The Most Dramatic Trade Announcement in NBA History

June 30, 1993 - With one of Michigan's most elite basketball prospects in state history penned in as a no-brainer No.1 overall pick, it was only fitting that the Palace of Auburn Hills, located a stone's throw north of Detroit, would host the 1993 NBA Draft. Chris Webber received a prolonged standing ovation the moment his name was initially called that evening, so NBA commissioner David Stern appeared to know full well what he was walking into when he approached the mic to announce a trade involving Webber moments later.

For the record, the three future first round draft picks acquired by the Magic yielded Todd Fuller (1996), Vince Carter (1998), and Mike Miller (2000). One year following the Webber deal, Orlando packaged two of those picks (1996 and 1998) alongside Scott Skiles, sending all to Washington in a salary dump intended to facilitate the Magic's signing of Horace Grant.

Four months later, the 1996 and 1998 future first round picks (Fuller and Carter) returned to Golden State, the original owner of the picks, once again in exchange for Chris Webber, who was sent to Washington following a second-year fallout with Warriors head coach Don Nelson.

Todd Fuller averaged 4.0 points over two seasons with the Warriors. Carter, drafted fifth overall by Golden State in 1998, was sent to Toronto on draft night in exchange for North Carolina teammate Antawn Jamison.

Webber went on to enjoy a 15-year Hall of Fame career. Hardaway, meanwhile, teamed up with Shaquille O'Neal to lead the Magic to the Finals in 1995 before leg injuries prematurely dulled his ascent. Hardaway made four all-star appearances in Orlando then gently winded down his career as a role player in the 2000's.

[jeffthomas]

Lol David Stern was enjoying every moment of this

[YoyoF]

This is one instance where social media kinda ruined things. Announcements like this, in person with no one knowing before, are amazing

[mrsuns]

I love how the crowd’s groan gets intense every time he announces something new

[Bruin]

I was in the 10th grade when this went down. After hearing the terms of the trade, I remember thinking how far away the year 2000 seemed to be.

[blackphillip]

My man, D. Stern holding court. He had great timing, pace, adjusting the mic. Acting like he was about to tell them they were all getting $1 million.

[Swove]

For those wondering about the three future first round draft picks:

Orlando retained the 2000 pick and selected Mike Miller. They sent the other two picks to Washington in 1994, who then sent those picks BACK to Golden State for, you guessed it, Chris Webber. The Warriors used those picks on Todd Fuller (1996) and Vince Carter (1998), though Carter was immediately traded to Toronto in exchange for Antawn Jamison.

Basically, the Warriors traded Anfernee Hardaway, Chris Webber, and three future first round draft picks for Tom Gugliotta and two of those same draft picks.

[jonathanorr]

Dude had WWE level promo skills. Knew exactly when to pause and milk the reaction. I miss Stern.

[danielallyway]

Stern was serious about this kind of drama!

[northernlight]

RIP Sir David Stern, The NBA was at its peak when you were around!!

[Hackaveli]

Love how Stern really leaned into his supreme heel role lol

[wmaneker]

I was a young magic fan at the time, I think this was the summer before 7th grade.

When the magic received the number 1 pick, my brothers and I dreamed of Webber and Shaq in the front court. We were booing on this day, but the next few years with Shaq and Penny were amazing.

[PatNeedhamUSA]

Imagine if the crowd here acted like a WWE crowd and yelled "What?" after every pause

[geoffreyrue]

This felt more like a WWE promo than a trade announcement.

[yingghit]

This was before I was born, but I still really loved every moment of C-Webbs carerr (except the injuries) with the Warriors to Washington to Sacremento to Detroit everybody respected and loved him opponents and teammates alike

[mikesharon]

David purposely kept the suspense here 🤣😂 man what a trade they got outta that! Penny Hardaway was a stud but his injuries delayed and hurt his legacy unfortunately:( but he was fast, could move, shoot & dunk! He was one of my favs in early 90s. And not much needs to be said on Webber if you know his career or watched his games back then. RIP Mr. STERN🙏🙏🙏

[jackpot]

The way he only said Orlando and everybody was like and everytime he progresses throughout it’s just more at different levels 😭🤣🤣

[AlbertoGonzalez-xnlw]

At that time it was a "win-win" for both teams... you had a big man that did play small ball in GS and you had a young explosive PG in ORL...both teams had a great season.. and the future was bright... too bad Webber got out after that season... imagine him alongside with Tim, Spree, Chris and Ronny..

[JB-qthp]

Stern, love him or hate him, was such an iconic commissioner. He had all the behind the scenes shrewdness, along with stage presence that absolutely belied his calm, composed public demeanor. This clip really encapsulates all those assets at his disposal.

[michaelmesolellaesq]

David RIP. What a time in the NBA, and the nation. Special times. Talk about a ‘trade’ that ran deep.

[ndrocca]

I knew what trade it was before I clicked on this video. It always makes me chuckle when I listen to this announcement. Stern’s timing, Webber’s reaction, the crowd, everything made this so much more dramatic than it had any right to be.