The 2025-26 NBA Trade Deadline is here to shake up the Association. We’ll help you make sense of the trades and reassess betting markets here.
Cavaliers trade De’Andre Hunter to Kings for Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder
This trade also featured the Bulls acquiring two future second-round picks to take on Dario Saric, but that’s a really small piece of it. It’s Cleveland and Sacramento that really made impactful moves, and the Cavaliers made out really well here. Hunter has been considered a 3-and-D wing throughout the course of his career, but he has only had two seasons in which he has made a positive impact when looking at Defensive EPM. This year isn’t one of them. Hunter was also shooting only 30.8% from 3 for Cleveland, so he was no longer the reliable floor-spacer the team was hoping he’d be. On top of that, it was being widely reported that Hunter wanted out, so the Cavaliers rid themselves of a major problem. Naturally, the Kings had no issues with acquiring one — though perhaps the change of scenery will bring out the best in Hunter.
Ellis and Schroder are very helpful players. Ellis is a true 3-and-D threat, and he should look even better in a winning environment. Meanwhile, Schroder is a feisty point-of-attack defender, and he can be a productive creator offensively. Ellis should ultimately be the prize of this deal, as he’s somebody that can slot in seamlessly with some of Cleveland’s best players. Schroder is more of an insurance policy. Darius Garland, the Cavaliers’ starting point guard, hasn’t been able to stay healthy. He also might be on his way out, as there are rumors he’s going to be traded for James Harden.
Betting Impact: I actually took the Cavaliers to win the East at +600 last week, as I think they’re extremely live in a weak conference. I only feel better about the team’s rotation today. Jaylon Tyson can give Cleveland more than Hunter in an expanded wing role, and this team now has serious depth in the backcourt. I’d suggest jumping on the Cavaliers at +500 to win the East — especially with Harden potentially coming next.
Jazz trade three future first-round picks, Walter Clayton Jr., and Taylor Hendricks to the Grizzlies for Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Grizzlies are pressing the reset button. After trading Desmond Bane to the Magic over the summer, Jackson Jr. is yet another piece of the previous core that is heading out the door. Memphis is getting two decent young pieces in Clayton and Hendricks, but the first-round picks are the important assets here. The Grizzlies now have 13 first-round picks in the next seven years. That sets them up nicely for a long-term project — while also giving them the opportunity to make a splash trade for the next available superstar. We’ll probably see Ja Morant get traded next.
For the Jazz, this is Danny Ainge, Austin Ainge, and Co. putting some faith in the Keyonte George-Lauri Markkanen duo. Utah’s front office has clearly seen enough to believe that this team can make a run in the Western Conference soon.
A trio of George-Markkanen-Jackson could be awesome. Markkanen and Jackson both move extremely well for bigs, and they’re both lethal 3-point shooters. Meanwhile, George looks the part of a future All-Star as a lead guard, and his breakout year made Clayton expendable. If Ace Bailey develops nicely over the next couple of months, look out for this Utah team. Will Hardy has proven that he’s extremely bright. He could do some special things with a competent NBA roster. He could also get a little weird by playing massive lineups with George, Bailey, Markkanen, Jackson, and Walker Kessler. Markkanen has played small forward throughout his career, and having size at every spot is a good way to make up for having some weak individual defenders.
Betting Impact: I have my doubts about Utah playing George, Markkanen, and Jackson a lot the rest of the year. This team needs to be bad enough to keep its protected first-round pick from going to Oklahoma City. However, if I’m wrong, the Jazz will be more of a bet-on team. Jackson makes for a great fit next to Markkanen, giving Utah a switchable big that can protect the rim on defense. He’s also another floor-spacer and good shot creator on offense. I think this team will be good when the stars are on the floor. And I’m already excited about taking Jazz futures in 2026-27.
Memphis is another story. The Grizzlies are now really lacking in talent, even if they do have some intriguing pieces. I also suspect they’ll continue to be very careful with Zach Edey moving forward. Memphis is thinking more about AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cam Boozer than making the Play-In Tournament.
