Jan Hubbard 
Big trades are a part of NBA playoff lore
When the Mavericks traded for Jason Kidd at the All-Star break, team officials said it was necessary if the Mavericks were going to compete for a championship.
It is not, however, the ideal way to contend for a title. Teams often make minor trades to fill roles that will be important in the playoffs. The Spurs did that when they acquired rugged Kurt Thomas from the Sonics at the trading deadline.
But making a major deal during the middle of the season and winning a title in the same year is rare. Change is better in the off-season. That’s when the Celtics made their moves to get Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, who had the benefit of a full training camp. When the regular season began, they were in sync and went on to help Boston win 66 games and claim home-court advantage in the playoffs.
Like the Mavericks, the Suns made a huge move, trading Shawn Marion for Shaquille O’Neal and, like the Mavericks, they had their share of successes and struggles. But will the trade help them in the playoffs? NBA history indicates that it can.
1. Feb. 14, 1995: The Rockets sent a package that includes Otis Thorpe to the Blazers for Clyde Drexler.
Background: Talk about guts. The Rockets had won the 1994 title, but were in the middle of the pack at the trading deadline and decided to make the dramatic move.
Result: Drexler fit in perfectly, adding quickness and scoring, and the Rockets went on to sweep Orlando and Shaquille O’Neal in the NBA Finals.
2. Jan. 6, 1994: The Knicks sent Tony Campbell and a draft pick to the Mavericks for Derek Harper.
Background: For some reason, when big trades are listed, this one is rarely mentioned, perhaps because it occurred a month before the trading deadline. But it was similar to the Kidd trade because Harper was a point guard and had to make the adjustment on the fly.
Result: Harper fit in well with Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley, John Starks and the rest, and the Knicks took the Rockets to seven games before losing in the Finals. Harper had an outstanding series and when it looked like the Knicks were going to win Game 6, the NBA gathered media votes and Harper had been voted Most Valuable Player of the Finals. When the Rockets came back, the vote was not announced and Houston went on to win Game 7.
3. Feb. 19, 2004: In a three-team deal with the Celtics and Hawks, the Pistons got Rasheed Wallace from Atlanta and gave up four players, none of whom were starters.
Background: Wallace had worn out his welcome in Portland, and the Blazers sent him to Atlanta, where he played one game. The Hawks were looking for expiring contracts and needed young players, so they had no plans to keep Wallace.
Result: Wallace minded his manners for the most part and proved to be the final piece the Pistons needed for a championship. They won the title in five games over the Lakers.
4. Dec. 24, 1981: The Lakers acquired Bob McAdoo from the Nets for a second-round draft pick and cash.
Background: This is another big trade that sometimes is forgotten, primarily because McAdoo could not reach an agreement on a contract with the Nets and did not play in New Jersey. McAdoo had won three scoring titles and one Most Valuable Player award but played in only 28 playoff games in his first eight years in the league. He had a reputation as a selfish player and chronic complainer, but the Lakers took a chance on him.
Result: McAdoo never caused any problems with the Lakers and was the perfect sixth man. He was an important part of championship teams in 1982 and 1985.
5. Jan. 17, 2007: The Warriors acquired Stephen Jackson, Al Harrington and two others in a package deal from Indiana for Mike Dunleavy, Troy Murphy and two others.
Background: Jackson was a talented player but had a tendency to get in trouble. He was part of the infamous brawl in Detroit and was suspended for 30 games. Harrington was a good player, but an underachiever. Warriors coach Don Nelson felt he needed a boost that Dunleavy and Murphy could not provide.
Result: It didn’t result in a championship or even a trip to the Finals, but it was painful to the local populace because Jackson and Harrington played huge roles when the Warriors became the first eight-seeded team to win a seven-game playoff series. As every local fan knows, it came at the expense of the Mavericks.
