Feb. 6 marked the deadline for all NBA trades to be finalized, and there have been some surprising exchanges.
Most of the important trades occurred within the last week before the trade deadline, starting Feb. 1.
Starting with the less impactful trades, on Feb. 1, the Utah Jazz Clippers traded G Patty Mills and F/C Drew Eubanks to the LA Clippers for C Mo Bamba, F P.J. Tucker, a 2030 second-round pick, and cash considerations.
On Feb. 4, the Philadelphia 76ers traded F Caleb Martin to the Dallas Mavericks for G Quentin Grimes and a 2025 second-round pick.
The next day, Feb. 5, two trades occurred. With the first trade, the New Orleans Pelicans traded F/C Daniel Theis and a 2031 second-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder for cash considerations. The next day, the Thunder waived Daniel Theis. For the second trade, the Washington Wizards traded C Jonas Valančiūnas to the Sacramento Kings for G Sidy Cissoko and two future second-round picks.
On Feb. 6, the day of the deadline, 16 trades occurred (one was rescinded). In the first trade, the Boston Celtics traded G Jaden Springer, a 2027 second-round pick, and a 2030 second-round pick to the Houston Rockets for a 2031 second-round pick. For the second trade, the 76ers traded G Reggie Jackson and a 2026 first-round pick to the Wizards for G Jared Butler, a 2027 second-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and two 2030 second-round picks. Next, the Atlanta Hawks traded F/C Cody Zeller and a 2028 second-round pick to the Rockets for the draft rights to F Alpha Kaba. In the fourth trade, the Indiana Pacers traded C James Wiseman and cash considerations to the Toronto Raptors for a 2026 second-round pick. In the fifth trade, the 76ers traded F KJ Martin, a 2027 second-round pick (via Milwaukee Bucks) and a 2031 second-round pick (via Mavericks) to the Detroit Pistons for cash considerations. Next, the Phoenix Suns traded C Jusuf Nurkić and a 2026 first-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets for F Cody Martin, G Vasilije Micić and a 2026 second-round pick. As the seventh trade, the Jazz traded G Dennis Schröder (via Golden State Warriors), F Lindy Waters III (via Warriors), and a future second-round pick (via Warriors) to the Pistons for F KJ Martin (via 76ers) and a future second-round pick. Next, the Raptors traded G Davion Mitchell to the Miami Heat for F P.J. Tucker (via Jazz) for a 2026 second-round pick and cash considerations. For the ninth trade, the Clippers traded G/F Kevin Porter Jr. to the Bucks for F MarJon Beauchamp. In the tenth trade of the day, the Hawks traded G Bogdan Bogdanović for G/F Terance Mann, G Bones Hyland, and 2025, 2026, and 2027 second-round picks.
Next is a four-team trade. The Bucks received F Kyle Kuzma (via Wizards), C Jericho Sims (via Knicks), and 2025 and 2026 second-round picks. The Wizards received F Khris Middleton (via Bucks), G AJ Johnson (via Bucks) and a 2028 first-round pick swap. The Knicks received G Delon Wright (via Bucks), draft rights to G Hugo Besson (via Bucks), and cash considerations. For the last team included in the trade, the San Antonio Spurs received F Patrick Baldwin Jr. (via Wizards) and cash considerations.
In the 12th trade, the Pelicans traded F Brandon Ingram to the Raptors for G/F Bruce Brown, F/C Kelly Olynyk, and a first and second-round pick. As the final minor trade, we have a three team trade between the Memphis Grizzlies, the Wizards, and the Kings. The Grizzlies received two second-round picks, F Marvin Bagley III (via Wizards), and G Johnny Davis (via Wizards). The Wizards received G Marcus Smart (via Grizzlies), G Colby Jones (via Kings), C Alex Len (via Kings), and a 2025 first-round pick (via Grizzlies). Lastly, the Kings received F Jake LaRavia (via Grizzlies).
Now, for what would have been a big trade: the Hornets traded C Mark WIliams to the Lakers for their promising rookie G Dalton Knecht who showed out during the preseason and averages 9.4 points per game while shooting 46% from the field. The Hornets would’ve also received F/G Cam Reddish, a 2031 unprotected first-round pick, and a 2030 pick swap. Although this trade was announced and the players were preparing for their new teams, the trade reversed due to Mark Williams failing his physical.
Finally, into the major blockbuster trades. First, on Feb. 2 with a three-team trade, the Spurs received former All-Star G De’Aaron Fox from the Kings. This addition to the Spurs is just improving the team more, considering they also recently added veteran G Chris Paul. This backcourt combined with Sophomore All-Star and DPOY contender Victor Wembanyama is very scary for the rest of the league. The Spurs also received G Jordan McLaughlin (via Timberwolves). Also in this trade, the Kings got 10 year player and 2x All-Star G Zach LaVine, G Sidy Cissoko, and 6 draft picks via multiple teams. Finally in the trade, the Chicago Bulls acquired F/C Zach Collins, G/F Kevin Huerter, G Tre Jones, and a 2025 first-round pick (via Spurs).
For the second big trade, the Warriors got 5x All-Defense, 5x All-NBA, 6x All-Star and Gold Medalist F Jimmy Butler III from the Heat, along with two second-round picks and cash considerations, both from the Heat. Although this sounds like a great addition for San Francisco, Jimmy’s age of 35, and the fact that the Warriors also have another possession heavy Guard, Steph Curry, might be concerning for the team’s future. This addition was part of a four-team trade. The Warriors received former All-Star F Andrew Wiggins, F/G Kyle Anderson, and a 2025 protected first-round pick all from the Heat, along with G Davion Mitchell from the Raptors. Next, the Jazz received G Josh Richardson, a 2031 second-round pick, and cash considerations from the Heat, F KJ Martin from the 76ers, and a 2028 second-round pick from the Pistons. The Pistons received F Lindy Waters III, G Dennis Schröder, and a 2031 second-round pick all from the Warriors. Finally, the Raptors received F P.J. Tucker from the Jazz, and a 2026 second-round pick and cash considerations from the Heat.
Last but not least, as commonly stated the most surprising trade of the decade, the Lakers received 5x All-NBA, 5x All-Star, possible MVP contender, and former Rookie of the Year F/G Luka Dončić. Luka has played his entire 6 year career in Dallas until now. The main player Dončić was traded for is 5x All-Defensive Team, 5x All-NBA 9x All-Star 1x All-Star MVP 12 year veteran Anthony Davis. This trade was very surprising considering how Luka is only 25 and appeared to have a good future set with the Maverick. Mavs GM Nico Harrison was interviewed on the trade. “I believe that defense wins championships,” said Harrison. The Mavs were also believed to be concerned about Dončić’s conditioning. This was also an odd move from the Lakers considering LeBron and Anthony Davis’ history, playing 6 seasons together. The Lakers also received F Maxi Kleber and F Markieff Morris. In addition, the Mavs received G Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick. As the third and final team in the exchange, the Jazz received G Jalen Hood-Schifino, and two 2025 second-round picks.
In conclusion, this cycle of NBA trades has had some surprising trades that will determine the future of these teams.
