The NBA trade deadline is rapidly approaching on February 5th at 3 p.m. ET, and rumors are heating up as the 2025-26 season intensifies. From veteran All-Stars parting ways with their teams to franchise cornerstones considering new options, the season has already delivered considerable drama. While trade activity was quiet following the unofficial start on December 15th (when nearly 90% of players became trade eligible), the market is expected to surge in the coming weeks.
December 26
Spurs’ Defensive Surge and Anthony Davis’s Market
On ESPN’s `Howdy Partners` podcast, Tim MacMahon and Michael C. Wright analyzed the Spurs’ recent eight-game winning streak, focusing on the team`s improved defense. Wright highlighted that while rookies Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper receive praise for their defense, De`Aaron Fox is playing the best defense of his career, often taking on primary opposing guards like Jalen Williams.
The discussion shifted to Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis, who recently suffered a minor groin strain on Christmas Day and is expected to miss additional time, having already missed 16 games this season.
MacMahon expressed skepticism about relying on Davis, noting that his consistent injuries negatively impact his trade value. “We’ve got, what, about five weeks or so until the trade deadline and, [for Dallas] it might come down to… Do we take a deal that’s less value than we’d like to or do we wait until the summer?” MacMahon suggested that despite the Mavericks` public stance, extending Davis this summer appears unlikely given his recent track record.
Hoop Collective: Are the Spurs Official Contenders?
Brian Windhorst, Tim Bontemps, and Tim MacMahon reacted to San Antonio’s significant wins over the Oklahoma City Thunder. They debated whether the Spurs’ 3-0 record against the defending champions proves they should be taken seriously as contenders, and whether this exposes underlying issues for OKC. The episode also covered concerns regarding the Los Angeles Lakers` defense, standout role players for the New York Knicks, and the recent turbulent week for the Golden State Warriors.
December 25
Nuggets Grapple with Injury Crisis
The Denver Nuggets are severely shorthanded, with Cameron Johnson joining Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun on the injured list. Johnson is expected to be reevaluated in four to six weeks following a right knee injury. These compounding injuries pose a major challenge for the Nuggets’ rookie front office.
To address their short-term needs, Denver has an open roster spot and two trade exceptions ($6.9 million and $5.4 million) that can be utilized to acquire talent without exceeding the first apron. However, the team is already slightly over the luxury tax threshold and lacks substantial draft capital, possessing only two second-rounders after sending their last available first-round pick to Brooklyn for Johnson in June.
December 22
Bucks Seek Roster Upgrades Despite Struggles
The Milwaukee Bucks have struggled through the first quarter of the season, currently sitting three games out of the final play-in spot in the East. Despite ongoing speculation about the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks are actively scouting for players to improve their roster before the deadline. Multiple teams at the G-League showcase confirmed Milwaukee has been canvassing the league for trade options.
Milwaukee has limited trade assets, holding one tradable first-round pick (in 2031 or 2032). The roster is salary-heavy, with Antetokounmpo, Myles Turner, Kyle Kuzma, and Bobby Portis accounting for 77% of their active payroll. Crucially, Milwaukee is $19.5 million below the first apron, giving them flexibility to absorb salary in a trade. Their struggles are apparent when Antetokounmpo is absent, holding a 2-10 record without him this season.
December 18
Giannis Addresses Trade Talk
Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo maintained that he is “locked in” on the Bucks, stating that any potential trade conversation regarding his future is strictly between his agent and the franchise.
“At the end of the day, I personally have not had the conversation with the Bucks. I’m still locked in, locked in on my teammates, most importantly locked in on me getting back healthy,” Antetokounmpo stated, having missed recent games due to a right calf strain.
Cavaliers` Untouchables: Mitchell and Mobley
The Cleveland Cavaliers have received numerous inquiries regarding their players amid their season struggles. Sources report that Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley are considered the only truly “untouchable” players on the roster. The Cavaliers` trade aggressiveness will likely be influenced by their performance over the next month.