Bulls acquire Jaden Ivey and Mike Conley Jr., Pistons get Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric, and Timberwolves send 2026 first-round protected swap to Detroit
Minnesota really didn’t want to move on from Conley, so it’s significant that president of basketball operations Tim Connelly bit the bullet here. It very likely means that the Timberwolves have something big lined up. I believe it’ll be a move that sends Jaden McDaniels and Julius Randle, along with draft capital, out for Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, it could also be some sort of Julius Randle-for-James Harden swap. Either way, this was strictly a salary move for the Timberwolves, who are now under the first apron and have more trade flexibility.
For the Pistons, grabbing Huerter adds a little more shooting without sacrificing long-term cap space. Between Duncan Robinson and Huerter, Detroit has now fully replaced the firepower Malik Beasley once provided. The Pistons can now go out and use some of their expiring contracts to make some trades, or they can head into the summer with cap space — which will be needed to re-up Jalen Duren.
The Bulls are going the re-draft route with Ivey. Chicago is now in a clear retooling phase, so talent acquisition is the name of the game. Ivey hasn’t lived up to his draft slot, as he was the No. 5 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. However, injuries have played a big role in that. If the Bulls can find a way to keep him healthy, maybe he can be a nice piece for them. At the very least, he could give the team some scoring punch, which will be needed as they look to move on from Coby White.
Betting Impact: I think this move makes Detroit a little better, but I still feel the team is a big Tobias Harris upgrade away from really reaching contender status. That means it’s probably not a good idea to change your ratings on the Pistons too much. This deal is really all about the Wolves. I’ve been talking about Minnesota as a good futures play for a few weeks now, and I’d really look into putting something down now (15-1 to win the West and 25-1 to win the NBA Finals are still out there). Whether it’s Giannis or Harden, I think the Wolves are up to something big.
Celtics swap Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick for Bulls big man Nikola Vucevic and a second-round pick
Simons never seemed long for Boston. He was essentially acquired in a salary dump. Simons did play alright for the Celtics this year, averaging 14.2 points per game on 44.0/39.5/88.9 shooting splits. However, Boston is set at the guard spot. This team needed to add some help at the center position. The Celtics apparently tried to get Ivica Zubac, who could have been the long-term center for this franchise. Unfortunately for them, the Clippers aren’t looking to move him. That forced Brad Stevens to pivot, so he went out and got Vucevic on the cheap.
Vucevic is averaging 16.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game this season, so he’s still an impactful offensive player. Vucevic can score around the basket, he has a strong face-up game, and he’s a good playmaker. He also gobbles up rebounds on the defensive end. Of course, Vucevic isn’t a perfect player, as his defense leaves a lot to be desired. But with Jayson Tatum’s return on the horizon, Boston felt the need to do something. The team should be in decent shape at the five with Vucevic and Neemias Queta. Vucevic is like Luka Garza on steroids, and the latter was giving the Celtics decent minutes this year.
For the Bulls, this probably feels like an underwhelming return. Vucevic was seemingly on the trading block for years, but Chicago never quite cashed in. Now, the Bulls will get a half of a season to evaluate Simons. As a volume scorer, it’s possible he makes for a good fit next to Josh Giddey. However, this feels more like Chicago doing Vucevic a favor. He wanted to play for a contender. I don’t see Simons being a part of the Bulls future.
Betting Impact: The Celtics got better with this deal. Boston went into the year with a real hole at the center spot. That weakness hasn’t actually been that bad with Queta having a career year, but they still felt they needed help. Well, Vucevic still has a lot to offer. In fact, he fits Joe Mazzulla’s system perfectly, and the Celtics will be super dangerous if Tatum returns. As for the Bulls, I’m not sure much has changed. This team is probably still good enough to play at a Play-In level, whether Chicago fans like that or not. But look for Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu to be traded next.
Cavaliers deal Darius Garland and a second-round pick to the Clippers for James Harden
On Monday, the X account “MGRADS” tweeted that there could be a Harden-Garland swap going down. A little later, SI’s Chris Mannix reported the same thing. Well, one day later, that deal is done.
