Most important NBA free agent signings ever

Russell was one of the first players to ever test free agency, signing with the Lakers in 1974 after falling out with the Warriors. He played three seasons in L.A.

McGinnis went from the ABA to the NBA in 1975, helping lead Philadelphia to tremendous success. The 6-8 power forward averaged 23 points and 12.6 rebounds during his first season with the 76ers and helped them to the NBA Finals in his second season. He went on to play for Denver and Indiana to finish out his career.

McGinnis wasn't the only ABA star to join the 76ers. Erving was sold to the Sixers for $3 million after a territorial disagreement between the Nets and Knicks. Philadelphia made the NBA Finals in Erving's first season with the team, and he was an All-Star in all 11 of his seasons. The 76ers also won the NBA Finals in 1983 with Erving as a key part.

A former star at UCLA, Wilkes left the Warriors after three seasons to join the Lakers. He was a difference maker over eight seasons, averaging 18.4 points per game. L.A. won three NBA Finals during his tenure.

Williams left Golden State for Seattle in 1977. He was a star point guard for the SuperSonics, leading them to a championship in 1979.

Malone signed with the Sixers for six years, $13.2 million, leaving the Rockets. He played four seasons with Philadelphia under that contract, winning two MVP Awards and the NBA Finals in 1983.

Phoenix had a strong run after Chambers' arrival in 1988. He made three consecutive All-Star appearances and averaged 20.6 points and 6.6 rebounds over five seasons with the Suns.

The combination of Starks and Patrick Ewing will forever be remembered by Knicks fans despite their inability to win an NBA championship. Starks signed with the Knicks after a tryout in 1990 following stints in the CBA and WBL. Starks played nine seasons in New York, averaged 14.1 points per game and made one All-Star appearance.

A former champion in Chicago, Grant was offered big money to help Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway in Orlando. The power forward immediately helped lead the Magic to the NBA Finals in 1995 before Shaq departed one year later.

The mercurial Rodman played three seasons in Chicago alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. He led the NBA in rebounds during all three of those seasons, and the Bulls won three championships in a row. The 1995-96 squad won a record-breaking 72 games during the regular season, which was broken in the 2015-16 season by the Golden State Warriors.

O'Neal had a falling out with Orlando and signed a seven-year, $121 million contract to go west. Arguably the NBA's most dominant big man ever, Shaq played eight seasons with the Lakers. He won three Finals MVP Awards and three NBA championships in L.A.

Miami traded for Hardaway from Golden State in the 1995-96 season before he signed a long-term contract to remain with the Heat. Hardaway made two All-Star appearances with his new team over five full seasons, and the Heat made the playoffs in all of those seasons.

Mutombo signed a five-year, $55 million contract to leave Denver and join the Hawks in 1996. He won two Defensive Player of the Year Awards with Atlanta, averaging 12.6 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game in his four-plus seasons.

Divac helped lead the Kings to stardom after signing in 1998 and even made the Western Conference Finals in 2002. Over his six seasons in Sacramento, the center averaged 11.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.

Billups became Detroit's starting point guard after signing a six-year, $35 million contract. He helped lead the Pistons to an NBA championship in 2004 and a Finals appearance the following year.

Jordan became part owner and president of basketball operations for the Wizards in 1999 following his retirement from the Bulls. Only two years later, he got back on the court for Washington. He concluded his career with two frustrating and uneventful seasons, but he still averaged 21.2 points per game.

Big Shot Rob already had five NBA championships under his belt when he joined the Spurs in 2003. A huge Finals showing in 2005 helped the Spurs win Horry's sixth championship, and he won his seventh ring with San Antonio in 2007.

Arenas was yet another example of a great player escaping the Warriors. He left for Washington after only two seasons, signing a six-year, $60 million contract. He became an elite player early in his Wizards career, averaging 27.7 points and 5.7 assists over three seasons from 2004-07.

Cleveland supposedly had an agreement with Boozer on a six-year, $39 million contract. To sign the deal, the Cavs let Boozer out of his current contract. In the meantime, Utah swooped in to sign Boozer for six years, $70 million. Boozer made two All-Star appearances with the Jazz and averaged more than 19 points per game over six seasons.

Nash left Dallas to rejoin Phoenix, signing a six-year, $63 million contract that Mavericks owner Mark Cuban didn't match. He proceeded to make six All-Star appearances in nine seasons with the Suns and won two MVP Awards.

LeBron jerseys were set ablaze in Cleveland after James "took his talents to South Beach" in 2010. He announced The Decision live on television, leaving his home state of Ohio. Joining Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, James appeared in four consecutive NBA Finals and won two championships with the Heat.

Bosh joined LeBron James and Dwyane Wade to make the Big Three in Miami. He helped the Heat win two championships, but his time with the team ended unceremoniously with blood clot issues.

Allen finished his career with two seasons in Miami. His contribution to the 2013 championship squad can't be understated with a game-tying, miracle three-pointer in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.

All was forgiven in Cleveland when James announced that he would be coming home after winning two championships in Miami. Over three seasons during his second stint in Cleveland, James has made three NBA Finals and ended the city's championship drought in 2016.

Durant shocked the basketball world when he left the Thunder to sign with the elite Warriors. Coming off a 73-win regular season, the Warriors returned to the Finals in 2017 after their disappointing loss against the Cavs in 2016. Durant helped the Warriors win their second championship in three years and won the Finals MVP. He did the same in 2017-18, making it two straight titles and two straight NBA Finals MVPs for Durant in Oakland.