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NEWS
© USA Today Sports
The 2026 NBA trade deadline is in our rearview mirror. 27 of the league’s 30 teams made moves. After everything went official, there were 28 total trades that involved 73 players during deadline week. If you go back to the Trae Young trade last month, there were 29 trades made involving 76 players, and over 40 draft picks changing hands.
Feels like a lot to keep track of, right? Never fear, we’ve got you covered! Instead of recapping each individual deal, because the flurry of action became too much for that, we’re doing a bit of a reset for the entire league. We started with the Eastern Conference, and now it’s time for the Western Conference. Here’s what we’ll look at:
What They Did: What moves did they make during trade season?
Why They Did It: Why did the teams make the moves they made?
Work Left To Do: What’s left to do with the roster, either with further additions via buyout season, two-way conversions, returns from injury or rotation decisions.
Let’s dive in!
Dallas Mavericks
What They Did
Dallas made one of the blockbuster trades of the deadline when they sent Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum to the Washington Wizards for Khris Middleton, Marvin Bagley III, A.J. Johnson, two first-round picks and three second-round picks. The three-team deal also included the Mavericks acquiring Tyus Jones from Charlotte Hornets.
Why They Did It
There are three parts to the Mavs big trade. First, they considerably cleaned up their cap sheet moving forward. Out goes the $58.5 million owed to Davis, as well as any future money via a desired extension from Davis’ side. Dallas won’t have cap space this offseason, but can use the full Non-Taxpayer MLE to add talent around Cooper Flagg and a returned-from-injury Kyrie Irving.
Second, by trading Davis, the Mavs are now fully divorced from the Luka Doncic trade. Every day Davis spent on the roster, and that could have been a while if Dallas had extended him, was a reminder that the team traded Doncic. Is this consolation for trading one of the NBA’s best players? No. But it’s now in the past and Dallas can move forward around Flagg.
Lastly, we get to the on-court impact. Jones will give the team the pure, veteran point guard that they haven’t had this season. That should make the end of the season easier for Flagg and everyone else. Bagley is a nice reserve to have for a frontcourt that has been plagued by injuries all season. Johnson is a nice flyer. He might look like a throw-in, but there’s some talent there that the Mavs might be able to pull out of Johnson.
Work Left To Do
The roster is pretty complete. The Mavs looked like they’d position themselves to free up roster spots for two-way players Moussa Cisse and Ryan Nembhard. The path to those spots isn’t overly clear post-deadline. We’ll see if that’s still a concern after the All-Star break. Buying out Khris Middleton is probably on the table, but retaining Bird rights might be more important for both Middleton and the Mavericks. There’s a good chance that this is the Dallas roster for the rest of this season.
Lasty, we’ll see if Kyrie Irving returns or not. He’s almost a year out from tearing his ACL. There’s no playoff run to return for, but Irving might want to get a handful of games in to shake off the rust and hit the ground running this offseason.
Denver Nuggets
What They Did
The only move the Nuggets made was to salary-dump Hunter Tyson to the Brooklyn Nets with a second-round pick. The good news? Denver was able to get back a second for themselves in this deal.
Why They Did It
With a very expensive roster looming for 2026-27 (and even more so if the team re-signs Peyton Watson), Denver wasn’t going to pay the tax this season. They got under the tax line, while freeing up an additional roster spot. And the Nuggets came out even on second-round picks. That’s pretty good work.
Work Left To Do
Denver has two open roster spots. One of those will go to two-way player Spencer Jones, who has started regularly in the Nuggets injury-hit forward rotation. The other spot will get filled with a buyout addition. Keep an eye on another ballhandler, just so Denver isn’t caught shorthanded if another injury hits.
Golden State Warriors
What They Did
The Warriors made two trades at the deadline. The first was a big one, as they finally moved Jonathan Kuminga, by sending him with Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks for Kristaps Porzingis. In their second trade, Golden State sent Trayce Jackson-Davis to the Toronto Raptors for a second-round pick.
Why They Did It
Golden State finally moved Kuminga, and they got off Hield’s salary for this year and next. Neither player was in the Warriors rotation, so there is nothing lost there. How much was gained? That remains to be seen. If they can get Porzingis on the floor, and keep him healthy, he’ll be a huge addition to the team, both literally and figuratively. Scoring, spacing and rim protection are all still there for Porzingis. He’s just rarely played this season due to a lingering illness condition and various injuries. Moving Jackson-Davis came from the team having enough frontcourt depth and wanting to free up a roster spot.
Work Left To Do
The Warriors already converted Pat Spencer to a standard contract. They still have another open roster spot with enough room under their second-apron hard cap to fill it. That could go to a veteran who gets bought out, or a potential callup from the G League. Golden State has done both over the last few years. They will fill that final spot before the end of the regular season.
Houston Rockets
What They Did
Nothing. The Rockets sat out the deadline and didn’t make any moves.
Why They Did It
Houston has one open roster spot and enough room under their first-apron hard cap to fill it. That’ll come before the end of the regular season, and possibly sooner, if they want to convert J.D. Davison from his two-way deal.
