The 2025 NBA trade deadline has officially come and gone, altering everything in its path over the past week.
Here’s an overview that tries to make sense of it. But fair warning, if you’re a Dallas Mavericks fan looking to understand the Luka Dončić trade … our sympathies. It still doesn’t make sense, and perhaps we all need to just accept that it never will.
Atlanta Hawks: B-
Key additions: Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, Terance Mann and Bones Hyland
Key losses: Bogdan Bogdanović and De’Andre Hunter
After years of so-so play, De’Andre Hunter finally figured it out, playing inarguably the best ball of his career this season … only to get deal at the deadline?
Sure, he’s just had a rough January, hitting just 39% of his shots, but come on. Something clearly clicked for him this season, and instead of hanging onto him, or at least waiting to shop him in the summer, the Hawks decided now was apparently the time to pivot off him.
It’s a gamble for the Hawks, who have no control of their own first-round pick this year — or the following two.
They did make up for it a little bit by sending the Clippers veteran shooter Bogdanović, who’s looked out of sorts all year, and securing two first-round swaps in 2026 and 2028 from Cleveland, as well as numerous seconds.
Still, the Hunter loss stings, and Atlanta’s direction looks both confusing and unclear.
Boston Celtics: A+ for ownership, F for fans
The Celtics made a cost-cutting trade, shipping out Jaden Springer and saving themselves on the tax bill.
Fans shouldn’t care about their favorite team saving money, however, and since the Celtics gave up two second-rounders for one — which was the cost of getting off the contract — they’re by definition worse off long term.
Charlotte Hornets: B+
Key additions: Jusuf Nurkić and Dalton Knecht
Key losses: Mark Williams, Cody Martin and Vasilije Micić
The Hornets shuffled around some pieces and picked up multiple picks in the process. Knecht could be a long-term player for them, but Nurkić was a clear salary dump on behalf of Phoenix, and it’s unlikely Charlotte will devote its future to him.
Overall, the Hornets understood the market and squeezed when they needed to. That’s solid business.
Chicago Bulls: F
Key additions: Zach Collins, Tre Jones and Kevin Huerter
Key loss: Zach LaVine
After getting fleeced by the Spurs and Kings in the three-team De’Aaron Fox-Zach LaVine trade, the Bulls had to do something Thursday to improve their situation.
Instead, they did nothing, which worsens their D- grade from the LaVine deal a few days ago. They didn’t ship out Nikola Vučević or Lonzo Ball (and instead extended Ball!) and allowed Coby White to stick around when his value is clearly about to heavily diminish due to his contractual situation.
The Bulls continue their awful trend of simply not understanding what type of business they’re in.
Cleveland Cavaliers: A+
Key addition: De’Andre Hunter
Key losses: Caris LeVert, Georges Niang
The Cavs, as they should, acted as buyers and got an agile and offensively explosive 6-foot- wing who will help strengthen their chances against the Boston Celtics in the playoffs.
They paid up for it, forking over two first-round swaps and several seconds, but that’s the cost of doing business for a contender, and this looks like it very well could be worth it.
Dallas Mavericks: C-
Key additions: Anthony Davis, Max Christie and Caleb Martin
Key losses: Luka Dončić, and Quentin Grimes
Look. Many will give the Mavs an F here, and that’s fair. What happened just under a week ago remains absolutely wild and entirely inexplicable.
However, it’s just impossible to give out an F when they got Davis, no matter how illogical, confusing and outright weird the whole thing was.
The Grimes loss also hurts and makes little sense, which just raises the question: What the hell even is the plan in Dallas?
Detroit Pistons: A
Key addition: Dennis Schröder
Key losses: None
The Pistons used their cap space to absorb deals, gain a few extra picks and ultimately land on Dennis Schröder as an addition for the rest of the year, strengthening the point guard spot.
That’s just rock solid. They knew how to leverage their own situation to improve their long-term outlook. Strong job by Detroit.
Golden State Warriors: B+
Key addition: Jimmy Butler
Key losses: Dennis Schröder, Kyle Anderson
The Warriors paid up, signing Butler to an immediate extension of $111 million over two years, prolonging the team’s competitiveness for a few years.
Butler’s age aligns well with the timeline of both Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, so this could in many ways be viewed as a respectful way to send off Curry while keeping the team relevant.
Houston Rockets: A
The Rockets took on the contract of Jaden Springer, whom they later waived, and earned a second-rounder for their troubles.
Small piece of business but solid execution.
Indiana Pacers: B
The Pacers moved off James Wiseman by sending him to Toronto along with cash. This frees up a much-needed roster spot, which the Pacers can use on a healthy player. Wiseman is out for the year due to an Achilles tear.
Los Angeles Clippers: C
Key addition: Bogdan Bogdanović
Key losses: Terance Mann, Bones Hyland and PJ Tucker
The Clippers shuffled around some pieces, moving off older players and, well, getting a new older player.
The organization is hoping Bogdanović is revitalized in California, as the Serbian shooting guard does offer a dynamic offensive game the team is otherwise lacking.
But one could wonder why that opportunity wasn’t given to Bones Hyland.
Los Angeles Lakers: A+
Key additions: Luka Dončić and Mark Williams
Key losses: Anthony Davis, Max Christie and Dalton Knecht
Do we even need to say anything here? Like, at all?
This is such a slam dunk for the future, as the Lakers finally find the player to bridge eras in Luka. Oh, and it turns out that player is a top-three guy in the NBA.
We’re all still confused about it, to the point where fans and pundits are even considering conspiracy theories to make sense of it all.
