NBA Trade Deadline Special

Daniel Waddleton

Feb 6, 2025

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Well, this season’s NBA trade deadline more than made up for what was an incredibly dull 2024 deadline.

The biggest moves -- De'Aaron Fox to San Antonio and, of course, the blockbuster Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis swap between Los Angeles and Dallas -- dominated the headlines. I’ve already written separate pieces on both of those trades earlier this week and I'd encourage you to go check those out.

This piece will recap all the other significant trades, displaying who and what was moved and my short form take on each deal

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Mavs Not Done, Acquire Forward from Sixers

Dallas Mavericks Receive: F Caleb Martin

Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G Quentin Grimes, 2025 second-round pick (own)

Another bit of a head-scratcher for Dallas. With the addition of Max Christie, Quentin Grimes certainly became expendable, but you’d think the team would prioritize ball-handling and playmaking rather than adding yet another wing. Now, with Naji Marshall, P.J. Washington, and Caleb Martin -- three similar big wings -- alongside Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively, and Daniel Gafford, the Mavs have a bit of a frontcourt logjam with overlapping skill sets.

Not to mention Martin just signed on to a four year deal worth $40 million with the 76ers in the off-season, a contract that he hasn't exactly lived up too in his first season.

I might have opted for a move like Lonzo Ball here, who they probably could have acquired for a similar package. As a natural playmaker and facilitator, he would have helped address their need for more ball handling and playmaking, while maintaining the defensive integrity of the roster considering Ball is very strong on that end.

For Philadelphia, it’s becoming increasingly clear that they aren’t a real threat to compete in the East this season. This move allows them to get a little younger while adding a player in Grimes who, hypothetically, should fit well alongside their three main pieces of Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, and Joel Embiid. Throw in a second-round pick, and it’s a solid win for Philly in a season where those have been few and far between.

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Milwaukee Moves On from a Franchise Legend

Milwaukee Bucks Receive: F Kyle Kuzma, F Patrick Baldwin Jr., C Jericho Sims, Second-round draft compensation

Washington Wizards Receive: F Khris Middleton, G AJ Johnson, 2028 first-round pick swap

New York Knicks Receive: G Delon Wright, Cash considerations

On its face, this is a tough move for Milwaukee, trading away not only a better player than the one they’re receiving but also a franchise legend. Khris Middleton hasn’t been the same since ankle injuries started piling up during the 2022 postseason, but he proved just nine months ago that if he’s even 75% healthy, he can still be a postseason force. Ironically, he was the most available of the Bucks’ “Big Three” (Middleton, Damian Lillard, and Giannis Antetokounmpo) during their 2024 playoff series against Indiana, where he averaged 24.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in 38 minutes per game.

Now, Milwaukee will need to replace his playmaking and shot creation in the aggregate, as Kyle Kuzma is not the same complete offensive player that Middleton is. On a pure talent level, this trade is difficult to justify as an upgrade. If anything, it seems more like a cost-saving move.

If this was primarily about cutting costs, Bucks fans will be hoping it’s not the last move of the deadline. By trading Middleton, Milwaukee is now under the second apron, which allows them to aggregate salaries in future trades. This newfound flexibility means they can package together any of their potential trade chips of Bobby Portis, Brook Lopez, Pat Connaughton, and MarJon Beauchamp if they want to continue reshaping the roster.

Depending on what the next move is, Kuzma may make more sense within that iteration of the team. He’s probably a better overall defender than Middleton at this stage of their careers, and is more effective as a small-ball four, which could be the Bucks thinking if they are planning further changes.

For Washington, this is a great return, especially with A.J. Johnson included in the deal. The 20-year-old guard is raw, but he fits well within the Wizards’ rebuilding timeline. If he’s given the opportunity to play through mistakes and develop at the NBA level, he has real upside.

And if Middleton can finish the season strong in a low-leverage situation with the Wizards, he may rebuild his value and position himself to be moved to a contender this summer.

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Sacramento Bolsters Their Frontcourt

Sacramento Kings Receive: C Jonas Valanciunas

Washington Wizards Receive: G Sidy Cissoko, 2028 second-round pick (via Denver), 2029 second-round pick

An extension of the De’Aaron Fox trade, Sacramento acquires the 32-year-old Valanciunas using the assets they received in the three-team deal with San Antonio and Chicago. This move signals that the Kings are fully committed -- at least for this season -- to making a playoff push with their current core.

The Kings have struggled mightily in non-Domantas Sabonis minutes this season. With Sabonis on the court, they are +5 points per 100 possessions, but when he goes to the bench, that number drops to a staggering -9.1 per 100 possessions. While Sabonis is an All-Star-caliber player, that discrepancy has as much to do with Sacramento’s lack of a viable backup big as it does with his individual impact.

