NBA Trade Deadline 2026 Heats Up With Major Moves

The NBA trade deadline is always a fever pitch of rumors, last-minute deals, and bold moves that can reshape the entire landscape of the league. With the 2026 deadline set for February 5 at 3 p.m. ET, front offices across the association have already kicked off the action, and fans are glued to every transaction and whisper. As of February 1, the trade winds are swirling with big names and surprising shifts, and while the dust hasn’t fully settled, several blockbuster deals have already sent shockwaves through the NBA.

The first major domino to fall this trade season was the Atlanta Hawks’ decision to send star point guard Trae Young to the Washington Wizards. In exchange, the Hawks received veteran guard CJ McCollum and sharpshooting forward Corey Kispert. This was no small move—the Hawks, who just five years ago were riding Young’s heroics to the Eastern Conference Finals, have now closed the chapter on the Young era, betting on a more balanced roster and newfound flexibility.

According to ESPN, “The Hawks defending better with Young on the bench is certainly nothing new. That's been the case throughout his career.” The numbers back it up: Atlanta’s net rating this season is minus-0.4 when Young sits, the best mark of his career in that scenario. Offensively, the Hawks have always thrived with Young, but the defensive trade-off has been a persistent challenge. The addition of McCollum and Kispert should help Atlanta maintain offensive firepower while shoring up their backcourt defense and providing more lineup flexibility.

For Washington, this trade signals a new phase in their rebuild. The Wizards, under the leadership of Michael Winger and Will Dawkins, have been methodically accumulating young talent, but the acquisition of Young marks a shift toward supporting their developing core with proven stars. “Trading for Young is a course correction that signals Washington is heading into a new phase of its rebuild,” ESPN notes. Young’s elite playmaking—he led the NBA with 11.6 assists per game last season—gives the Wizards a dynamic pick-and-roll threat, something the team has sorely lacked. How Young meshes with Washington’s young guards like Bilal Coulibaly and Bub Carrington will be a storyline to watch as the season progresses.

But that was just the beginning. The trade market picked up further momentum with a three-team deal involving the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings, and Chicago Bulls. In this swap, the Cavaliers landed guards Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, the Kings acquired forward De'Andre Hunter, and the Bulls took on veteran forward Dario Saric along with two future second-round draft picks. This deal, completed on the night of January 31, has significant implications for all three teams as they jockey for position ahead of the deadline.

For the Cavaliers, the acquisition of Ellis is particularly intriguing. Though his role shrank in Sacramento this season, Ellis remains an efficient perimeter defender and a career 42% three-point shooter. “Ellis improbably became one of the most in-demand players at the deadline while playing a smaller role than last season because of his minimum salary and combined with a 3-and-D skill set that fits better on a contending team than it did in Sacramento,” ESPN reports. Ellis’s defensive versatility and shooting should complement All-Star Donovan Mitchell, freeing him from heavy ball-handling duties and improving Cleveland’s backcourt depth.

Dennis Schroder’s fit is less certain, especially if Darius Garland returns healthy, but the financial aspect of the trade is crucial. By moving Hunter’s sizable contract, the Cavaliers have slashed their luxury tax bill by nearly $40 million and positioned themselves to potentially duck the second-apron threshold. This gives Cleveland more flexibility to pursue further deals or re-sign key players as they look to remain competitive in the East.

The Kings, meanwhile, are banking on a bounce-back from De'Andre Hunter. After peaking as a sharpshooter in last year’s playoffs, Hunter has struggled this season, hitting a career-low 31% from beyond the arc and seeing his minutes dip. Yet his ability to play both forward spots and his defensive upside make him a valuable addition for a Sacramento team in need of frontcourt depth. The Kings will take on Hunter’s $24.9 million salary for 2026-27, nudging them into luxury tax territory, but they have options to trim payroll if needed. If Hunter rediscovers his shooting touch, he could become a coveted trade asset again next year.

For the Bulls, the deal is a low-risk win. Chicago absorbed Saric’s expiring $5.4 million contract and picked up two second-round picks without giving up any players or assets. Saric, who played just five games for Sacramento this season, provides extra frontcourt depth, but the real prize is the added draft capital. With the Bulls sitting well below the tax line, they were in a perfect position to facilitate the deal. If Saric isn’t moved again by the deadline, a buyout is likely, leaving Chicago with more flexibility to be aggressive in the coming days.

Elsewhere in the league, the Portland Trail Blazers and Atlanta Hawks executed a smaller but notable trade. The Hawks sent sharpshooter Vit Krejci to Portland for center Duop Reath and two second-round picks. Krejci, a 42% three-point shooter, addresses Portland’s dire need for outside shooting—despite ranking third in attempts, the Blazers are dead last in accuracy from deep. For Atlanta, reacquiring their own 2027 second-round pick was a key part of the deal, giving them more draft flexibility moving forward.

As the deadline approaches, rumors continue to swirl around marquee names like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis, Domantas Sabonis, and Ja Morant. The so-called “Giannis Sweepstakes” has teams like the Warriors and Heat reportedly exploring blockbuster packages, but as of now, no megadeal has materialized. The Kings and Blazers have also been linked to potential All-Star trades, and the Lakers’ decision not to pursue De'Andre Hunter has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike.

With just days remaining until the trade buzzer sounds, front offices are weighing their options, balancing short-term ambitions against long-term flexibility. Will another star be on the move? Can contenders bolster their rosters for a deep playoff run? Or will surprise teams like the Bulls and Blazers seize the opportunity to build for the future?

One thing’s for sure: the 2026 NBA trade deadline is shaping up to be as unpredictable and dramatic as ever. Stay tuned—there’s plenty more action to come before the clock strikes three on February 5.