It’s safe to say that what happened at the NBA trade deadline this year was beyond our expectations. No kidding, this was one of the most bizarre and yet unforgettable weeks in the league’s history. After Shams Charania’s tweet about the Mavericks trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers got the basketball world buzzing, every star in the league suddenly felt like they were in the hot seat, glued to their phones and endlessly browsing them just to find out about the next star to be moved.
But who came out on top after a roller coaster ride of endless rumors and trades being made? Indeed, some NBA teams have looked better while others made questionable decisions in this year’s trade deadline. The process of acquiring and integrating new players will always be a hit or miss.
After all the unexpected circus that happened, we are going to rank the trades made during the recently concluded NBA trade deadline from worst to first.
Which NBA teams had great deals at the trade deadline, and which ones did not?
26. Mavericks trade Quentin Grimes to the 76ers
Mavs receive: Caleb Martin, 2030 second-round pick
Sixers receive: Quentin Grimes, 2025 second-round pick
The Mavs don’t want to pay up the promising Quentin Grimes, so they decided to ship him off to Philly in exchange for the underwhelming Caleb Martin. In hindsight, Grimes is the much better player here and should be getting some valuable minutes in the Sixers. Martin’s heyday was with the Heat in 2023, but he missed a ton of games due to various injuries. The Mavs weren’t supposed to have a second-rounder in this deal, but after Martin’s physical came back negatively, the Sixers decided to add a pick in 2030 for this trade to push through.
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25. Dennis Schroder goes to the Warriors
Warriors receive: Dennis Schroder, 2025 second-round pick
Nets receive: De’Anthony Melton, Reece Beekman, 2026 second-round pick, 2028 second-round pick, 2029 second-round pick
In one of the earliest trades before the NBA trade deadline, the Warriors felt that they needed some additional playmaking and dealt for Brooklyn’s Dennis Schroder, the former FIBA World Cup MVP. The trade turned into a dud as Schroder’s on-ball skills are a direct contrast to how the Warriors wanted to play on the court. He just did not mesh well with Stephen Curry.
24. KJ Martin to the Pistons
Pistons receive: KJ Martin, 2027 second-round pick, 2031 second-round pick
Sixers receive: Cash considerations
The son of Kenyon Martin, KJ, is a good player but has failed to find his niche on an NBA court. While his time with the Pistons was short-lived (more on that later), the Sixers made this trade to shed salary and get themselves a lesser penalty with the luxury tax in the new CBA.
23. Pacers get Thomas Bryant from the Heat
Pacers receive: Thomas Bryant
Heat receive: 2031 second-round pick swap
This was the first trade after the 2024-2025 NBA season started. Thomas Bryant is a third-string center who has barely played with Miami for the last couple of seasons. The Pacers must have valued his veteran presence in the locker room, and they didn’t give up much to get him, anyway.
22. Pistons acquire Dennis Schroder from the Jazz
Pistons receive: Dennis Schröder, Lindy Waters III, Future second-round pick
Jazz receive: KJ Martin, Future second-round pick
If you’re wondering why Schroder’s name is mentioned again here, you are not alone. The man has been playing for his fourth team since this season started. His comments about comparing the NBA tradeline deadline to ‘modern slavery’ were truly mocked all over social media. All jokes aside, he’s a decent fit with the Pistons. But don’t be surprised if he’s going to play for another team after this season ends.
21. Clippers end dilemma with PJ Tucker
Clippers receive: Drew Eubanks, Patty Mills
Jazz receive: Mo Bamba, P.J. Tucker, 2030 second-round pick, Cash considerations
PJ Tucker was not happy with his situation with the Clippers, so the team had no choice but to trade the disgruntled veteran to another team. Getting back solid rotation players like Drew Eubanks and Patty Mills is a win for the Clippers. Mo Bamba is a lottery bust, and Tucker’s time with Utah was forgettable as he was part of another trade in the latter part of this list.
20. Daniel Theis to OKC
Thunder receive: Daniel Theis, 2031 second-round pick
Pelicans receive: Cash considerations
In one of the most low-key deals of the trade deadline, the Thunder shed some salary by trading for Daniel Theis. Theis isn’t expected to play for OKC. The Thunder added a future second-rounder for basically giving up some cash. Smart move.
19. Veteran Reggie Jackson goes to the Wizards
Wizards receive: Reggie Jackson, 2026 first-round pick
76ers receive: Jared Butler, 2027 second-round pick, 2028 second-round pick, Two second-round picks in 2030
The Wizards want to provide their young roster with some veteran presence, but why another point guard? Didn’t they have Malcolm Brogdon on the roster? While the 2026 first-round pick was a nice addition, they had to give up the promising Jared Butler and four second-rounders to complete this trade.
