LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 03: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors drives against Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a game at Crypto.com Arena on April 03, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Lakers finally made a move at the trade deadline on Thursday morning, joining the madness that began earlier in the week.
A host of big name free agents have been moved, all in fairly surprising deals, and Giannis Antetokounmpo is still on the board. As we count down the final hours until the deadline, here’s a place for everyone to react to the news around the league while we keep you updated on the other deals across the NBA.
The Mavs get a real point guard just in time to tank
After spending most the year trying to win and not having a point guard, the Mavs traded away AD, are trying to tank and have a point guard now.
The Charlotte Hornets are trading Tyus Jones to the Dallas Mavericks for Malaki Branham, sources tell ESPN. Mavericks have had interest in Jones this season and get him today. Hornets open up a $7 million trade exception.
A former baby Laker is on his way to the East as the Clippers continue their teardown. Surely, the deal will be for nothing more than Mike Muscala. I will never forgive you, Magic.
Also, the protections on the 2026 first round pick are wild.
BREAKING: The Los Angeles Clippers are trading Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/eu6KtWgA9j
No matter how bad things get for the Lakers, just know you’re not Philly, who spends each trade deadline shedding salaries and picks to get under the luxury tax.
The Philadelphia 76ers are trading Eric Gordon and a 2032 second-round pick swap to the Memphis Grizzlies, sources tell ESPN. This gives the 76ers the flexibility to complete conversion of two-way Dominick Barlow.
Looking to open up roster space to sign their two-way standout, the Nuggets dumped Hunter Tyson and a pick to the Nets for a future second.
The Denver Nuggets are trading Hunter Tyson and a 2032 second-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for the lesser favorable of a Clippers/Hawks 2026 second, sources tell ESPN. Denver creates an open roster spot for the buyout market and gets out of the luxury tax.
Denver Nuggets will convert swingman Spencer Jones from a two-way contract to a standard contract, league sources tell me. The rookie has had a standout campaign. pic.twitter.com/MGTan23xZq
The Pelicans are trading Jose Alvarado to the Knicks, giving the Knicks some guard depth. For New Orleans, they will have some extra cash, draft picks and Dalen Terry.
The Knicks are sending Dalen Terry, two second-round picks and cash to the Pelicans for Alvarado, sources said. https://t.co/Dqb6As7uAI
After a ton of rumors and hoopla, Giannis Antetokounmpo will not be traded. He will remain in Milwaukee, and we’ll see what happens with him in the summer.
The Milwaukee Bucks have indicated to teams that they are keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo through the trade deadline and will start making other trades, sources tell ESPN.
Minnesota has been in search of a guard for most of the season and eventually found one in Chicago — where they were hoarding them — in Ayo Dosunmu.
Minnesota traded Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller and four second-round picks to Chicago for Dosunmu and Julian Phillips, sources said. https://t.co/bVhLA9Sb3f
After a breakout Olympics and strong season with the Sixers last year, Yabusele was a bit of a flop in New York, leading to the Knicks trading him to Chicago.
The New York Knicks are trading Guerschon Yabusele to the Chicago Bulls for Dalen Terry, sources tell ESPN.
Former Jalen Hood-Schifino teammate Trayce Jackson-Davis went from promising rookie season to out of the rotation before being moved to the Raptors on Wednesday.
The Golden State Warriors have traded center Trayce Jackson-Davis to the Toronto Raptors for a 2026 second-round pick via the Lakers, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/6T94OzpLhQ
The long national nightmare finally ended on Wednesday evening with the Warriors packaging Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield for Kristaps Porzingis, an interesting move for Golden State if the big man is healthy.
BREAKING: The Golden State Warriors are trading Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks for Kristaps Porzingis, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/eqNWwCupEZ
TORONTO, CANADA - OCTOBER 17: Ochai Agbaji #30 of the Toronto Raptors warms up ahead of their NBA game against the Brooklyn Nets at Scotiabank Arena on October 17, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We know that’s not very edifying on trade deadline day, but as of Thursday morning with four hours or so to go, it’s where we’re at. The front office has finalized the trade they worked out with the the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers and created the roster space needed for Ochai Agbaji by waiving Haywood Highsmith who the Nets acquired in the summer from Miami but never played for the Brooklyn.
Teams are allowed 15 standard deals (and three two-ways) and with the Agbaji deal, they were looking at 16 standard spots. So someone had to go. The most rumored candidate was Cam Thomas who the Nets left behind in New York, citing personal reasons, when they flew to Orlando for Friday’s game with the Magic. But the 24-year-old remains on the Nets roster.
Before the move, pundits were suggesting that there were various ways for the Nets to move forward on the particulars. Although the initial issue is now solved, what Kevin Pelton and Erik Slater wrote Thursday morning could still have relevance later in the day if the Nets need to make other moves.
As ESPN’s Kevin Pelton notes in his trade grades Thursday morning, the Nets could expand the multi-team deal and work out something a little more complicated using their room MLE. (Pelton gave the Nets a B.)
This is the start of Brooklyn using its position as the only NBA team with appreciable cap space to take on contracts for draft picks. Getting Agbaji leaves the Nets about $9 million below the cap, now less than teams can add using the taxpayer midlevel exception, though they could take on a bigger contract by sending back a smaller one (such as Agbaji’s) or exhaust their space and then use their room midlevel exception to add more salary.
Similarly, Erik Slater wrote this about the possibilities in his trade grade. (Slater gave the Nets an A-)
The Nets can take Agbaji into their $15.3 million in cap space. They could also use their cap space in other salary-dump moves, then absorb the Raptors guard into the $8.8 million room mid-level exception.