The timing of this deal is a little odd, as the Clippers are 17-5 in their last 22 games. However, Harden wants to play for a franchise that will pay him this summer, and he also wants to play for a legitimate title contender. Landing in Cleveland seemingly satisfies both.
For the Cavaliers, there’s some risk in dealing a 26-year-old for a 36-year-old. But do you know what else is risky? Holding onto Garland, having him unavailable in the postseason, and then losing Donovan Mitchell in the offseason.
Garland has proven himself to be a tremendous lead guard. Just one year ago, he averaged 20.6 points and 6.7 assists per game on 47.2/40.1/87.8 shooting splits. He also made his second All-Star team. Unfortunately, for the second year in a row, toe issues have really derailed Garland’s season. He might be back any day now, but who’s to say he won’t go down again? Some guys just never get over minor issues like these. There’s no guarantee Garland can avoid that list. And there has been recent talk of Garland playing with plates in his shoes, which doesn’t sound all that great.
With Garland being a question mark, I applaud Cleveland for going out and taking a swing. While Harden is old, he’s still one of the league’s most dangerous offensive engines. This year, he’s averaging 25.4 points and 8.1 assists per game, and he’s in the 97th percentile in Offensive Estimated Plus-Minus (+4.5). Harden is a better scorer and passer than Garland right now, and anybody that argues that is being disingenuous. He’s a better shooter, a more impactful driver, and a better overall pick-and-roll playmaker. That last one is big. If this ends up being the final version of the Cavaliers heading into the postseason, look for Harden to help elevate Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
Harden can also serve as something of an innings eater for Cleveland. The veteran southpaw is a workhorse during the regular season, and Kenny Atkinson isn’t going to hesitate to run a ton of offense through him. That’ll help keep Mitchell fresh late in games — and throughout the postseason.
Harden is also a better fit for the Cavaliers defensively. I know he’s miserable on that end of the floor, ranking in the 12th percentile in Defensive Estimated Plus-Minus (-1.2). However, his size should help the Cavaliers quite a bit. Mitchell is an undersized shooting guard, while Harden is a plus-sized distributor. Cleveland can now comfortably throw Mitchell on point guards, with Harden handling either shooting guards or small forwards. There’s just a little more positional versatility with Harden on the floor.
Naturally, Harden’s postseason struggles will come up a lot when people talk about this deal. It’s hard to blame anyone for bringing them up. However, it should help that Harden will generally be guarded by the second-best perimeter defender on the floor, with Mitchell drawing the attention of the best point-of-attack options. Also, both players will have fresher legs late in games because of what the other can bring offensively.
For the Clippers, this is simply good business. Los Angeles didn’t want to pay Harden this summer, so the team brought in a dynamic creator that is locked in through the 2027-28 season. As long as the Clippers can keep him healthy, he should flirt with 20 points and seven assists and do a good job of running the show in Ty Lue’s offense. Los Angeles also has the defensive infrastructure to cover for his deficiencies on that end of the floor. However, keeping Garland healthy is easier said than done. Cleveland probably knows his body better than anyone, and the team was comfortable moving him for a player that won’t be playing at a high level for much longer.
Betting Impact: I wrote about the Cavaliers being a bit of a sleeper in the Eastern Conference last week, suggesting a three-unit play on them to win the East at +600. Well, I feel great about that play today. Garland simply wasn’t playing enough for this Cleveland team, and Hunter wasn’t playing well enough. Koby Altman responded by turning those two into Harden, Ellis, and Schroder. That’s good work for a team that isn’t all that far away from being a true title contender. The sportsbooks clearly agree. Cleveland was +600 to win the East last week and +500 when I recorded Hardwood Handicappers this morning. The best available price is now +370, and most books have them sitting atop the oddsboard.
Wizards sending Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Marvin Bagley III, Malaki Branham, two first-round picks, and three second-round picks to the Mavericks for Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum
The Wizards are getting Davis cheap. The two first-round picks they’re sending out are a Thunder pick in 2026 and a Warriors pick in 2028 that will only convey if it’s 21-30. Considering the price, I love it for Washington. The Wizards will likely have to pay Davis to keep him around, meaning he and Trae Young will end up sucking up most of the team’s available cap space this summer. But it’s not like anybody else is champing at the bit to play for Washington. That said, Will Dawkins, the Wizards GM, went out and added two proven All-Stars to put around Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Bub Carrington, and Bilal Coulibaly.
