NBA Trade Deadline 2026: The Shocking Blockbuster Moves No One Saw Coming

The 2026 NBA trade deadline is sneaking up fast, and while last year’s blockbuster deal swapping Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis still echoes as one of the most jaw-dropping moments in recent memory, this year’s deadline feels like it might play out a bit differently—though no less intriguing. Last February saw a whirlwind of moves sending stars like De’Aaron Fox, Jimmy Butler, and Brandon Ingram packing, shifting the NBA landscape in ways fans couldn’t ignore. Now, with Feb. 5 on the horizon, the air’s thick with speculation. Will teams push the pedal to the metal, or is this more about measured maneuvers in a seller’s market?

Looking at the current playoff picture, it’s clear: a tight cluster of three to four legit championship contenders sits atop the power rankings, while many others hover nervously on the fringes. The Western Conference is anything but predictable— the Oklahoma City Thunder have lost some shine, the Denver Nuggets are nursing injury doubts around Aaron Gordon, and the San Antonio Spurs are still writing their playoff story in the Victor Wembanyama era. Meanwhile, the East feels like an open playing field. Detroit, New York, Boston—all with their own quirks and flaws—are jockeying hard for supremacy. This chaotic mix sets the stage for a trade deadline packed with potential shakeups that could reverberate well beyond this season.

With all this in mind, I’ve put together a list of 30 players who could be the currency that fuels this year’s trades—each with their own “why” and what their current teams might want in return. Whether we get a repeat of last year’s fireworks or a quieter shuffle, one thing’s for certain: the NBA’s landscape won’t look the same when February rolls around. LEARN MORE

The 2026 NBA trade deadline will have a hard time topping its predecessor. Last year’s Luka Doncic-for-Anthony Davis bombshell was an all-time trade deadline moment, and there were a bunch of notable deals after it, with De’Aaron Fox, Jimmy Butler, and Brandon Ingram among the players who were sent to new homes. There’s potential for more fireworks this year, but no one really knows what to expect just yet.

This feels like a seller’s market. There’s a pretty clear pack of 3-4 championship contenders, and then a handful of other teams on the outside edge of the title picture. The Oklahoma City Thunder don’t feel like a runaway favorite anymore, the Denver Nuggets still need to be worried about Aaron Gordon’s lower-body injuries, and the San Antonio Spurs still haven’t let a playoff game in the Victor Wembanyama era, let alone a series. That’s just the West: the East is so much more wide open, with the Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, and Boston Celtics leading the pack, each of them saddled with their own potential fatal flaws.

With the Feb. 5 trade deadline rapidly approach, here’s 30 players who could be moved.

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, F, Milwaukee Bucks

Why would he be traded? The Bucks and Giannis are finally ready for a divorce, according to Shams Charania. It’s very likely either happening now or in the summer. Here’s our list of Giannis suitors.

What would Bucks want back? 3-4 first-round picks, swaps, and a blue chip young player.

2. Anthony Davis, C/F, Dallas Mavericks

Why would he be traded? The Mavs are ready to rebuild around Cooper Flagg, and they need to recoup draft compensation without control of their first-round pick from 2027-2030. Here’s three fake trades for Davis, though his current injury complicates the trade landscape.

What would Mavs want back? Salary relief, a first-round pick, a promising young player.

3. Karl-Anthony Towns, C/F, New York Knicks

Why would he be traded? The Knicks are desperate to make the most of their championship window in the East in a down year for the conference. New York’s two best players might not be able to play together in games that matter. Towns probably won’t get traded at the deadline, but the probability that he’s traded will rise significantly this summer if the Knicks fail to make the 2026 NBA Finals.

What would Knicks want back? Giannis. Or assets that help them land their next star.

4. Domantas Sabonis, C, Sacramento Kings

Why would he be traded? The Kings need to blow it up badly. There’s no scenario where Sabonis is on the next good Kings team.

What would Kings want back? A first-round pick and/or a promising young player.

5. Michael Porter Jr., F, Brooklyn Nets

Why would he be traded? Porter Jr. has had an All-Star caliber season in his first year away from Denver, and the Brooklyn would be selling high on him now as it continues to go back into its rebuild.

What would Nets want back? Two first-round picks, or one pick and one interesting young player.

6. Ja Morant, G, Memphis Grizzlies

Why would he be traded? The Grizzlies seem done with the Ja Morant experience. Here’s our list of potential Morant trade suitors.

What would Grizzlies want back? A first-round pick and an interesting young player.

7. Coby White, G, Chicago Bulls

Why would he be traded? He’s an expiring contract, and the Bulls might want to get something for him now instead of entering a bidding war in free agency.

What would Bulls want back? A first round pick, an interesting young player, and expiring salary.

8. Kristaps Porzingis, C, Atlanta Hawks

Why would he be traded? He’s an expiring contract, and he can’t stay healthy.

