The 2026 NBA trade deadline significantly changed the composition of the league. A record-setting 73 players were traded throughout the 28 moves made during the week. Twenty-seven of the 30 teams got in on the action, evidencing how widespread the movement was.
That makes this a great time to roll out a new set of power rankings. Here are all the changes throughout the league, along with which teams shifted the most since the last time we did this at the regular season's halfway point.
MORE:Trade deadline winners and losers
NBA Power Rankings
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 40-13 (previous ranking: 1)
In: Jared McCain, Mason Plumlee
Out: Ousmane Dieng
McCain should add some bench scoring for the Thunder. They could use it with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander out until after the All-Star break.
The McCain and Plumlee pickups weren't huge, but Oklahoma City didn't need to make big moves. They should still hold the top spot here due to most of the other contenders around them failing to make massive improvements.
2. Detroit Pistons 38-13 (previous ranking: 4)
In: Kevin Huerter, Dario Saric
Out: Jaden Ivey
Ivey wasn't a meaningful part of the Pistons' rotation. They've got championship aspirations, and they couldn't afford to wait on him.
It makes sense then to add one more minor win-now piece in Huerter, who hasn't shot the ball well this season but is a career 37 percent from long distance. He's a good passer and a smart player who gives some much-needed juice to Detroit's offense.
3. Denver Nuggets 34-19 (previous ranking: 6)
In: None
Out: Hunter Tyson
The Nuggets made a tiny trade, sending out Tyson to get under the luxury tax. Denver has a good chance of coming out of the West, but it was disappointing to see them not even try to make a move to get better.
Nikola Jokic is back in the lineup, and that is going to be their big trade addition.
4**. San Antonio Spurs 36-16 (previous ranking: 3)**
The Spurs were one of only three teams to make zero moves at the deadline. They had a ton of future draft picks and tradeable salary that they could have used, but San Antonio isn't rushing anything.
They don't need to, because they're already way ahead of schedule. Victor Wembanyama is off his minutes restriction and routinely making video game plays (what in the world was this?).
5. New York Knicks 34-19 (previous ranking: 5)
In: Jose Alvarado
Out: Guerschon Yabusele
The Knicks need guard depth after they learned of Deuce McBride's sports hernia surgery, which could keep him out for the rest of the season. Alvarado, a New York native, is a great get given the lack of resources New York had to work with. He's a defensive pest who can playmake and shoot 3's. He could help bolster the team's bench units which haven't been able to score. Yabusele's departure doesn't meaningfully affect the team. He was out of the rotation, and getting off next year's money was a nice move.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves 32-22 (previous ranking: 7)
In: Ayo Dosunmu, Julian Phillips
Out: Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller
The Wolves needed guard depth. They got one of the best backups on the trade market in Dosunmu, who is having a career year. He's shooting 45 percent from 3 and his speed in transition should help boost Minnesota's offense. He's also great attacking closeouts and pressuring guards defensively, which makes him a perfect fit on this team. Phillips is a toolsy 3-and-D wing prospect who probably won't play much.
7. Cleveland Cavaliers 32-21 (previous ranking: 11)
In: James Harden, Keon Ellis, Dennis Schroder, Emanuel Miller
Out: Darius Garland, De'Andre Hunter, Lonzo Ball
No contender raised their chances to win it all more than the Cavs, who made several bold trades. The rule is to never trade young for old, but Cleveland got a player 10 years older in Harden for Garland. That price is worth it given Garland's lack of availability. Harden immediately contributed with 23 points and eight assists in a debut win over the Kings.
Cleveland also made some shrewd moves to bolster its bench. The Hunter trade from last year wasn't working. Ball has been totally ineffective this year as well. They got off both contracts and added a gritty 3-and-D guard in Ellis and another quality backup point guard in Schroder.
The Cavs have been a disappointment this year, but these moves should put them as the favorites to now make it to the Finals out of the East.