The Sarr-Davis frontcourt should be interesting, as both players are tremendous defensively. They also offer more switchability than most bigs, so they should be able to play with one another — especially if Sarr continues to improve as a 3-point shooter. Young and Davis are also perfect for each other, as they should be a dynamite pairing in pick-and-roll situations. Also, having Davis and Sarr in the back of the defense should make up for Young’s miserable play at the point of attack.
The Wizards just need to be ready to give their training staff members some raises. Keeping Young and Davis healthy will be a challenge. If they can do it, Washington can make a splash in the Eastern Conference immediately.
For the Mavericks, this is yet another step towards Dallas de-Nico-ing the roster, turning things forward to the Cooper Flagg era. Picking up draft capital is always a good thing, even if the picks aren’t great. The Mavericks also have some more cap flexibility. I would have enjoyed seeing Dallas run things back with Flagg, AD, and Kyrie Irving, but to each their own.
Betting Impact: This trade doesn’t impact much for this season. Davis likely won’t play until 2026-27. Washington is simply looking towards next year, envisioning that Young and Davis can push the current young court to an Eastern Conference title. Dallas actually might be a little better moving forward, as Middleton has been solid for Washington. Bagley has also had a great year. With Davis not playing, the Mavericks weren’t getting anything from him, and the players that are coming in should provide some immediate help. That doesn’t mean Dallas will push for a Play-In spot, but this has been a bet-on ATS team this year. That’s not changing. Though keep an eye on a Middleton buyout.
Thunder trade 2026 Rockets first-round pick and three second-round picks for 76ers guard Jared McCain
In one of the more surprising trades of the deadline thus far, the Thunder acquired McCain from the 76ers. McCain averaged 15.3 points per game on 46.0/38.3/87.5 shooting splits for Philadelphia last season, looking like a potential Rookie of the Year winner before getting injured. This year, McCain has had some trouble finding his footing as he has tried to get healthy, and he fell out of favor in the Sixers rotation. Nick Nurse has a star-studded backcourt with Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, and the team seems interested in bringing Quentin Grimes back on a new deal. So, McCain became somewhat expendable, causing the Thunder to pounce.
While McCain is off to something of a rocky start this year, he is shooting 44% on unguarded 3s this season. He’s an absolute sniper from deep, and he also has some off-the-dribble ability. The 21-year-old should address a major need for perimeter firepower in OKC, and he also gives the Thunder another ball handler to turn to with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander out a couple of weeks.
This genuinely feels like a huge steal for the Thunder, who also happened to strike gold with another former Sixers shooter: Isaiah Joe.
This deal does, however, help the 76ers get under the apron, allowing them to convert Dominick Barlow to a standard contract. Barlow has been a revelation this year, averaging 8.4 points and 5.1 rebounds as the team’s starting power forward. Also, while Houston’s pick will likely be late in the first round, it’s still a first-round pick. And Daryl Morey loves second-round picks, so you know he’s smiling getting three of them.
Betting Impact: The Thunder are going to be without Gilgeous-Alexander for a little, so I’m not looking to the Over on their in-season win total or anything. However, Oklahoma City did get a lot better today. McCain is one hell of an offensive player, and the fact that Sam Presti targeted him should scare everyone. I believe this move really aids the Thunder in their quest for back-to-back titles. The oddsmakers seem to agree, making a massive move from +125 to +115 for OKC to win the title. As far as Philadelphia goes, McCain wasn’t playing enough for this to really change anything. The Sixers should be just fine.
Hornets acquire Coby White and Mike Conley Jr. from Bulls as part of multiple transactions that end up with Mason Plumlee in OKC, Collin Sexton, Ousmane Dieng, second-round picks in Chicago
It sounds like Conley could be heading towards a buyout, with the Timberwolves hoping to bring him back — which is legal now that he has been traded again. However, the only thing that really matters here is that White is heading to the Hornets.
