveland and finish what he started with them in 2003. LeBron would proceed to take the Cavaliers to four straight Finals as well, but none would be more special than 2016.
After falling down 3-1 to the Warriors in the 2016 Finals, James and teammate Kyrie Irving went on an incredible four-game stretch to complete the greatest comeback and upset in NBA playoff history. James’ time with the Cavaliers would run its course once more in 2019, but not before he delivered on his promise to bring a championship to his hometown.
5. Steve Nash – It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye
Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Previous Team: Dallas Mavericks
New Team: Phoenix Suns
During the late 90s and early 2000s, we had yet to see Steve Nash in his peak MVP form. From 1999 to 2004, he was beginning to show signs of it with the Dallas Mavericks, earning two All-Star selections averaging 14.6 PPG and 7.2 APG over that span. During this time, Nash also became best friends with the Mavericks’ new franchise star Dirk Nowitzki, helping him get acclimated to the city and the United States in general after the 7-footer moved here from Germany to play basketball.
When he became a free agent in 2004, it took everyone by surprise, including Nowitzki, when Dallas owner Mark Cuban refused to match the offer Phoenix had given Nash and let him walk in order to build around Dirk. Nash would become a two-time MVP and leader of one of the most potent NBA offenses ever. Dirk, on the other hand, would win an MVP in 2007 and an NBA championship in 2011 with Finals MVP honors.
For Nash and Nowitzki, their friendship never waivered during this time as their careers went in two different directions. It just would have been something to at least see them raise that Larry O’Brien trophy together at some point.
4. Shaquille O’Neal – The Diesel Leaves Florida For Hollywood
Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Previous Team: Orlando Magic
New Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Sorry, Magic fans, you may want to look away. During the early 90s, you could not go anywhere without basketball fans mentioning either the Chicago Bulls or the duo of Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway with the Orlando Magic. O’Neal had been Orlando’s most prized possession after drafting him in 1992. He immediately made the Magic a team to be reckoned with and was dominating the ranks of the NBA.
Shaq and Penny would lead the Magic to an NBA Finals appearance in 1995 and another Conference Finals appearance in 1996. However, after the season, O’Neal approached Magic ownership expressing an increase in pay with an offer in hand from the Lakers. With the inability to match the Lakers’ offer, Orlando watched as O’Neal went out the door and so did their championship chances.
In Los Angeles, Shaq became the most dominant player the NBA has ever seen, with an MVP in 2000 and three straight NBA championships from 2000 thru 2002 with three straight Finals MVP awards as well. It was a bitter pill for Orlando to swallow watching their guy become the best player in the world, but such is life. Lakers fans on the other hand got to watch first hand as they became a dynasty yet again.
3. Michael Jordan – He’s Back
Credit: Fadeaway World
Previous Team: Chicago Bulls
New Team: Washington Wizards
When we watched Michael Jordan hoist his sixth NBA championship and Finals MVP trophy in 1998, NBA fans all over the world were sure that Michael Jordan was walking away from the game for good, as a player, at least. He was already the greatest player in NBA history and had nothing to prove in terms of who he was on the basketball court, which was a winner, period.
In 2001, Michael Jordan shocked the world when he announced his return to the court to play for friend and former coach Doug Collins. Jordan was 38 years old and three years removed from his last game in the NBA, so many didn’t expect much from the GOAT. Jordan would help the young Wizards as much as he could over the next two years averaging 21.2 PPG, 5.9 RPG, and 4.4 APG in 142 games.
Although he was hardly the Jordan we were used to seeing, just his being there made those two years as special as ever. He wouldn’t win an NBA championship with the Wizards, but he would remind all of us why we loved him so much growing up and never to take another star player’s career for granted again.
2. LeBron James – The Decision
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Previous Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
New Team: Miami Heat
As we watched LeBron James grow before our very eyes in the 2000s with the Cavaliers, we watched him evolve into an incredible all-around player who was beloved by all across the NBA. James was already an MVP and had taken a lackluster roster to the NBA Finals in 2007. When he last took the court for them at the end of the 2010 playoffs, an ominous picture of James taking off his jersey as he entered the tunnel made us wonder but in no way prepared us for the storm about to hit.
James would be courted by teams all over the league in his first free agency period in the NBA and took his decision as seriously as any he had made before. He announced that he would be making his decision live on ESPN in a special called “The Decision” as the entire world awaited his selection. Then came the words that rocked the NBA, and especially Cleveland. “This fall, I’ll be taking my talents to South Beach”.
As the last syllable left his mouth, riots nearly commenced in the streets. Fans all over Cleveland burned LeBron jerseys and denounced the hometown kid for his treacherous actions. For James, it turned out to be a good business decision.
Embracing the villain role, Lebron would lead the Heat to four NBA Finals appearances from 2011 thru 2014. He would capture two MVP awards, two NBA championships, and two Finals MVP awards during his time there. Arguably at his two-way peak, James was certainly at his most exciting to watch as he silenced the doubters and haters with every passing milestone. As shocking as this was, it still doesn’t top the free agency shocker that sits at number one.
1. Kevin Durant – KD Shocks The World
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Previous Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
New Team: Golden State Warriors
Prior to 2016, Kevin Durant was one of NBA fans’ everywhere favorite players to watch. He had won an MVP and four scoring titles with the Oklahoma City Thunder, aiding in a smooth transition from Seattle to Oklahoma City. Durant was unstoppable as a 7-footer with guard-like s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s on the court. He helped the Thunder reach an NBA Finals in 2012 and had them on the brink of another in 2016 before blowing a 3-1 lead to Golden State.
This made the next move so much worse.
In free agency, Durant would take meetings with other teams, but it always felt like he was headed back to the Thunder. That is until a meeting with Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry, and Draymond Green took place in The Hamptons. Durant would announce he was joining the very team that defeated him just a few months prior in the NBA playoffs after mulling over his choices carefully. The reaction was insane as NBA fans everywhere gauged just how much the scales had tipped in the NBA.
Durant was labeled a snake and a front-runner, but he didn’t mind. He embraced it and went on to go on back-to-back NBA championships, and Finals MVP runs in 2017 and 2018. The stay in Golden State would last just three seasons, but the damage had been done to his legacy, according to many. Durant is still searching for his first NBA title without the Warriors, while Golden State has already won one without him.
It remains to be seen if Durant can finish his career with a third NBA championship, but nobody will ever forget his first two and how they came to be.