MORE:Grading the James Harden trade
Nikola Vucevic
8. Boston Celtics 34-19 (previous ranking: 8)
In: Nikola Vucevic
Out: Anfernee Simons, Xavier Tillman, Josh Minott, Chris Boucher
The Celtics miraculously got out of the tax with their trades. They did it without compromising the quality of their team too much.
Simons was an important gunner off the bench who was playing well this year. He will be missed. Vucevic gives them a better version of Luka Garza though. He's a smart veteran who will shore up the team's defensive rebounding issues, shoot 3's, and provide valuable post play. He has defensive issues, but he should be a little more playable during high-leverage games.
MORE:Grading the Nikola Vucevic trade
9. Houston Rockets 32-19 (previous ranking: 4)
The Rockets didn't make any trades during the deadline. That was surprising given that they have a lot at their disposal to improve their good-not-great team.
They haven't looked the same either after losing Steven Adams for the season. His offensive rebounding was pivotal to the way that they play on that end of the floor. Clint Capela is a similar type of player but hasn't come close to replicating that impact.
10. Los Angeles Lakers 32-19 (previous ranking: 9)
In: Luke Kennard
Out: Gabe Vincent
The Lakers could use some more 3-point shooting. They got one of the best in the league in Kennard, but he never shoots enough. That's probably not changing in Los Angeles, much to the frustration of JJ Redick.
Kennard also isn't improving the Lakers' defense, which is their biggest issue. He should get the most wide open shots of his life though. Los Angeles' offense will continue to keep them winning games, particularly after the return of Austin Reaves.
11. Philadelphia 76ers 30-22 (previous ranking: 12)
In: None
Out: Jared McCain, Eric Gordon
Daryl Morey is confident that he sold high on McCain, getting a first-round pick back for him. In moving him and Gordon, he got the Sixers out of the tax. The parade route is yet to be announced.
The Sixers have the guard depth to where they shouldn't miss McCain too much. More importantly, Joel Embiid is back to playing at a very high level.
A bigger problem is Paul George's drug test suspension. Philadelphia could have really used some reinforcements at the wing. This was a disappointing deadline, but the Sixers are still good enough with Embiid's resurgence to make a deep playoff run.
12. Toronto Raptors 32-22 (previous ranking: 15)
In: Trayce Jackson-Davis, Chris Paul
Out: Ochai Agbaji
Paul has already been waived. Long live the Chris Paul Raptors era. Jackson-Davis is an okay backup center who should fit well into the split cut actions that Toronto likes to run. These moves were more about saving money than anything else.
The Raptors didn't improve much, but they should hold onto their spot in the middle of a pretty weak Eastern Conference playoff picture. Their defense is legit, and they're scraping together enough offense with Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes to win games.
13. Phoenix Suns 31-22 (previous ranking: 10)
In: Cole Anthony, Amir Coffey
Out: Nick Richards, Nigel Hayes-Davis
The Suns added some veterans and got rid of two players who weren't really making much of a difference on their team. Anthony is a bench scorer spark plug and Coffey is a 3-and-D wing who hasn't been able to buy a 3 this year. Neither player is a huge difference-maker.
Phoenix skidded a bit without Devin Booker. He and Jalen Green are back in the lineup, and they should help the Suns keep their playoff positioning in the West.
14. Orlando Magic 27-24 (previous ranking: 13)
In: None
Out: Tyus Jones
Tyus Jones was supposed to solidify the backup point guard position. He's been a disaster, and the Magic moved him to get under the tax.
The Magic are still not close to meeting preseason expectations, but at least Paolo Banchero has found his groove. He's been scorching-hot since Jan. 1, averaging 24 points per game on great efficiency.
15. Miami Heat 28-26 (previous ranking: 14)
The Heat are another team that did nothing at the deadline. They were looking for a star, but they kept their middling group together. They look destined for a Play-In appearance and perhaps a big move this summer.
16. Charlotte Hornets 25-28 (previous ranking: 25)
In: Coby White, Malaki Branham, Xavier Tillman
Out: Collin Sexton, Mason Plumlee
The Hornets got a great shooter in Coby White, who will be missing from the lineup for a while with a calf injury. When he comes back, the North Carolina native should fit right into one of the hottest offenses in the league.