The Nets of course have been trying to move Thomas, with his cooperation, since the summer, and could still. But his trade value still seems low. Mike Scotto reported Wednesday that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks had some interest but Aryan Bhullar reported Thursday the Cavs have lost that interest…
League sources say Cleveland had registered interest in Brooklyn guard Cam Thomas prior to Lonzo Ball being routed to Utah, with Milwaukee continuing to be viewed as the strongest suitor for Thomas.
No less of a source than Brian Windhorst has predicted the Nets will be active today. How long will we have to wait? Not long, obviously, 3:00 p.m. ET, no further.
The Celtics began trade deadline week by sending Anfernee Simons to the Bulls in exchange for Nikola Vučević in a significant move for the short term and potentially setting up long-term flexibility for the franchise as they attempt to return to contention. The move, or any others that happen ahead of 3 p.m. on Thursday, will all face an uphill battle in stacking up with some of the most significant moves in franchise history.
Boston built its championship teams through trades as much as they did in the draft, and certainly more than in free agency, where they didn’t strike on a star in his prime until Al Horford in 2016. The Celtics build the Bill Russell and Larry Bird dynasties through shrewd moves, and returned to championship status in 2008 through a pair of blockbuster deals for Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown’s arrivals to Boston came through picks acquired in the Paul Pierce and Garnett deal with the Nets.
CLNS Media’s Nick Gelso counted down the top trades in Celtics history ahead of Thursday’s deadline and settled on five that stood apart from any others.
The Bill Russell draft trade
Celtics receive No. 2 overall pick in the 1956 draft (Bill Russell)
St. Louis Hawks receive Ed MaCauley and Cliff Hagan
The Celtics used their territorial pick in 1956 to select Tommy Heinsohn, and they originally received the 13th overall selection in the draft. Red Auerbach and Celtics owner Walter A. Brown famously angled to prevent the Rochester Royals from selecting Bill Russell by offering guaranteed performances from the Ice Capades. Rochester balked at paying Russell, took Sihugo Green, and the Celtics drafted Russell, pairing him with Heinsohn and K.C. Jones, who they took at 13 as Russell’s teammate from San Francisco. All three made the Basketball Hall-of-Fame and won eight championships together, Russell securing 11 for the franchise while impacting the style of NBA play, solidifying the Celtics’ franchise identity and paving the way for generations of Black players by challenging institutional racism.
Robert Parish and Kevin McHale draft trades
Celtics receive Robert Parish and the No. 3 overall pick (Kevin McHale)
Warriors receive the No. 1 (Joe Barry Carroll) and No. 13 (Rickey Brown) overall picks
The Celtics entered the 1980 draft with the top pick despite going 61-21 in the previous season because they dealt Bob McAdoo to Detroit in September, 1979 for two first round picks. One of them became the top pick, which they traded back to No. 3 from and selected Kevin McHale while acquiring Warriors veteran Robert Parish. Parish joined Larry Bird and Cedric Maxwell in the front court and immediately won the 1981 championship with McHale thriving off the bench immediately as a rookie. That core won again in 1984 before McHale moved into the starting lineup in 1986 as part of arguably the greatest team in franchise history. Bird, McHale and Parish played together through 1992, McHale retired in 1993 and Parish departed for Charlotte after 1994. The original Big Three teams went 690-294, won three championships and lost the Finals in 1985 and 1987.
Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett trades
Celtics receive Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and No. 35 overall pick (Glen Davis)
Timberwolves receive Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Ryan Gomes, Theo Ratliff, 2009 first round pick (Wayne Ellington) and Minnesota’s own first (Jonny Flynn)
The Celtics went 24-58 in 2007 through injuries and with Greg Oden and Kevin Durant looming as two generational prospects atop the draft, Boston received poor lottery luck and fell to the No. 5 overall pick. A relatively new ownership group led by Wyc Grousbeck and Steph Pagliuca alongside Danny Ainge pivoted, and traded the pick for Ray Allen to appease Paul Pierce, with his future with Boston growing tenuous across several uneven seasons. The Celtics and Timberwolves also almost pulled off a blockbuster to bring Kevin Garnett to Boston, and revisited talks one month later to secure one of the best players in the NBA and form a new Big Three. Pierce, Allen and Garnett alongside young guard Rajon Rondo and big man Kendrick Perkins won 66 games, an NBA record 42-win turnaround on their way to the championship. They raced to a 27-2 start in 2009 before Garnett fell with a knee injury, returning to the Finals in 2010 and blowing a 3-2 lead to the Lakers. Boston returned to the East Finals in 2012, losing in seven games, before Allen departed for the rival Heat in controversial fashion. Pierce and Garnett reached the playoffs once more in 2013, losing in six games to the Knicks in the first round.
Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett trade to the Nets
Celtics receive Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks, Keith Bogans, Kris Joseph, 2014 (James Young), 2016 (Jaylen Brown), 2017 (Jayson Tatum) and 2018 first round picks
Nets receive Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry.
The Celtics decided to rebuild following the 2013 season, trading Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to Brooklyn to appease a franchise hoping to make a splash after their move from New Jersey to New York City. Boston also allowed Doc Rivers to go to the Clippers that offseason, paving the way for Danny Ainge to hire Brad Stevens as head coach. The Nets’ Billy King added extra draft compensation, including a pick swap that became Jayson Tatum in 2017 and a 2018 first the team later used to acquire Kyrie Irving. Boston also drafted Jaylen Brown with the 2016 Nets pick. Brooklyn lost Pierce in free agency to the Wizards after only one season then traded Garnett to Minnesota in 2014-15, falling into a string of losing seasons that vaulted the Celtics back into contention in the East.
Jayson Tatum draft night trade
Celtics receive No. 3 overall pick (Jayson Tatum) and a 2019 first round pick (Romeo Langford).
