The trade deadline has, in many ways, replaced free agency.
The 2026 NBA trade deadline has come and gone, with multiple former All-Stars changing uniforms. While the biggest star of them all — Giannis Antetokounmpo — wasn’t moved, we can take solace in the fact that Ochai Agbaji was.
In all seriousness, while the final day before the deadline was a bit of a snoozefest, we did see a plethora of trades in the days leading up to it, further establishing that the trade deadline has, in many ways, replaced free agency.
So, to wrap up, let’s take a look at some grades for each team.
2026 NBA trade tracker: Deal details, grades, analysis
Atlanta Hawks: B+
Key additions: Jonathan Kuminga, C.J. McCollum
Key losses: Trae Young, Kristaps Porziņģis
Atlanta is re-tooling and building around Jalen Johnson, which was always the right call. While it’s understandable they didn’t get more for Trae Young, the overall return lacks that final bit of pizzazz to get a huge grade.
Boston Celtics: B
Key addition: Nikola Vučević
Key loss: Anfernee Simons
The Celtics made a cost-cutting trade, and upgraded their center position at the same time. That’s a good bit of business there, even if financially motivated trades are generally uninteresting to fans. They also moved some Josh Minott and Xavier Tillman to get under the luxury tax.
Brooklyn Nets: B
Key addition: Ochai Agbaji
Key losses: None of significance
The Nets did what everyone expected them to: They took on money and were awarded for doing so in receiving some second-round draft picks. They kept to the plan, and that’s solid.
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Charlotte Hornets: B+
Key additions: Coby White, Tyus Jones
Key loss: Collin Sexton
The Hornets shuffled around some pieces and picked up White in the process. He’s going to need to be re-signed in the summer, but he represents a major upgrade for their bench. Overall, the Hornets took advantage of the market.
Chicago Bulls: B
Key additions: Anfernee Simons, Collin Sexton, Jaden Ivey, a whole lot of second-round picks
Key losses: Coby White, Nikola Vučević, Ayo Dosunmu
Chicago has seemingly embraced tanking – a concept they should have embraced long ago. They’ve cornered the market on pending free-agent guards, and that’s a huge boost to their books as they enter the 2026 summer armed with money and flexibility. Now the question becomes: Do they understand how to utilize all of this, or will they squander it like usual?
Cleveland Cavaliers: B-
Key additions: James Harden, Keon Ellis, Dennis Schröder
Key losses: Darius Garland, Lonzo Ball
The Cavs relinquished the best long-term player in the deal and opted for short-term success, which means there is now no place to hide. By acquiring 36-year-old James Harden and presumably paying him this summer, the Cavs are in it to win it — and soon.
Dallas Mavericks: B+
Key addition: Khris Middleton
Key losses: Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell
How did the Mavericks succeed in moving on from a player literally no team should have had interest in?! Dumping Davis clears their books and allows Cooper Flagg to take full control of the future. That’s not a bad few days.
Denver Nuggets: C
Key additions: None
Key loss: Hunter Tyson
The Nuggets are good when healthy, yet rarely are. That’s likely not something changed by a trade, especially if the injuries are tied to their primary core. For them to stay somewhat silent is not necessarily a bad thing.
Detroit Pistons: B+
Key additions: Kevin Huerter, draft equity
Key loss: Jaden Ivey
Detroit added a floor-spacing element in Huerter, and even received a protected 2026 first-round pick swap from Minnesota in a deep draft. It did cost them a pretty penny, but seeing as Ivey never really got a chance in Detroit, this seemed inevitable.
Golden State Warriors: B-
Key addition: Kristaps Porziņģis
Key loss: Jonathan Kuminga
Porziņģis is a free agent this summer, so there is some hope that he'll re-sign with the organization and offer them a consistent floor-spacing presence throughout next season and perhaps beyond with Butler back in action. All in all, this deal is worth it if he stays healthy and is open to staying with the Warriors.
Houston Rockets: C
Key additions: None
Key losses: None
I was expecting the Rockets to make a play for a guard, but they didn’t. That’s odd given that Fred VanVleet is out for the year, and they’re playing well with a motivated Kevin Durant. But I would have liked to see them get more involved for late-season reinforcements.
Indiana Pacers: C-
Key addition: Ivica Zubac
Key loss: Bennedict Mathurin
Zubac is a tremendous player and a rock-solid fit with Tyrese Haliburton, but the idea of shipping out Mathurin, a 2026 first (with Nos. 1-4 and 10-30 protections) and a 2029 unprotected is extremely steep — too steep if you ask me.