Charlotte has been one of the pleasant surprises, figuring it out with their young pieces and climbing up the standings. They have already surpassed the Bulls for the last Play-In Tournament spot and should remain there the rest of the year.
Jock Landale
17. Atlanta Hawks 26-28 (previous ranking: 18)
In: Jonathan Kuminga, Jock Landale, Buddy Hield, Gabe Vincent, Duop Reath
Out: Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kennard, Vit Krejci
The Hawks swapped in two of their shooting specialists for two new ones. They got a free look at a talented scorer in Jonathan Kuminga. Their best move though was their least-heralded.
Jock Landale shores up a razor-thin center rotation and has immediately made his impact felt. He's an energy big man who can hit 3's and crash the glass. That is exactly what the Hawks were missing. Atlanta needed some more offensive firepower, and they got it with some good scorers.
18. Golden State Warriors 28-25 (previous ranking: 16)
In: Kristaps Porzingis
Out: Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield, Trayce Jackson-Davis
Porzingis fits in extremely well with the Warriors' playstyle in theory. With Porzingis and Horford, they have the Celtics' old championship frontcourt. Too bad it's not 2024 any more.
Porzingis hasn't been able to stay on the floor this season. That's probably not changing. This was a disappointing deadline for a team that badly needed help after the Butler injury. Curry has already been overtaxed, suffering from runner's knee. They can still be a tough playoff out, but the Warriors aren't doing much more this year.
19. Portland Trail Blazers 25-28 (previous ranking: 20)
In: Vit Krejci
Out: Duop Reath
Krejci is a nice long-term play to add some shooting and playmaking off the bench. The Blazers didn't lose much in Reath, who is a nice young big but out for the rest of the season.
Portland needed an infusion after losing six straight heading into the deadline. They've won their last two since. More importantly, the teams around them in the standings got worse.
20. Milwaukee Bucks 21-29 (previous ranking: 17)
In: Ousmane Dieng, Nigel Hayes-Davis
Out: Cole Anthony, Amir Coffey
The Bucks didn't move Giannis Antetokounmpo. They also said no to most other trades. They added two guys who probably won't play for them much in Dieng and Hayes-Davis. Neither has shown much in their NBA minutes thus far.
The Bucks badly needed to do something more than adding those two and Cam Thomas in the buyout market. They're not even in the Play-In Tournament yet. They're always going to have a puncher's chance in any series in the East with Giannis, but this is a wasted year for them.
21. Los Angeles Clippers 25-27 (previous ranking: 20)
In: Bennedict Mathurin, Darius Garland, Isaiah Jackson
Out: James Harden, Ivica Zubac, Chris Paul
The Clippers were one of the hottest teams in the league prior to the trade deadline. They didn't seem to care much, deciding to blow up their team. They still have Kawhi Leonard (for now), but they will surely slide down the standings with this new group.
The penalties from their salary cap circumvention scandal are expected to be handed down shortly after the All-Star break as well. That could make them fall even more. They do have some incentive to keep trying hard given that they owe their pick to the Thunder this summer.
22. Chicago Bulls 24-29 (previous ranking: 22)
In: Jaden Ivey, Anfernee Simons, Collin Sexton, Rob Dillingham, Nick Richards, Guerschon Yabusele, Leonard Miller
Out: Coby White, Nikola Vucevic, Ayo Dosunmu, Julian Phillips, Dalen Terry
The Bulls were the most active of anyone. They flipped their roster, getting rid of promising young players and a veteran in Vucevic. Winning seems to be a secondary goal. Chicago is trying to develop some draft prospects that have either gone sideways or been disappointments in their other stops.
They strangely added some win-now veterans to that mix too, making them better than the tanking teams that they are trying to get below. Those other teams at the very bottom won't use half-measures to lose games for the rest of the year.
