5 Biggest Superstar swaps in the NBA since 2000

San Antonio Spurs v Cleveland Cavaliers
San Antonio Spurs v Cleveland Cavaliers

#4 Stephon Marbury and Jason Kidd

Phoenix Suns' Stephon Marbury drives to the basket around Ne
Phoenix Suns' Stephon Marbury drives to the basket

The Suns' front office has been on the wrong side of a number of deals over the past 2 decades, although in this case, their hand might have been forced. Jason Kidd was going through court proceedings related to domestic abuse, and the organization wanted no part of a player who could hurt their brand with his actions. Thus, they traded the 28-year-old to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Stephon Marbury during the summer of 2001.

The Nets, then coached by Byron Scott, capitalized on this opportunity with one of the greatest playmakers in NBA history to make 2 successive Finals in 2002 and 2003, although they lost on both occasions. Kidd played for 7 of his best years with the Nets until 2008, before getting traded to the Dallas Mavericks aged 35 years old.

Marbury, on the other hand, did not live up to the expectations. He was a volume scorer reluctant to share the ball, and the Suns were unable to reach their ceiling as a team. He was dealt to the New York Knicks in 2004 in a trade that also sent Penny Hardaway and Cezary Trybanski to The Big Apple, in exchange for Howard Eisley, Charlie Ward, Antonio McDyess, Maciej Lampe, Milos Vujanic and two additional first-round picks.

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Edited by Raunak J