The Hornets, who are on a seven-game winning streak and currently sit in 11th in the Eastern Conference standings, are understandably buyers now that they have some of the strongest metrics in the league over the last few months. Those metrics are especially strong on the offensive end, and Charlotte is about to turn things up a notch there. White will probably serve as the sixth man for this Hornets team, but he’s good enough to finish games for them. This is a guy that has knocked down at least 2.5 made 3s per game in each of the last three seasons, averaging at least 18.6 points per game in all three as well. He’s a dangerous 3-point shooter, has improved as a driver, and he has decent size for a guard. It isn’t out of the question that Charlotte head coach Charles Lee will be able to play him with both LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel, making for an outrageous perimeter trio.
For Chicago, Sexton adds to their logjam in the backcourt, but he’s a productive player that can give you good offense and admirable overall tenacity. The Bulls will probably continue to look to move guards now. Dieng is worthy of a flier as a massive wing with some perimeter skills. He didn’t have many opportunities to show out in Oklahoma City, but he should get some chances to develop in Chicago.
Oklahoma City also added some big man depth in Plumlee, who is at least capable of walking and chewing gum for 6-8 minutes a night.
Betting Impact: The Hornets are now -550 to make the Play-In in the Eastern Conference. They’re also down to +140 to make the playoffs. This team now has to be taken very seriously on a nightly basis, and I can’t imagine any top-four team would be thrilled about seeing this group in the postseason. White helps make this explosive offense even tougher to cover.
Warriors finally trade Jonathan Kuminga, moving him and Buddy Hield to the Hawks for Kristaps Porzingis
The Warriors are no longer in on Antetokounmpo — at least until the offseason. They would have needed Kuminga’s salary in order to acquire the Bucks star, so it’s clear they got an indication that they don’t have enough to land him. However, Golden State had to do something, as the front office knows that it can’t afford to sit on the sidelines at the end of Stephen Curry’s career. So, Mike Dunleavy Jr., the GM of the Warriors, went out and traded for Porzingis.
Porzingis is a strong fit for Golden State, as he’s an awesome stretch big that can also provide high-level rim protection. It’s pretty easy to see how he’ll fit with Curry as a pick-and-pop player, and his floor-spacing means that he can play with Draymond Green. Porzingis is also on an expiring contract, so there’s no long-term commitment here. If it works, it works. If not, his salary comes off the books.
The issue with Porzingis is that he’s never really healthy. The 30-year-old has had his share of injuries over the years, and he’s now dealing with a unique illness that has bothered him for two years now. It’ll now be up to the Golden State training staff to try and find a way to keep him on the floor.
The move was at least a low-risk one for the Warriors. Steve Kerr had no interest in playing Kuminga, and Hield was a very small part of the rotation. Golden State will be just fine at guard, so the team really didn’t lose much of anything.
As far as the Hawks go, I don’t blame them for swinging on Kuminga. There’s no denying the talent is there, and he has a team option after this year. Quin Snyder can see if he can find a way to make it work. If it doesn’t, the Hawks don’t have to commit any further. However, Kerr is a really bright coach. If he couldn’t find minutes for Kuminga with Golden State needing talent, I’m not sure Snyder will find it any easier.
Hield gives Atlanta another shooter and depth piece, but the Hawks really don’t need more one-note offensive players.
Betting Impact: Acquiring Porzingis isn’t acquiring Giannis, but the Warriors added a good two-way contributor. If they can keep him healthy, he should make Golden State a much better team. However, that “if” is a big one. I won’t personally be making any major adjustments to the way I view Golden State long term, as I don’t view the Warriors as a contender in the West. Though it’s entirely possible they’ll be a better team to back on a nightly basis. Meanwhile, the Hawks likely aren’t any better or worse from this. Though Onyeka Okongwu player props could be profitable moving forward. He does quite well without Porzingis eating into his minutes.
