The 10 Biggest NBA Trades and Rumors of 2012

March 19, 2012 - 6:55 pm by VIBE

At exactly 3PM ET on Thursday, March 15th, the deadline for 2012 NBA trades went into effect. Leading up to it, everything from Dwight Howard's future team to Derek Fisher's new "red" jersey were the talk of sports fans everywhere. Did your favorite played get switched around? Are you surprised by the Celtics decision not to trade? Whatever the case may be, we took the time to put together for you guys the biggest trade reveals and rumors for this NBA season.—Keenan Higgins

Ramon Sessions

1. TRADE: Ramon Sessions Goes To The L.A. Lakers Being called the Point Guard Of The Future, Ramon Sessions has already, as of today, been playing as a LA Laker. He comes as a packaged deal trade-off between the Cavaliers and the Lakers (more on that later). Let's see what he brings to the winning franchise now that they've lost their long-time co-captiain (click to the next page if you haven't heard already).

Derek Fisher

2. TRADE: Derek Fisher Becomes A Houston Rocket In one of the biggest trade shocks of the season, LA Laker vet Derek Fisher was traded to the Houston Rockets for their forward Jordan Hill after Fisher was considered expendable, due to the Lakers acquiring point guard Ramon Sessions. Hey Derek, maybe you'll find red is more of your color anyway.

Cleveland Cavaliers

3. TRADE: Cleveland Cavaliers Acquire The Lakers' 2012 First-Round Pick The Lakers traded Jason Kapono, Luke Walton and their 2012 first-round pick to Cleveland in exchange for Ramon Sessions and forward Christian Eyenga. This adds to the Cavs control over their own first-round pick and the one they acquired from Miami Heat.

Dwight Howard

4. RUMOR: Dwight Howard To Join The Brooklyn NetsWhen Dwight Howard's option to legally opt-out of his contract with the Orlando Magic came forth, everyone was abuzz to where he would decide to go if he chose to terminate. The Brooklyn Nets were the main ones trying to acquire the star player, even setting up their roster for space when Howard's free agency kicks in during the 2013 season. However, Dwight decided to choose "loyalty" and stick with Orlando, for now. In a few words to sum it up: No Lebrons over here fam!

Stephen Jackson

5. TRADE: Stephen Jackson Gets Traded Back To The Golden State Warriors Stephen Jackson was traded with Andrew Bogut by the Milwaukee Bucks in a three player deal with The Warriors. "Captain Jack" was to make his return to the team since leaving in 2009. Read on to the next slide to see why that unfortunately won't be happening.

8. RUMOR: Rajon Rondo And Ray Allen Up For Boston Celtics Trade Talk After rumors of many teams willing to trade young players and/or drafts picks for the likes of Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo, the future of the Celtics' 'Big Three' was challenged. However, they pullled a fast one and decided not to participate in the trade—keeping the Ray Allen/Paul Pierce/Kevin Garnett dream team intact. Celtics fans, you can breathe now.

San Antonio Spurs

6. TRADE: San Antonio Spurs Acquire Stephen Jackson 3 Days After His Trade To The Warriors As the hectic shuffle of getting trades in before the March 15th deadline, it seemed that the Warriors had second thoughts about acquiring Jackson, and subsequently traded him off to the San Antonio Spurs before he could even try back on his jersey. The deal came with small forward Richard Jefferson & the Spurs' first-round draft pick.

Pau Gasol

9. RUMOR: Paul Gasol To The Bulls As early as 2 days before the deadline, The Chicago Bulls were rumored to be interested in sending Carlos Boozer and C.J. Watson to the Lakers for All-Star center Pau Gasol. Although The Lakes may have lost it a little when they traded off Derek Fisher, they wouldn't have been crazy enough to send off a seven-foot player with mad skills like Gasol. Alas, he still wears yellow & purple shorts.

7. TRADE: Nene Jumps Ship To Washington Wizards In three-team, five-player deal in the last hours of the trade, center Nene was traded to the Washington Wizards after a 10 year stint with the Denver Nuggets. Not only does he leave behind the five year, $67 million deal he signed back in December, he also leaves behind coach George Karl—who Nene helped through his cancer battle back in 2010.

Leandro Barbosa

10. TRADE: Leandro Barbosa Goes From Raptors To Pacers After two years with the Toronto Raptors, guard Leandro Barbosa was traded to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for a second-round draft pick and cash considerations. Although it was a tough choice for the Raptors to make, GM Bryan Colangelo felt it was a way to maximize salary cap flexibility, acquire assets and develop their younger players.

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