18. Atlanta’s Cody Zeller goes to the Rockets
Rockets receive: Cody Zeller, 2028 second-round pick
Hawks receive: Draft rights to Alpha Kaba
In another deal that flew entirely under the radar, Cody Zeller(yes, he’s still playing) will join the Rockets as their third-string center in exchange for the draft right to Alpha Kaba. This trade is a win-win for both teams. The Hawks maintain some roster flexibility, and Zeller provides a veteran presence for the young Rockets.
17. Celtics deal Jaden Springer to the Rockets
Celtics receive: 2031 second-round pick
Rockets receive: Jaden Springer, 2027 second-round pick, 2030 second-round pick
With Fred VanVleet nursing an injury, this trade for the Rockets makes sense on paper. Rookie Reed Sheppard didn’t light up the NBA as predicted before the season started. They now get a backup point guard who can guard multiple positions with Springer on board. He just didn’t have any playing time on a loaded Celtics team.
16. Heat land Davion Mitchell from the Raptors
Raptors receive: P.J. Tucker, 2026 second-round pick, Cash considerations
Heat receive: Davion Mitchell
Before you ask anything, yes, Tucker was traded several times in this year’s NBA trade deadline. Never playing a game for the Jazz, PJ Tucker went to Miami and then was traded to the Raptors for promising backup point guard Davion Mitchell. With the Heat, Mitchell gets the chance to earn some playing time alongside Tyler Herro.
15. Marcus Smart goes to the Wizards
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Wizards receive: Marcus Smart, Colby Jones, Alex Len, 2025 first-round pick
Grizzlies receive: Two second-round picks, Marvin Bagley III, Johnny Davis
Kings receive: Jake LaRavia
Tired of losing, the Wizards decided to add some veterans to their roster to hasten their rebuild. It’s just a shame that Marcus Smart was never the same player he was after his stint with Boston a few years ago. The real losers in this trade were the Grizzlies. They now have two former lottery picks who are busts by today’s standards. They also lost Jake LaRavia to Sacramento, a promising role player for them in the last couple of years.
14. James Wiseman goes to Toronto
Raptors receive: James Wiseman, Cash considerations
Pacers receive: 2026 second-round pick
James Wiseman, the former 2nd overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, is on the move again. He had shown immense promise earlier this season for the Pacers before going down with a season-ending injury. The Pacers are on a win-now timeline, and Wiseman was the odd man out. He gets another chance with the Raptors to prove to everybody that he was not a draft bust. A small investment for a possible huge return for Toronto.
13. Bucks get the controversial Kevin Porter Jr from the Clippers
Bucks receive: Kevin Porter Jr.
Clippers receive: MarJon Beauchamp
This was a rare one-on-one deal in the NBA trade deadline, and personally, I like it. Beauchamp was underwhelming in his two-and-half seasons with the Bucks, and the team needed someone who could help them now. Enter Kevin Porter Jr. Yes, he was involved in an off-court controversy in the past, which led to him sitting an entire year. But the guy is averaging 14 PPG throughout his career in the league. Plus, he’s only 24 years old. This was a steal for the Bucks.
12. Nick Richards goes to the Suns
Suns receive: Nick Richards, One second-round pick
Hornets receive: Josh Okogie, Three second-round picks
The Suns get the athletic center they’ve always yearned for by dumping Josh Okogie to the lowly Hornets in exchange for the promising Nick Richards. The Hornets needed a solid wing after Grant Williams’ season-ending injury a few months ago, and Okogie has balled out for them since this trade happened in the middle of January.
11. Jusuf Nurkic goes to the Hornets
Hornets receive: Jusuf Nurkic, 2026 first-round pick
Suns receive: Cody Martin, Vasilije Micić, 2026 second-round pick
With Nick Richards thriving in a Suns uniform, the team dealt Nurkic to the Hornets in exchange for Cody Martin and Vasilije Micic. This was a good trade for both parties, as the Hornets needed a center with Mark Williams gone(more on that later) and getting a first-round pick in exchange for two role players. The Suns get a valuable wing with Martin and a capable point guard with Micic.