76ers receive No. 1 overall pick (Markelle Fultz)
The Nets won the 2017 NBA Draft lottery, allowing the Celtics to move up to the No. 1 pick with their swap from the Pierce and Garnett trade. Many speculated that they’d select consensus top prospect Markelle Fultz from Washington, but Ainge focused on Duke’s Jayson Tatum, feeling comfortable about his chances to still select Tatum third overall if they passed up on Fultz. The Celtics, during the week leading up to the draft, traded back to third overall and while the deal itself didn’t return any substantial assets, Ainge’s decision to take Tatum over Fultz, who’s no longer in the NBA after eight seasons, established the core that’d reach the 2022 NBA Finals and win the franchise’s first championship in 2024. Tatum made six straight All-Star teams, four straight All-NBA First Teams and emerged as one of the best players in the NBA and Celtics history before tearing his Achilles during the 2025 playoffs. He’s signed with Boston through at least the 2028-29 season and is expected to return to the floor sometime in 2026 alongside Jaylen Brown, who’s also signed through 2029.
The Lakers acquired guard Luke Kennard from the Hawks in exchange for Gabe Vincent. (Nick Wass / Associated Press)
The Lakers made a deal around the margins when they acquired sharpshooter Luke Kennard from the Atlanta Hawks for Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round draft pick on Thursday morning, according to people with knowledge of the deal not authorized to discuss it publicly.
The Lakers like the idea that Kennard’s shooting can create space on the court for Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves, who just returned to play Tuesday night at Brooklyn after missing 19 games because of a left calf strain.
Kennard, a 6-foot-5 guard, is shooting an NBA-best 49.7% from three-point range with the Hawks this season over 46 games, all off the bench. He has shot 44.2% from three-point range during his nine-year career.
Kennard is averaging 7.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. He is shooting 53.8% from the field.
He might not be the defender the Lakers were hoping to get, but Kennard’s ability to hit open shots was seen as a positive, sources told The Times.
The Lakers are not expected to make any more moves today — the NBA deadline for deals is noon PST — and instead look to make a big splash this summer when they have more resources available.
The Lakers will have about $60 million in salary-cap space this summer and three first-round picks in 2026, 2031 and 2032 they could use to sweeten potential trade offers.
STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — A BYU sports team was the target of a derogatory chant in an opponent's venue for at least the fourth time in a year, and the Big 12 again announced that the conference is looking into the matter.
Kevin Young, coach of the 16th-ranked Cougars men's basketball team, said after a 99-92 loss at Oklahoma State on Wednesday night that he heard “F The Mormons” chants coming out of the student section.
“It's a great win for Oklahoma State University. Their fans should be proud," he said. "It would be great if some class was warranted in there as well. I've got four small kids at home. I'm a Mormon. When I go home, they're going to ask me about it, same way as they asked me about it last year at Arizona. There's just too much hate in the world to be saying stuff like that. We've got enough problems in our world without going at people's religion and beliefs and whether it's in vogue or not.”
BYU is the flagship school for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the Mormon church.
OSU President Jim Hess said in a statement that any behavior that targets or demeans others has no place at his school.
“The Cowboy Code calls us to treat others with respect and dignity, and we are reviewing what occurred and will address any violations of our standards of conduct appropriately,” Hess said. "Oklahoma State University values the relationship we have with BYU and deeply respects their community and their faith. I have reached out to BYU leadership directly to express our commitment to upholding the standards we expect from our community. We will continue to work with our students and fans to ensure that the atmosphere at our events reflects the values of the Cowboy family.”
The Associated Press left a message seeking comment from BYU.
Last February, Arizona apologized after the school said some fans participated in an “unacceptable chant” following the basketball team’s 96-95 loss to BYU in Tucson. According to online video, fans could be heard yelling a profane phrase directed at Mormons as the teams were leaving the court.
In September, Colorado apologized and was fined $50,000 by the Big 12 after football fans directed expletives and religious slurs at Mormons during a 24-21 loss to the Cougars in Boulder. In November, Cincinnati apologized for football fans' anti-Mormon chants during a 26-14 loss to BYU in Ohio.
In a statement Thursday, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said the conference is investigating what happened in Stillwater, Oklahoma, on Wednesday night.
“All parties have been notified,” he said. “The Conference has zero tolerance for behavior of this nature and will address the matter in accordance with Big 12 sportsmanship policies.”
Young said only four or five of his players are Mormon.
“I understand what we represent. Even for a guy like AJ, that stuff is unwarranted. Like I said, man, I try to talk to our guys about being examples in the world, why we can use basketball to really just bring people together and not tear people apart. It's something we talk about a lot. It's just disappointing.
“I hope someone prints that, I hope it's in bold on someone's publication and just try to maybe together as a society we can just help the world kind of move forward and not divide each other with hate and things that are really nonsensical.”
Feb 4, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) drives to the basket past Oklahoma City Thunder guard Brooks Barnhizer (23) during the first half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Coming off a win against the Orlando Magic, the Spurs faced off against the Oklahoma City Thunder for the fifth time this season. Before the game, it was announced that OKC’s starting five, plus some key rotation players, would be out due to their respective injuries. Stephon Castle returned after missing Sunday’s win versus Orlando, but Dylan Harper was ruled out due to an ankle injury. After dominating the first quarter 39-26, the Spurs led by as much as 22. As they took a 15-point lead into halftime, the Spurs came out sluggish to start the third. They allowed multiple OKC runs and struggled to drain a three. They missed 12 consecutive threes and allowed OKC to cut their deficit to just four points in the fourth quarter. Nonetheless, the Spurs finally buckled down and closed out the OKC B-Team 116-106.
Keldon Johnson dropped a team-high 25 points (10-17 FG, 4-8 3PT), six rebounds, two assists, and a block. KJ was the first one off the bench in the first and quickly went to work. He dropped 12 points in the first quarter and dropped 12 in the third. The 12 he scored in the third was all consecutive. He provided the much-needed scoring punch off the bench, just like he has all season. Once again, KJ for 6MOTY.