Timberwolves acquire Ayo Dosunmu from Bulls, shipping out Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and four second-round picks
The Timberwolves were linked to Giannis and Coby White, but they ultimately came up short in their pursuit of the Greek Freak. They also opted not to acquire White, who was sent to the Hornets. Well, Minnesota knew help was needed in the backcourt. So, while Mike Conley is seemingly on his way back to the Timberwolves, Tim Connelly decided to grab Dosunmu.
Shipping Dillingham out, along with four picks, probably stings for Minnesota fans. The Timberwolves really cut into their asset pool to draft him two years ago, but it didn’t work out and Connelly cut bait. Good on him. Many organizations would have kept him around and forced the situation, but Connelly knows he doesn’t have time for that.
In Dosunmu, Minnesota now has a good replacement for Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who was signed-and-traded to Atlanta in the offseason. Dosunmu is a good perimeter defender, capable of guarding up a few spots. He’s also a decent playmaker and has improved his jumper. He should be able to play next to Anthony Edwards, while also serving as the leader of some bench units.
This isn’t the sexiest acquisition for the Timberwolves, but they now have the depth they had a year ago — and they have it with a much better version of Edwards leading the pack.
For the Bulls, this is yet another re-draft acquisition. Chicago is going to see what Dillingham can do. Once considered a high-level offensive prospect, Dillingham was never really given the opportunity to play through mistakes for a Western Conference contender. With the Bulls, he should have more chances to do so. It’s a worthwhile gamble for this front office, and getting some picks doesn’t hurt either.
Betting Impact: The Bulls are going to be a team to fade moving forward. They’re going to spend the rest of this year evaluating who can be a part of the next decent Chicago team. However, Minnesota is back in the mix in the Western Conference. I already viewed the Timberwolves as a fringe contender a few weeks back, but getting Dosunmu makes this a better basketball team. As previously mentioned, Chris Finch will now have somebody he can use the way he used Alexander-Walker last season. That means this team is very similar to the one he had last year, which reached the Western Conference Finals. However, Edwards is a much better player than he was a year ago.
Lakers trade Gabe Vincent and a second-round pick to the Hawks for Luke Kennard
I don’t want to spend too much time on this one, as it’s a low-impact deal. However, I don’t want to completely skip it because a low impact is still an impact. Vincent wasn’t giving the Lakers strong minutes — and was a major disappointment after coming over from the Heat. That said, Rob Pelinka chose to go out and turn him into a contributor.
Kennard is a legitimate sniper from deep, having shot at least 43.3% from deep in seven consecutive seasons. He’s a dangerous catch-and-shoot guy who should mesh well with guys like Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic, and LeBron James. Kennard is also capable of running some offense, and he has a little more off-the-dribble juice than people think. The issue is that he’s yet another weak defensive player, and those are scattered all throughout this LA rotation.
For the Hawks, this was about creating a trade exception ($11 million) and grabbing a pick. I can’t really see Vincent providing much of anything for Atlanta, as he has been absolutely terrible since leaving Erik Spoelstra’s Island of Relevancy.
Betting Impact: Kennard should give the Lakers a little something, as he has proven to be a reliable rotation piece throughout his career. I just don’t think this is the type of acquisition that moves the needle for this LA team. The Lakers are already pretty damn good offensively, but they’re miserable on the other end of the floor. This doesn’t change that. If anything, it makes it more drastic.
Knicks trade Dalen Terry and two second-round picks for Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado
This is another deal that doesn’t need too much analysis, but it’s good work from the Knicks front office. Deuce McBride could miss the rest of the season as he recovers from hernia surgery, so New York needed a backup guard that can bring some of his on-ball tenacity. Alvarado is an absolute pest at the point of attack. He’s also shooting 36.3% from 3 this season and he’s a solid playmaker. He’s a good depth piece for Mike Brown to have.
Betting Impact: This move doesn’t really have a long-term impact on the Knicks, but it allows them to be the same team through the end of the season. Losing McBride might have been a blow until the playoffs.
