20 best NBA Draft trades ever

11 May 2001: Kobe Bryant
11 May 2001: Kobe Bryant /
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Feb 13, 2011; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen (front) is congratulated by forward Kevin Garnett after being presented the ball commemorating his becoming the NBA all time 3-point leader before the game against the Miami Heat at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE
Feb 13, 2011; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen (front) is congratulated by forward Kevin Garnett after being presented the ball commemorating his becoming the NBA all time 3-point leader before the game against the Miami Heat at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE /

8. Ray Allen from Seattle SuperSonics to Boston Celtics.

This is the second of two draft day deals that had major historical significance involving Ray Allen. Allen was part of a blockbuster trade during the 2007 NBA Draft that sent him to the Celtics for intriguing prospect in No. 5 overall pick Jeff Green.

The SuperSonics would ultimately relocate to Oklahoma City and become the Thunder right after the 2008 NBA Draft. Yes, Seattle drafted Kevin Durant No. 2 overall in the 2007 NBA Draft, but Green hasn’t stuck anywhere for long in the NBA.

Allen would form a big three with the 2007-08 Celtics with long-time small forward Paul Pierce and recently acquired power forward Kevin Garnett. In their first year together in Boston under head coach Doc Rivers, the Celtics would defeat the arch rival Lakers to win Boston its first NBA Championship since the Larry Bird era.

Allen was a terrific player for the Bucks and the SuperSonics, but solidified his certain Hall of Fame enshrinement during his five-year stint with the Celtics (2007-12). He would later sink one of the greatest shots in NBA history during the 2013 NBA Finals as a member of the Miami Heat, winning his second of two NBA Championships.

Though Boston only won one NBA Championship with Pierce, Garnett, Allen, and Rajon Rondo, it was completely worth it for the Celtics to trade for Allen from the SuperSonics during the 2007 NBA Draft.

Next: 7. Rajon Rondo from Phoenix Suns to Boston Celtics.