The 2025 trade deadline will go down in history as the biggest and most controversial in NBA history. With teams now settled, let’s take a look at the winners and losers after the trade deadline.
The Winners
Spurs Getting Fox Without Blowing Up Their Core
The San Antonio Spurs, despite still being far from playoff contention, have been looking good this season. Victor Wembanyama is living up to expectations and the whole squad is coming together.
Then, the Spurs front office pulled off a very underrated blockbuster move by landing 27-year-old star De’Aaron Fox without sacrificing their young core. There’s still room for improvement in San Antonio, but we got to admit this team will be a problem next season.
Hunter As the Perfect Cavaliers Reinforcement
Cavs executives definitely outclassed the Hawks by trading away Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, and some picks for De’Andre Hunter, a versatile 19 PPG 3-and-D forward.
Obviously, Hunter is the Cavaliers’ much-needed presence in the wing, albeit the perfect reinforcement for their title hopes this season.
Clippers Getting Even Deeper
The LA Clippers made a lot of moves before the trade deadline, and it all pretty much worked out for them. Although Terrance Mann and Kevin Porter Jr. are gone, they still got the better end of the bargain by landing the sharp-shooting Bogdan Bogdanovic from Atlanta.
The Clippers’ bench is already so deep that their reserves could go toe-to-toe against the Boston Celtics’ core. Mann and KPJ are both good role players, but Bogdanović seems like a better complement to James Harden and Norman Powell, even with Kawhi on the floor.
They also get Drew Eubanks, Patty Mills, Marjon Beauchamp, and three second-round picks.
The Wizards
Did the Washington Wizards just win in the 2025 trade deadline?
They sent Johnny Davis, Marvin Bagley III, and Kyle Kuzma away from the Capitol. Most notably, they receive veterans like Alex Len, Marcus Smart, and Khris Middleton. Although it’s not much of a landscape-changing move for the Wizards, having these sought-after veterans can be flipped into more picks and better role players in the future.
L.A. Luka Magic
The Luka-AD swap will go down as the biggest trade between two superstars in NBA history. Filled with controversy, the trade surely altered the league.
Nobody thought Luka would ever don the purple and gold, but here we are. A 25-year-old superstar is now paired with arguably the best player in history.
The Losers
Hawks Failing to Build Around Trae
Trae Young has been asking for proper reinforcements in the last five years. Unfortunately, the Hawks front office doesn’t seem to care.
They had another opportunity to get the right pieces before February 6, but who did they take? Bones Hyland. Moreover, they deal with Bogdan Bogdanovic.
Their quest to make it worse just puts them in a position where Trae might be wearing another jersey next year.
Chicago Still Lost in Space
Chicago blew their team up by finally trading Zach LaVine but didn’t capitalize on that kind of asset. They also failed to move Nikola Vucevic despite offers from different teams (e.g. Warriors).
Mismanagement after mismanagement resulted in an even worse roster. To no one’s surprise, fans couldn’t care less.
Dallas Mavericks Fans
Nico Harrison is probably the most hated guy in the NBA right now. Although Dallas got Anthony Davis, whom they think is the better cornerstone for the Mavericks, it was the fans who lost the trade.
They got robbed of Luka Doncic’s best years as a player, the same guy who had just brought them to the Finals a year ago, in exchange for an injury-prone star big man who might be at the back end of his prime.
The Imploding Suns
Kevin Durant’s time in Phoenix may be coming to an end. With rumors of him being moved, which didn’t happen before the trade deadline, the team is about to implode in no time.
Bradley Beal is just a shell of his former self and has lost his stock value. KD may skidaddle soon, and they’ll be left with a frustrated Devin Booker.
Dalton Knecht and Mark Williams
After the Dalton Knecht for Mark Williams trade was retracted, it was obvious they were the pure losers of that trade.
The rookie Knecht might be mad, but he gets to stay within Hollywood (for this season, at least). The Lakers failed to land the 7-foot big man to man the paint, which is a big loss for them, unfortunately.
The “Somehow In Between”
Raptors Betting on Ingram
Toronto locked in on the injured Brandon Ingram, a 26-year-old forward with All-Stat potential, not knowing what lies ahead for the team.
They literally contradicted what they’re trying to build with Scottie Barnes as the main guy. Hopefully, this trade works for the Raptors. If not, Ingram may sign with another team when he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2026.
Milwaukee Finds Kuzma as a Replacement to Middleton
Is Kuzma a better player now compared to an injury-ridden Middleton? Probably. As sad as Bucks fans were to see Middleton go, it’s a necessary move for Milwaukee to become contenders again.
Kuzma isn’t someone who can move the needle, but he’ll hopefully be a good third or fourth option behind Giannis and Dame.
Golden State Get Jimmy, but Miami Also Got Their Money’s Worth
Golden State, Miami Heat, and Jimmy Butler got what they wanted, but there’s a catch. Butler is 35, which means there are a few years left in him to compete if that’s what Golden State is looking for as they brace for a run in the playoffs.
Miami got rid of the drama quickly and got Andrew Wiggins, Davion Mitchell, Kyle Anderson, and a protected 2025 first-round pick. Did the Heat get better? Probably. However, that remains to be seen, with Tyler Herro finally coming on his own.
The DeRozan-LaVine Reunion in Sacramento
Although they are two of the most exciting players to watch, having DeRozan and LaVine on the same team has been proven to not work in the league. From having Fox and Haliburton to having two ball-dominant volume scorers, it may seem like a downgrade for some.
Dennis Schroder
In just a span of 24 hours, Schroder became part of four different teams, just after he called out the NBA for “modern-day slavery”, following the Luka Doncic trade, from fumbling $84 million dollars, to becoming a legit journeyman in the league.