KJ IS EN FUEGO! KJ drained four threes, including this laser from the top of the key!
Victor Wembanyama dropped a double-double: 22 points (9-16 FG) and 14 rebounds to go along with two assists and two blocks. Wemby scored and got to the foul line repeatedly. However, he struggled from the foul line and shot three of eight. Nonetheless, Wemby’s impact was prevalent on the glass and on defense. His presence is so menacing that Isaiah Joe beat him to the rim but quickly threw his layup attempt off the backboard to a bit, Wemby, into goaltending it. Fortunately, Wemby did not fall for it. Look for him to get his focus back at the foul line.
W3MBY! Wemby gets Cason Wallace up in the air and snatches back his dribble for the open stepback trey!
De’Aaron Fox dropped a double-double: 15 points and 10 assists to go along with four rebounds, three steals, and a block. D-Fox was a playmaker on both ends. He dished out dimes and created points off turnovers with his pickpocketing. He also made five shots and made five free throws. One shot in particular stopped a cold streak for the Spurs in the fourth quarter, sparking new life into the offense. Look for him to continue sharing the playmaking load with Steph.
The Fox and the Alien! After Wemby blocks Kenrich Williams’ three-point attempt, D-Fox crosses half court and immediately lobs it to Wemby for the alley-oop connection!
Stephon Castle returned from injury and dropped 14 points, four assists, three rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. Steph was everywhere on defense. He was in the passing lanes like D-Fox, and he also had a few highlight swats. On offense, he battled and slashed in the paint with a dose of midranges. He’s still working on taking care of the ball, but his stature as a tall guard continues to make him a strong two-way player.
HIGH FLYER! Steph catches the lob from D-Fox and rises higher than Wallace for the one-handed jam!
Carter Bryant dropped 11 points, five rebounds, two steals, and an assist in 13 minutes off the bench. CB came off the bench and made an immediate impact. He was aggressive on both ends: using his length to defend at a high level and even knocking down three threes. Ever since the Jeremy Sochan trade rumors, CB’s playing time has grown consistently. Look for the rookie to continue to show off his raw athleticism for the rest of the season, especially after this high putback slam!
All in all, this was on the verge of becoming an embarrassing collapse. With OKC not playing most of its key players, the Spurs should have taken care of business earlier than the fourth quarter. It goes back to a pattern for this young team still figuring out how to close out opponents. Despite the collapses, they still find themselves 34-16 and second in the West. Hopefully, the energy they saved will appear in their quick turnaround in Dallas with a hopeful return of Harper.
Finally, here are the full game highlights.
The Spurs travel to Dallas on a SEGABABA to take on the Mavericks at 7:30 P.M. (CST) on KENS.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 03: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first quarter at Fiserv Forum on February 03, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For better or for worse, it seems as though the Minnesota Timberwolves have pivoted their focus from the Giannis Antetokuonmpo sweepstakes and filled an immediate need.
Tim Connelly and company have struck a deal with the Chicago Bulls to bring in Ayo Dosunmu and Julian Phillips for Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and four second round picks.
So here’s the final deal, per sources: Wolves get Ayo Dosunmu, Julian Phillips.
Bulls get: Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, four seconds
A crafty scoring guard that fills a desperate need on Chris Finch’s bench, Dosunmu is averaging 15 points on 51% shooting and 45% from three. He gets to the basketball effectively and collapses defenses, which is something the Wolves desperately need. In last year’s playoffs, Anthony Edwards seemed to be the only player on the team able to do so, causing coach Chris Finch to turn to Dosunmu’s fellow Illinois basketball alum in Terrence Shannon Jr. to try and help Edwards out there.
Dosunmu’s shooting percentage by area | 3 Steps Basket
Another important piece of the trade, and Bobby Marks explains, is getting Dosunmu’s bird rights heading into free agency this offseason. Without them, it would have been extremely difficult to re-sign him.
Pre-free agency strikes again with Minnesota acquiring soon to be free agent Ayo Dosunmu.
Without the trade, it would have been highly unlikely Minnesota could have signed him as a free agent.
Minnesota now inherits his bird rights, allowing them to exceed the cap in a new…
Outside of the Giannis chatter that had been so persistent and was clearly impacting the team on the floor, the Wolves had a glaring hole on the bench for scoring and making a move at the deadline was a must in order to keep its status as a contender.
This also signals a move off of the Rob Dillingham experiment, and allows the former top-10 pick of the Wolves to go to a team where he will get more playing time and more offensive leash.
Dillingham shined in moments during his rookie season, but a clear regression this year and failure to crack the rotation in the minutes he was given signaled that an exit might be imminent.
Also included in the trade is former second round pick Leonard Miller. A promising athlete coming from G League Ignite, Miller too was unable to crack the rotation in his three years in Minnesota. Perhaps a change of scenery more minutes will do both players well on their way out.
Here’s a look at the current roster situation as it stands:
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 05: Anthony Davis #3 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts following a game against the LA Clippers at Intuit Dome on April 05, 2025 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 2026 NBA trade deadline offers a world of possibilities. The league is no longer as top heavy as it was 10 or 20 years ago. In this era, parity reigns supreme, and repeating as champions is almost impossible. With a big class of both buyers chasing the title and sellers chasing ping-pong balls in the NBA draft lottery, this promises to be an active deadline right up to the buzzer.
Will we get a blockbuster on the level of the Luka Doncic-to-the-Lakers stunner last year? Only if Giannis Antetokounmpo gets traded. There’s a list of front-runners who can all make strong offers to land the Greek Freak, but it would be understandable if Milwaukee wants to do everything in its power to keep him happy as a Buck.
