The basketball world was left speechless last night, as one of the biggest trades in the sports history went down between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks.
On the back of the breaking news that changed the NBA landscape, we decided to take a look back at some of Geelong's most memorable trades in recent history.
From Patrick Dangerfield to Jeremy Cameron, the Cats have secured a number of significant players through exchanges with other teams.
Take a look back at the four biggest trades in the club's history.
1. 2015 – Dangerfield Comes Home
Geelong RECEIVE: Patrick Dangerfield and Pick 50
Geelong GIVE: Dean Gore, Pick 9 (Wayne Milera) and Pick 28 (Mitch Hibberd)
After missing the finals in 2015, Geelong secured Patrick Dangerfield in a trade with Adelaide which set the club on a path back to the top of the ladder.
In nine seasons with the Cats, Dangerfield has; become a premiership player, won a Brownlow medal in 2016, become the Geelong captain in 2023, been selected to five more All-Australian teams and won three Carji Greeves medals.
The star midfielder has become one of the greatest players in the modern generation, helping lead the Cats to the 2022 Premiership.
2. 2017 – A Favourite Son Returns, With an Added Bonus
Geelong RECEIVE: Gary Ablett Jr, Pick 24 (Tim Kelly)
Geelong GIVE: Pick 19 (Wil Powell), Future Second Round Pick
Ablett returned home to finish off his incredible career, playing three more seasons and helping the Cats reach the 2020 Grand Final in his final game before retirement.
One of the greatest players in AFL history, Ablett played averaged more than a goal a game on return while winding the clock back in a handful of stellar performances.
The Cats also got pick 24 which they used to select Tim Kelly, who scored two runner up finishes in the Carji Greeves Medal and a top five in the Brownlow during his two seasons at the club.
3. 2020 – Blockbuster Swap Brings Jezza to Kardinia Park
Geelong RECEIVE: Jeremy Cameron & Two Future Second Round Picks
Geelong GIVE: Picks 13, 15, 20 & Future Fourth Round
It was the mega deal that changed the landscape of the AFL trade period, the Cats secured superstar Jeremy Cameron from GWS at the end of 2020.
Cameron has been a dominant force up forward for Geelong, booting 221 goals from his 83 games at the club while helping the team capture the 2022 premiership.
The star forward has also won a Carji Greeves Medal, another two All-Australian blazers and led Geelong’s goal kicking on two occasions.
4. 2024 - Cats Seal the Deal to Secure Smith
Geelong RECEIVE: Bailey Smith, Pick 45
Geelong GIVE: Picks 17 & 38
One of the main storylines heading into 2025 will be the start of Bailey Smith's journey with Geelong, Cats fans intrigued to see how this blockbuster trade unfolds across the course of the season.
Touted as one of the competition's top emerging midfielders, Smith impressed during his time at the Western Bulldogs before seeking a trade to the Cats at the end of 2024.
With an average of nearly 23 disposals and four inside 50's per game across his 103 games career, Smith will be looking to become a dominant force in Geelong's on-ball division for year's to come.
