NBA Trade Deadline Shocks Sports World with Blockbuster Trades

On Thursday, February 5th, 2026, the NBA trade deadline came to a close. A multitude of big names were moved, and some surprising trades commenced. 
by Drew Caraway and Gracie Edwards

New Names in New Places
At the deadline, there were 28 total trades that took place, according to Spotrac. Two of the biggest names from the deadline were 2018 NBA MVP James Harden and 2020 NBA Champion Anthony Davis.

Here are notable trades from the deadline (all information from NBA):

Anthony Davis Trade

• Mavericks receive: Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Tyus Jones, Marvin Bagley III, 2026 first-round pick, 2030 first-round pick, 2026 second-round pick, 2027 second-round pick, 2029 second-round pick.
• Wizards receive: Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, Dante Exum
• Hornets receive: Malaki Branham

James Harden - Darius Garland Trade

• Cavaliers receive: James Harden 
• Clippers receive: Darius Garland, future second-round pick

(image via AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Jared McCain Trade

• 76ers receive: 2026 first-round pick, three future second-round picks
• Thunder receive: Jared McCain

Nikola Vučević - Anfernee Simons Trade

• Celtics receive: Nikola Vučević, 2027 second-round pick
• Bulls receive: Anfernee Simons, 2026 second-round pick

Jonathan Kuminga - Kristaps Porziņģis Trade

• Warriors receive: Kristaps Porziņģis
• Hawks receive: Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield
• Jaxon Downs, a freshman and an avid Hawks fan, was excited about the trade. He said, “I loved it. Kristaps wasn’t that good this season, and [the Hawks] got two good players.” He continued, “I wanted Kristaps to get traded because he didn't do good this season.”

Ivica Zubac - Bennedict Mathurin Trade

• Pacers receive: Ivica Zubac, Kobe Brown
• Clippers receive: Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, 2026 first-round pick, 2029 first-round pick, 2028 second-round pick

Jaden Ivey Trade

• Pistons receive: Kevin Huerter, Dario Šarić, 2026 first-round pick
• Bulls receive: Mike Conley Jr. (later traded), Jaden Ivey
• Timberwolves receive: Cash considerations

Jaren Jackson Jr. Trade

• Grizzlies receive: Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang, three future second-round picks
• Jazz receive: Jaren Jackson Jr., Jock Landale (later traded to Atlanta), John Konchar, Vince Williams Jr. 

De’Andre Hunter - Dennis Schröder Trade

• Cavaliers receive: Keon Ellis, Dennis Schröder, Emanuel Miller
• Bulls receive: Dario Šarić, 2027 second-round pick, 2029 second-round pick
• Kings receive: De’Andre Hunter

Coby White - Collin Sexton Trade

• Hornets receive: Mike Conley Jr. (later waived), Coby White
• Bulls receive: Ousmane Dieng, Collin Sexton, 2029 second-round pick, 2031 second-round pick, 2031 second-round pick

Ayo Dosunmu - Rob Dillingham Trade

• Timberwolves receive: Ayo Dosunmu, Julian Phillips
• Bulls receive: Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, 2026 second-round pick, 2027 second-round pick, 2031 second-round pick, 2032 second-round pick

(image from Todd Kirkland/Getty)

Hawks Trade Potential Face of Franchise
Another trade of significance was on January 9th. 2026, when Atlanta Hawks point guard and future face of the franchise, Trae Young, was traded to the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. 
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Brady Dubal, a junior and a Hawks superfan, said, “I’m pretty upset, you know. We didn’t get much out of it. CJ McCollum is [not that good]. Yes he’ll give you 15 [points] a night, but he’ll also give you 18 turnovers as well. He’s just not that good. And we didn’t get any good picks out of that so I’m pretty upset about that."




After the superstellar trade deadline, the NBA takes a “break” this weekend for the NBA All Star Weekend festivities. Be sure to tune in to, as well as The Highlight’s episode next week covering it all.

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