After a relatively quiet start to the NBA trade season, multiple superstar players changed teams within days of each other. The Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, and Toronto Raptors acquired highly talented players in their primes, and the Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings, Miami Heat, and New Orleans Pelicans moved on from their franchise cornerstones.
In addition to the exchange of talent, some teams made trades for mainly financial reasons, as the NBA imposed new team salary restrictions in the 2023-24 season that limited the flexibility of teams with expensive rosters.
Luka Dončić moved to the Lakers in historic swap for Anthony Davis
Just after midnight on Feb. 2, the Dallas Mavericks traded point guard Luka Dončić, who had made the All-NBA first team each of the previous five seasons, in exchange for center Anthony Davis, another five-time All-NBA player.
Also included were power forwards Markieff Morris and Maxi Kleber being moved to the Lakers, small forward Max Christie and a 2029 first-round draft pick being moved to the Mavericks, and point guard Jalen Hood-Schifino and a second-round pick being moved to the Utah Jazz. It was the first trade in NBA history in which two All-NBA players were exchanged for each other.
Mavericks’ General Manager Nico Harrison cited concerns with Dončić’s weight and conditioning as reasons for the trade, and he also believed that Anthony Davis’ defensive ability would be valuable to the team’s success in both the short and long term.
“I believe that defense wins championships,” said Harrison. “I believe that getting an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance. We’re built to win now and in the future.”
Being just 25 years old, Dončić is expected to remain with the Lakers for the foreseeable future and serve as both the immediate and future successor to aging superstar forward LeBron James.
Due to the abrupt nature of the trade and the lack of draft capital sent to the Mavericks, many NBA fans were shocked by the news of the trade and believed it to be a disaster for Dallas.
“I think Dallas lost their mind. I have no clue what they’re doing,” said freshman Hudson Kovacs. “Anthony Davis is a very injury-prone player who is getting old and they traded a franchise player who’s a rising superstar.”
Some even believe that the trade will be immortalized in infamy among league conversations.
“I think it’s the worst trade in NBA history,” said freshman Nick Carroll.
De’Aaron Fox joins forces with Victor Wembanyama in three-team trade involving Zach LaVine
Later on Feb. 2, the San Antonio Spurs acquired superstar point guard De’Aaron Fox and point guard Jordan McLaughlin in a three-team deal that sent small forward Zach Lavine to the Sacramento Kings and gave the Chicago Bulls full control of their 2025 first-round pick.
The Kings also received small forward Sidy Cissoko and three first-round picks in the trade, and the Bulls acquired center Zach Collins, point guard Tre Jones, and shooting guard Kevin Huerter.
Fox had requested a trade out of Sacramento less than a week prior, and he had indicated that he wished to play for the Spurs alongside superstar center Victor Wembanyama. The Bulls had been rumored to move on from LaVine for multiple seasons, and the Kings believe that acquiring him would maintain the team’s competitiveness after moving on from Fox, their former franchise player.
Fans around the league view the Fox trade as a wise investment for the long-term success of the Spurs around Wembanyama.
“I think the Spurs will do well with [Fox] and [Wembanyama],” said Carroll. “[Fox] is a good point guard.”
Longtime Bucks forward Khris Middleton moves on midseason
On Feb. 5, the Milwaukee Bucks traded away small forward Khris Middleton, who had been with the team since 2013, in exchange for Washington Wizards’ power forward Kyle Kuzma. The four-team trade also involved the New York Knicks, who received point guard Delon Wright, and the San Antonio Spurs, who received small forward Patrick Baldwin Jr. The Bucks also received center Jericho Sims from the Knicks.
For the past few seasons, Middleton was hampered by injuries causing him to be in and out of the Bucks lineup, and his large salary of $31 million this year and $34 million player option next year also limited the team’s roster flexibility.
In acquiring Middleton, the Wizards are continuing their rebuild by adding a veteran with champion experience to their locker room, and opening more opportunities for young small forward Bilal Coulibaly.
Kyle Kuzma previously won a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, and the Bucks hope that he can repeat that success in Milwaukee. Moreover, they hope that Kuzma can improve on his lackluster scoring and efficiency that has plagued his season thus far.
Although Middleton was beloved in Milwaukee and helped lead them to a championship, some fans believe that now is the correct time to move on.
“I think it’s a good idea,” said Carroll. “Middleton’s getting up there in age, and his play has been getting worse.”
However, many are still sentimental towards Middleton and are sympathetic to him due to his unceremonial exit from Milwaukee and him ending up with Washington, one of the worst teams in the league.
“It must be tough for [him] going from the Bucks to the Wizards,” said freshman Hank Scanlan.
Jimmy Butler leaves Miami with sour ending to join forces with Stephen Curry in Golden State
Later on Feb. 5, the Golden State Warriors acquired superstar small forward Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat in a 5-team trade also involving the Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons, and Toronto Raptors. The Heat acquired small forward Andrew Wiggins, power forward Kyle Anderson, point guard Davion Mitchell, and a protected 2025 first-round pick; the Jazz added power forward KJ Martin, point guard Josh Richardson, and two second-round picks; the Pistons received point guard Dennis Schröder, shooting guard Lindy Waters III, and a second-round pick; and the Raptors gained power forward P.J. Tucker and a second-round pick.
By adding the aging Butler, the Warriors are attempting to do everything in their power to win one more championship with legendary point guard Stephen Curry still on the roster. Shortly after the trade, the small forward agreed to a two-year, $121 million contract extension with the Warriors.
