If I weren’t checking the calendar, I might have thought Tuesday was the NBA trade deadline day, given the flurry of big moves. It began with the Memphis Grizzlies surprising everyone by trading their star big man, Jaren Jackson Jr., to the Utah Jazz in a deal that involved three first-round draft picks.
Later on, the Los Angeles Clippers made a big swap as well, sending James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Darius Garland, effectively trading two of their star guards. Alongside these blockbuster moves, the Boston Celtics added a key big man, the Minnesota Timberwolves parted ways with Mike Conley, and the Detroit Pistons moved former top-five pick Jaden Ivey.
This whirlwind of trades kicked off two days before Thursday’s official trade deadline at 3 p.m. ET. Last year’s deadline was notably chaotic with stars like Luka Doncic, Anthony Davis, and Jimmy Butler all traded before the cutoff. While there might not be a blockbuster like last year’s “Luka bombshell” this time, the biggest story revolves around Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, who appears poised to create ripples across the league.
If the Bucks decide to move the two-time NBA MVP, the leading candidates to acquire Giannis include the Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, or potentially an unexpected team. This makes Antetokounmpo the central figure in this year’s trade deadline drama.
Considering a move to Golden State would likely mean trading away Draymond Green or Jimmy Butler, as ESPN noted Green is already involved in active trade talks. Green, a Warriors cornerstone for 14 seasons and second only to Stephen Curry in tenure, would be a major departure. Pairing Curry with Giannis would certainly excite fans, just as Minnesota would look to build around Giannis and Anthony Edwards, and Miami would bolster its frontcourt with Bam Adebayo alongside Antetokounmpo. We’ll soon learn if Milwaukee is ready to part ways with their superstar.
If the Warriors miss out on landing Giannis, their goal remains making the play-ins this spring. Currently eighth in the West with a 27-23 record, they trail the Lakers by three games for sixth place. Their season took a hit earlier this month when Jimmy Butler tore his ACL, leaving Curry without a true star teammate. Though Curry continues to dominate nightly, the team’s prospects look grim without help.
Jonathan Kuminga, a 23-year-old forward who re-signed with Golden State on a two-year deal last summer amid tough negotiations, has been a hot topic for trade rumors. Sacramento Kings are reportedly the only team seriously interested in Kuminga. If he remains with Golden State after the deadline, expect persistent trade buzz in the coming months, especially as Kuminga has a $24.3 million club option for the 2026-27 season.
The Grizzlies have undergone major roster changes since their strong 2023 playoff run. Dillon Brooks now plays for the Phoenix Suns, Desmond Bane was traded to Orlando for several draft picks, and Jaren Jackson Jr. was shipped to Utah. Now, all eyes are on their star point guard Ja Morant, who could be next to leave as Memphis pivots toward rebuilding. The Kings have been suggested as a contender for Morant in a potential deadline deal, according to The Athletic.
Morant, 26, has appeared in only 20 games this season due to a left elbow injury and is expected to remain sidelined through the trade deadline. If traded, Memphis’ lottery odds for the upcoming draft would immediately draw attention, as they currently have the ninth-best chance to claim the top pick.
Aside from the aforementioned players, the Kings themselves might also look to offload some veteran contracts. With the NBA’s worst record, their roster includes notable names like Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, Malik Monk, and Zach LaVine. However, heavy contracts and long-term deals complicate potential trades. The Raptors have shown notable interest in Sabonis and possibly RJ Barrett, who was selected by Sacramento GM Scott Perry when he was with the Knicks, though moving Raptors players like Jakob Poeltl or Immanuel Quickley would be challenging.
With the deadline approaching, basketball fans should buckle up — the drama and roster shakeups are just getting started.
Fan Take: This surge of trades highlights the ever-shifting landscape of the NBA, where superstar moves can reshape entire franchises overnight. For fans, it’s thrilling to witness potential era-defining shifts, especially with a player like Giannis possibly changing teams, ushering in a new chapter for the sport and its competitive balance.