Valanciunas should help alleviate that issue significantly. In those minutes he improves their defensive rebounding, provides a stronger interior presence, and serves as a big-body screener for Sacramento’s elite perimeter offensive options.

There will be questions whether Sabonis and Valanciunas can share the floor. While both are capable three-point shooters, the spacing would still be less than ideal, and defensively, we’ve already seen that Sabonis at the four isn’t a sustainable option. Ideally, the Kings stagger their minutes rather than forcing an awkward frontcourt pairing.

Washington deserves a round of applause for this move. After signing Valanciunas to a three-year, $30 million contract in the offseason, they’ve now flipped him for two second-round picks and a flyer on Sidy Cissoko -- a nice return for a guy that had no business being on an eight win squad.

The Wizards are projected to have significant cap space for the foreseeable future, and this trade is a great example of how they should leverage it. Signing veterans to contracts above their projected market value and then flipping them to contenders for assets. Weird seeing a Wizards front office make a savvy move, but this new group appears to be pretty solid!

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Jimmy Joins a Championship Core in 4-Team Deal

Golden State Warriors Receive: F Jimmy Butler

Miami Heat Receive: F Andrew Wiggins, F Kyle Anderson, F P.J. Tucker, Protected first-round pick

Detroit Pistons Receive: G Lindy Waters III, G Josh Richardson, G Dennis Schroder

Utah Jazz Receive: F KJ Martin, G Josh Richardson, Second-round pick

Focusing on the Warriors and Heat, I think Golden State came out really good, especially considering how desperate they seemed to acquire a star-level player. They managed to keep most of their depth intact while adding one of the best playoff performers of the decade in Jimmy Butler.

The big question now is: If this team makes the postseason, can Butler still flip the switch? In brief stretches this season, we’ve seen flashes of vintage Butler -- like that ridiculous 35-point triple-double against Detroit -- but the consistency hasn’t been there. Golden State is betting that all the off-court distractions led to his tendency to fade in and out of games this season. With a fresh start and financial security in Golden State, they’re hoping he can once again transform into Playoff Jimmy.

If he can, Butler is the high-end individual shot creator that Golden State so desperately needed. The team has a collection of good players, but they’ve lacked another top-tier offensive talent required to stay competitive night in and night out alongside Stephen Curry. Enter Butler, a player who can shoulder a heavy offensive scoring burden on his own, while also seamlessly fitting into the Warriors' movement-heavy, Curry-centric offense built on passing, screening, and overall high-IQ basketball.

This move also allows all the high-level role players who were previously overtasked in the previous iteration of this team to slot into more comfortable roles. I’d expect to see a jump in efficiency from the supporting cast if Butler holds up his end of the bargain.

Is this a Finals team? I wouldn’t bet on it. But they are undoubtedly better than they were pre-trade, and a two-way Playoff Jimmy alongside Steph and Draymond in the playoffs would give any team pause heading into a series.

For Miami, I don’t think this was the greatest return, but it might have been the best they could get. The Heat are currently the sixth seed in the East, and that’s been mostly without Butler. Now, they slot in Andrew Wiggins, who likely will never replicate the impact he had during the Warriors' 2022 title run, but can still be a versatile defender, a solid rebounder when engaged, and capable of hitting some shots.

I think Miami will make the postseason and might be able to steal a game, but assuming their first-round destiny is Cleveland, Boston, or New York, I don’t see them posing any real threat to those inner-circle title contenders.

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Ingram Deal Finally Happens... To Toronto?

Toronto Raptors Receive: F Brandon Ingram

New Orleans Pelicans Receive: F Bruce Brown Jr., F Kelly Olynyk, 2026 first-round pick (via Indiana), 2025 second-round pick

Ah, the good ol' Toronto Raptors, always keeping NBA fans on their toes. The past six seasons since their 2019 NBA Championship have felt like a fever dream. From what started as years of mediocrity after Kawhi Leonard left, to refusing to trade a destined-to-leave Fred VanVleet at the 2023 deadline. Then the next season flipping OG Anunoby for established players, while trading Pascal Siakam for draft capital all within a couple of weeks. They somehow still have Jakob Poeltl, and now are acquiring Brandon Ingram using pieces from the Siakam deal. You just never know what Masai Ujiri is cooking up, huh?

From a basketball fit perspective, I’m not sure I love this move. Brandon Ingram has never exactly been my favorite player, but I always thought that on the right team, he could be a difference-maker. To be clear Toronto is not the team I had in mind.

