The NBA trade deadline has officially passed and the league now moves forward with rosters set for the remainder of the 2025 to 2026 season. Front offices across the NBA have made their intentions clear. Some chose to push toward contention, others pivoted toward flexibility and long term planning, and a few stood firm with belief in internal growth.
What unfolded during this trade cycle was not just a collection of transactions, but a reflection of how the modern NBA evaluates stars, values depth, and balances urgency with patience. This is a complete and evergreen breakdown of the most important NBA trades that occurred leading up to and through the 2026 trade deadline, with context on why each move mattered and how it reshaped the league.
The Landscape Entering the 2026 NBA Trade Deadline
Parity defined the league heading into the deadline. Few teams felt completely out of the race, while only a handful looked truly dominant. That environment forced difficult decisions. Standing still felt like falling behind.
Front offices approached the deadline with different priorities. Championship hopefuls searched for rotation upgrades and playoff insurance. Fringe playoff teams debated whether to buy or sell. Rebuilding organizations looked to convert veterans into picks and younger talent.
The result was one of the more active trade windows in recent NBA history.
Here’s a comprehensive list of every NBA trade executed prior to the 2026 trade deadline (through February 5, 2026), based on official transaction data and tracker sources. This covers all reported moves that changed team rosters and were completed before the 3 PM ET trade deadline.
Trades Completed Before the 2026 NBA Trade Deadline
January 9, 2026
- Washington Wizards acquire Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
February 1, 2026
- Portland Trail Blazers acquire Vít Krejčí from the Atlanta Hawks for Duop Reath and draft compensation.
February 1, 2026 (Three-team)
- Cleveland Cavaliers acquire Keon Ellis, Dennis Schröder, and Emanuel Miller
- Chicago Bulls acquire Dario Šarić and draft picks
- Sacramento Kings acquire De’Andre Hunter
(Details per trade tracker)
February 3, 2026 (Three-team)
- Chicago Bulls acquire Jaden Ivey and Mike Conley Jr.
- Detroit Pistons acquire Kevin Huerter and Dario Šarić
- *Minnesota Timberwolves receive draft compensation and salary assets.
February 4–5, 2026 (Deadline trades)
All of these were officially announced around the deadline.
Washington Wizards acquire Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Danté Exum
Dallas Mavericks receive Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Tyus Jones, Marvin Bagley III, and multiple draft picks
Charlotte Hornets receive Malaki Branham
Indiana Pacers acquire Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown
Los Angeles Clippers receive Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two future first-round picks, and a future second-round pick
Philadelphia 76ers trade Eric Gordon and a 2032 second-round pick swap to the Memphis Grizzlies
Denver Nuggets trade Hunter Tyson and a 2032 second-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets
Charlotte Hornets trade Tyus Jones to the Dallas Mavericks for Malaki Branham (part of deadline crowd)
New Orleans Pelicans trade Jose Alvarado to the New York Knicks
Knicks send Dalen Terry and two second-round picks to the Pelicans
Brooklyn Nets acquire Ochai Agbaji and a 2032 second-round pick in a multi-team deal.
Utah Jazz acquire Chris Boucher from the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics trade Xavier Tillman to the Charlotte Hornets
Milwaukee Bucks acquire Ousmane Dieng and Nigel Hayes-Davis from the Suns in a three-team transaction.
Los Angeles Lakers acquire Luke Kennard from the Hawks for Gabe Vincent and a future second-round pick.
Minnesota Timberwolves acquire Ayo Dosunmu and Julian Phillips from the Chicago Bulls in a trade involving draft picks and young players.
Chicago Bulls acquire Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and four second-round picks as part of deadline reshaping.
Chicago Bulls acquire Guerschon Yabusele during deadline week.
Cleveland Cavaliers trade Lonzo Ball and draft compensation, specifics tied to overall deadline reshuffling.
Toronto Raptors complete a three-team deadline trade that sent Chris Paul to the Clippers and other components to balance rosters.
Oklahoma City Thunder acquire Jared McCain from the 76ers for future assets.
Warriors trade Trayce Jackson-Davis to the Toronto Raptors for draft considerations.
This list covers all confirmed trades executed prior to the February 5, 2026 NBA trade deadline that reallocated players and draft assets across the league, across simple and multi-team deals.