Los Angeles Clippers: A
Key additions: Darius Garland, Bennedict Mathurin
Key losses: James Harden, Ivica Zubac
The Clippers just acquired an All-Star-level point guard who is 10 years younger than their former one, and there’s just no way that isn’t a good, smart, long-term play, even at the potential cost of this season. Plus, getting out of the James Harden business is never really a bad thing. Furthermore, they took the Pacers to the cleaners in the Zubac trade. Great deadline for the Clippers.
Los Angeles Lakers: B
Key addition: Luke Kennard
Key loss: Gabe Vincent
Moving a non-needle-mover in Vincent for one of the league’s most pure shooters is a huge win for the Lakers, especially in regard to their second unit. Solid bit of business for Los Angeles here.
Memphis Grizzlies: A
Key additions: Picks
Key loss: Jaren Jackson Jr.
Surprised at this grade? You’ll understand my perspective if you read this. It’s rebuild time in Memphis and this was a good start.
Miami Heat: C
Key additions: None
Key losses: None
The Heat stayed silent, likely saving their ammo for a summer run at Giannis Antetokounmpo. Who can blame them?
Milwaukee Bucks: C+
Key addition: Nick Richards
Key loss: Cole Anthony
This is a big ol’ meh-burger, especially when you consider who from this team was rumored to be going. But, no Giannis trade gears up the Bucks for the summer.
Minnesota Timberwolves: B+
Key addition: Ayo Dosunmu
Key loss: Rob Dillingham
The Wolves found a starting point guard! One who even defends! This is a rock-solid move by Minnesota, which will have to re-sign Dosunmu this summer. But given the theoretical fit with Anthony Edwards, the former Bull should be open to that idea.
New Orleans Pelicans: C+
Key addition: Dalen Terry
Key loss: Joe Alvarado
The Pelicans got a couple of second-round picks for Alvarado, which is fine, albeit uninspiring. But at least they acknowledged they were going nowhere and acted accordingly.
New York Knicks: B-
Key addition: Jose Alvarado
Key loss: Guerschon Yabusele
The Knicks made some small swaps, ultimately sending out Yabusele in one deal and getting back Jose Alvarado in another. Alvarado is such a Knicks player, it’s not even funny, so this is intriguing business by N.Y.
Oklahoma City Thunder: A+
Key addition: Jared McCain
Key losses: None
As usual, the Thunder played it smart. They took full advantage of the Sixers, who wished to get under the tax line and squeezed them for McCain, who is an excellent shooter.
Orlando Magic: C
Key additions: None
Key loss: Tyus Jones
The Magic realized Tyus Jones wasn’t the upgrade they had hoped for and decided to sacrifice his presence in order to get under the luxury tax. It’s fine, although that does leave them short on guards.
Philadelphia 76ers: B-
Key additions: None
Key loss: Jared McCain
I'm giving the Sixers a solid grade because they achieved what they hoped to achieve in getting under the tax, but do note it's a pity grade. Losing talent like McCain, just to save a buck, has become a horrible trend in the league, and it only hurts the fan experience.
Phoenix Suns: C+
Key additions: None
Key losses: None
The Suns felt comfortable with their roster, which is understandable. They also didn’t have much to offer, so instead of digging into future assets, they stayed silent, which specifically for them is probably a keen move.
Portland Trail Blazers: B
Key addition: Vít Krejčí
Key loss: Duop Reath
Krejčí is highly underrated, and one heck of a dynamic shooter when he’s on. That’s a strong get for Portland, especially for a bench guy who can flip a game in the playoffs — if it makes it that far.
Sacramento Kings: C
Key addition: De’Andre Hunter
Key losses: Keon Ellis, Dennis Schröder
As usual, the Kings are all over the place and their direction aimless. That didn’t change this deadline, and now the fan base has yet another headache regarding its team’s unclear plans for the future.
San Antonio Spurs: C
Key addition: None
Key loss: None
The Spurs are ready to win now, so not making a big splash at the deadline is simply a weird move, which deserves some level of criticism.
Toronto Raptors: C+
Key addition: None
Key loss: Ochai Agbaji
The Raptors saved money by getting under the luxury tax after moving Agbaji. Usually, financially motivated deals are boring, but since Agbaji hadn’t played well this season, this wasn’t a major loss.
Utah Jazz: B-
Key addition: Jaren Jackson Jr
Key losses: Mostly picks
Jackson is good, but flawed. He’s a big man who doesn’t rebound, and he turns into dust, Infinity War-style, when the postseason rolls around. Furthermore, he’s extremely costly. This was a steep price to pay for the two-time All-Star, so this move better work.
Washington Wizards: C
Key additions: Trae Young, Anthony Davis
Key losses: C.J. McCollum, Khris Middleton
The Young acquisition was brilliant … the Davis trade, less so. Why relinquish assets for a guy who’s older, oft-injured, on the decline and enormously expensive? If anything, Dallas should have given up assets to get off that deal.
Category: General Sports
