The 5 biggest moves at the NBA trade deadline

The NBA trade deadline gives teams an opportunity to add key players, salvage their season, or look toward the future. These trades can turn pretenders to contenders and champions to dynasties. Let's take a look at the five biggest trades made at the deadline.

1994: Hornacek becomes "Jazzy" Jeff

Jeff Hornacek's short time with the Philadelphia 76ers did not go well, but a change in scenery, after a trade for the Jazz's Jeff Malone, changed the destiny of the Utah franchise. 

Hornacek was revitalized in Utah, and emerged as a long-ranged threat who helped get John Stockton and Karl Malone to back-to-back NBA Finals showdowns with the Chicago Bulls. As for Jeff Malone, he couldn't stay healthy enough to make an impact and played only 78 more games before his retirement in 1996.

2012: Andrew Bogut and the Dubs dynasty preamble

The Warriors appeared to make an odd trade when they gave up Monte Ellis, draft bust Kwame Brown, and Ekpe Udoh to the Milwaukee Bucks for the injured Andrew Bogut, but the devil was in the details.

This trade set in motion one of the most dominant runs in recent NBA history. Bogut helped get the Warriors frontcourt in order, and the team transitioned from playoff contender to NBA champion in just four years. Though Steph Curry and Klay Thompson were already in town, it was Bogut who heralded the beginning of the dynasty.

2008: The brothers Gasol

The Los Angeles Lakers were out of sorts after the Kobe-Shaq feud led to O'Neal's departure, but they got exactly what the doctor ordered when they traded middling players and draft picks for Memphis' Pau Gasol. 

Gasol became an indispensable part of the Lakers, and they won two titles following the trade. The Grizzlies weren't shortchanged. They used one of those draft picks on Gasol's brother, Marc Gasol, who has gone on to make three All-Star teams, earn an All-NBA First Team selection (2015), and win Defensive Player of the Year (2013).

1995: The Glide gives houston a lift

A season after the Houston Rockets won the NBA title, they were in need of a massive shift to even make the playoffs, so they traded Otis Thorpe and a draft pick to Portland for Clyde Drexler. 

Reunited with "Phi Slamma Jamma" teammate Hakeem Olajuwon, Drexler gave the Rockets a boost, and the team crashed the playoffs and won a second straight title. 

2004: Rasheed Wallace supercharges the Motor City

Rasheed Wallace's arrival in the Motor City gave the Pistons the push they needed to move from contender to champion. 

Detroit dumped role players and draft picks in a three-team deal to get Wallace, who reinforced a suffocating defense with stars Tayshaun Prince and Ben Wallace. This resulted in an improbable Finals against the heavily favored Lakers. The Pistons' synergy was on full display, as Detroit won its first title in 14 years. 

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