10. Bucks ship Khris Middleton to the Wizards
Bucks receive: Kyle Kuzma, Jericho Sims, 2025 second-round pick, 2026 second-round pick
Wizards receive: Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, 2028 first-round pick swap
Knicks receive: Delon Wright, Draft rights to Hugo Besson, Cash considerations
Spurs receive: Patrick Baldwin Jr., Cash considerations
Where do we even begin with this one? After much speculation, the Bucks finally let go of Khris Middleton, their second-best player, during their championship run in 2021. Injuries played a huge role in his demise, as he missed 100 games in the last three seasons. While Kuzma has championship experience, it remains to be seen how he’ll adjust from being a mismatched first option for the lowly Wizards to a third or fourth option for the Bucks going forward.
Other notable names included in this four-team trade were Delon Wright, AJ Johnson, Jericho Sims, and Patrick Baldwin Jr. Most of those guys are expected to play minimal minutes for their new teams moving forward.
9. Suns land three first-rounders from the Jazz
Jazz receive: 2031 unprotected first-round pick
Suns receive: 2025 least favorable first-round pick (via Cleveland, Minnesota, or Utah), 2027 least favorable first-round pick (via Cleveland, Minnesota, or Utah), 2029 least favorable first-round pick (via Cleveland, Minnesota, or Utah)
No big names. Just future assets going to different places. While the Suns may be giving up a possibly valuable draft pick in 2031, they know the repercussions they were going to get after dangling Kevin Durant’s name at the NBA trade deadline. Their locker room is a mess right now. Durant may or may not ask for a trade should they fail again this season. The team was wise to gather multiple first-round assets should everything go awry this summer.
8. Russell goes to the Nets again
Lakers receive: Dorian Finney-Smith, Shake Milton
Nets receive: D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, Three future 2nd-round picks
In one of the more significant trades a month before the NBA trade deadline, Russell is reunited with the Nets – again. But the biggest story here was the Lakers getting Dorian Finney-Smith. By getting DFS, did Lakers GM Rob Pelinka envision trading for Luka Doncic this year? After all, DFS and Luka are best buds during their time with the Mavericks. As far as multiple conspiracies go, it looks like this was planned all along.
7. Bogdan Bogdanovic traded to the Clippers
Clippers get: Bogdan Bogdanović
Hawks get: Terance Mann, Bones Hyland, 2025 second-round pick, 2026 second-round pick, 2027 second-round pick
This may be a lopsided exchange in the eyes of an outsider, but Terance Mann and Bones Hyland had fallen out of the rotation for the Clippers mostly this season. By acquiring Bogan Bogdanovic at the NBA trade deadline, this team is signaling to the rest of the league that they want to win now. Bogdanovic is a good defender and an outstanding shooter. He can be easily inserted in the starting lineup or come off the bench to provide them with instant scoring. This is a massive win for the Clippers.
6. Kings get Jonas Valanciunas from the Wizards
Kings receive: Jonas Valanciunas
Wizards receive: Sidy Cissoko, Two future second-round picks
Arguably, one of the best value deals in this year’s NBA trade deadline was the Kings trading for Jonas Valanciunas. Though not a big name like the others on this list, the talented center was an outcast in a lowly Wizards team to start with. He’ll have a chance to play backup to his fellow Lithuanian big, Domantas Sabonis, in Sacramento.
5. Toronto adds Brandon Ingram
Raptors receive: Brandon Ingram
Pelicans receive: Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, First-round pick, Second-round pick
We all know that Ingram is a talented scorer, and the Raptors are getting a steal here. Just a few seasons ago, the Pelicans deemed Ingram untouchable. Toronto got another all-star to pair with their franchise star, Scottie Barnes. As for the Pelicans, with all the injuries the team is dealing with right now, they just need healthy bodies on the court. This is a win-win for both teams, especially when we talk about the next couple of years.
4. Jimmy Butler is now a Golden State Warrior
Warriors receive: Jimmy Butler, Two second-round picks, Cash considerations
Heat receive: Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, Davion Mitchell, 2025 protected first-round pick
Jazz receive: Josh Richardson, KJ Martin, 2028 second-round pick, 2031 second-round pick, Cash considerations
Pistons receive: Lindy Waters III, Dennis Schröder, 2031 second-round pick
Raptors receive: P.J. Tucker, 2026 second-round pick, Cash considerations
In the most complicated five-team trade in this year’s NBA trade deadline, Jimmy Butler is no longer a member of the Miami Heat. Let’s focus on the two most prominent names in this trade, shall we? There’s no doubt that Jimmy is better than Andrew Wiggins, although they have posted similar numbers this season.
