The Basketball Tree is the ultimate resource to the one of the largest trade research project dedicated to unlocking the connections between the many trades made in the NBA since its inception. The research of the basketball tree initially began in 2021 out of curiosity and has grown into a comprehensive full scale project.
The origins of the Basketball will date back to the 1962 season with the main focus starting point being the trade of Oscar Robertson to the Milwaukee Bucks after the 1969-70 season. The Basketball Tree is designed to have a deep dive into the trades that are made, the connection to previous and future trades and the impact they had on the teams involved.
Among the other items we examine are the stories behind the trades and the unique backstories that are part of the Basketball Tree itself. Since this is a living, breathing and active tree, we also take a dive into the present day and future implications of the trades that are being made to this day that made between the various NBA teams.
The Rules of the Basketball Tree and what you will see
The Basketball Tree is a concept that connects trades through the common connections between them. The way it works is quite simple and straight forward. The players that involved in the initial trade are considered as the roots to the entire tree itself. If a player in the initial trade gets traded while remaining as a part of the team, the player involved creates a branch of the tree. All players and draft picks that are part of the subsequent trades and beyond are absorbed into the tree.
Here is a sample illustration of how the trade tree is designed to work:
Now that we have a basic concept of how the trade tree works and what it looks like visually. lets go over some other caveats that are part of the trade tree itself:
EXPANSION DRAFT
When the league brings in a brand new team, the incoming franchise will pay a designated fee to join the league . The total amount the league sets as an admission to the league is split amongst the existing franchises in the league. With the entrance into the league there comes an expansion draft to help the new team fill up their roster with players from the existing franchises. Because this is a monetary trade and if a player that is already part of the tree gets selected in the expansion draft, they new team gets added into the tree.
FREE AGENT COMPENSATION
In the NBA, there was period of time where if you sign a free agent to a contract, the team that loses that player to free agency is subject to getting a player or draft pick that comes from thee roster of the team that signs him.
As long as a player remains on the roster and is on the active on the team that trades for him, that player continues to be part of the trade tree. Retirement, releases and other non-trade related actions such as signing as a free agent (except when another team gets compensation) will end their stay as an active member of the tree.
What you will find on The Basketball Tree website
The Basketball Tree will consists of articles about the trades in the tree itself from the past, present and future. It will be a deep dive and we will also take a deep dive into the life and career of the players that are part of the tree. With this, will be interviews, profiles and basic statistical information of the players. The Basketball Tree will also feature an active list of players and draft picks that are still on the tree itself.
There will also be regular videos and podcasts that surface on places such as YouTube, Facebook and other social media platforms that remain active through the internet’s existence.
It is important to remember, The Basketball Tree is a living historic part of the game of basketball and the stories, players and events that have an impact on the the trade tree itself deserves to be told to the general public. The past, present and future of The Basketball Tree are for the world to discover.
From the author and operator of The Basketball Tree Book and website
My name is Christopher Lyke and I am a sports enthusiast that lives and thrives on watching, writing and researching the sports world. By trade, I am a sports journalist that has covered the world of high school football, Major League Baseball, National Hockey League and the NBA in some form or capacity over a span of three decades. I have also served in some capacity with a number of sports teams in the football, baseball, basketball and hockey worlds.
Among my favorite hobbies is doing the research of sports history that most will not be reluctant to do. Consuming the individual stories, the backgrounds and the way the sports world operates is one of the greatest learning experiences I have ever had in life. Most of my free time over the last few years has been dedicated to finding, exploring the endless and fascinating path and backstories of the basketball trade tree.
One of the big things I have discovered over the course of doing the research for the book itself and setting up this online resource, is that every player, no matter where they are from, where they played, when they played and how they played on the court, has their own unique story. Sharing some of those stories, the background and backstories of what their connection to the tree is, has become one of the biggest thrills of my life.
There are a few major influences that I have when it comes to this project. the first are my parents, who have supported me in pursuing my dreams through thick and thin. The many colleagues that I have worked with over the years are key to my development as writer and as sports fanatic. One of the big influences of The Basketball Tree is the YouTube work of Steve Glynn a.k.a. “Steve Dangle” formerly of TSN in Canada. Part of his brilliant work was displaying the various trade trees from the world of the National Hockey League. His ability to tell a story about the trees he featured and show his impeccable research is a big part of what made The Basketball Tree possible.
The key aspect that keeps the Basketball Tree a live is the rich and diverse history of the trade market and culture created by the owners, general managers, coaches and players of the NBA. The influence of the tree expands far beyond just the NBA itself. It has also had an impact on the ABA, the various developmental leagues in the US and Canada and the many professional leagues across the globe in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.
How You Can Support My Work on The Basketball Tree
There are a number of ways to help support my work on this project. When the book is released, please buy the book and give it a read! You can also support me by buying a Basketball Tree Full Court Pass on The Basketball Tree website, following The Basketball Tree on Facebook, YouTube, X, Threads, TikTok and LinkedIn. You can also send me a one time donation on PayPal or Cash App. Every bit of support help and I want to say thank you to all of you that support and enjoy this content!