Wilt Chamberlain was traded from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1968. Reportedly, Wilt asked for a trade from the Sixers after winning his 4th (and final) MVP award. The motivation of the request remains a dispute. In the 67-68 season, the 76ers in Wilt's final year went 62-20, losing in the 2nd round of the playoffs to the Boston Celtics. The Lakers went 52-30, losing in the NBA finals. In the 68-69 season, the 76ers without Chamberlain went 55-27, losing in the 1st round of the playoffs. The Lakers, with newly acquired Chamberlain, went 55-27, losing once again in the NBA finals. So the trade did not seem to make much of an immediate impact for either team.
LeBron James famously left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat as a free agent this past July (2010). He even had a one-hour tv special on ESPN called The Decision where he announced he was "taking his talents to South Beach." This followed the 2009-2010 season where James won his 2nd MVP award of his young career. During the 09-10 season, the Cavs in LeBron's last season there went 61-21, losing in the 2nd round of the playoffs to the Celtics. Miami went 47-35, losing in the 1st round of the playoffs. The immediate impact of James changing teams has yet to be determined.Two great, hall of fame players leaving their teams after great seasons. I imagine LeBron's decision this summer will have more of an impact than Wilt's did in the Sixties.
