2. Pau Gasol
The Lakers’ midseason acquisition of Gasol in 2007-08 transformed them into contenders. They went 29-16 through the day the deal was executed and 28-9 following the trade. They’d fall to the Celtics in the Finals that year before winning two titles of their own consecutively. Gasol averaged 18.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2 blocks per game across those three postseasons.