7 Biggest Trades in Golden State Warriors History, Ranked

The biggest Golden State Warriors trades have caused a reevaluation of NBA championship odds. 

Golden State has been involved in some of the most one-sided trades in league history, some of which are featured in my rankings below. 

Seven Biggest Trades in Golden State Warriors History

1. Richard Jefferson, Andris Biedrins, Brandon Rush, Two First-Round Picks, and Two Second-Round Picks For Andre Iguodala and Kevin Murphy 

Golden State has been involved in multiple trades for league MVPs. So, it might be surprising to see a trade with Andre Iguodala and Kevin Murphy as the return ranked at No. 

This trade, though, ushered in a new era. Iguodala was acquired in the summer of 2013. The Dubs replaced Mark Jackson with Steve Kerr after the 2013-14 season, and the first of Iguodala’s four titles was won in 2014-15. 

A Finals MVP and two-time runner-up for Sixth Man of the Year, awards and statistics do not adequately reflect Iguodala’s role during the Warriors’ period of dominance. There’s no Hamptons Five without Iggy.

2. Connie Dierking, Paul Neumann, and Lee Shaffer For Wilt Chamberlain

The Warriors traded Wilt Chamberlain for three players in 1965. Chamberlain responded by winning three consecutive MVPs and a title in his three full seasons as a Philadelphia 76er. 

The Big Dipper’s lone title as a Sixer came against the Dubs in the 1967 Finals. To this day, Chamberlain ranks second in franchise win shares behind Steph Curry. 

3. Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, Dennis Schröder, Lindy Waters III, and a First-Round Pick For Jimmy Butler

Golden State’s basketball odds to win the NBA title shortened dramatically following their trade for Jimmy Butler. The Dubs had been chasing a second star for over a year, having failed to land Lauri Markkanen, Paul George, and Kevin Durant. 

It was a reasonable enough price to pay for a player of Butler’s calibre, particularly considering his playoff record. After attempting to compete while developing their young players, the Dubs finally went all-in on competing at the end of Steph Curry and Draymond Green’s careers.

4. D’Angelo Russell, Omari Spellman, and Jacob Evans For Andrew Wiggins, a First-Round Pick, and a Second-Round Pick

Andrew Wiggins’ second appearance on this list comes from the 2019-20 season. The Minnesota Timberwolves were desperate to pair D’Angelo Russell with Karl-Anthony Towns. Former first overall pick Wiggins was seen as a bad contract, having failed to live up to expectations with the T-Wolves.

Golden State happily took Wiggins off their hands, dumping the ill-fitting Russell in the process. Wiggins was integral in the 2021-22 title, playing elite defence and making big shots. The first-round pick became Jonathan Kuminga. 

5. Dan Gadzuric and Brandan Wright For Troy Murphy and a Second-Round Pick

Troy Murphy returned to the Warriors in 2011 after being traded away in 2007. Murphy, Dan Gadzuric, and Brandan Wright have nothing to do with this trade ranking fifth. 

It’s all about what that second-round pick became. A 2012 second-rounder, traded over 12 months before the draft, changed the course of franchise history. 

Golden State selected Draymond Green with the pick, who went on to become one of the greatest defensive players in NBA history. 

6. Monta Ellis, Kwame Brown, and Ekpe Udoh For Stephen Jackson and Andrew Bogut

Monta Ellis was a former second-round pick turned near All-Star. Having led the league in minutes in each of the previous two seasons and been in the top 11 in scoring on three occasions, it was a big call when the Warriors traded Ellis to the Milwaukee Bucks in March 2012.

Andrew Bogut was an NBA champion with the Warriors in 2015 and provided an interior presence. Stephen Jackson brought veteran leadership. 

This trade – like the one above – was about what it led to. Moving on from Ellis meant handing the team over to Steph Curry. In the seven full seasons after this deal, Curry had five top-six MVP finishes, won the award twice, and led the Dubs to three titles. 

Ellis played only 103 games for the Bucks and was out of the league by 2017. 

7. Chris Webber For Tom Gugliotta and Three First-Round Picks

The Warriors thought they sold high when they flipped Rookie of the Year Chris Webber for Tom Gugliotta and three first-round picks. Two of those picks had been traded by the Warriors when they acquired the first overall pick from the Orlando Magic in 1993. 

Webber was an All-Star as a Washington Bullet and put up good numbers. By the end of the 1990s, the Warriors were watching Webber excel for the Sacramento Kings, where he was a four-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA selection.