The NBA trade deadline is one of the most exciting times for basketball fans. Every year, as teams make an assessment of how their season is shaping up, they take a gamble on their future by making moves with other teams. While most are minor-scale moves, typically, fans are treated to at least one league-shaking move every season.
However, teams have a certain time limit during the season to make these moves. It’s titled the NBA trade deadline, and here’s everything you need to know about it.
When Is the NBA Trade Deadline?
Typically, the NBA trade deadline comes around right around the All-Star break. Usually taking place just before it, it’s the final time that teams can make moves to change their roster, at least until the season comes to a close.
This season, the official trade deadline occurs on Feb. 6, 3 p.m. ET. Until then, teams can continue to negotiate deals for players and draft compensation. All moves notified and approved by the league itself will be considered official once the clock strikes three.
Can Teams Add Players After the NBA Trade Deadline?
While the trade deadline is the final night for teams to make adjustments via trade, it doesn’t completely remove their freedom to alter the roster. Throughout the buyout and waiver market and for other free agents, teams can still offer deals to join their squads.
For example, the Los Angeles Lakers in recent years have picked up names like Darren Collison and others to add to their depth.
Top 5 Moves That Have Already Happened This Week
So far, the NBA world has been busy with some major scale moves. The five biggest, in no particular order, are as follows:
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Washington Wizards Receive: Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, and a 2028 first-round pick swap (from Bucks)
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Kyle Kuzma, Patrick Baldwin Jr., Jericho Sims, and a 2025 second-round selection (from Wizards)
New York Knicks Receive: Delon Wright, the draft rights to Hugo Besson, and cash considerations -
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Bruce Brown Jr., Kelly Olynyk, Indiana’s 2026 first-round pick (top-four protection through 2027), 2031 second-round pick
Toronto Raptors Receive: Brandon Ingram -
Detroit Pistons Receive: Josh Richardson, Lindy Waters III
Golden State Warriors Receive: Jimmy Butler (signing two-year, $111 million extension)
Miami Heat Receive: Kyle Anderson, P.J. Tucker, Andrew Wiggins, Golden State’s 2025 first-round (top-10 protection through 2027)
Utah Jazz Receive: Dennis Schröder, 2031 second-round pick (less favorable of Miami and Indiana, via Miami) -
Chicago Bulls Receive: Zach Collins, Kevin Huerter, Tre Jones, 2025 first-round pick (their own, via San Antonio)
Sacramento Kings Receive: Sidy Cissoko, Zach LaVine, Charlotte’s 2025 first-round pick (lottery protection; turns into 2026 and 2027 seconds if not conveyed), Chicago’s 2025 second-round pick, San Antonio’s 2027 first-round pick, Denver’s 2028 second-round pick (top-33 protection, via San Antonio), 2028 second-round pick (its own, via Chicago), Minnesota’s 2031 first-round pick (via San Antonio)
San Antonio Spurs Receive: De’Aaron Fox, Jordan McLaughlin - Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 first-round pick (unprotected)
Utah Jazz Receive: Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 second-round pick (Lakers), 2025 second-round pick (Clippers)
