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Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers was sent to Indiana in a surprise NBA trade deadline deal.
When it was all said and done, the 2026 NBA trade deadline produced 27 deals that involved more than 70 players, plus a raft of draft picks and cash. A handful of teams used the day to dodge the NBA luxury’s tax, while others positioned themselves for a hopefully active 2026 offseason. Busy times in the league, and with the waiver market the next order of business, those busy times will continue.
We’ll leave the winners and losers for others—it’s impossible to tell who’s won a trade in the hours after it is made. The same goes for the grades. Those most often don’t age well. At least two prominent sites gave the Mavericks a grade of “B” after the Luka Doncic deal, after all.
Instead, let’s lay out the details for all 27 of the NBA trades ahead of Thursday’s deadline, and you can decide.
Certified Blockbuster NBA Trade Deadline Deals
Jazz-Grizzlies
Probably the most stunning trade of the deadline, because it had appeared that the Grizzlies had put away the notion of trading Jaren Jackson Jr. until the summer. But Memphis did not know if a package of three first-round picks would be on the table in the summer, so the Grizz swooped in. Now, can the jazz make a frontcourt of Jackson, Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler (a free agent this summer) work, on the floor and within the payroll sheet?
Jazz: Jaren Jackson Jr., John Konchar, Jock Landale, Vince Williams Jr.
Grizzlies: Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang, 2027 first-round pick, 2027 first-round pick (Lakers), 2031 first-round pick (Suns)
Pacers-Clippers
Most teams were told the Clippers were closed for business on Zubac. But the Pacers kept pushing and landed themselves a tough, elbow-throwing big man who can give them a consistent 15-and-12 when Tyrese Haliburton returns from his Achilles injury. Huge gamble on this year’s pick, but if the Pacers keep it (the Clippers get it if it is between No. 5-9), what a win this deal will be.
Pacers: Ivica Zubac, Kobe Brown
Clippers: Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, Pacers 2026 protected first-round pick, 2028 second-round pick, 2029 Pacers first-round pick
Mavericks-Wizards
The Mavericks were reluctant to trade Anthony Davis, in part, because he is a depressed asset and a deal involving him would surely reveal just how badly the organization fumbled the Luka Doncic situation. Kudos to Dallas for ripping the Band-Aid off, though, and getting it over with. But the Wizards managed to acquire Trae Young and Davis without giving up much of anything—if either or both produce next season, the Wizards will be in position to trade them for more useful assets.
Mavericks: Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, 2026 first-round pick (OKC), 2030 first-round pick (top-20 protected), 2026 second-round pick, 2027 second-round pick, 2029 second-round pick
Wizards: Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, Dante Exum
Former Dallas Mavericks center Anthony Davis during an NBA game.
Former Dallas Mavericks center Anthony Davis during an NBA game. Getty
Clippers-Cavaliers
The Cavs needed to go all-in for 2026, desperate to re-sign Donovan Mitchell to a contract extension. Harden needed to go all-in for himself, as he so often does, desperate for an extension of his own. It’s an awkward match and possibly a situation about to implode in Cleveland, but getting Garland is a good dismount for the Clippers.
Clippers: Darius Garland, 2026 second-round pick
Cavaliers: James Harden
Wizards-Hawks
The January trade that started it all—the Wizards pilfered Young for, essentially, nothing, giving them an asset that could be used down the road without giving up much on the back end.
Wizards: Trae Young
Hawks: CJ McCollum, Corey Kispert
Good Team, Useful Addition Deadline Trades
Bulls-Pistons-Timberwolves
Detroit was looking to offload Jaden Ivey, who just has not developed because of injuries and a crowded backcourt with the Pistons. Chicago saw an available guard on the trade market and decided he must join the collection.
Bulls: Jaden Ivey, Mike Conley
Pistons: Kevin Huerter, Dario Saric, 2026 first-round swap
Timberwolves: Cash
Sixers-Thunder
It’s a lot to give up for McCain, but he is a 21-year-old undervalued asset and the Thunder have picks to spare. This is likely to pay off for OKC in the near future.
Sixers: 2026 first-round pick (via Houston), 2027 second-round pick, two 2028 second-round picks
Thunder: Jared McCain
Celtics-Bulls
The Celtics shaved a small bit off their tax bill, which proved useful later, but also cashed in on a solid season from Simons to get the depth they sought in the middle. Vucevic was playing 30-plus minutes in Chicago, but is likely to be near an even split with Neemis Queta.
Bulls: Anfernee Simons, second-round pick
Celtics: Nikola Vucevic, second-round pick
Knicks-Pelicans
The Knicks have been circling Jose Alvarado for a while but getting him became all the more necessary with the Miles McBride injury (hernia) expected to keep him out until the playoffs.
Knicks: Jose Alvarado
Pelicans: Dalen Terry, two second-round picks, cash
Lakers-Hawks
The Lakers did get the best 3-point shooter in the league at the moment, but this is not the blockbuster that fans were expecting.
Lakers: Luke Kennard
Hawks: Gabe Vincent, 2032 second-round pick
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GettyAfter making a deal for Luke Kennard at the trade deadline the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to target the buyout market to fill the roster.