Clippers acquire Ivica Zubac in trade that sends out Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks, and one second-round pick
The Pacers let Myles Turner walk last offseason, as he was borderline unplayable in the NBA Finals. Turner is still a very good shooter at the center spot, but he has lost a step defensively. That made it hard for Indiana to stomach paying him, especially with Tyrese Haliburton out for the year. However, with a big-time rim protector and play-finisher unexpectedly on the market, the Pacers front office decided to push some chips in. Zubac will now be the starting center in Indiana, and the Pacers look the part of a potential NBA champion again.
As long as Haliburton doesn’t suffer any setbacks in his recovery from a torn Achilles, the Pacers will have one of the most complete starting fives in basketball next year. Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, and Zubac make up a wildly balanced group, and Rick Carlisle should be able to squeeze every bit of potential out of it.
Zubac is very different than Turner, as he’s not a floor-spacer in any way, shape, or form. However, he’s a good finisher, an elite rebounder, and a solid passer. If there’s nothing easy for him at the rim, he’ll quickly get the ball to somebody that can make plays. And defensively, Zubac is as good as it gets when it comes to individual post defense, he’s awesome at getting vertical and altering shots at the rim, and he’s capable of stepping out and holding his own on the perimeter. He’ll be the defensive anchor that Turner wasn’t.
This is also a sharp move for the Clippers. The Pacers 2026 first-round pick that they acquired is protected 1-4 and 10-30. That said, if Indiana lands in one of the draft’s most coveted spots, the team will keep that pick. However, LA gets it anywhere from 5-9, and it’s not impossible that the pick will land there. If the pick doesn’t get to the Clippers this year, it becomes a 2031 unprotected first. LA also got a 2029 unprotected pick from Indiana. That’s two valuable assets when talking about picks. Mathurin is also a wildly talented scorer, so the Clippers can see how he looks next to Darius Garland before deciding on an extension this summer. I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of him playing his way into a future in LA.
Betting Impact: This is a deal that helps both teams, but both are better off in the future. For now, we’ll probably see Indiana sit Zubac rather often, as tanking becomes more important for the group. Meanwhile, Los Angeles just lost one of the better two-way centers in the league, so there’s no arguing the Clippers are a better team today than they were last week. I’m actually stunned the team held onto Kawhi Leonard, as it genuinely feels like there’s no reason for him to be part of this franchise. By the way, Oklahoma City is another winner here. The Thunder have control of the Clippers pick, which could end up being a lottery selection.
Bucks keep Giannis Antetokounmpo; GM Jon Horst wants to take one more crack at building contender around him
Some of the trades made earlier in the day hinted that Milwaukee wasn’t seriously entertaining the idea of moving Antetokounmpo. Then, a little bit closer to the actual deadline, some of the big NBA newsbreakers started reporting that the Bucks will be keeping their guy.
Milwaukee could look to revisit Giannis trade talks this summer, when teams will be armed with more draft picks — and more squads look to get involved after disappointing exits in the playoffs. However, as of right now, it certainly seems like Giannis prefers to stay with the Bucks, but he wants Horst to put a winner around him.
For quite some time, I’ve been saying that Milwaukee might not be as far away as people think. This team has seen some players, like Ryan Rollins, step up and prove themselves this year. The Bucks should also have a solid pick in a loaded NBA Draft. They can either use that to grab a high-level prospect, or they can deal the pick to bring in immediate help. Overall, Milwaukee has a few picks to go out and bring in some starters this summer, and I’d keep a close eye on somebody like Trey Murphy III here. He feels like the guy that could help this Bucks group get back in the mix in the Eastern Conference, and he seems to be pretty available.
For now, it’s nice to put this story to bed. Even if it’s just a pause until the end of the year, it’ll be refreshing to just enjoy Giannis while he’s on the floor.
Betting Impact: Giannis seems pretty set on playing again this season, so him staying actually does have a betting impact. I think the in-season Over on 31.5 wins is a play, and I’m also taking Milwaukee at +750 to make the Play-In and sprinkling 25-1 to make the playoffs. You’re really telling me this team can’t win 12 more games to end the season, which puts them at 32 wins? And if the Bucks end up passing the Hawks or Bulls, you’d rule out the possibility of Giannis leading the Bucks to back-to-back wins and booking a spot in the field?
