NBA Trade Deadline Looms As Mavericks Mull Moves And Kon Knueppel Shines

The NBA trade season is officially in full swing, and the league is buzzing with speculation, surprise moves, and breakout performances. With the trade deadline looming on February 5, 2026, front offices across the league are weighing their options, and fans are glued to every rumor and stat line. Two stories have dominated the headlines this week: the Dallas Mavericks’ precarious roster situation as they hover around a 30-win pace, and the meteoric rise of Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel, whose dazzling start has drawn comparisons not just to Klay Thompson, as many expected, but to none other than Stephen Curry.

Let’s start in Dallas, where the Mavericks’ season has been a rollercoaster of injuries, lineup shuffles, and tough decisions ahead. The trade season kicked off with a bang on January 9, when the Atlanta Hawks sent longtime point guard Trae Young to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, setting the tone for a frantic run-up to the deadline. Now, all eyes are on the Mavericks, who are on pace for just 30 wins—a mark that puts their playoff hopes in serious jeopardy and could force the front office into some bold moves.

The Mavericks’ roster is a study in both promise and uncertainty. Anthony Davis, brought in to form a star trio with Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving, is sidelined until the end of February with a left hand sprain. That injury not only complicates his trade value but also leaves Dallas with a big question: Should they hold out hope for a late-season surge with Davis, or cash in on his value now and pivot toward the future? With the Play-In Tournament slipping out of reach, it’s a decision that could define the franchise’s direction for years to come.

Injuries have been a recurring theme for Dallas. Dante Exum, whose arrival once signaled a career renaissance, never got the chance to share point guard duties this season. A devastating knee injury required season-ending surgery before he could even hit the court, leaving his $3.3 million contract as potential salary filler in any trade deal. Daniel Gafford, another key piece, suffered a setback on the very first day of training camp. He’s managed to appear in 29 of 44 games, showcasing his value as an agile lob threat and rim protector—assets that could attract interest from contenders in need of frontcourt depth. But with Dereck Lively II out for the season after foot surgery, Dallas can’t afford to lose too many big men without a plan for the paint.

Jaden Hardy’s situation is equally intriguing. Despite being the fourth-best three-point shooter on the team, Hardy averages just 12.3 minutes per game and has started two of the last four contests. He’s behind Brandon Williams and Ryan Nembhard on the depth chart, and even Cooper Flagg has logged more reps as the primary ball handler. For Hardy, a change of scenery might be just what he needs to jumpstart his career.

Then there’s Naji Marshall, who’s quietly become one of the Mavericks’ most reliable contributors. Now in the third year of a three-year, $27 million contract, Marshall is playing the best basketball of his career. His offensive versatility and defensive grit have not gone unnoticed, and his contract is team-friendly enough to make him a valuable trade chip. Some believe he’s proven himself as a strong fit alongside Flagg, aligning with Dallas’s long-term vision.

Caleb Martin, acquired at last season’s trade deadline, has struggled statistically this year, posting a career-low 2.5 points per game and a 21.7% mark from beyond the arc. But don’t let those numbers fool you—Martin has stepped up defensively in recent games, swiping nine of his 23 steals over the last four outings. He’s shown he can still make an impact when healthy, filling in admirably for Flagg and P.J. Washington.

D’Angelo Russell is another name to watch. The Mavericks’ lone free-agent signing of the offseason was expected to hold down the point guard spot while Irving recovered from ACL surgery. Instead, Russell has started just three games, played in 26 of 44, and hasn’t appeared in 11 contests despite being active. With a $5.6 million contract and a player option for next season, he could be packaged in a deal if the right opportunity arises.

Of course, no conversation about Dallas is complete without mentioning Klay Thompson. Now in his second full season with the Mavericks, Thompson continues to be a threat from three-point range, shooting 38% and serving as a mentor to the team’s younger players. January 2026 was a milestone month for the veteran, as he reached three significant career marks. While the circumstances in Dallas may not be what he envisioned, Thompson’s leadership and shooting remain invaluable assets—especially for any contender eyeing a playoff run.

Meanwhile, in Charlotte, a rookie is rewriting expectations. Kon Knueppel, drafted fourth overall in 2025, entered the NBA with comparisons to Klay Thompson thanks to his size and shooting prowess. But as ESPN’s Brian Windhorst pointed out on January 22, those parallels may not do him justice. On NBA Today, Windhorst declared, “When Kon Knueppel came into the league, I had some people I really trust compare him to Klay Thompson… I’ve been watching him recently—they might have the wrong Splash Brother.”

Windhorst went on to explain, “I know it sounds crazy. But when you watch how this guy has taken the league by storm… Look at the percentage, look at the age. He’s like Steph, in that you can’t catch him!” The numbers back up the hype. Knueppel is shooting a blistering 43.5% from three-point range, nearly matching Stephen Curry’s 43.7% clip during his own rookie campaign in 2009–10. Knueppel is averaging 19.0 points per game—again, right in line with Curry’s 17.5 as a rookie. The 20-year-old has already tallied multiple 30-point games, showcasing not just his shooting but also his off-ball movement, shot creation, quick release, and court awareness.

Analysts are already projecting Knueppel as a future All-Star if he can maintain this level of efficiency. He’s quickly become one of the Hornets’ most reliable scoring options, transforming their offense and giving fans a reason to believe in a bright future. The next challenge for Knueppel will be sustaining his production as defenses adjust and the grind of the NBA season wears on. But if his early returns are any indication, the Hornets may have landed a true franchise cornerstone.

With the trade deadline approaching and new stars emerging, the NBA landscape is shifting fast. Whether the Mavericks shake up their roster or double down on their current core, and as Knueppel continues to dazzle in Charlotte, fans can expect plenty more twists and turns before the season’s end. The league’s future is as unpredictable—and as exciting—as ever.