Find the details of every trade at the deadline at our trade tracker. Get an early look at prospect scouting with our latest 2026 mock draft. We’ll be grading every NBA trade at the deadline in this post as they happen. Refresh this post often to see our instant analysis on every deal.
Knicks add Jose Alvarado from Pelicans
Knicks acquire Jose Alvarado from Pelicans for Dalen Terry and two second-round picks
Knicks grade: A
Pelicans grade: B+
Alvarado was one of the better backup guards available at the deadline, and New York did well to pounce on him. He has a player option for next season, and should be a solid depth piece for the Knicks’ playoff run.
Bucks beef up the front court in trade with Suns
Milwaukee Bucks acquire Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis from Suns for Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey
Bucks grade: A-
Suns grade: A
The Suns get under a tax apron without having to include a draft pick. The Bucks use their remaining room beneath the tax to pick up a backup center. I like it for both teams. Milwaukee just needed some more bigs, and while Richards isn’t anything special, he’s at least serviceable.
Lakers add Luke Kennard from Hawks
Lakers acquire Luke Kennard from Hawks for Gabe Vincent and second-round pick
Lakers grade: A-
Hawks grade: B+
Both Kennard and Vincent are expiring deals. Getting a second round pick back for a player you had no use for is nice work by Atlanta, but I like it a little more for the Lakers. Putting shooters around Luka Doncic is always a good move, and there aren’t many better shooters in the league than Kennard. Kennard needs to be insulated defensively, but he’s a 44 percent career shooter from deep, and that always works well next to Luka.
Wolves acquire Ayo Dosunmu from Bulls for Rob Dillingham, second-round picks
Timberwolves acquire Ayo Dosunmu from Bulls for Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, four second round picks
Wolves grade: A
Bulls grade: C
The Timberwolves traded an unprotected future first-round pick for Dillingham during the 2024 draft, but he was never able to crack Chris Finch’s rotation. Dosunmu was having a career year for Chicago and fits very well next to Anthony Edwards as a tough on-ball defender who has been on fire as a three-point shooter. Dosunmu is on an expiring contract and it remains to be seen if he’ll be in the Wolves’ future plans, but they didn’t give up much to get him and he could help swing a playoff series in their favor. This is great work by the Wolves.
Celtics-Bulls swap Nikola Vucevic and Anfernee Simons
Boston Celtics acquire Nikola Vucevic from Chicago Bulls for Anfernee Simons and New Orleans Pelicans’ 2026 second-round pick
Celtics grade: B+
Bulls grade: B+
The Bulls seemingly waved the white flag on their play-in chances by trading Nikola Vucevic. Chicago should have been tanking from the start of the season, but I guess “better late than never” applies here. Simons was pretty good in Boston as a super high volume shooter off the bounce (more than 13 threes per 100 possessions at a 40 percent clip), but the Celtics needed an experienced big who spaces the floor and grabs defensive rebounds for their playoff push, and Vuc checks both boxes. Chicago getting a very high second-round pick back for Vuc is nice work.
Blazers acquire Vit Krejci from Hawks
Portland acquires Vít Krejčí from Atlanta for Duop Reath, 2027 second-round pick, 2030 second-round pick
Trail Blazers grade: B+
Hawks grade: B
Krejci is a 6’8 wing who can handle the rock a little bit and shoot it at a high level. The 25-year-old is having his best season as a pro this year by canning 41.6 percent of his three-pointers on 5.2 attempts per game in only 22 minutes. Portland needed more shooting on the wing, and this is a nice buy-low move.
Wizards acquire Anthony Davis from Mavericks for picks and players
Wizards acquire Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum from the Mavericks for Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, 2 first-round picks and 3 second-rounders
DURHAM, NC - SEPTEMBER 23: Brad Stevens smiles during USA Basketball Press Conference on September 23, 2025 at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Steven Harrison/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It has already been an eventful few days leading up to the NBA trade deadline. Will the Boston Celtics be making any additional moves today? What other moves will reshape the landscape across the NBA?
This is an open thread to share your ideas, pass along rumors, and most importantly to react to the news as it happens. There’s nothing quite like the deadline for following along online and reacting in real time to all the changes.
Will Giannis be moved? Are the Celtics making any other moves? What about buyout guys? How do all the moves impact the overall standings for the rest of the year? Are there any future moves you could see happening in the Summer?
You are also welcome to post interesting or significant updates in The Feed and keep the conversation going there as well. Of course if anything big happens with the Celtics, we’ll have a dedicated post up for that.
MINNEAPOLIS – In less than a week, Jeremy Fears Jr. went from Aaron Craft to Grayson Allen – from a plucky pest to a potential problem.
That's something the Michigan State men's basketball team cannot afford. Not when coach Tom Izzo has said all season – and then again after losing Wednesday at Minnesota – that “the margin for error is slim” for his team.
Ultimately, the story in the loss to the Golden Gophers wasn’t about another abysmal start, in which the 10th-ranked Spartans saw their starters combine for just seven of their season-low 21 first-half points. Or the way they roared back in the second half yet again, cutting a 16-point deficit to two with inside 20 seconds remaining. Michigan State couldn’t overcome the hole created by its porous defense and the Gophers’ sizzling shooting in a second consecutive loss, 76-73 at Williams Arena.
“I go out every game, and I play hard. I don’t intentionally try to hurt anyone or play whatever you want to say,” Fears said Wednesday, after being publicly accused Monday of making “dangerous” plays by Michigan coach Dusty May. “I go out and play every game like it’s my last. So I don’t take a game for granted, I don’t take a moment for granted. So I’m gonna go out there and play as hard as I can every possession, every game.
“It is what it is. At one point, I had basketball taken away from me. It’s something I love to do, I couldn’t do it for a whole year. Most people wouldn’t understand that, and you know, that’s on them, I guess. At the end of the day, I don’t change who I am or what I do. I just go out there and play 150[%], no matter what happens.”