The Heat got out of Jimmy Butler’s non-stop dilemma. That’s a win, regardless of where the Heat stands this season. Can he help the Warriors in the playoffs? That’s another question reserved for later. For now, the Warriors added a talented wingman and that’s a win for Steph Curry and Draymond Green. And let’s not forget about Andrew Wiggins. He was the second-best player for the Warriors during their surprising 2022 title run. While Wiggins is not a franchise-caliber talent like Butler, he’s probably what the Heat need right now.
The team needs additional shooting and a cutter, and Wiggins thrives at both. He’s a good on-ball defender, especially from the perimeter. Kyle Anderson and Davion Mitchell will get an audition about their probable fit with Miami. Both are good role players who can help them in the immediate future.
3. De’Andre Hunter goes to the Cavaliers
Cavs receive: De’Andre Hunter
Hawks receive: Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, Three second-round picks, Two pick swaps
The Cavs knew that their biggest Achilles Heel for a deep postseason run was their small forward rotation. While LeVert and Niang have done an admirable job in filling that role, we can’t argue that trading for De’Andre Hunter from the Hawks is their best chance moving forward.
They gave up two solid rotational pieces and some second-rounders for Hunter, who is projected to complete the starting lineup of Garland, Mitchell, Mobley, and Allen. Hunter’s been balling for the Hawks this season, averaging 19 PPG while coming off the bench. He’s a good fit for Cleveland’s title aspirations this year and in the future.
2. Spurs won the De’Aaron Fox Sweepstakes
Spurs receive: De’Aaron Fox, Jordan McLaughlin
Kings receive: Zach LaVine, Sidy Cissoko, Three first-round picks, Three second-round picks
Bulls receive: Zach Collins, Kevin Huerter, Tre Jones, 2025 first-round pick
It was a busy week for the Spurs, and they made the most of it before the NBA trade deadline ended. After the Kings surprised everybody with Fox’s availability via trade a few weeks ago, De’Aaron Fox is now with the Spurs. Victor Wembanyama gets a new co-star for the team, which will undoubtedly hasten their rebuilding process.
The Kings were also big winners of this trade. Zach LaVine is reunited with his ex-Bulls running mate, DeMar DeRozan, in a Kings jersey. Losing De’Aaron Fox will sting them for a while, but Malik Monk’s decent play at the point guard spot will negate some of their problems in the future. Add LaVine to that – a better shooter than Fox – and Sacramento’s ready to climb up in the West standings. They also had a very good haul in terms of future draft picks.
The Bulls were the only losers in this trade. Why did they hold on to LaVine for many years and then get a paltry return for his talent? I just don’t get it. In addition, they failed to trade talented center Nikola Vucevic. When will they start a full-scale rebuild?
1. Luka Doncic is a Los Angeles Laker
Lakers receive: Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris
Mavs receive: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 first-round pick
Utah Jazz receive: Jalen Hood-Schifino, Two 2025 second-round picks
This trade was the mother of all deals in the NBA trade deadline’s history. This was supposed to be the NFL’s week, with the Super Bowl 59 just around the corner. And yet, everybody is talking about Luka Doncic going to the Lakers to team up with LeBron James.
This trade was a no-brainer for Lakers GM Rob Pelinka. He finessed Mavs GM Nico Harrison with this one. This was the trade that shocked the NBA and basketball world. Nobody saw it coming except for the Lakers, Mavericks, and Jazz, of course. The latter knew about it about an hour before the trade went live.
Acquiring a bonafide superstar like Luka Doncic doesn’t come often. In fact, this kind of trade doesn’t happen at all, especially when we talk about the NBA trade deadline in February. The Lakers now have a global star to pair with LeBron James and are set to compete for a championship within the next five to ten years. Even though Pelinka’s trade to get Mark Williams was rescinded due to the Hornets center’s medical issues, the Lakers still had quite a monumental scoop with Luka.
As for the Mavericks, this was a brutal pill for them to swallow. For their fans, Luka Doncic was THE Dallas Mavericks. He was the franchise superstar, Wonder Boy, Halleluka…you name it. Mavs fans loved him like no other. Just like that, he’s no longer with the team. As a result, the fallout was swift and brutal, especially for Mavs GM Nico Harrison.
Anthony Davis and Max Christie are outstanding players, but they aren’t of the same caliber as Luka. Just imagine if the Bulls traded Michael Jordan at nearly the same age as Luka because he couldn’t get past the Bad Boys Pistons in the late 80s. There would be no legacy in Chicago in the 90s. Sorry, Mavs fans. This was not your fault at all.