While Ingram is a skilled volume scorer with solid statistical output, his efficiency has been inconsistent. Beyond his scoring, he doesn’t bring much else to the table. He’s an okay passer, but setting up teammates seems to be the least of his worries on most possessions. Defensively, he’s not great on the ball. Despite standing 6'9" with a 7'3" wingspan, you don’t see him piling up blocks, steals, or deflections. He’s not a “little things” guy, the type of player who makes hustle plays or sacrifices his body for the team.

Positionally, Ingram is pretty much stuck at small forward. Whenever the Pelicans tried sliding him down to the four, the team struggled. He’s not particularly physical, and for his size he’s a below-average rebounder.

I would’ve liked to see him land on a team with a strong defensive infrastructure that could use a shot creator. Instead, he ends up on a Toronto team that will be starting three other high-usage offensive players: Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, and Scottie Barnes. You can already see how there will be a ton of redundancy in skill sets when it comes to their best lineups.

Toronto has historically struggled to attract top-tier free agents, so maybe they just decided that Ingram’s talent -- despite his flaws -- was worth gambling on. Yet, considering how long the Ingram sweepstakes have dragged on, it’s pretty telling that he might not have been the most sought-after player on the market.

The only Pelicans point I have is, I hope the team buys out Bruce Brown Jr. That guy is as portable as they come, and could slot into almost any contenders rotation tomorrow and have a huge role in a playoff series. Maybe a Denver reunion?

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Pretty Penny Helps Lakers Find Pick-and-Roll Partner for Luka

Los Angeles Lakers Receive: C Mark Williams

Charlotte Hornets Receive: G Dalton Knecht, F Cam Reddish, 2031 unprotected first-round pick, 2030 pick swap

The Lakers can thank the Mavericks for this deal, as they were able to use assets Dallas didn’t squeeze from them in the Luka Doncic trade to acquire 23-year-old Mark Williams. Williams has to be ecstatic with his new situation, going from a 12-win Hornets squad to now running two-man game with Doncic and LeBron James.

The haul wasn’t insignificant, a 2031 first-round pick carries real value, and Dalton Knecht has already shown considerable promise in his rookie season. But with Doncic set to hit free agency after the 2025-26 season, the Lakers are on the clock. They need to prove to their new franchise superstar that L.A. offers more than just good weather as a reason to stick around for the long haul.

Enter Williams, cut from the same cloth as Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively, the type of vertical, rim-running big Doncic thrived with in Dallas. Williams is an elite offensive lob threat and can also punish defenses by exploiting the advantages created by Doncic or LeBron, crashing the weak-side glass for second-chance points. This season in Charlotte, Williams grabbed 11.8% of his team’s misses, showcasing his knack for offensive rebounding.

Defensively, Williams definitely leaves something to be desired. He has the build and athleticism to be an elite rim protector, but that potential hasn’t always translated on the court. However, the Lakers are banking on the idea that in a more competitive environment, the flashes he’s shown as a disruptive, mobile big can come together, transforming him into the defensive anchor Los Angeles desperately needs after parting ways with Anthony Davis.

At the very least, the Lakers now have a starting-caliber center who not only fits schematically with how Doncic wants to play but is also on the same age timeline. What this team can achieve remains to be seen, but if everything clicks, they’ll be dangerous out West.

For the Hornets, it’s a bit puzzling to see a rebuilding team trade away one of their bright young players still on a rookie deal. But with a new contract looming for Williams -- and questions about his durability -- it seems Charlotte wanted to get ahead of things, recognizing that this rebuild might be longer than expected.

In return, they land Dalton Knecht, who’s just starting his rookie contract, and a potentially compelling 2031 Lakers first-round pick. While parting with Williams stings, Charlotte is prioritizing long-term flexibility and adding young talent to align with their extended rebuild timeline.

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Cavs Add Talented Wing to Bolster Championship Aspirations

Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: F De'Andre Hunter

Atlanta Hawks Receive: G Caris LeVert, F Georges Niang, Three second-round picks, Two future pick swaps

Most of the major deadline moves every year usually involve fringe contenders trying to find that one piece to get them over the top. So, it’s always fun when one of the best teams in basketball makes a splash to gain an edge.

It feels like the Cavaliers have been searching for that prototypical big 3-and-D wing for years, and in theory, they’ve finally got their guy in De’Andre Hunter. Now, I’d argue Hunter is a bit overrated on the defensive end, and ironically, the player they’re sending out -- Caris LeVert -- has been stronger overall on that side of the floor this season. But Hunter is better equipped to defend the bigger wings Cleveland will have to face in the postseason, something LeVert and Georges Niang weren’t as suited for. You’ve got to imagine there was some Boston-heavy thinking behind this trade, knowing the matchups that await in the East.

