As an avid NBA follower who’s tracked player movements for over a decade, I’ve got to say—the 2020-21 season’s transaction frenzy was something else. Normally, I’d expect a handful of headline trades, but last season felt like the league hit fast-forward. Between pandemic disruptions, condensed schedules, and teams scrambling to adjust rosters mid-stride, the trade machines were working overtime. I remember refreshing my feed every hour during the March deadline, and honestly, it was exhausting but thrilling. If you’re trying to make sense of it all, consider this your go-to resource: a complete guide to all NBA transactions during the 2020-21 season.
Let’s rewind a bit. The season itself was bizarre—starting in December 2020, shortened to 72 games, with arenas half-empty and health protocols dictating lineups night after night. Teams had to think on their feet, and front offices became more aggressive than ever. I noticed early on how contenders like the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Lakers weren’t just tweaking rosters; they were overhauling them in real time. The Nets, for instance, pulled off that James Harden blockbuster in January, sending Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, and a pile of draft picks to the Rockets. Allen alone ended up in Cleveland later—see what I mean? The domino effect was wild.
But it wasn’t just the superstars shifting teams. Role players and veterans found themselves packing bags constantly. Take the Miami Heat, who snagged Victor Oladipo from the Rockets, only for him to play a handful of games before injuries sidelined him. As someone who’s watched Oladipo’s career closely, I felt that move was risky, and sadly, it didn’t pan out. Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets made a sneaky-good acquisition with Aaron Gordon, giving up Gary Harris and a future first-rounder. Gordon’s fit alongside Nikola Jokic was seamless, and I’d argue it pushed Denver deeper into the playoffs than they’d have gone otherwise.
Then there were the buyout market gems—a personal favorite storyline of mine. Blake Griffin joining the Nets after his Pistons exit? That was pure drama. I’ll admit, I was skeptical initially. Griffin hadn’t looked like his old self in Detroit, but seeing him dive for loose balls and hit threes in Brooklyn won me over. Similarly, LaMarcus Aldridge’s move to the Nets felt like a power grab, though his retirement shortly after due to health concerns was a sobering reminder that transactions aren’t just chess moves—they’re about people.
Amid all this, one quote stuck with me, from a coach deeply involved in the international scene. Tim Cone, discussing a player’s arrival timeline, mentioned, "We are hoping that he will be here by June 30 which is our first Monday practice. He should be here sometime this week, we are hoping." Now, Cone wasn’t talking about the NBA directly—he coaches in the Philippines—but that sense of uncertainty and anticipation? It mirrored the NBA’s transaction chaos perfectly. Teams were constantly hoping—for arrivals, for integrations, for that one move to click. Whether it was a star like Kyle Lowry, who nearly got dealt at the deadline but stayed with the Raptors (for a while, anyway), or a fringe player like J.J. Redick bouncing from the Pelicans to the Mavericks, everyone was riding that hope train.
Numbers-wise, the league saw around 200 player transactions last season, including trades, signings, and waivers—though I’d bet the real count is higher if you include two-ways and 10-day contracts. The Lakers, for example, made 12 roster changes post-championship, bringing in guys like Dennis Schröder and Montrezl Harrell. As a Lakers fan, I had high hopes, but the chemistry took a hit, and honestly, it showed in their early playoff exit. On the flip side, the Phoenix Suns adding Chris Paul via trade was a masterstroke—they jumped from 10th in the West to the Finals, and Paul’s leadership was worth every penny of that $85 million deal.
Zooming out, the 2020-21 transactions highlighted a league in flux. Superteams formed and dissolved, young cores like the Hawks and Grizzlies used savvy moves to rise, and financial pressures forced smaller-market teams to get creative. From my perspective, this season’s moves set the stage for the current landscape—think Russell Westbrook to the Wizards (and later the Lakers), or the Knicks reviving their roster with Derrick Rose. It was a reminder that in the NBA, rosters are never set in stone. So if you’re diving into this complete guide to all NBA transactions during the 2020-21 season, remember: behind every trade and signing, there’s a story of risk, hope, and the relentless pursuit of a championship. And as a fan, I wouldn’t have it any other way.