Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo during an NBA game.
NBA trade deadline date/time (2026): The NBA trade deadline is Thursday, February 5, 2026, and it ends at 3 p.m. ET.
That’s 2 p.m. CT / 1 p.m. MT / 12 p.m. PT, so fans tracking deals from Denver should circle 1 p.m. MT as the hard stop.
Last updated: February 2, 2026, 9:08 p.m. ET)
NBA Trade Deadline Date and Time
If you’re here for the quick answer, it’s simple: Feb. 5 at 3 p.m. ET. That’s the final moment teams can complete trades before the stretch run.
Need a reliable “official” reference as the clock ticks? NBA.com maintains a season-long trade tracker of deals that are approved and announced.
What Time Does the NBA Trade Deadline End?
The NBA trade deadline ends at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, Feb. 5.
You’ll sometimes see reports pop right at the buzzer (or just after) because news breaks in real time while paperwork and formal approvals process. But as far as the league calendar goes, 3 p.m. ET is the cutoff.
Historically, deadline day is when contenders decide whether to pay the price for a real upgrade, and when struggling teams choose between a quick reset and a longer rebuild. That’s why the final 48 hours can feel chaotic: front offices call on everything from bench scoring to rim protection to playoff-ready wings, and one deal can trigger two more as teams scramble to respond. If you’re watching for a “big name,” keep an eye on the teams with the most picks, the most tradable contracts, and the clearest urgency to win now.
Latest NBA Trade Deadline Updates
This section is built to update over the next few days as reports shift and deals happen.
Feb. 2 (MT): Monitor superstar-level chatter and “multi-team” frameworks; that’s often how max-salary trades get built at the deadline.
Official deals to date: Check the league’s official tracker for confirmed moves as they’re announced.
Biggest NBA Trade Rumors and Storylines Right Now
Even when the deadline is “about role players,” the rumor cycle always bends toward stars. This year, the names fans keep searching are loud.
Giannis Antetokounmpo watch: Multiple reports have connected Milwaukee Bucks conversations to real deadline intrigue, with Minnesota Timberwolves pressure described as aggressive and involving efforts to recruit additional teams to make the math work.
Karl-Anthony Towns chatter: With the New York Knicks always linked to big-game hunting, reporting has suggested Towns “may not be untouchable” as front offices weigh whether a bold move is worth it.
Ja Morant speculation: It’s deadline season, so even a cryptic post can become rocket fuel. Morant’s social-media message drew fresh attention and kept his name in the rumor ecosystem heading into the week.
Anthony Davis noise: The Dallas Mavericks have been framed as a team that will at least listen if interest materializes, even if the preference is to keep the veteran big man.
What Happens After the Deadline?
Trades stop on Feb. 5, but roster movement doesn’t. The next phase is the buyout market—and the date to remember there is March 1, the NBA’s playoff eligibility waiver deadline.
That’s why contenders sometimes pivot immediately after the deadline: if they can’t land help via trade, they’ll try to win the buyout race, especially for rotation depth.
Updates (as deals happen):
Biggest deal so far: Cavs trade De’Andre Hunter to Kings for Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder
Team that looks like the biggest buyer: Warriors, Lakers, Knicks, Timberwolves, Celtics
Team that looks like the biggest seller: Bucks, Celtics, Grizzlies, Mavericks, Blazers
Next update time: Feb. 3, 2 p.m. ET