Washington’s Aggressive Reset With Trae Young and Anthony Davis
Washington emerged as one of the most aggressive teams of the entire trade period. The first signal came earlier in the season when the Wizards acquired Trae Young, a move that immediately changed the perception of the franchise. Rather than slow rebuilding, Washington committed to building a competitive core.
That commitment became undeniable when the Wizards landed Anthony Davis in a blockbuster deal with Dallas. Davis brought elite defensive presence, rebounding, and championship experience. Even with injury concerns, his ceiling impact is undeniable. Pairing him with Young gave Washington a star driven identity that it has lacked for years.
This was not a move made for optics. It was a declaration that Washington intends to compete, attract relevance, and establish credibility in the Eastern Conference.
Dallas Repositions by Moving On From Anthony Davis
For Dallas, trading Anthony Davis was about control and recalibration. The Mavericks received a combination of veterans, shooting, and future draft assets that restored flexibility to a roster that had become rigid.
Rather than forcing a timeline that no longer aligned, Dallas chose to diversify its options. The return allowed them to rebalance around ball movement, perimeter spacing, and future optionality. In the modern NBA, this kind of pivot is often the difference between stagnation and sustainability.
Cleveland and the Clippers Swap Directions With Harden and Garland
One of the most fascinating trades of the deadline involved Cleveland and the Clippers. Cleveland acquired James Harden, a move that emphasized experience, playoff control, and offensive orchestration. Harden gives the Cavaliers a proven engine for late game execution, something they have struggled to stabilize in postseason moments.
The Clippers received Darius Garland, signaling a shift toward youth, speed, and long term scoring upside. Garland offers a different timeline and a chance to reset around a guard who can grow into a leadership role.
This was not a trade about clear winners or losers. It was about two organizations choosing different philosophies based on where they believe their windows truly sit.
Clippers Continue Reshaping With Mathurin and Zubac Deal
The Clippers followed that move by sending Ivica Zubac to Indiana in exchange for Bennedict Mathurin and draft compensation. This trade reflected a broader stylistic shift. Los Angeles leaned into wing driven offense and transition scoring. Indiana addressed a persistent need for size, rebounding, and interior defense.
Zubac gives the Pacers stability in the paint and allows their perimeter defenders to be more aggressive. Mathurin brings athleticism and scoring potential to a Clippers roster that wanted more pace and flexibility.
Chicago’s Quietly Productive Trade Deadline
Chicago did not chase a headline star, but the Bulls arguably improved their roster more practically than many teams. In a three team deal involving Detroit and Minnesota, Chicago acquired Jaden Ivey and Mike Conley Jr.
Ivey brings speed and downhill pressure. Conley adds veteran leadership and composure. Together, they improved the Bulls’ guard rotation in both the short and long term.
Detroit gained shooting and contract clarity, while Minnesota collected assets without disrupting its core. This was a deadline example of multiple teams solving different problems within one transaction.
Depth Moves That Will Matter More Than Headlines
Not every impactful trade involves a star. Several teams focused on depth, rotation balance, and situational needs.
Boston shuffled role players to maintain financial flexibility while protecting its core. New York added defensive energy and guard depth. Brooklyn continued its methodical accumulation of wings and developmental pieces.
These moves rarely dominate conversation in February, but they often show up in April when rotations tighten and matchups matter.
Just as important as the moves made were the moves not made. Despite speculation, Giannis Antetokounmpo remained in Milwaukee. Several other contenders chose continuity over chaos.
That restraint reflects how expensive true star movement has become. Draft capital, salary matching, and long term risk have forced teams to think twice before pushing all their chips in. In many cases, confidence in internal growth outweighed the uncertainty of a midseason overhaul.
Trade deadlines are often judged too quickly. On paper, Washington, the Clippers, and Chicago emerged as teams that clearly defined their direction. Dallas positioned itself well for future moves. Cleveland took a calculated risk on experience.
Other outcomes will take months or even years to evaluate. Chemistry, health, and postseason performance will ultimately decide how these trades are remembered.
With rosters set, attention shifts to chemistry, rotations, and execution. Buyout additions may still impact contenders. Younger players stepping into new roles will shape playoff races. The moves made in February will echo through the remainder of the season and beyond.
The 2026 NBA trade deadline was not just active, it was revealing. It showed which teams believe in their cores, which are willing to pivot, and which are still searching for identity.
As the postseason approaches, the real verdict on these trades is only just beginning to form.
My picks for the winners of this year’s trade cycle, the Clippers, the Wizards, and the Lakers.