Bulls-Timberwolves
The Bulls wanted a first-round pick for Ayo Dosunmu, but when that did not materialize, they took four second-rounders from the Wolves, as well as a flier on Rob Dillingham. He’s not Antetokounmpo, but Dosunmu fits Minnesota’s style nicely.
Bulls: Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, 2026 second-round pick; 2027 second-round pick; 2031 second-round pick; 2032 second-round pick
Timberwolves: Ayo Dosunmu, Julian Phillips
Warriors-Hawks
This is not where most Warriors fans expected the Jonathan Kuminga saga to end, and if Porzingis isn’t healthy, it’s a huge disappointment. But if he can stay upright for the next three months, the Warriors will be an interesting bunch.
Warriors: Kristaps Porzingis
Hawks: Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield
Cavs-Kings-Bulls
The Kings were not able to get the first-round pick they sought for Keon Ellis, but they did get Hunter and they’re hoping he has a bounce-back after a rough 2025-26 in Cleveland. The Cavs’ move helped set them up with much-needed depth.
Cavs: Keon Ellis, Dennis Schroder
Kings: De’Andre Hunter
Bulls: Dario Saric, 2027 second-round pick, 2029 second-round pick
Warriors-Raptors
Raps needed depth in the middle, and when given a chance, Jackson-Davis has held his own. A low-cost risk for Toronto.
Raptors: Trayce Jackson-Davis
Warriors: 2026 second-round pick
Re-Arranging Deck Chairs on the Titanic NBA Trade Deadline Deals
Bulls-Hornets-Thunder
The Bulls finally dealt away White and came away with three second-round picks and filler, pretty much the bottom rung of what his value has been during his career. The Hornets get a hometown guy by adding White, but they’ll need to work out a role for him.
Bulls: Collin Sexton, Ousmane Dieng, 2029 second-round pick, two 2031 second-round picks
Hornets: Coby White, Mike Conley, 2029 second-round pick
Thunder: Mason Plumlee Jr.
Jonathan Kuminga
GettyJonathan Kuminga is reportedly “shocked” to have been traded from the Warriors to the Hawks
Blazers-Hawks
The Blazers, losers of six straight, hoped to get more done at the trade deadline, but didn’t quite have the assets for a blockbuster, or the interest in veterans like Robert Williams and Jerami Grant. Krecji is 25, though, and a 40.6% 3-point shooter.
Blazers: Vit Krejci
Hawks: Duop Reath, 2027 second-round pick, 2030 second-round pick
Clippers-Raptors-Nets
Chris Paul signed with the Clippers to have a farewell tour and play his home games near his family in L.A. Now he’s in Toronto. The Raptors are a good team, but it’s hard to see Paul making a dent.
Clippers: Vanja Marinkovic (rights)
Raptors: Chris Paul
Nets: Ochai Agbaji, 2032 second-round pick, cash
Jazz-Bulls-Cavaliers
Lonzo Ball was a massive disappointment in Cleveland, and the Cavs were eager to send his $10 million somewhere, anywhere.
Jazz: Lonzo Ball, 2028 second-round pick, 2032 second-round pick
Hawks: Jock Landale
Cavaliers: Salary dump
Hornets-Mavericks
Mavs were left short of point-guard depth after the Anthony Davis trade, and Jones is a capable shooter and distributor.
Mavericks: Tyus Jones
Hornets: Malaki Branham
Knicks-Bulls
A swap of decent players who were getting no court time.
Knicks: Dalen Terry
Bulls: Guerschon Yabusele
NBA Trade Deadline Tax Evaders
Celtics-Hornets
If the Celtics stay below the tax, Brad Stevens will have pulled off a remarkable feat, getting the team below that stubborn number while not disturbing the core of his team
Hornets: Xavier Tillman, cash
Celtics: Tax savings
GettyXavier Tillman #26 formerly of the Boston Celtics
And … Celtics-Jazz
Many thought the Celtics would find it impossible to get under the tax line, but they somehow managed. Boucher never found a role in Boston.
Jazz: Chris Boucher, 2027 second-round pick
Celtics: John Tonje
And … Celtics-Nets
Minott had some nice moments but dodging the tax matters more in Boston.
Nets: Josh Minott
Celtics: Salary dump
Sixers-Grizzlies
If you’re 37 and get traded for a future second-round swap, it’s time to retire. This one gave Philly some breathing room under the tax threshold.
Grizzlies: Eric Gordon
76ers: Future second-round pick swap
Suns-Bucks-Bulls
Well done by the Suns to nip under the luxury tax while also adding some veteran backcourt help. But the deal also delivers a needed big man to the Bulls, and sends former Badger Nigel Hayes-Davis back to Wisconsin.
Suns: Cole Anthony, Amir Coffey
Bucks: Ousmane Dieng, Nigel Hayes-Davis
Bulls: Nick Richards
Nuggets-Nets
Good on the Nuggets for dodging the luxury tax here, and setting themselves up for the buyout market.
Nuggets: 2026 second-round pick
Nets: Hunter Tyson, 2032 second-round pick
Magic-Hornets
A nifty little tax move that gets the Magic under the threshold.
Hornets: Tyus Jones, 2027 second-round pick, 2028 second-round pick
Magic: Cash