The 2026 NBA trade deadline has come and gone, and what a doozy it was. A total of 27 NBA teams made trades prior to the deadline.
The three that didn’t pull the trigger on a trade are the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs. 68 players were dealt in mid-season trades, which represents 12.4 percent of all rostered players in the NBA. This season’s NBA trade deadline was filled with drama, speculation and anticipation. A lot happened, and yet a lot didn’t.
Here is a look at the number of trades that took place before the deadline.
The biggest and most impactful trades include James Harden being dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Darius Garland and a second-round pick that will land with the Los Angeles Clippers.
It was one of the more surprising trades this season because it happened quickly.
Another significant trade was the Memphis Grizzlies’ dealing away Jaren Jackson Jr. for a massive haul. In that trade, the Utah Jazz acquired Jackson, Jock Landale, John Konchar and Vince Williams Jr. The Grizzlies received Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang and three future first-round picks.
The final significant trade was the Washington Wizards acquiring 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis. Davis is headed to the nation’s capital, while the Dallas Mavericks received Khris Middleton and two future first-round picks.
There are a handful of teams that fall under this category, and surprisingly enough the Utah Jazz do. While the Jazz are nowhere near title contenders or even playoff contention, they are set to compete next season. They have a big three (l;iterlalty) that consists of Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler, and now Jackson Jr. They have a big front court along with solid backcourt players like Ace Bailey, Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier, who could take the Jazz to another level. The future is loking bright for Utah.
The other team that falls under that category is the Wizards. However, they could easily fall into the loser category. Nonetheless, for now, they are the winners because they were able to land two All-Stars in Davis and Trae Young. If this duo could work out next season, Washington could be a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference. It all remains to be seen.
Now, for the losing side: the teams rumored to be all-in on Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo - the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, and Minnesota Timberwolves. These were the squads reported to be willing to do whatever it took to acquire the 10-time All-Star. Instead, the Warriors settled for Kristaps Porzingis, while the Heat and Timberwolves failed to meet the Bucks' asking price.
We’re going to stay on the Antetokounmpo lane in a way and put ESPN’s Shams Charania as one of the losers in this deadline. For the pastfew months, he reported that the Bucks and Antetokounmpo were bound for a breakup. Instead, Antetokounmpo remains a Buck (for now), and we may have another six months of Antetokounmpo rumors from the NBA insider. On top of that, the Bucks took two major shots at Charania before and after the deadline.
Another trade deadline is in the books, and while many players were traded, others like Antetokounmpo, Ja Morant, and Domantas Sabonis, to name a few, may have to wait to find a new home. Buckle up for the summer months, NBA fans.
Newsweek