NBA trade deadline: Giannis Antetokounmpo to stay put as Anthony Davis, James Harden and Kristaps Porzingis among biggest movers
NBA trade deadline: Giannis Antetokounmpo set to stay put after months of rumours surround Milwaukee Bucks star; James Harden takes his last attempt at championship glory in move to the Cavs; Anthony Davis trade provides damning indictment of Nico Harrison's Mavericks tenure
Thursday 5 February 2026 17:56, UK
The NBA trade deadline (Feb 5, 8pm UK time) is fast approaching.
Major deals involving Anthony Davis, James Harden and Kristaps Porzingis have already been made this week, and the future of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo was hanging in the balance.
Here's everything you need to know about four of the top trades that have happened - and haven't happened - ahead of tonight's deadline:
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Antetokounmpo trade in jeopardy after Warriors talks flatline
Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have been butting heads for months in undoubtedly the biggest trade saga of the season.
According to reports, the two-time MVP has been telling the Milwaukee hierarchy that his preference is a trade for months, with the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors among his potential suitors.
However, the Warriors deal for fellow power-forward Kristaps Porzingis is understood to have signalled the end of the Warriors pursuit of the Bucks star, having opted for a different wing player.
Milwaukee have been continuing to field trade offers according to ESPN insider Shams Charania - however, according to ESPN, their front office have informed teams that they will not be trading their star forward with only two hours to go until the deadline.
Should a move for Antetokounmpo not materialise, as looks likely, the Bucks could go as far as deactivating the forward for the rest of the season in an effort to preserve trade value and increase hopes of a lottery pick.
Harden to Cavs signals desire to win now
Eleven-time All-Star James Harden's trade to the Cavaliers is a statement of intent for player and team alike.
Harden, in his 17th season, is yet to win a championship, and his chances of lifting the Larry O'Brien Trophy with a 23-27 Los Angeles Clippers side looked highly unlikely.
His switch to Cleveland, however, raises those chances significantly. The 31-21 Cavs are sitting pretty in fourth in the Eastern Conference, and trading a younger talent in Darius Garland to secure the services of a star like Harden demonstrates their desire to take advantage of their playoff-calibre squad.
Garland, averaging 18 points on the season, is a valuable commodity in the NBA. A two-time All-Star at 26, Cleveland are taking a significant risk by trading the guard for an asset, in Harden, whose trade value declines by the year.
Harden has already sought two trades to the Eastern Conference - to the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers - in a failed pursuit of championship glory in the past. The former MVP will be hoping that the third time will be the charm in his move to Cleveland.
At 36, this could be his last chance.
Mavs give up on Davis in eight-player trade to Wizards
A year on from the trade that rocked the NBA, the Dallas Mavericks have dealt away Anthony Davis.
Davis is the star that Dallas gave up their franchise player, former MVP, and fan-favourite Luka Doncic for, in a move that led to the sacking of general manager Nico Harrison less than a year later.
Davis, a 10‑time All‑Star, has played just 31 of a possible 84 games across two partial seasons in Dallas, battling a series of injuries including a core muscle issue, a calf strain and, most recently, a left‑hand injury - marking a career consistently plagued by injuries.
The Mavs recoup a bounty of draft picks, alongside veteran guard Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham and Marvin Bagley III.
The trade signals the start of dramatic rebuild for Dallas, and provides a sobering reminder of the the cost of mismanagement in the NBA.
Harrison's flawed vision - that Davis and All-Star guard Kyrie Irving would make a more viable duo to contend for a championship - has all but shattered any hope of a Mavericks title in the near future.
Warriors pick up Porzingis as Kuminga and Hield head to Atlanta
When it became clear to the Warriors that a trade for Antetokounmpo was no longer viable, they set their sights on another long-term target - No 4 pick Porzingis.
With shooting, rebounding and passing among the Latvian's diverse skillset, Golden State pick up the front court playmaker they were looking for, albeit making far less headlines than a move for the 'Greek Freak'.
The move, though, carries risk. Porzingis, due to various illnesses and injuries, has only been involved in 17 games for the Hawks this season, and only 42 of the 82 Celtics games in the season prior.
With Porzingis' $30.7m contract expiring in the offseason, the trade is low risk and high reward for the Warriors, who add much needed reinforcement to aid their playoff push. But they lose a young, capable wing player with potential in Jonathan Kuminga, who has averaged 12.8 points in his 278 games in the Bay.
The move appears to be needs-must for both sides - but Porzingis' durability, or lack thereof, could have a huge impact on the Warriors' end-of-season hopes.
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