Izzo benched Fears twice in the second half following controversial plays. And he assailed how his captain handled himself at times, with an emphasis on May’s comments.
“I sat him for a while. I don’t know. I don’t even know if I’m gonna start him the next game,” Izzo said. “But I stuck up for him, too. Because what happened in the last game – I’ll just say, what happened in the last game, the way that was handled, was poorly, too. And that starts everything.
“But Jeremy’s gotta grow up a little bit.”
Changing opinions
The tightrope for Fears is narrow between being an agitator who plays ferocious defense while standing fearlessly, as Craft did for Ohio State, and being labeled “dirty,” as Allen was for Duke. In two games, the narrative around Fears has started to shift from being a tough-as-nails trash-talker who draws fouls at an elite rate to a player who, if you get under his skin, will react negatively and put opponents – and his own team − in jeopardy.
Wednesday night was a prime example of that book becoming widely read by opposing coaches, particularly in light of May’s allegations and social media-circulated video clips highlighting moments from the Spartans’ loss to No. 2 Michigan on Friday.
Fears, the 6-foot-2, 190-pound third-year sophomore, received a technical foul with 13:28 to play in the second half for a back kick that connected with the groin of Minnesota’s Langston Reynolds, who initially was called for a foul for a hard bump on Fears. The Gophers’ bench signaled for a review, and Fears received a tech. Izzo benched Fears for the next 1:44, replacing him with Denham Wojcik because backup point guard Divine Ugochukwu injured his left foot in the first half and did not return.
Before that call, the Spartans (19-4, 9-3 Big Ten) had shaken off a brutal first half to cut a 12-point deficit to five. Minnesota then scored four points in a row to spark a 22-11 run that gave first-year coach Niko Medved’s team a 67-51 lead on Reynolds’ three-point play with 4:08 to play.
“I’ll say this: He's taken a lot of heat and all that. He's a great player,” Medved said of Fears. “Coach (Armon) Gates on our staff coached his brother, knows the family. I know he's a great kid. He's a competitor, that's who he is. Yeah, he gets a little carried away, and we saw that on film. …
“He's a guy you'd love to have on your team. But you can't do what he did, and I guarantee you he knows that. But he's a great player.”
Izzo said after the game he had yet to see a replay of the play but felt Fears “got pushed” and wanted to know “if he hit somebody.” When told video confirmed Fears’ leg made contact, Izzo quickly responded: “It does hit him? Then he deserved it. Then it was a good call. I didn’t see that.”
He continued by calling Fears’ response “immaturity.”
“You know what? If he plays that way, he deserves it. OK. He ain’t gonna play that way if I bench him the next game,” Izzo said. “Now, he is a physical player. So is No. 6 [Reynolds], so is No. 5 [Jaylen Crocker-Johnson]. You know, they're physical players. And I think things got blown up in the last game that when that stuff goes public, then you gotta really deal with it. If that's private between a coach and a coach or the front office. But once it goes to [the media], then it gets blown up, blown up.
“If he deserves it, good for him. You know, I've had it with that, too. That's not what I teach. That's not what I coach. I've told him about it.”
Asked if he feels opponents are trying to “bait” him into foolish fouls, as he has done the other way, Fears said, “No, not necessarily.”
“You see different stuff, people see different stuff, call different things,” he said. “At the same time, you just gotta play ball.”
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Luke Kennard #3 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after making a basket in the second half against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on January 11, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Lakers made what will likely be their only move of the trade deadline on Thursday morning by trading Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second round pick to the Hawks for guard Luke Kennard, according to multiple reports.
The Lakers are nearing a trade sending Gabe Vincent to Atlanta, per a source.
Lakers fans are likely familiar with Kennard from his time with the Clippers as well as the playoff series against the Grizzlies a handful of years ago. He is a lights out 3-point shooter, connecting at a 49.7% clip this season. For his career, he’s a 44.2% shooter from range.
Kennard has earned a reputation as one of the league’s very best 3-point shooters. Over the last five seasons, he’s shot 46% from the 3-point line and averaged nearly five attempts per game. For a Lakers team that currently ranks 22nd in 3-point percentage and 23rd in 3-point attempts per game, Kennard is perhaps as good of a player as they could have landed in a deal like this.
Well Lakers need shooting and they might've gotten the best shooter.
Of 145 shooters that have more than 1000 three-point attempts over the last 5 seasons Kenard is miles above at no.1 at 46%.
The Lakers have three players on the roster shooting above 40% on wide open threes this year: Rui Hachimura at 44.9%, Luka Dončić at 41.9% and Austin Reaves at 40.8%. The next closest rotation player is LeBron at 34.1%. Luke Kennard is shooting 51.6% on wide open threes this season.
To say he is an upgrade on the team’s 3-point shooting would be an understatement.
Luke Kennard has shot an eFG% of 79% in spot up situations, 70% in transition, and 66% running off of screens this season.
By trading their 2032 second round pick in this deal, the Lakers are completely out of second round picks. While that will hurt them in potential trade negotiations moving forward, it doesn’t mean they won’t draft anyone in the second round in the future.
They’ve made a habit in recent years of buying second round picks once the draft comes around, which is one of the ways new ownership can flex its financial muscle as well. Last season, they made multiple trades with cash involved to move up and select Adou Thiero. It would not be a surprise if that becomes a trend.
From a salary standpoint, the Lakers also shaved $500,000 off the trade, creating some room under the second apron, which they are hard-capped at. That would likely only matter when signing buyout players or filling their final roster spot, but it gives them much more breathing room, relatively speaking.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 04: A view of the center court logo is seen prior to the game between the Denver Nuggets and the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 04, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today is not going to be as big as May 10, the date of the NBA Draft Lottery. Nor the draft whose date has yet to be set but somewhere in the last week of July at Barclays Center. Those two days have the potential to be franchise-changing and the days leading up to today have been, at least for the Nets, predictable with only one trade reported as of 10:30 a.m. ET: the Nets fifth salary dump since last summer.
