The five major MVPs sold by trade on NBA draft pick night, the Hornets traded by traded by two MVPs

We are used to trading on the NBA draft day. Many teams will achieve their goals by trading some young players or draft picks on that day for their own reconstruction plans or plans to improve their competitiveness.

However, there are also some teams who regret their own deals because the players they originally selected rose to become one of the best NBA stars within a few years after they were sent away by them. Some people even became regular season MVPs, such as Alexander in the 2024-25 season. To this end, US media ClutchPoints revealed that among the players who were traded on the day of the draft in NBA history, the five stars who were successfully elected as MVP in the future.

1. Alexander

Alexander was selected by the Charlotte Hornets in the 11th pick in the first round in 2018. As a result, the Hornets traded the 12th overall pick and two second-round picks to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Hornets took Miles Bridges with the 12th pick. Later, on draft night, the Los Angeles Clippers used chips such as Alexander to exchange for Paul George of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Interestingly, both teams in the 2025 Finals are Paul George's former club teams. In the 2024-25 season, Alexander averaged 32 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists per game. Coupled with the Thunder's record, he ranked first in the league, and he was also elected as the MVP.

2. Kobe

Kobe was selected by the Hornets in the 13th pick in the first round at the NBA Draft in 1996. But. Because the Lakers' Jerry West wanted Kobe at that time, he chose to use the All-Star big man Vlad Divac in exchange for the young Kobe. Facts proved that Jerry West's big bet was correct. Kobe helped the Lakers win five championships, three consecutive championships at one time and two consecutive championships at one time. Kobe won the regular season MVP in 2008, averaging 28 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists at the time. If it weren't for losing to the Boston Celtics in the Finals, Kobe had already entered the list of clubs that won the regular season MVP and the Finals MVP in a single season.

3. Bill Russell

Bill Russell was the leader of the old dynasty of the Boston Celtics. He was the mainstay of the Celtics from the late 1950s to the mid-1960s, helping the team to reach the finals 12 times and winning 11 championships. However, let's not forget that Bill Russell was obtained by the Celtics to trade. Former Celtics boss Walter Brown reached an agreement with Rochester Royals boss Les Harrison. As long as the Rochester Royals boss does not choose Bill Russell and leaves him with his seventh pick in the 1956 NBA draft, he will give away Ed McCauley, Cliffhagen and the seventh pick in the 1956 NBA draft in exchange for the second pick. Bill Russell helped the Celtics rule an era and created the greatest dynasty in NBA history. Moreover, he also won five MVPs.

4.Deknowitzki

Deknowitzki is a legend of the Dallas Mavericks. His career was also one person and one city. He also helped the Dallas Mavericks win the only championship in team history and personal career in 2010. That time, Dirknowitzki was elected the MVP of the Finals. However, he is not the Dallas Mavericks draft. In 1998, the Milwaukee Bucks won him with the ninth pick in the first round, and then traded him to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Pat Garriti and sixth pick Robert "Tractor" Taylor. In 2007, Dirknowitzki averaged 24 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists per game and was elected as the regular season MVP.

5.Nash

Nash is a Suns legend. Unfortunately, he has never won the NBA championship. He and Kobe were in the same draft. He was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 15th pick in the first round in 1996. He performed in average for two seasons. Then in the 1998 NBA Draft, he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, and the Suns also received Martin Musep, Boubavils, Pat Garretti and Sean Marion. As a result, he performed well in the six years he played for the Mavericks. So the Phoenix Suns chose to reunite with Nash. Under D'Antoni's magic ball tactical system, Nash became one of the best point guards in the NBA and was elected as the regular season MVP for two consecutive seasons.