Work Left To Do
Keep an eye on a Davison conversion, as he’s been pretty solid for the Rockets and Ime Udoka seems to trust his defense and decision-making. There’s been a lot of buzz that Fred VanVleet could make a really early return from a torn ACL suffered in the leadup to the season. Don’t expect that, but keep an eye on practice and injury reports for VanVleet updates, in case a miracle happens.
LA Clippers
What They Did
The Clippers swung a pair of big trades. They sent James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland and a second-round pick. Then, in the final hour before the deadline, LA traded Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown to the Indiana Pacers for Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks and a second-round pick. The Clippers also made a smaller move when they finally moved Chris Paul, by sending him to the Toronto Raptors in a three-team deal where they got Vanja Marinkovic’s draft rights.
Why They Did It
LA didn’t punt on the season, but they certainly didn’t make moves for the moment either. Acquiring Darius Garland was about the idea of getting him healthy and having a long-term fit at point guard. Trading Zubac was about getting two first-round picks, either a good one in this draft, or two potentially juicy picks down the line. Mathurin could prove to be a long-term fit. Jackson is a nice backup big man to have in the rotation.
Work Left To Do
The Clippers signed Kobe Sanders from his two-way deal to a standard contract. That’s smart work, as Sanders has been a good rotation wing and will be on a value deal next season. Eventually, expect LA to make a similar move with Jordan Miller, who has also proven to be a rotation-level wing over the course of the last couple of seasons.
Los Angeles Lakers
What They Did
Los Angeles sent Gabe Vincent and a second-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks for Luke Kennard. After the deadline, the Lakers filled their open roster spot by signing Kobe Bufkin to a two-year contract.
Why They Did It
The Lakers needed shooting and defense at the trade deadline. They got the shooting by trading for Kennard. The defense will have to be an offseason project for Rob Pelinka. Bufkin replaces Vincent as a backup ballhandler. He’s been really good in the G League, and was a former lottery pick, so maybe Bufkin will prove to be a late-bloomer.
Work Left To Do
This is about it for the Lakers. They have no open roster spots and a little room under their first-apron hard cap. They’ve got players they could waive if a need popped up, or if a veteran was unexpectedly available.
Memphis Grizzlies
What They Did
Memphis made one of the shocking blockbuster deals of the deadline when they traded Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz, along with John Konchar, Vince Williams Jr. and Jock Landale. The Grizzlies got back Walter Clayton Jr., Taylor Hendricks, Kyle Anderson and three first-round picks. Memphis also got Georges Niang in the deal, but waived him. In a later deadline deal, the Grizzlies ate Eric Gordon’s contract for the right to swap second-round picks with the Philadelphia 76ers. Gordon was also waived.
Why They Did It
The Grizzlies are rebuilding. They started out by resetting when they traded Desmond Bane, but things didn’t go as hoped for. Now, they are full on rebuilding. Clayton and Hendricks add to a stash of young talent that includes Cedric Coward, Zach Edey, Jaylen Wells, Scotty Pippen Jr., Cam Spencer and GG Jackson. Three first-round picks are nice to add to the haul from the Bane trade too.
Work Left To Do
Memphis didn’t trade Ja Morant. The sides will work together on finding him a new home in the offseason. In the more immediate, the Grizzlies have very little size on their roster. They signed Lawson Lovering to a 10 Day deal, but expect them to try out a few more big men before all is said and done.
Minnesota Timberwolves
What They Did
The Wolves got started by moving Mike Conley’s contract to the Chicago Bulls, which got the team under the first apron. Then, Minnesota added Ayo Dosunmu and Julian Phillips in exchange for Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller and four second-round picks, in another deal with the Bulls.
Why They Did It
The Timberwolves never really replaced Nickeil Alexander-Walker after he left this past summer. Jaylen Clark hasn’t looked ready. Terrence Shannon Jr. has been hurt and Dillingham wasn’t able to keep a rotation role. Dosunmu gives the team another playable guard, who can also defend most small forwards too.
Work Left To Do
Minnesota has two open roster spots, one of which will go to…Mike Conley! Because Conley was moved to the Charlotte Hornets in a subsequent trade before he was waived, Conley is eligible to re-sign with the Wolves. The second spot could eventually go to Johnny Juzang, who has just about exhausted his two-way eligibility. The Timberwolves could also hold that spot for a potential buyout addition, as the team can fit in Conley and buyout player while staying under the first apron.
New Orleans Pelicans
What They Did
The Pelicans were pretty quiet until just before the deadline, when they sent Jose Alvarado to the New York Knicks for Dalen Terry and two second-round picks. New Orleans later waived Terry.
Why They Did It
As much as New Orleans loves Alvarado, the team is playing big in their starting group with Herb Jones and Trey Murphy starting at the guard spots. Rookie Jeremiah Fears is getting most of the backup minutes. And, presumably, veteran point guard Dejounte Murray will return at some point before the end of the season. That left little room for Alvarado and getting two second-round picks is good value for a backup point guard.
Work Left To Do
The Pelicans have an open roster spot now. They’ll likely fill that by signing two-way player Bryce McGowens to a standard deal. McGowens has carved out a rotation spot under two different Pels coaches this year.
