2026 NBA Trade Deadline: 28 Trades Shuffle 69 Players Across the League
2026-nba-trade-deadline-recap
What was expected to be a subdued NBA trade deadline erupted into a five-day flurry, with 28 transactions finalized between Sunday and Thursday. Twenty-seven of the league’s 30 teams took part, leaving only the Heat, Rockets, and Spurs on the sidelines. In all, 69 rostered players changed uniforms—67 on standard contracts and two on two-way deals.
Headline Moves
• Cavaliers and Clippers exchange All-Star point guards: Cleveland landed former MVP James Harden, while Los Angeles picked up Darius Garland and the Cavaliers’ 2026 second-rounder.
• Jazz swing big for frontcourt help: Utah secured Jaren Jackson Jr., John Konchar, Vince Williams Jr., and Jock Landale. Memphis received Kyle Anderson, Georges Niang, rookie Taylor Hendricks, Walter Clayton, the Lakers’ 2027 first (top-four protected), the most favorable of the Cavaliers/Timberwolves/Jazz 2027 firsts, and the Suns’ 2031 first.
• Wizards bolster the paint with Anthony Davis: Washington acquired Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum. Dallas collected Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Marvin Bagley III, Tyus Jones, the least favorable of the Thunder/Rockets (top-four protected)/Clippers 2026 firsts, Golden State’s 2030 first (top-20 protected), plus second-rounders from Phoenix (2026), Chicago (2027), and Houston (2029). Charlotte added Malaki Branham.
• Pacers find a new starting center: Indiana received Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown. The Clippers accepted Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, Indiana’s 2026 first (top-four and 10-30 protected), Indiana’s 2029 first, and Dallas’ 2028 second. If protections on the 2026 pick are triggered, the Clippers instead get Indiana’s 2031 first.
• Warriors end the Kuminga saga: Golden State traded Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to Atlanta for Kristaps Porzingis.
• Hornets retool the backcourt: Charlotte grabbed Coby White and Mike Conley from Chicago. The Bulls obtained Collin Sexton, Ousmane Dieng, a 2029 second (least favorable of Nuggets/Hornets), plus 2031 seconds from Denver and New York.
• Timberwolves replace Nickeil Alexander-Walker: Minnesota added Ayo Dosunmu and Julian Phillips. Chicago collected rookie Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, a 2026 second (least favorable of Nuggets/Warriors), Cleveland’s 2027 second, the more favorable of Minnesota/Warriors 2031 seconds, and the more favorable of Suns/Rockets 2032 seconds.
• Celtics trim payroll and add size: Boston obtained Nikola Vucevic and Denver’s 2027 second. Chicago secured Anfernee Simons and a 2026 second (most favorable of Pelicans/Trail Blazers/Timberwolves/Knicks).
Additional notable deals included the Lakers securing shooter Luke Kennard; Oklahoma City using draft capital to nab rookie guard Jared McCain; New York bringing in hometown guard Jose Alvarado; Detroit trading for Kevin Huerter; Toronto absorbing Chris Paul from the Clippers; Phoenix cutting tax obligations by sending Nick Richards to Chicago and Cole Anthony to the Suns; and many smaller salary-management swaps involving Boston, Denver, Orlando, and Oklahoma City.
Stars Who Stayed Put
Despite intense speculation, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo remained in Milwaukee. Other prominent names who were not moved include Ja Morant (Grizzlies), Domantas Sabonis (Kings), Zach LaVine (Kings), Zion Williamson (Pelicans), and Michael Porter Jr. (Nets).
Deadline-Day Waivers
Several veterans hit the open market after the buzzer. Officially waived were Lonzo Ball, Chris Boucher, Mike Conley, Pat Connaughton, N’Faly Dante, Nigel Hayes-Davis, Haywood Highsmith, Tyrese Martin, Georges Niang, Mason Plumlee, Duop Reath, Cam Thomas, and Hunter Tyson. Eric Gordon and Chris Paul are expected to follow once paperwork clears.
The whirlwind week concluded with front offices resetting rosters and cap sheets for the stretch run, while fans digest a torrent of player movement unrivaled in recent deadline history.
Source: Hoops Rumors