Butler had requested out of Miami towards the end of 2024, and had been suspended multiple times by the Heat in the intervening period. Additionally the team is seeking to retain their competitiveness in acquiring Andrew Wiggins, whose stats and skill set have closely resembled Butler’s this season.
Due to Butler’s two legendary playoff runs with Miami, many fans believed that he would retire with the team and were surprised to see him demand out.
“I thought he would stay with the Heat for much longer,” said freshman Grayson Cooper. “It’s actually kind of wild.”
In terms of play on the court, some believe that the Warriors’ addition of Butler will help lead the team to a fifth NBA championship in ten years.
“I’m hoping [he] won’t get injured so will actually be able to win a championship with him,” said Kovacs. “Hopefully he balls out in the finals like he usually does.”
Pelicans offload Brandon Ingram to Raptors as contract negotiations loom
Also on Feb. 5, the Toronto Raptors added star small forward Brandon Ingram from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for shooting guard Bruce Brown, center Kelly Olynyk, a first-round pick, and a second-round pick.
With the Pelicans near the bottom of the standings and Ingram’s contract expiring in the summer, the team sought to get as much value for him as possible before potentially losing him for nothing in the offseason.
The Raptors view Ingram as a potential long-term building block for their rebuilding roster, and they hope that Ingram will pair well with young power forward Scottie Barnes. However, maintaining Ingram’s happiness will be imperative as they begin contract negotiations in close to five months.
Some fans hold concerns that Ingram’s inconsistent play and injury history will harm the Raptors’ chance of building around him and Barnes.
“With Brandon Ingram it just depends on what game it is,” said Carroll. “He’s off and on.”
Trade Involving University of Tennessee graduate Dalton Knecht rescinded two days after its completion
On Feb. 6, the Los Angeles Lakers traded recent first-round pick Dalton Knecht, small forward Cam Reddish, and the rights to two future first-round picks in exchange for center Mark Williams of the Charlotte Hornets.
As the Lakers lost their only starting-caliber center in the Dončić-Davis trade, acquiring a replacement was necessary for championship contention. In Williams, the Lakers are adding a 7-foot interior threat with long-term upside as a rim protector.
The Hornets were hesitant on granting Williams a major contract extension due to his tumultuous injury history, and they viewed both Knecht and the Lakers’ first round picks as invaluable long-term assets for their rebuild.
However, on Feb. 8, it was reported that the trade was rescinded due to Williams failing his physical. Knecht, Reddish, and Williams all returned to their original teams. With the trade deadline having already passed, this significantly limits the Lakers options for acquiring a suitable center this season.
Cavaliers add another scoring option as they push for an NBA championship this June
In the afternoon of Feb. 6, the Cleveland Cavaliers sent small forward Caris LeVert, power forward Georges Niang, and three second-round picks to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for small forward De’Andre Hunter.
The Cavaliers view Hunter, who is one of the top scorers off the bench in the league, as a beneficial offensive threat and defensive force. Additionally, by moving on from LeVert, Cleveland is opening up more opportunities for point guard Ty Jerome, who has been having a breakout season.
Due to the season-ending injury of power forward Jalen Johnson, the Hawks’ chances at playoff contention have been significantly worsened. Therefore, the Hawks sought to trade Hunter for as much value as possible while he was still performing at a high level.
Other trades:
This year’s trade season consisted of dozens of transactions across multiple months. Below is a list of other trades involving less significant players and assets:
Dec. 15: Brooklyn Nets moved point guard Dennis Schröder and a second-round pick to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for guard De’Anthony Melton and three second-round picks.
Dec. 29: Brooklyn Nets moved power forward Dorian Finney-Smith and point guard Shake Milton to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for point guard D’Angelo Russell, small forward Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks.
Jan. 15: Charlotte Hornets moved center Nick Richards to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for small forward Josh Okogie and three second-round picks.
Jan. 21: Phoenix Suns traded their unprotected 2031 first-round pick in exchange for three protected first round picks from the Utah Jazz.
Feb. 1: Los Angeles Clippers traded power forward P.J. Tucker, center Mo Bamba, and a second round pick to the Utah Jazz in exchange for center Drew Eubanks and point guard Patty Mills.
Feb. 4: Dallas Mavericks traded shooting guard Quentin Grimes and a second-round pick to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for power forward Caleb Martin,
Feb. 5: Washington Wizards traded center Jonas Valančiūnas to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for small forward Sidy Cissoko and two second-round picks.
Feb. 5: Boston Celtics traded shooting guard Jaden Springer and two second-round picks to the Houston Rockets in exchange for a second-round pick.
Feb. 5: New Orleans Pelicans traded center Daniel Theis and a second-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for cash considerations.
Feb. 6: Phoenix Suns traded center Jusuf Nurkić and a first-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for small forward Cody Martin, point guard Vasilije Micić, and a second-round pick.
Feb. 6: Los Angeles Clippers trade small forward Terance Mann and point guard Nah’Shon Hyland to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanović and three second-round picks.
Feb. 6: Atlanta Hawks trade center Cody Zeller and a second-round draft pick to the Houston Rockets in exchange for the draft rights to Alpha Kaba.
Feb. 6: Three-team trade: The Washington Wizards received shooting guards Marcus Smart and Colby Jones, center Alex Len, and a first-round pick; the Memphis Grizzlies received center Marvin Bagley III, shooting guard Johnny Davis, and two second-round picks; the Sacramento Kings received power forward Jake LaRavia.
Feb. 6: The Houston Rockets traded point guard Kevin Porter Jr. to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for small forward Marjon Beauchamp.
Feb. 6: The Indiana Pacers traded center James Wiseman and cash considerations to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for draft considerations. The Raptors have waived Wiseman.
