Greg Oden is selected over Kevin Durant in the 2007 Draft
Oden: last played basketball for the Jiangsu Dragons in China (2015-2016), current student manager of the Ohio State men's basketball team.
The Sonics announce their official move to OKC
The Seattle Sonics’ owner released a statement indicating his intent to move the team to OKC on November 2, 2007. The team officially moved in 2008.
The Celtics' Big 3 is formed
Boston's ('07) big three was the true precursor of the superteam era we’ve entered now. KG, Pierce & Allen would go on to defeat the Lakers for the championship later that season (2007-2008); the trio helped complete the largest single-season turnaround in NBA history with 66 Ws, a 42 win improvement over the previous year.
The Lakers steal Pau Gasol
The Lakers put on their best Danny Ocean impression and traded Kwame Brown, Aaron McKie, Javaris Crittenton, 2 draft picks + the rights to Marc Gasol (debuted the following season) for Pau. Honestly, considering how well Marc Gasol turned out, I’m sure retroactively the Grizzlies are fine with this trade. But at the time, the Lakers finessed that trade into an ensuing series of championship runs - cementing Pau as the “missing piece” they needed to get over the hump (after the departure of Shaq).
Shaq morphs into the big cactus
Speaking of Shaquille O’Neal, Shaq was traded from Miami to Phoenix in February 2008. This effectively began Shaq’s journeyman status as he was traded to the Phoenix Suns after successful stints with Orlando, LA, and Miami. He was exchanged for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. Shaq played the 28 remaining games of that season and then went on to average 15 and 9 in the playoffs.
Jason Kidd is no longer a New Jersey Net
The Jason Kidd-New Jersey Nets era ended on February 19, 2008 in a trade that sent Kidd to the Mavericks (along with Malik Allen) for Devin Harris, Trenton Hassell, and Keith Van Horn. Kidd would later go on to help the Mavs defeat the Big 3 in Miami in the 2011 Finals.
The Bulls fire Scott Skiles on Christmas Eve
John Paxson turns himself into the Grinch that Stole Scott Skiles’ Christmas, as he fires him on December 24th, 2007.
Paxson ('07):
"This was a difficult decision to make, but one that was necessary at this time. Scott helped us in many ways during his time with the Bulls; most importantly, he helped this franchise get back to respectability. I am appreciative of his hard work and the imprint that he left on our team."
Pat Riley steps down as the Heat’s coach, giving "birth" to Erik Spoelstra
The formative executive decision that paved the way for the successful head coaching career of Erik Spolestra.
Chris Webber retires after repeated knee issues
At this point of Webber’s career, he already experienced microfracture surgery, which completely derailed any explosiveness or athleticism left in his legs. This led to Webber becoming a defensive liability due to virtually no lateral quickness and made him virtually unplayable in 4th quarters. A disgruntled Webber wanted out, and eventually he and Billy King (Philly's GM at the time) agreed to a buyout, rendering him a free agent.
In January of that same season, Webber signed with the Detroit Pistons, his hometown team. He averaged 10 points and 6 rebounds during their playoff run, although they ultimately were eliminated by, surprise, LeBron and the Cavs in the Conference Finals.