Oklahoma City Thunder
What They Did
Oklahoma City was involved in a series of moves at the deadline. They sent Ousmane Dieng and a second-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets for Mason Plumlee, who was immediately waived. The Thunder then traded cash to the Utah Jazz for the draft rights to Balsa Koprivica. To round out their roster, OKC traded a first-round pick and three second-picks to the Philadelphia 76ers for guard Jared McCain.
Why They Did It
The Thunder made the Dieng for Plumlee swap to clear a bit of extra room under the luxury tax. That was mostly eaten up by acquiring McCain, who is a terrific value add for some extraneous draft picks (for the Thunder, who still have plenty of picks in the vault). McCain has great potential and could play an immediate role for an injury-hit backcourt. The Koprivica move was a smart asset play too. Oklahoma City could very well end up a second-apron team in the future. That means they won’t be able to simply send out cash to satisfy the touch rules in a trade. The other players they have draft rights for are all long-since retired. Koprivica gives the Thunder that “something” to put into a trade to make the rules work.
Work Left To Do
The Thunder roster should be complete. This team is deep, versatile and ready for another title run.
Phoenix Suns
What They Did
The Suns sent Nick Richards to the Chicago Bulls and Nigel Hayes-Davis and cash to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey.
Why They Did It
Trading Richards, along with Hayes-Davis, for two minimum-salary players got Phoenix under the luxury tax. Given how big their tax bills have recently, that’s huge. And it starts the Suns on the path towards resetting the tax repeater clock down the line. Coffey may play a role, as he’s been a rotation wing in the past for the LA Clippers. Anthony is expected to eventually be waived.
Work Left To Do
Phoenix has one open roster spot, which is expected to go to Jamaree Bouyea, who has impressed while on a two-way contract. If Anthony is waived, as is expected, the second open roster spot could go to Isaiah Livers, who has also impressed while on a two-way contract.
Portland Trail Blazers
What They Did
The Blazers made one small, but good, trade before the deadline. Portland picked up Vit Krejci for Duop Reath and two second-round picks.
Why They Did It
Krejci is an upgrade for a Trail Blazers roster that desperately needed shooting. Portland takes a lot of threes, but doesn’t make very many. Krejci should help with that, and he’s on a very team-friendly contract moving forward.
Work Left To Do
The Blazers were expected to create a couple of roster spots to sign two-way players Sidy Cissoko and Caleb Love. However, that didn’t happen. Keep an eye out for waiver or two from Portland, as they would like Cissoko and Love to finish the year on standard contracts, given both are just about out of NBA eligibility on their two-way deals.
Sacramento Kings
What They Did
The Kings picked up De’Andre Hunter while sending Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Dario Saric and a second-round pick to the Chicago Bulls. Sacramento soon after signed two-way big man Dylan Cardwell to a four-year standard contract.
Why They Did It
Sacramento didn’t move any of their big-salary players, and took on money by trading for Hunter. Hunter should be a decent fit, if he can re-discover his shot. He’s already one of the better defenders on the roster. Converting Cardwell was a must, as he’s been one of the bright spots in a miserable season for the Kings.
Work Left To Do
Sacramento has one open roster spot. They’d be best off to cycle through some players on 10 Day contracts to see if they can find a diamond in the rough. The rest of the season needs to be spent planning for how this team is going to get themselves further away from being a second-apron team, which is looming dangerously next season.
San Antonio Spurs
What They Did
San Antonio went back to their former years-long strategy of sitting out the trade deadline. The Spurs waived forward Jeremy Sochan as a post-deadline move.
Why They Did It
Sochan hasn’t been in the Spurs rotation for a while now, and he wasn’t part of the team’s future either. Moving on makes sense.
Work Left To Do
San Antonio can use their newly-created roster spot for a buyout addition, or to convert one of their two-way players.
Utah Jazz
What They Did
The Jazz pulled off a stunning, future-focused deal by adding Jaren Jackson Jr., John Konchar and Vince Williams Jr. for Walter Clayton Jr., Taylor Hendricks, Kyle Anderson, Georges Niang and three first-round picks. Utah also ate Lonzo Ball’s contracts for two second-round picks. The team also took on Chris Boucher’s deal for a second-round pick. In addition, the Jazz traded Jock Landale and the drafts rights for Balsa Koprivica for cash to the Atlanta Hawks and Oklahoma City Thunder, respectively.
Why They Did It
Utah has made it clear for months that this was their final rebuilding year. With draft pick obligations clear after this season, the Jazz are going to pivot towards a playoff push in 2026-27. Adding Jackson will aid in that. Williams is a sneaky good pickup too. Eating contracts in exchange for assets was good use of the team’s room under the luxury tax.
Work Left To Do
The Jazz could buy out veteran big men Jusuf Nurkic and Kevin Love, but that doesn’t seem to be overly likely. Both bigs have played well for Utah and are valued for their presence on the court (when they play) and in the locker room. Expect the team to cycle through some 10 Day deals with their open roster spot, as they look to see if someone pops who can stick on the roster long-term.