12 key NBA players who changed teams this season

mike d. sykes, ii

Thu, Oct 17, 2024, 4:59 PM·5 min read

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 14: Paul George #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives against the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter at State Farm Arena on October 14, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776204101 ORIG FILE ID: 2178446710

The NBA is a transaction-driven league. Every season comes with a re-shuffling of the decks that completely alters the league and how things may shake out.

The same can be said for this season, with several big-named players finding new homes this offseason. Household names that you'll easily recognize will be playing for new teams this season.

Some of them will make sense! You'll immediately see how great a fit the player is on their new team. Some of this? Well, let's just say we're entering Michael Jordan on the Wizards territory with some of these. Maybe even worse.

That's not to say that Jordan on the Wizards was bad! It wasn't. I'd argue it was actually pretty cool and fun. It was also just...very weird. Some of these names below are heading to places that also seem very weird.

Anyway, enough rambling. Let's get into the list.

1. Klay Thompson

Oct 10, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) is introduced before the game against the Utah Jazz at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images ORG XMIT: IMAGN-893106 ORIG FILE ID: 20241010_krj_aj6_00030.JPG

Previous team: Golden State Warriors

Current team: Dallas Mavericks

Thompson spent the entirety of his 12-year career with the Golden State Warriors before departing this offseason for Dallas. Thompson's long contract dispute with Golden State sent him looking for greener pastures.

2. Paul George

Previous team: L.A. Clippers

Current team: Philadelphia 76ers

Paul George wanted to return to the Clippers but the two sides couldn't agree on what George's contract should look like moving forward so he departed across the country to Philadelphia.

3. Mikal Bridges

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 09: Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Washington Wizards during the second half of a preseason game at Madison Square Garden on October 09, 2024 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776204127 ORIG FILE ID: 2177695914

Previous team: Brooklyn Nets

Current team: New York Knicks

Bridges remains in the same city, but he'll be playing with a different team this season. He was traded to the Knicks to reunite with his former college teammates and bolster an already solid Knicks' defense.

MORE ON THE BRIDGES DEAL: Here are our trade grades for the deal between the Knicks and Nets

4. Chris Paul

Oct 12, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) looks up in the second half against the Utah Jazz at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images ORG XMIT: IMAGN-890745 ORIG FILE ID: 20241012_kdn_da8_190.JPG

Previous team: Golden State Warriors

Current team: San Antonio Spurs

Chris Paul has become a journeyman point guard in the NBA, bouncing from team to team in search for a championship. After playing last season with the Warriors, Paul decided to sign a one-year deal with the Spurs and play alongside Victor Wembanyama. That'll be a fascinating combination.

5. DeMar DeRozan

Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

Previous team: Chicago Bulls

Current team: Sacramento Kings

After becoming a surprise MVP candidate for Chicago a few seasons ago, it might be a bit surprising to see DeRozan on another team. But the Bulls decided to move in a different direction and DeRozan still wants to compete for championships. The Kings were the right fit for him.

6. Karl-Anthony Towns

Oct 13, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts after being called for a foul during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images ORG XMIT: IMAGN-893406 ORIG FILE ID: 20241013_vtc_cb6_10775.JPG

Previous team: Minnesota Timberwolves

Current team: New York Knicks

In maybe the most shocking move of the NBA offseason, Karl-Anthony Towns was traded to the New York Knicks for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, salary filler and some draft compensation. The three-team deal between Charlotte, New York and Minnesota has been the biggest surprise heading into the current season.

MORE ON TOWNS TRADE: Here's why this is one of the most unique trades in NBA history

7. Julius Randle

Oct 13, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) celebrates with forward Julius Randle (30) during the first half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images ORG XMIT: IMAGN-893406 ORIG FILE ID: 20241013_vtc_cb6_5631.JPG

Previous team: New York Knicks

Current team: Minnesota Timberwolves

Folks have long speculated that, if the Knicks were going to make any big move, Randle would likely be involved. Year after year, nothing has happened. Until now. Randle will look to play second-fiddle to Anthony Edwards in Minnesota this season.

8. Russell Westbrook

Oct 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) in the second quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images ORG XMIT: IMAGN-893407 ORIG FILE ID: 20241013_ijd_bd3_036.JPG

Previous team: L.A. Clippers

Current team: Denver Nuggets

Westbrook has turned into a journeyman player in the back half of his career. The Nuggets will be the sixth team Westbrook has played for in seven seasons since the Oklahoma City Thunder traded him away in 2019.

NIKOLA JOKIC WANTED WESTBROOK: Things might work out differently for Russell at his latest stop

9. Dejounte Murray

Oct 13, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) drives to the basket against Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (5) and forward Jimmy Butler (22) during the second quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images ORG XMIT: IMAGN-885251 ORIG FILE ID: 20241013_SN_na2_086.jpg

Previous team: Atlanta Hawks

Current team: New Orleans Pelicans

Murray had solid seasons with Atlanta but never seemed to fit in alongside Trae Young. The two were always better apart than they were together. He'll be able to run the show in New Orleans as the team's best guard.

DEJOUNTE MURRAY TRADE GRADES: This was a solid deal for all parties involved

10. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Sep 30, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (3) poses for a photo during Media Day at AdventHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images ORG XMIT: IMAGN-896086 ORIG FILE ID: 20240930_hmb_sk4_078.JPG

Previous team: Denver Nuggets

Current team: Orlando Magic

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has been a key contributor to two championship teams in the last five years. The Magic swooping in and stealing him away from the Nuggets, who were trying to avoid the NBA's vaunted second tax apron, is a brilliant move.

THE NUGGETS HAVE A PROBLEM: Losing KCP might be a signal that a year of Nikola Jokic's prime is being wasted

11. Alex Caruso

Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Previous team: Chicago Bulls

Current team: Oklahoma City Thunder

Alex Caruso was one of the most sought-after trade pieces in the NBA last season. The Bulls were extremely hesitant to let him go. In Oklahoma City, he'll be the defensive stopper they rely on against guards like Anthony Edwards, Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic as they try to play through the West.

12. Donte DiVincenzo