Desmond Bane and five NBA trades that involved the most first-round picks

The mega-trade sparked intense debate across the NBA community. While Bane addresses Orlando’s desperate need for perimeter shooting, many question whether a non-All-Star player warrants such an enormous package.

The Bane deal isn’t unprecedented in today’s draft pick-obsessed league. NBA history reveals several blockbuster trades where teams mortgaged their future for players who weren’t considered superstars at the time.

Here are the five biggest NBA trades involving first-round picks that preceded the Desmond Bane blockbuster, showing how the market has evolved over recent years.

1. Paul George to LA Clippers (2019)

This blockbuster helped Oklahoma City rebuild around SGA and accumulate massive draft capital, ultimately leading them to the NBA Finals and potentially their first championship this season.

Meanwhile, Paul George’s arrival in Los Angeles failed to deliver a title despite pairing him with Kawhi Leonard. The Clippers’ deepest playoff run reached only the conference finals in 2021.

2. Mikal Bridges to New York Knicks (2024)

New York Knicks received: Mikal Bridges, Keita Bates-Diop, 2026 second-rounderBrooklyn Nets received: Five first-round picks, one pick swap, one second-round pick, Bojan Bogdanovic

While Bridges provided critical defense, shooting, and chemistry, the trade created immense pressure on New York’s championship window.

The deal launched the Knicks into win-now mode, though they fell short in the Eastern Conference Finals this season. Brooklyn used the loss of Bridges to enter full rebuild mode with substantial draft capital.

3. Rudy Gobert to Minnesota Timberwolves (2022)

This trade launched Utah’s rebuild era while ending the Gobert-Donovan Mitchell partnership that regularly reached the playoffs.

Minnesota demonstrated their commitment to supporting Anthony Edwards with proven talent, yet their playoff runs have consistently ended in the conference finals over the past two seasons.

4. James Harden to Brooklyn Nets (2021)

Brooklyn Nets received: James HardenHouston Rockets received: Rodions Kurucs, Dante Exum, four first-round picks, four pick swapsIndiana Pacers received: Caris LeVert, two second-roundersCleveland Cavaliers received: Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince

The four-team blockbuster enabled Houston’s successful rebuild, evident in their second-place regular season finish behind young cornerstones Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith Jr.

Brooklyn’s attempt to create a super-team with Harden, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving crumbled due to injuries, yielding no championships.

5. Kevin Durant to Phoenix Suns (2023)

Phoenix Suns received: Kevin Durant, TJ WarrenBrooklyn Nets received: Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Juan Pablo Vaulet, four first-round picks, two second-round picks, one pick swapMilwaukee Bucks received: Jae CrowderIndiana Pacers received: George Hill, Serge Ibaka, Jordan Nwora, three second-round picks, cash considerations

This mega-trade created another super-team in Phoenix alongside Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, yet they failed to become playoff contenders and this year is probably the last year they are together.

For Brooklyn, this marked the end of their super-team experiment and the beginning of their rebuild, with the acquired picks becoming even more valuable after the subsequent Bridges trade to New York.