What would Hawks want back? Salary relief and draft compensation

9. Ayo Dosunmu, G, Chicago Bulls

Why would he be traded? He’s an expiring contract, and the fact that he’s playing the best ball of his career offers Chicago the chance to finally sell high on a player.

What would Bulls want back? A first-round pick or an interesting young player and multiple seconds.

10. Zach LaVine, G, Sacramento Kings

Why would he be traded? The Kings need to blow it up, and LaVine needs a fresh start after spending his entire career with bad teams. He’s certainly opting in to the final year of his contract for $48.9 million, but then he’s off the books after next season. Can we finally get this guy to a contender?

What would Kings want back? Anything.

11. Tobias Harris, F, Detroit Pistons

Why would he be traded? If the Pistons want to make a big move to improve their chances at coming out of the East, Harris a large expiring salary to grease the wheels.

What would Pistons want back? A starting four or a starting-caliber guard to aid the NBA Finals push.

12. Goga Bitadze, C, Orlando Magic

Why would he be traded? An advanced stats star with two more playoff runs left on his cheap contract, Orlando could try to trade its backup center for future assets that could help them build.

What would Magic want back? Draft picks or a promising young player.

13. Bennedict Mathurin, G, Indiana Pacers

Why would he be traded? He’s set to be a restricted free agent, and he’s never really fit into the Pacers’ long-term vision.

What would Pacers want back? Picks and potentially a young big man.

14. Daniel Gafford, C, Dallas Mavericks

Why would he be traded? The Mavs need to prioritize their future over their present, and they already have a gifted young center on the roster in Dereck Lively II.

What would Mavs want back? Future draft assets and cap flexibility.

15. Naji Marshall, F, Dallas Mavericks

Why would he be traded? He has two playoff runs left on a team-friendly contract, and he could bring in a solid return.

What would Mavs want back? Future draft assets or a promising young player.

16. Rui Hachimura, F, Los Angeles Lakers

Why would he be traded? He’s an expiring contract, and the Lakers might want to get something for him now if he’s not part of their long-term vision around Luka Doncic.

What would Lakers want back? Future draft assets or a young player.

17. Grant Williams, F, Charlote Hornets

Why would he be traded? The Hornets are a year away from a playoff run in the East, and Williams will have some appeal as a 3-and-D veteran with two playoff runs left on his contract.

What would Hornets want back? Future draft assets and expiring salary.

18. Keon Ellis, G, Sacramento Kings

Why would he be traded? The Kings need to be rebuilt from the ground up.

What would Kings want back? Future draft picks.

19. Anfernee Simons, G, Boston Celtics

Why would he be traded? The Celtics are trying to duck the luxury tax, and he’s the biggest salary on the cap sheet that they could justify cutting ahead of the potential return of Jayson Tatum.

What would Celtics want back? A small enough salary to get them out of the tax.

20. Bobby Portis, F, Milwaukee Bucks

Why would he be traded? The Bucks are ready to tank, trade Giannis, and tear the whole thing down.

What would Bucks want back? Future draft assets and/or interesting young players.

21. Rob Dillingham, G, Minnesota Timberwolves

Why would he be traded? The Wolves need to upgrade at point guard next to Anthony Edwards, and their bold swing for Dillingham during the 2024 draft just hasn’t paid off. Dillingham still can’t crack head coach Chris Finch’s rotation, and it’s time to find a lead guard who can.

What would Wolvevs want back? A starting-caliber point guard.

22. DeMar DeRozan, G, Sacramento Kings

Why would he be traded? Because he’s on the Kings ahead of their liquidation sale.

What would Kings want back? Second-round draft assets and expiring salary.

23. Jusuf Nurkic, C, Utah Jazz

Why would he be traded? This is probably the final year of the Utah’s tank, and a veteran like Nurkic is an obvious player to free. He’s not in his physical prime anymore, but Nurkic can still crash the offensive glass at an elite level at a time when it feels more important than ever.

What would Jazz want back? Second-round draft compensation.

24. Jordan Poole, G, New Orleans Pelicans

Why would he be traded? The Pelicans have no use for the final year of his deal at $34 million.

What would Pelicans want back? Second-round draft compensation.

25. Gradey Dick, G/F, Toronto Raptors

Why would he be traded? As part of a package for an impact center or another ball handler.

What would Raptors want back? An impact center or another ball handler.

26. Dalton Knecht, F, Los Angeles Lakers

Why would he be traded? He’s demanded a trade! I repeat: Dalton Knecht has demanded a trade!

What would Lakers want back? Second-round draft compensation or a better defensive player.

27. Kyle Kuzma, F, Milwaukee Bucks

Why would he be traded? The Bucks are ready to tear it down as they weigh offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

What would Bucks want back? All of the picks if Kuzma goes out in a Giannis deal, also salary relief.

28. Terrence Shannon Jr., G, Minnesota Timberwolves

Why would he be traded? The Wolves are firmly in their championship window, and Shannon hasn’t been able to crack the rotation even after Nickeil Alexander-Walker left in free agency.

What would Wolves want back?