The Nets acquired 6’6” 25-year-old shooting guard Ochai Agbaji; a 2032 second rounder (their fifth pick in that faraway draft) and $3.5 million in cash, likely bound for basketball operations in return for … the draft rights to a 29-year-old Serbian shooting guard, Vanja Marinkovic, essentially draft ballast to help Toronto get its financial books in order. To make Marinkovic even more obscure, he tore his achilles 10 days ago.
Meanwhile, Brian Windhorst, aware of the flexibility Sean Marks & co. have built up, predicted a busyness in the business of Brooklyn basketball. “Brooklyn, I expect to be in multiple deals in the next 24 hours.”
So, here.we.go!
—February 5: NBA Trade Deadline (3:00 pm ET) Nets currently have around $15.5 million in cap space, most in the NBA. Trades must all be completed and made official by the afternoon deadline. The Nets must also attend to other issues, like getting down to 15 standard NBA contracts as well. Agbaji, at the moment, would be the 16th standard NBA contract on the roster so someone must go. Cam Thomas didn’t accompany Brooklyn to Orlando Thursday afternoon and rumors continue to swirl about this fate. There are of course other candidates and maybe more permutations as the day wears on.
Meanwhile, In Long Island players are waiting for the trickle-down effect to determine their fate. The deadline is often a team for teams to rethink whether a two-way should be elevated to a standard deal or a G League regular contract be converted to a two-way
—February 8: Les Nets, aka the Long Island Nets, are back in Quebec vs. Noblesville Boom, the Pacers affiliate. It’s the third of four games that the Nets G League affiliate are playing this season in Laval, a Montreal suburb as the team hopes to establish a fanbase in French-speaking Canada 375 miles up up the Thruway and Northway.
—February 10: Les Nets play Noblesville Boom in Quebec. The final game this season in the Great White North (as opposed to the Great White Whatever in New York.) Between the two games, the Nets will be activating a number of community activities.
—February 13: Egor Demin will likely Brooklyn’s lone representative at the Intuit Center, the Clippers home. He’ll play in the Rising Stars game
—February 14: NBA All-Star Saturday at Intuit Dome – 5:00 p.m. ET (NBC & Peacock)
—February 15: 75th NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome –5:00 p.m. ET (NBC & Peacock)
—March 1: Playoff eligibility waiver deadline aka the buyout deadline. Players waived before March 1 can sign with a new team and participate in the NBA playoffs. Players waived after March 1 can still sign with teams, but they will be ineligible for postseason play.
—March 1: Jalen Wilson becomes eligible for a multi-year deal.
—March 4: Last day to sign two-way contracts. Nets currently have no openings with all three two-way deals filled, but two-ways are not guaranteed.
—March 28: G League Regular Season ends
—March 31: G League Playoffs begin
—April 12: NBA regular season ends (All 30 teams play)
—April 13: Rosters set for NBA Playoffs 2026 (3:00 p.m. ET)
—April 13: WNBA Draft. Liberty have only one pick at No. 41 in the third round, having previously traded away their first and second round picks. Draft is also big for trades.
—April 14-17: SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament
—April 18: NBA Playoffs begin
—April 19: WNBA training camps open. Chris DeMarco, the Liberty’s new coach, gets started.
—April 25: New York Liberty first preseason game at Barclays Center vs. the Indiana Pacers and Caitlin Clark. Game time: 3:00 p.m. ET. It’ll be Clark’s first action since an injured groin ended her season on January 25.
—May 3: New York Liberty’s second preseason game, this one vs. the Connecticut Sun in Uncasville. Another afternoon start at 3:00 p.m. ET.
—May 8-10: NBA G League Combine in Chicago
—May 8: WNBA Regular Season Tip-Off. New York Liberty hosts the Connecticut Sun at Barclays Center. All WNBA dates of course assume that the league and players union have a deal on a new CBA by this date.
—May 10: NBA Draft Lottery. Biggest day in franchise history since … the Clean Sweep back in 2019, KD’s departure in 2023? Nets currently are tied for the fourth best chance at the overall No. 1 at 11.5% and a 45.2% shot at a top four pick.
—May 10-17: NBA Draft Combine in Chicago
—June 1-17: WNBA Commissioner’s Cup tournament
—June 30: WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Championship
—July 1: Teams can approach free agents at 12:00 p.m. ET. Rumors of deals start to get reported at 12:01 p.m. Nets are currently projected to have $48.8 million in cap space entering free agency.
—July 6: Free agent contracts can be signed, starting at 12:oo p.m. ET.
—July: Michael Porter Jr. eligible for a four-year $243 million extension starting in 2027-28.
—July 24-25: WNBA All-Star Weekend (Chicago)
—August 31 – September 16: FIBA World Cup break for WNBA players, coaches.
BYU men's basketball coach Kevin Young shared his disappointment about Oklahoma State fans following a loss to the Cowboys on Wednesday, Feb. 4.
Following the No. 14 Cougars' 99-92 upset loss to Oklahoma State, Young expressed disappointment about anti-Mormon chants coming from the student section.
"There were some 'F The Mormons' chants tonight by the student section that I heard," Young said in his postgame news conference. "It was a great win for Oklahoma State University. I think their fans should be proud, but it would be great if some class was warranted.
"I got four small kids at home, I'm a Mormon, and when I go home, they're going to ask me about it, the same way they asked me about it last year at Arizona."
BYU coach Kevin Young said he heard some “F- the Mormons” chants during the #OkState game.
