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Inventory: The top ten NBA recruiting teams quickly won the championship in the offseason

9:43pm, 5 July 2025【Basketball】

NBA offseason is a critical period for each team to sign up for next season. The following 10 players directly contributed to the championship of the season.

NBA offseason is an opportunity for basketball players to rest. However, this is also an exciting time for NBA fans, who can see whether the league's stars will continue to stay with the team or change the environment, such as the Rockets' trade with Kevin Durant. Interestingly, for NBA general managers, this is arguably the busiest time of the year as they need some much-needed upgrades to win the coveted NBA championship. Here are 10 NBA players who have quickly won the championship during the offseason.

Alex Caruso - Oklahoma City Thunder (2024)

Oklahoma City Thunder made before the 2024-25 season to trade Josh Gidey for Alex Caruso. Gidey was initially an important part of the Thunder’s future development until the team’s off-court dilemma had an impact on it. But with Caruso joining, the Thunder have gained a reliable veteran who can create more offensive opportunities for the team with his own hard work and contributions beyond statistics. With his playoff performance, Caruso won his second NBA title at Oklahoma City.

Kevin Garnett - Boston Celtics (2007)

After the Celtics fell into a low point, management traded Kevin Garnett in the 2007 offseason and went all out. Garnett eventually injected competitiveness into the Boston Celtics and strengthened the team's frontcourt with his size, strength and defensive strength. Under Garnett, the Celtics ended the championship drought.

Ray Allen - Boston Celtics (2007) and Miami Heat (2012)

In addition to Garnett, the Boston Celtics also obtained Ray Allen through a heavy trade in 2007. The Celtics have three big names, Paul Pierce, Garnett and Allen, and won the 2008 NBA championship. Coincidentally, Allen left the Boston Celtics as a free agent in 2012 to join the Miami Heat. His outside shooting ability allowed him to win NBA championships on two different super teams.

Manu Ginobili - San Antonio Spurs (2002)

San Antonio Spurs originally selected Manu Ginobili with the 57th pick in the second round at the 1999 NBA Draft. The team signed with Ginobili only three years later because of his contract in Europe. Fortunately, the wait is worth it, as the Argentine star is the key figure in the Spurs' championship again. Ginobili served as the team's substitute guard in the 2002-03 season.

Ci Shiping - Los Angeles Lakers (2009)

After the Los Angeles Lakers led by Kobe Bryant finally won the championship without Shaquille O'Neal, the team needed some upgrades to defend the title. Therefore, despite the fierce conflict between Cynn and Kobe in the playoffs, the team introduced him in the summer. Despite this, Ci Shiping's joining is still crucial, especially in the 2010 NBA playoffs, where his key three-pointer in the NBA Finals was icing on the cake.

Ju Holiday - Boston Celtics (2023)

In the 2023 offseason, major media headlines revolved around Damian Lillard in a sensational trade. However, the Boston Celtics eventually won the deal, snatching NBA champion Ju Holiday from the Milwaukee Bucks. Holiday's organizational offense and superb outside defense are the key to the Celtics' efforts to overcome difficulties. On the other hand, the Bucks failed to win the championship after Lillard was injured, and the Bucks recently cut him for a torn Achilles tendon.

Anthony Davis - Los Angeles Lakers (2019)

After LeBron James came to Los Angeles, the team knew they needed to make the most of his championship opportunities. Unfortunately, their young players didn't do that. As a result, the Lakers sent Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart away in exchange for All-Star big man Anthony Davis. As it turns out, Davis is James' perfect partner. Both stars wear purple and gold jerseys and hold the 17th championship flag in the NBA rematch park.

Kevin Durant - Golden State Warriors (2016)

Kevin Durant has aroused many doubts after transferring to the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 offseason. The transfer was opposed, especially after the Thunder were just eliminated by the Warriors in the playoffs. Despite this, Durant's risky transfer is ultimately worth it. He led the Golden State Warriors to the NBA championship for two consecutive years, cementing his position as one of the great players.

Kayey Leonard - Toronto Raptors (2018)

Kayey Leonard is increasingly dissatisfied with the San Antonio Spurs, and despite leading the team to the championship in 2014, he still wants to leave. In the end, the Spurs traded the 2014 NBA Finals MVP to the Toronto Raptors, and Leonard didn't like the team. Fortunately, the one-year loan period is worth it. Leonard led the Raptors to win the 2019 NBA championship, while also defeating the Warriors Dynasty, who was struggling to achieve three consecutive championships at the time.

Magic Johnson - Los Angeles Lakers (1979)

Throughout NBA history, only one rookie has won the NBA Finals MVP. Magic Johnson is still the only player to win the award in his first year in the league. The Lakers picked Johnson with the No. 1 pick in the 1979 NBA Draft, which proved to be one of the greatest offseason transfers in team history.