23. Dallas Mavericks 19-33 (previous ranking: 23)
In: Khris Middleton, Tyus Jones, AJ Johnson, Marvin Bagley
Out: Anthony Davis, Jaden Harden, D'Angelo Russell, Dante Exum
The Mavs got worse in getting rid of a ton of their veterans. Davis might not have played for the rest of the year anyway though due to his hand injury. Jones has been awful this year, but he does fill a position of need at point guard. Bagley has quietly had an okay year. Middleton's best days are long behind him.
Dallas controls its own pick this summer, and they have tried to pull out all the stops to maximize their odds in the past. Cooper Flagg will keep them respectable, but winning is no longer the priority.
24. New Orleans Pelicans 14-40 (previous ranking: 28)
In: None
Out: Jose Alvarado
The Pelicans did pick up Dalen Terry, but they waived the project wing a day after acquiring him. Alvarado is a fan favorite whose departure is going to hurt. It's somewhat surprising that New Orleans wasn't more active, but they seem to like the core of their team.
New Orleans' slow start buried their chances this season. They have been slightly better though, getting Zion Williamson back and benching Jordan Poole. Their record won't be great, but they don't have incentive to tank and they won't be one of the worst teams for the remainder of the year.
Walter Clayton Jr.
25. Memphis Grizzlies 20-31 (previous ranking: 19)
In: Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Georges Niang, Taylor Hendricks
Out: Jaren Jackson Jr., John Konchar, Vince Williams Jr.
Trading away Jaren Jackson is a clear signal that the Grizzlies are taking a step back to rebuild their team. They're also missing Zach Edey, who may be out for the year. The younger guys will get a chance to play, Ja Morant can try to rehab some of his value, and Memphis will look to 2027 for the rest of the season.
26. Utah Jazz 16-37 (previous ranking: 24)
In: Jaren Jackson Jr., John Konchar, Vince Williams Jr.
Out: Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Georges Niang, Taylor Hendricks
Theoretically, the Jazz should get a lot better with the addition of Jackson. In practice, they will probably wait until next year to fully utilize him. They've been aggressive in resting players or messing with their rotations to guarantee the best chance of losing games, sitting Jackson and Lauri Markkanen in fourth quarters.
27. Brooklyn Nets 14-37 (previous ranking: 27)
In: Ochai Agbaji, Hunter Tyson, Josh Minott
Out: Cam Thomas (waived)
Thomas has scored a lot of points this season, but his erratic play was helping Brooklyn lose games. Holding onto Michael Porter Jr. was a mild surprise, and he's been excellent for them. Their other deadline moves didn't have much significance.
28. Washington Wizards 14-38 (previous ranking: 26)
In: Trae Young, Anthony Davis, D'Angelo Russell, Jaden Hardy, Dante Exum
Out: CJ McCollum, Corey Kispert, Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Marvin Bagley, Malaki Branham
Theoretically, the Wizards should have improved dramatically by adding Young and Davis. In practice, they're sitting both of those guys for the rest of the year.
Washington is going to take a big step forward, but they're waiting until after the draft lottery to do so. Until then, they're letting the young guys run the show and losing a lot of games in the process.
29. Indiana Pacers 13-40 (previous ranking: 30)
In: Ivica Zubac, Kobe Brown
Out: Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson
The Pacers got a lot better for next season by adding Zubac, who is a fringe All-Star talent. They paid a hefty price, though, They will have to send their 2026 draft pick to the Clippers if it lands in the five through nine range.
That's going to be a massive coin flip for Indiana, which means that they will likely pull out all off the stops to give themselves the best odds of staying one of the worst teams in the league and keeping that pick.
30. Sacramento Kings 12-42 (previous ranking: 29)
In: De'Andre Hunter
Out: Keon Ellis, Dennis Schroder, Dario Saric
It's unclear why the Kings added Hunter to their roster and also failed to trade any of their big-name players. This is a team in desperate need of a teardown, but they traded one of their young promising players in Ellis. They also used a second round pick to take on Hunter's bad contract.
Sacramento hasn't been trying to lose games like some of these other teams. They're just plain bad. They're giving away season tickets to fans just for making a free throw. It's gonna be a long season.