If that doesn’t underline how much the Lakers just owned the trade deadline, we’re not sure what does.
Memphis Grizzlies: C- (but it’s fluid)
Key additions: Marvin Bagley, Johnny Davis
Key loss: Marcus Smart
This is a low grade, but it’s certainly a fluid one. Here’s why: Memphis gave up first-round equity to salary dump Marcus Smart, which on the surface seems unwise.
Yet, the move could clear a way for the Grizzlies to potentially renegotiate the contract of Jaren Jackson Jr. this year, which is integral to the team’s future.
If they succeed in that endeavor, that’s worth the sacrifice of draft picks.
Miami Heat: B-
Key additions: Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, and Davion Mitchell
Key loss: Jimmy Butler
Miami’s nightmare is over, as it’s finally moved on from Jimmy Butler, who didn’t want to be there.
It was a modest return, but a return that still fetched the Heat a starter in Andrew Wiggins and even a first-round selection.
The Heat can now firmly devote their attention to the rest of the season without unnecessary drama. That’s a win, surely.
Milwaukee Bucks: C
Key additions: Kyle Kuzma and Kevin Porter Jr.
Key loss: Khris Middleton
The Bucks shook up their core, and we still have no idea if it’s for the better or worse.
Kuzma is potentially more explosive and durable, but he’s also inconsistent in both efficiency and effort, two elements you never had to worry about with Middleton.
A potential scoring boost from Porter could be in the cards, but that remains to be seen.
New Orleans Pelicans: B-
Key additions: Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk
Key loss: Brandon Ingram
It was time to move on from Brandon Ingram, and the Pelicans finally made a call on his future by dealing him to Toronto.
They got a decent return, acquiring draft equity for a player who could have just left for nothing this summer.
Of course, they did take a hit talent-wise, and with Dejounte Murray out for the year, this could be the beginning of a long, tedious road of rebuilding.
Here’s hoping.
New York Knicks: C
The Knicks made a small swap, ultimately sending out Jericho Sims and getting back Delon Wright.
It’s all very meh and won’t move the needle at all for the Knicks.
Oklahoma City Thunder: A
As usual, the Thunder played it smart. They took on the contract of the Pels’ Daniel Theis, which they later waived, and took on a second-rounder to do so. They also are nearing the return of Chet Holmgren from injury.
Philadelphia 76ers: B-
Key addition: Quentin Grimes
Key loss: Caleb Martin
The Sixers got Quentin Grimes and ended up forking over a first for two-way player Jared Butler and four seconds.
Grimes is a genuine asset whom the Sixers can re-sign this summer. He’s a plug-and-play wing who fits almost every system, which isn’t a bad starting point for the Sixers as they head into what will be a big summer.
Phoenix Suns: C
Key additions: Cody Martin and Vasilije Micić
Key loss: Jusuf Nurkić
The Suns forked over a first to rid themselves of Nurkić, which is a rough price to pay for a team that’s trying to put together a functioning roster.
If Cody Martin wasn’t prone to pick up injuries, this would have looked a lot better. Nick Richards will be asked to do a lot of work for the remainder of the season.
Sacramento Kings: A-
Key additions: Zach LaVine, Jonas Valančiūnas and Jake LaRavia
Key losses: De’Aaron Fox and Kevin Huerter
The Kings wanted to stay relevant. We can discuss that strategy until we’re blue in the face, but for a team that decided to stay the course, it’s tough to argue against it.
LaVine is a genuine get, as is Valančiūnas. Both solve issues the Kings have, even if the team will have to spend years finding a point guard as good as Fox again.
The Kings also got a small flurry of draft picks in the Fox trade, which certainly helps. The Kings are in a bit of a weird spot these days, but not necessarily in an awful position.
San Antonio Spurs: A+
Key addition: De’Aaron Fox
Key losses: Zach Collins and Tre Jones
The Spurs somehow managed to acquire Fox without relinquishing Stephon Castle or the 2025 first-round pick they’re owed from Atlanta.
That shouldn’t be possible, yet the Spurs somehow pulled it off, meaning Fox is not in a “must succeed” situation where the Spurs can’t afford to pivot if he doesn’t work out. (Fox’s debut doesn’t indicate it won’t work out, however.)
Just an extraordinary piece of work by the Spurs.
Toronto Raptors: C+
Key addition: Brandon Ingram
Key losses: Bruce Brown and Kelly Olynyk
The Raptors were searching for a talent injection, and they got it. Unfortunately, the fit is extremely wonky, and Ingram can leave this summer as an unrestricted free agent.
The fact that Toronto thought the potential half-year rental was worth a first-round pick seems optimistic, but in the event that Ingram does re-sign in the summer, or is signed and traded for something more useful, that price suddenly becomes far more acceptable.
Utah Jazz: A
Key addition: KJ Martin
The Jazz didn’t splurge and still ended up with KJ Martin, who’s a useful forward for depth purposes. They also somehow walked away with five second-round selections by constantly being involved in major trades as the smaller participant.
That’s rock solid.
Washington Wizards: B+
Key additions: Khris Middleton and Marcus Smart
Key losses: Kyle Kuzma and Jonas Valančiūnas
The Wizards gained draft equity — something they’ve needed — while forking over established talent and, coincidentally, getting some back.
It makes sense in the context of it all, but the Wizards played this smart by standing ready when teams wanted to send out old talent they deemed no longer useful.
It was a proactive deadline for them, even if they’re now themselves a bit too full of post-age 30 players. But that’s a problem for the summer.
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