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This Week in NBA History: Week of July 7 – NBA.com
Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard each change the league forever by changing teams via free agency.
From NBA.com Staff
Relive THE BEST plays from Kevin Durant's HISTORIC time with the Golden State Warriors!
Below is a day-by-day look at landmark moments, games, performances and more from this week in NBA lore.
July 7
July 7, 1978
The NBA approved a franchise swap in which Buffalo Braves owner John Y. Brown and Harry Mangurian acquired the Celtics, while the Celtics owner Irv Levin got the Braves, who were later moved to San Diego to become the Clippers.
July 7, 2016
Four-time scoring champ Kevin Durant, a sought-after free agent, signs with the Golden State Warriors.
July 7, 2019
Two-time MVP and former scoring champ Kevin Durant moves on to the Brooklyn Nets via a sign-and-trade deal with the Golden State Warriors. His move there comes a day after free-agent guard Kyrie Irving signed his deal with Brooklyn.
July 8
July 8, 2010
LeBron James shocked the sports world by announcing via a live ESPN special, The Decision, that he would be leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers and “taking his talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat.” This set off a firestorm of criticism and drama heading into the upcoming NBA season. Cleveland fans heavily lambasted James and some even burned his jersey in a public display. Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert wrote an open letter to fans, denouncing James’ actions and claiming the Cavs would win a NBA title before James.
July 8, 2011
Yao Ming, after nine seasons, retires from the NBA. He is credited as a critical force behind the growing popularity of the NBA in China.
July 9
July 9, 1968
The Philadelphia 76ers traded Wilt Chamberlain to the Los Angeles Lakers for Darrell Imhoff, Archie Clark and Jerry Chambers plus an undisclosed amount of cash.
July 9, 2004
Five-time All-Star Rudy LaRusso, known as “Roughhouse Rudy,” dies at the age of 66.
July 9, 2006
Andrea Bargnani of the Toronto Raptors, the top pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, becomes the first player ever to foul out of an NBA Summer League game, picking up ten personals in a game against the Sacramento Kings team.
July 9, 2018
LeBron James moves to the Western Conference for the first time in his career, signing as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers.
LeBron James reaches an agreement to join the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018.
July 9, 2019
The LA Clippers undergo a massive roster overhaul, starting with signing free-agent forward and reigning NBA Finals MVP, Kawhi Leonard. A day later, they would acquire former All-Star swingman Paul George via a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder to give the Clippers a superstar tandem.
Kenny Smith reacts to the reports that Kawhi Leonard and Paul George will head to LA to play for the Clippers.
July 9, 2020
NBA training camps for the restart of the 2019-20 season open at the Walt Disney World campus in Orlando, Fla. The 22 teams that participated in the restart are: Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns.
A timeline to better understand how COVID-19 impacted the NBA in 2020.
July 10
July 10, 1975
The Philadelphia 76ers signed forward George McGinnis after Commissioner Larry O’Brien revoked the contract McGinnis had signed with New York Knicks (May 30, 1975).
July 10, 2010
In separate sign-and-trade deals, the Miami Heat complete their roster makeover by picking up Chris Bosh and LeBron James from the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers, respectively. They joined up with Dwyane Wade, who in free agency opted to re-sign with the Heat.
As a free agent in 2010, LeBron James 'takes his talents to South Beach,' but finds winning an NBA title isn't as easy as it seems.
July 11
July 11, 1996
The National Basketball Association announced that a new collective bargaining agreement extending through the 2000-2001 season was signed with the National Basketball Players Association.
July 11, 2014
LeBron James explains in a Sports Illustrated “as-told-to” article that he’s coming home to Cleveland to lead the Cavaliers.
July 12
July 12, 2006
Brandon Roy of the Portland Trail Blazers scores 35 points against the Phoenix Suns to set a new NBA Summer League scoring record.
July 13
July 13, 2000
Mike Jones scored 19 points, and Rasul Salahuddin and Wayman Strickland each added 16 to lead the NBA Ambassadors to a 103-68 victory over China’s CBA All-Stars in the decisive third game of the Asian Basketball Association League championship series. The NBA Ambassadors represented the NBA’s new developmental league, the National Basketball Development League, which formed in November 2001.
Take a day-by-day look back at iconic NBA moments, milestones and more from the month of June.
Take a day-by-day look back at iconic NBA moments, milestones and more from the month of July.
Take a day-by-day look back at iconic NBA moments, milestones and more from the month of August.
Take a look back at the storylines, award-winners and much more from each season in NBA history.
Take a day-by-day look back at iconic NBA moments, milestones and more from the month of June.
Take a day-by-day look back at iconic NBA moments, milestones and more from the month of July.
Take a day-by-day look back at iconic NBA moments, milestones and more from the month of August.
Take a look back at the storylines, award-winners and much more from each season in NBA history.
Ricky Council IV puts up a 19-point fourth quarter for Philly, while Keyonte George comes up clutch for the hometown Jazz.
Keyonte George scores 30 points and hits the game-winning free throws in OT as Utah outlasts No. 9 pick Zach Edey (14 pts, 15 reb) and Memphis.
Ricky Council IV scores 29 points and No. 16 pick Jared McCain adds 15 points and six rebounds to pace Philly's win.
Still more than 5 months from his 18th birthday, Flagg shows why NBA teams will be coveting his skills in next year's Draft.
The Nets are planning on a strategic rebuild after trading Mikal Bridges to the Knicks for several future first-round picks.
Our writers reveal which players should start for Team USA at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.