Player movement in the NBA is not a new phenomenon, and its roots stretch back to a pivotal moment in league history. Since the floodgates opened on free agency in 1976 following the Oscar Robertson vs. NBA ruling, a seismic shift in the balance of power between players and teams has taken place. What was once an era defined by player loyalty and franchise control gradually transformed into a more dynamic, player-driven landscape.
The introduction of free agency meant that for the first time, athletes had the autonomy to choose where they played, giving them a greater voice in shaping their own careers and altering the competitive fabric of the league.