Kings, Pacers, and Warriors Open to Moves
- The Sacramento Kings, led by GM Scott Perry, are open to discussing trades across their roster. Rival teams are monitoring veterans like Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan, as well as young guard Keon Ellis.
- The Indiana Pacers are reportedly seeking a center to fill the void left by Myles Turner`s departure to Milwaukee during the offseason.
- The Golden State Warriors are expected to be open to discussing trades involving Jonathan Kuminga once he becomes trade-eligible on January 15th. Kuminga’s $22.5 million salary could be crucial for Golden State to acquire substantial roster improvements.
December 17
Important Trade Aggregation Deadline Passes Quietly
December 16th marked a key deadline allowing teams to trade for a player and subsequently aggregate that contract with others before the February 5th deadline. Unlike the previous year, which saw the Dennis Schroder trade, this year`s aggregation deadline passed without any official transactions. Moving forward, players acquired are prohibited from being combined with additional salary in a second trade.
December 16
Roster Strategies of NBA Cup Finalists
The two NBA Cup finalists, the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs, offer a study in contrasting roster development. The Knicks have aggressively built via trade, adding starters like Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns. The Spurs, conversely, have built primarily through the draft (Wembanyama, Castle, Vassell) and possess a wealth of future draft assets, including numerous protected and unprotected first-round picks from the Hawks, Celtics, Mavericks, Timberwolves, and Kings.
December 15
Key Trade Questions Facing Every Team
With the unofficial start of trade season on December 15th, front offices must now address critical questions: Will the Dallas Mavericks move Anthony Davis? What package would be required to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo if the Bucks make him available? Analysis shows that nearly 90% of NBA players are now eligible to be traded.
December 5 & 3
The Challenging Market for Giannis
On `The Hoop Collective` podcast, Brian Windhorst detailed the difficult trade landscape for Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. Windhorst noted that current league executives are wary of offering massive trade packages due to concerns over new collective bargaining agreement rules, particularly the aprons.
Windhorst reported: “The mood in the NBA right now is not to give up four first-round picks for anybody… There ain`t going to be no five first-round pick trades. I know that we saw those for a while. That’s just not going to happen.” He concluded that the appetite for blockbuster deals has diminished significantly compared to previous seasons.
Giannis Re-evaluates Milwaukee Future
Sources confirmed that Giannis Antetokounmpo and his agent, Alex Saratsis, are discussing whether his long-term fit remains with the Bucks, who are struggling with a 10-13 record. A resolution on how Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee will approach the February 5th trade deadline is expected in the coming weeks.
Chris Paul and Clippers Part Ways
Chris Paul, a 12-time All-Star, was recently sent home by the LA Clippers after signing a one-year deal in the offseason. Sources revealed that Paul and coach Ty Lue had not been on speaking terms for several weeks. The 40-year-old veteran had been averaging 2.9 points over 14.3 minutes per game. Paul becomes officially trade-eligible on December 15th.
Market Value Concerns for Young All-Star Guards
League sources expressed concerns regarding the trade value of Trae Young, LaMelo Ball, and Ja Morant following turbulent starts to the 2025-26 season. One source noted that the trio “might all have negative value” ahead of the deadline.
Concerns cited include Trae Young`s defensive limitations (“He’s just small and doesn’t play any defense”), LaMelo Ball’s in-game decision-making (“Can I trust LaMelo in the playoffs?”), and Ja Morant’s combination of off-court issues, injury history, and large contract (“The combination of pain in the ass, injury-prone, not that good anymore, and big contract is a bad one”).
December 1
Bulls Interested in Anthony Davis
Following a slow start to the season, the Chicago Bulls front office has reportedly discussed the possibility of acquiring a difference-maker, specifically naming the Dallas Mavericks` Anthony Davis. However, the franchise remains committed to retaining its young core—Josh Giddey, Coby White, and Matas Buzelis—and would not include them in a deal for Davis.
