In an NBA league where transactions are endless, some players are destined to be sold in the league as goods, and some are never touched. Today, let's take stock of which 5 legendary stars have never been put on the "shelf" in this era of "no player no traded"?
The NBA is a purely commercial league, and the purpose of team owners is to make money. Therefore, trading is a perfectly normal thing here. Even supergiants like Harden and Westbrook have had the experience of being abandoned. Not to mention some role players, who can be constantly traded away as "stickers" at any time. Like Matt Barnes back then, he was in the game against the Hornets when he was suddenly told that he had been traded to the Magic.
There are some stars who have always played for the same team, but they have not never been put on the "shelf"
The first one, well-deservedly is, the "God of Basketball" Michael Jordan
In the 1984 draft, Jordan was passed by the Rockets and the Trail Blazers, and was finally "missed" by the Bulls with the third pick. But in his rookie season, he has already shown the strength of a superstar, averaging 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game, and led the Bulls to the playoffs. Since then, Jordan has completely become a "not for sale" for the Bulls.
After that, Jordan's dominance in the league only increased. Before his first title in 1991, he had won the scoring title and regular season MVP several times. In 1993, Jordan led the team to sweep the Trail Blazers and Suns, and the Bulls finally won three consecutive championships, creating a dynasty of their own.
Although Jordan briefly left the NBA in October 1993, the Bulls still regarded him as a team leader when he returned in March 1995. Sure enough, from 1996 to 1998, Jordan led the Bulls to three consecutive championships, becoming the only star in history who can still dominate the league after retiring.
In 1999, Jordan retired for the second time and did not completely break off his friendship with the Bulls. In 2001, in an effort to boost the morale of the nation, Jordan announced his second comeback, this time choosing to join the Wizards. Although Jordan was in his prime, the Wizards would never dare to trade the cash cow.
Second place, "Black Mamba" Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant is undoubtedly one of the most famous "one man, one city" players in NBA history. He spent his entire career playing exclusively for the Los Angeles Lakers, and he was instrumental in this team. Many people believe that Kobe Bryant can be called the real first person in the history of the Lakers.
Although some people will say that Kobe Bryant was put on the "shelf" in 2007. But this was not the case, and it was Kobe himself who requested a trade from the Lakers first, not the Lakers who took the initiative.
The reason was that Kobe Bryant at that time was completely fed up with the team's lack of championships for many years, he was "forcing the palace" of the Lakers, and was almost sent to the Pistons or the Bulls. However, in the end, Lakers owner Buss personally came forward to persuade and promised to strengthen the team, and Kobe Bryant chose to stay with the team.
In fact, Bryant was the right decision to stay. The following season, the Lakers signed Gasol, and with the latter's assist, Kobe Bryant won the championship for two consecutive years (2009, 2010). Even if the team's strength declined in the later period, the Lakers never thought of trading Kobe, but always gave him a maximum salary package and created the most luxurious retirement banquet in NBA history for him.
The third place is Tim Duncan, the last "dinosaur" of the "Paleolithic Age".
Yao Ming was physically exhausted, and Duncan's uneasy stalk came from this stone Buddha. In order to select Duncan, the Spurs took the initiative to "swing" in the 1996-97 season and only won 20 wins, and finally got their wish to win the first pick. Although everyone thinks Duncan is a big name, his rookie season with 21.1 points and 11.9 rebounds was really unexpected and he was named to the All-Star team.
After leading the Spurs to win the first championship in franchise history in 1999, under Duncan's leadership, the Spurs have never missed the playoffs, winning a total of five championships. Although the stats are not very impressive, the sacrificial center is at the heart of the Spurs' system.
Interestingly, Duncan did have thoughts of leaving the Spurs during the 2000 offseason. At the time, his favorite next home was the Orlando Magic, who even asked golfer Woods to persuade Duncan. Since Duncan and Magic star Grant Hill are the same agent, he was almost tempted away.
However, under the joint persuasion of Spurs owners Holt, Popovich and David Robinson, Duncan still gave up leaving the team and chose to devote all his efforts to the Spurs.
Fourth, Dirk Nowitzki
Nowitzki, who entered the NBA in 1998, has played for the Mavericks from start to finish in his 21-year career. Compared to Duncan, Nowitzki is a different case. He is the "darling" of the Mavericks' boss Cuban, and in 2007, when he won the MVP and was out of the first round of the playoffs, the Mavericks once thought about trading him, but in the end he was vetoed by Cuban.
This stems from Kuban's full trust in Nowitzki. In the 2000s, Nowitzki commanded the Mavericks for 12 years, and although his strength has been questioned, Cuban has never moved to change people. Instead, the Mavericks have been trying to build reinforcements for Nowitzki. It wasn't until 2011 that they finally won their first championship trophy under Dirk's leadership.
This insistence on Nowitzki has also become a "paranoia" that the Mavericks cannot match other teams. Even after Dirk's ability faded, Cuban never put him on the shelf. This trust is much higher than the ordinary "player-boss" relationship.
Fifth, one of the greatest stars of the new era - Brother Alphabet, Giannis Antetokounmpo
Also known as the Greek Monster, Antetokounmpo is one of the most iconic figures of the 21st century. He joined the NBA in 2014 from an African Unknown, when the German was so tall and malnourished that the Bucks even doubted his talent.
But Antetokounmpo soon dismissed all dismissive voices. Within 3 years, he quickly grew into the new king of the league, and in the 2019-2020 season, he won the regular season MVP and best defender awards, becoming the second person after Haken. In 2021, the 29-year-old Antetokounmpo led the team to the finals, won the first championship ring of his career, and won the FMVP that year.
The 29-year-old Antetokounmpo is arguably just entering the peak of his career, and the next 5-6 years will continue to be his brightest period. And Bucks management, there is no doubt that Antetokounmpo will want Antetokounmpo to wrap up his entire career. Imagine 5 or 10 years from now, a triple or quadruple champion Antetokounmpo being put on the shelf, which would undoubtedly be a joke for the Bucks.
So from now on, unless Antetokounmpo himself asks for a trade, the Bucks will definitely not give up on him easily. For a superstar who can create countless commercial value, letting him go with his own hands will only be the biggest regret of the Bucks.
Do you know any other players who have never been put on the shelves? Like who on the Warriors?