According to ESPN, this is at least the fourth incident in the past year with derogatory chants aimed at Mormons during BYU football or basketball games. Last season, Arizona apologized for the chant that happened during a BYU loss in Tucson.
Similarly, the chants also were also heard during BYU football games against Colorado and Cincinnati. Buffalo was fined by the Big 12 for $50,000 and issued a public reprimand.
"There's too much hate in the world to be saying stuff like that," Young said. "We've got enough problems in our world without going after people's religion and beliefs. … This stuff is unwarranted … And it's just disappointing."
In the loss, AJ Dybantsa finished with 36 points and seven rebounds in the loss to Oklahoma State. It marks the third consecutive loss for the Cougars. Oklahoma State fans stormed the court following the victory.
The San Antonio Spurs travel to the Metroplex to take on the Dallas Mavericks in an NBA Southwest Division battle.
Naji Marshall is one of the more consistent Mavs that haven’t been traded, and my Spurs vs. Mavericks predictions expect Marshall to stuff the stat sheet tonight.
Read on for my NBA picks for Thursday, February 5.
Spurs vs Mavericks prediction
Spurs vs Mavericks best bet: Naji Marshall Over 9.5 rebounds + assists (+102)
Naji Marshall might see an uptick in his typical 30+ minutes.
With the Dallas Mavericks trading away key rotation pieces like Anthony Davis and D'Angelo Russell, Marshall is in a good spot to flourish.
Marshall has cleared 9.5 rebounds + assists in seven of his last eight games, averaging just over 11 in that stretch.
At better than plus-money, Marshall’s heavy minutes and rebounding floor make this a strong play against a San Antonio Spurs group playing on no rest.
Spurs vs Mavericks same-game parlay
Marshall should still put up numbers, but San Antonio is in a good spot to win this game. Dallas is short-handed, and the Spurs should be able to take advantage, adding to their strong 15-10 road record against a depleted Mavericks lineup.
The Spurs are 9-15 to the Under on the road, and their elite defense is well-suited to slow down a Mavericks team that’s gone 21-29 to the Under this season while dealing with multiple absences.
Spurs vs Mavericks SGP
Naji Marshall Over 9.5 rebounds + assists
Spurs moneyline
Under 228
Our "from downtown" SGP: Johnson drains some threes
Keldon Johnson snapped a brutal shooting slump last night, going 4-for-8 from beyond the arc.
At this price, backing a 39% 3-point shooter to make at least two triples makes sense, especially against a Dallas defense that’s allowed nearly 40% shooting from deep over its last five games.
Spurs vs Mavericks SGP
Naji Marshall Over 9.5 rebounds + assists
Spurs moneyline
Under 228
Keldon Johnson Over 1.5 made threes
Spurs vs Mavericks odds
Spread: Spurs -6 (-110) Mavericks +6 (-110)
Moneyline: Spurs -240 | Mavericks +200
Over/Under: Over 222.5 (-110) | Under 222.5 (-110)
Spurs vs Mavericks betting trend to know
The Spurs have hit the Moneyline in 17 of their last 30 away games (+19.35 Units / 35% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Spurs vs. Mavericks.
How to watch Spurs vs Mavericks
Location
American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Date
Thursday, February 5, 2026
Tip-off
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
KENS 5, MavsTV
Spurs vs Mavericks latest injuries
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The Brooklyn Nets are in Florida tonight as they take on the Orlando Magic at the Kia Center.
Paolo Banchero has been struggling lately, but my Nets vs. Magic predictions and NBA picks are focusing on his ability to break out against a poor Brooklyn squad.
Nets vs Magic prediction
Nets vs Magic best bet: Paolo Banchero Over 22.5 points (-130)
Paolo Banchero is having a respectable campaign for the Orlando Magic, averaging 21.6 points per game. While that’s down substantially from his 25.9 ppg last season, there’s still a lot of time left in the campaign, and he’s actually stayed healthy the whole year. He didn’t in 2024-25.
Although the Duke product has cashed the Under in three straight appearances, he did ball out for 30 points last month against the Nets in 42 minutes of action. He’s also hit the Over in points in two of his previous three games at home.
The Brooklyn Nets are a very poor defensive team, and Banchero already showed he’s capable of taking advantage of that. He’ll bounce back and have a big game.
Nets vs Magic same-game parlay
Michael Porter Jr. has landed in Brooklyn and become a star with a top role. He’s averaging a career-high 25.5 points, and the sharpshooter is torching his opponents at the moment, cashing the Over in three of his last five and going off for 30+ points in each.
Jalen Suggs is a solid playmaker for Orlando, averaging 5.0 dimes per night. While he’s not always consistent as a facilitator, the Gonzaga product is dropping dimes lately. He’s hit the Over in three straight.
Nets vs Magic SGP
Paolo Banchero Over 22.5 points
Michael Porter Jr. Over 24.5 points
Jalen Suggs Over 5.5 assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: Big day for Day'Ron!
Day’Ron Sharpe is dominating on the glass, cashing his rebound Over in five straight games. He has 25 boards across his last two appearances.
Nets vs Magic SGP
Paolo Banchero Over 22.5 points
Michael Porter Jr. Over 24.5 points
Jalen Suggs Over 5.5 assists
Day'Ron Sharpe Over 6.5 rebounds
Nets vs Magic odds
Spread: Nets +11.5 | Magic -11.5
Moneyline: Nets +375 | Magic -450
Over/Under: Over 214.5 | Under 214.5
Nets vs Magic betting trend to know
The Magic have stayed below their team total in 21 of their last 30 games for +10.8 units and a 32% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Nets vs. Magic.
How to watch Nets vs Magic
Location
Kia Center, Orlando, FL
Date
Thursday, February 5, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
YES, FDSN Florida
Nets vs Magic latest injuries
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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
