NBA Trade Deadline Grades & Analysis
Written by: Varun Sharma
Published: Thu Feb 05, 2026, 3:25 pm ET
Read Time: 8 minutes
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The NBA's Trade Deadline has now come and gone. Some teams were able to bolster their rosters as their make a run for the Larry O'Brien, while some teams look toward the future and accumulate assets while maybe sending out talent.
Then you've got the third group; the teams that think they can compete, but refuse to make the necessary moves to do it. Today we're going to focus on the teams that did make moves, whether they are looking towards a deep playoff run or looking towards next year.
For additional information on picks, props, money lines and more on today's NBA slate, take a look at our NBA Picks Page or our NBA Odds Page.
First Team, All Pump-Fake
Let's get the teams that failed to make any changes out of the way. Starting off with the Miami Heat, who once again were involved in every single trade rumor from here to Australia; just to not make a single move at the deadline.
It feels like every year, twice a year, we here about Pat Riley and the Heat having their eyes set on some new superstar that was just made available. Just like every other year, they make no moves and look he exact same going into the second half of the year.
Another team that gave us a whole lot of hype, just to leave us with nothing; the Milwaukee Bucks. After weeks of rumors surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo, it looks like he'll stay in Milwaukee. Rumors are circulating the team may shut him down for the year and look towards the draft.
Lastly, the New York Knicks. After a ton of talk about different big names potentially coming to New York, it seems like Jose Alvarado is the only one catching a flight to Madison Square.
Now let's jump into some of these bigger moves and how it affects the landscape of the NBA going forward.
James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers
Trade Summary:
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: James Harden
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Darius Garland, 2026 Second Round Pick
Grade: C+
This trade came completely out of left field. The Clippers were one of the hottest teams in the NBA and it somewhat feels like everything fell apart so quickly. James Harden's averaging 25.4 points and 8.1 assists per game in his 17th year and could provide a real spark for an otherwise stagnant Cleveland offense.
The Cavs finished as the top seed in the Eastern Conference last year and it looked like this might finally be the year we see them reach the Conference Finals. The Pacers had other plans and the Cavaliers just haven't looked as dominant this year. Injuries have decimated the team, with Mobley, Allen and Garland all mising extended periods of time.
It's been reported that Garland's injury woes had become somewhat of a problem for the Cavaliers front office and they were looking to move in a new direction. As for the Clippers, I don't understand the direction they're headed. They had won 14 of their last 20 games, now sit 9th in the West and proceeded to blow up their team.
Harden's a now a Cavalier and Garland can take his time with his recovery, but this move just doesn't make sense to me.
Nikola Vucevic to the Boston Celtics
Trade Summary:
Boston Celtics Receive: Nikola Vucevic, Second Round Pick
Chicago Bulls Receive: Anfernee Simons, Second Round Pick
Grade: B+
Maybe I'm a little biased here, but I do also watch more Celtics basketball than most. The Celtics lost both Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford this offseason and it's made it tough to space the floor. With this year's rotation of big men, none of the Celtics bigs have shown a consistent ability to both stretch the floor and rebound. Vucevic does both.
Anfernee Simons had a great stint with the Celtics and very quickly became a fan favorite. Simons is a fantastic shooter that comes off the books at the end of this year. Giving the Bulls flexibility and Simons the chance to test out the market if he so chooses. The Bulls are looking to the future and it looks like they're looking to clear cap space.
This trade brought the Celtics under the 1st apron and it opened up a TPE (traded player exception) slot for even more flexibility in the buy-out market. Boston gets their stretch-5 as they prepare for Tatum's return and (hopefully) a deep playoff run.
Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz
Trade Summary:
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Kyle Anderson, Walter Clayton Jr, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang, 3 Future First Round Picks
Utah Jazz Receive: Jaren Jackson Jr, John Konchar, Jock Landale (now in Atlanta), Vince Williams
Grade: B-
This one feels like a "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder" type of trade. The Jazz got Jaren Jackson Jr, a former Defensive Player of the Year and 2-time All-Star. The Grizzlies secured THREE first round picks for the shot blocking big man.
This was another trade I just didn't see coming and mainly because it feels like Utah should be accumulating assets. The Jazz are 16-35 this year, actively trying to tank for a better draft selection and now they just traded THREE first round draft picks for a big man than averages less than 6 rebounds per game in his career.
The Grizzlies got more for Jackson than they will probably get for Morant and now that the trade deadline has passed; I wonder what happens with Ja.
Anthony Davis to the Wizards
Trade Summary:
Washington Wizards Receive: Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D'Angelo Russell, Dante Exum
Dallas Mavericks: Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, 2 Future First Round Picks, 3 Future Second Round Picks
Grade: A-
As weird as it sounds, I love this trade. The Mavericks are able to move off of the Anthony Davis contract while continuing their tank and acquiring five future picks over the next four drafts. Middleton comes off the books this summer and you'll have a ton of cap space to play with.
For the Wizards, they lost none of their own draft picks, they gained an All-Star and added some depth to this bench. Washington can continue their tank while both Davis and Trae Young get healthy, possibly end up with a top-3 pick in this year's NBA Draft and then add to this already loaded roster. I see the vision and I love it.
Ivaca Zubac to the Pacers
Trade Summary:
Indiana Pacers Receive: Ivaca Zubac, Kobe Brown
Los Angeles Clippers: Benedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, 2026 First Round Pick (Top 5 Protected, 10-30), 2029 First Round Pick, Future Second Round Pick
Grade: B
Both Clippers trades took me by surprise, but reports of Zubac being on the move had been floating around for a while. What's more surprising here in the team. Indiana's another team looking at a top-5 picks in this year's NBA Draft and with this class being as loaded as it is, you'd think they just continue to tank.
This feels like a move towards Indiana's future and a future with Tyrese Haliburton back healthy. Indiana's looking far into the future and looking to retool even in a season like this one. For the Clippers, the return is great but I'm still left confused with why they decided to blow it all up. Winners of 14 of their last 20 games, looking like you'll make the playoffs and you just blow it up.
Small Movers
Lakers/Hawks:
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Luke Kennard
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Gabe Vincent, 2032 Second Round Pick
Grade: B
Timberwolves/Bulls:
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: Ayo Dosunmu
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, 4 Future Second Round Picks
Grade: B-
Hornets/Bulls:
Charlotte Hornets Receive: Coby White, Mike Conley, 2029 Second Round Pick
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Colin Sexton, Osmane Dieng, 3 Future Second round Picks
Grade: C+
76ers/Thunder:
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: 2026 First Round Pick, 3 Future Second Round Picks
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: Jared McCain
Grade: B+
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