Offensively, Hunter has been on a heater this season, averaging career highs in both points (19.0) and three-point percentage (39.3%). He’s developed into a much more refined offensive player during his time in Atlanta, and this season feels like the peak of that development. Adding him to Cleveland’s roster just gives opposing teams one more thing to worry about in an offense that’s already dynamic and difficult to defend -- an offense that already ranks first in the league.

Losing LeVert will hurt. As I mentioned, he was having a solid defensive season and served as a good secondary ball handler in the bench units. But with how well Ty Jerome has performed as an initiator off the bench this year, Cleveland had the flexibility to move on from LeVert and finally snag that big wing they’ve been hunting for.

I was a little surprised to see Atlanta move off Hunter, especially since he’s only 27 years old. But with Jalen Johnson out for the season and the team dropping nine of its last ten games, maybe they’re starting to pivot the mindset of the season. Plus, they probably want to create more room for first overall pick Zacharie Risacher to grow on the wing. It feels like the Hawks are acknowledging that this current group isn’t working and are beginning to shift their focus toward the future.

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Clippers Boost Offense with Bogdanovic

Los Angeles Clippers Receive: G Bogdan Bogdanovic, Three second-round picks

Atlanta Hawks Receive: G Terance Mann, G Bones Hyland

Houston Rockets Receive: C Cody Zeller, 2028 second-round pick

I really like this deal for Los Angeles, who have been searching for a player to provide an offensive spark off the bench since Norman Powell flourished into a full-time starter this season. Despite having a down year, Bogdan Bogdanovic brings an eight-year track record of reliable scoring. The Clippers are banking on the idea that with a fresh look coming out west, Bogdanovic can revert to the sixth-man role he thrived in last season, where he averaged 16.9 PPG on 56.9% true shooting off the bench.

I also don't think there was much risk involved even if it doesn't work out. Terance Mann had become somewhat redundant given the team’s current roster construction. Guard Kris Dunn has essentially taken over Mann’s previous role in the rotation and has been one of the best point-of-attack defenders in the league. On top of that, the Clippers also received three second-round picks.

With Atlanta already trading De’Andre Hunter earlier in the day, it felt like only a matter of time before Bogdanovic was on the move as well. Terance Mann isn’t a bad return for the Hawks -- a versatile guard with real defensive chops. He’s also four years younger than Bogdanovic, aligning with the direction Atlanta seems to be heading as they begin what looks like a retool around Jalen Johnson.

Notice I didn't say Trae Young. I think he will be an interesting name to monitor this summer...

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Memphis Offloads Smart, Attaches Pick to Seal the Deal

Memphis Grizzlies Receive: F Marvin Bagley III, G Johnny Davis, Two second-round picks

Washington Wizards Receive: G Colby Jones, G Marcus Smart, C Alex Len, 2025 first-round pick

Sacramento Kings Receive: F Jake LaRavia

Today officially marks the end of Marcus Smart’s short and bizarre tenure in Memphis. After letting Dillon Brooks walk in free agency in 2023, the Grizzlies were in search of their next defensive stopper and opted to trade for Smart. Since then, Smart has played in just 39 games over one and a half seasons, struggling with injuries and looking like a diminished version of his former self when he was on the court. In hindsight, it seems Boston got out of the Smart business at just the right time.

This trade ended up being a salary dump, designed to clear the books ahead of the team’s attempt to extend All-Star forward Jaren Jackson Jr. this summer. Jackson has emerged as one of the best players in the NBA this season, and the Grizzlies are prioritizing financial flexibility to secure his future.

The salary dump wasn’t cheap though. Memphis had to attach picks and include Jake LaRavia, who will be rerouted to Sacramento. While LaRavia may not have been in the Grizzlies’ long-term plans, he's appeared in 47 games this season, playing over 20 minutes per night. He’s a solid young player, and I’d expect him to immediately crack the Kings’ rotation as a valuable piece moving forward.

For a front office that has been for the most part money drafting, trading, and everything in between, this was a clear miss on Smart.

Washington will gladly absorb Smart’s salary, receiving a first-round pick and a flyer on 22-year-old Colby Jones in the process. While Jones hasn’t made much of an impact at the NBA level yet, he was a very productive player at Xavier and could develop into a useful piece with time.

The Wizards have also quietly put together quite the war chest of early 2020s playoff key performers who are past their primes. But if Smart, Middleton, or Malcolm Brogdon can play well down the stretch and build back some value, Washington can keep adding to their growing stockpile of assets this summer.