NBA Trade Deadline 2026: Winners, Losers and Key Themes
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The NBA trade window closed on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, without a Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster but with a flurry of other headline moves. Anthony Davis left Dallas for Washington, Golden State ended the Jonathan Kuminga standoff by sending him and Buddy Hield to Atlanta for Kristaps Porzingis, and the LA Clippers dealt James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Below is a rundown of who came out ahead, who struggled and the trends that defined the week.
Winner: Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland, 9-2 since a 22-19 start, upgraded its roster and trimmed roughly $100 million in projected luxury-tax payments. Out went Darius Garland (–3.0 net rating), De’Andre Hunter (–0.9) and Lonzo Ball (+1.3). In came Harden, Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder. Harden, 36, is healthier and more productive than Garland and should lessen Donovan Mitchell’s workload. Ellis strengthens back-court defense, and Schroder offers erratic yet potentially high-impact depth.
Winner: Surprise star destinations
The Wizards, Jazz and Pacers, who are a combined 42-109, each landed an All-Star–level talent despite lottery-bound projections. Washington added Davis after acquiring Trae Young last month. Utah secured Jaren Jackson Jr., and Indiana traded for Ivica Zubac. The deals reflect the league’s harsher tax aprons: teams with clean cap sheets were willing buyers, while others avoided salaries approaching $50 million per year.
Loser: Utah Jazz ball movement
Utah leads the league in assist percentage, but its new core could slow the ball. Lauri Markkanen (1.9 assists), Jackson (2.1) and rookie Ace Bailey (1.6) are all low-assist scorers. The change puts added pressure on sophomore point guard Keyonte George to keep the offense fluid.
Winner: Proactive Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis continued to stockpile picks. After retrieving four first-rounders for Desmond Bane last summer, the club sent Jackson to Utah for three more selections plus young prospects, including 2025 No. 18 pick Walter Clayton Jr. Though the move signals a longer rebuild, it provides one of the league’s deepest draft reserves.
Loser: Former Mavericks GM Nico Harrison
Dallas’ decision to flip Davis just one year after the surprise Luka Dončić blockbuster underscored the misstep of Harrison’s final major trade. The Mavericks landed Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, a likely No. 30 pick from Oklahoma City in 2026, a protected Golden State first (2029-30 range) and three seconds—modest value for the player once viewed as the centerpiece of the Dončić exit package.
Winner: Nikola Vucevic
The two-time All-Star, 35, finally joins a contender after Chicago shipped him to Boston. The move dipped the Celtics below the first apron and gave them a stretch five who has hit 39 percent of 4.5 three-point attempts per game over the past two seasons. Vucevic has never advanced past the first round; Boston offers his best chance yet.
Loser: “Oops” trades
Several teams reversed recent decisions to escape awkward fits or financial strain. Dallas cut bait on Davis; New York moved Guerschon Yabusele; Chris Paul, Tyus Jones and Lonzo Ball were rerouted after short stays in Los Angeles, Orlando and Cleveland; and Atlanta ended the Porzingis experiment after half a season. Each deal essentially served as damage control.
Winner: Madison Square Garden
New York native Jose Alvarado, acquired from New Orleans for Yabusele and two seconds, brings energy and crowd-pleasing hustle to the Knicks. Playing time will depend on a crowded backcourt, but his style aligns perfectly with the Garden audience.
Winner: Oklahoma City Thunder
None of the week’s big moves materially strengthened the Thunder’s chief Western rivals. Oklahoma City also sent a projected late-20s first to Houston for second-year guard Jared McCain, adding a cost-controlled contributor ahead of looming extensions for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. Meanwhile, the Clippers’ slide following the Harden and Zubac trades improves the unprotected 2026 pick they owe the Thunder.
The deadline reshaped several franchises but left the championship hierarchy largely intact, setting the stage for the season’s final stretch.
Source: ESPN
