The 2025 NBA trade deadline has officially come and gone, altering everything in its path over the past week.
Here’s an overview that tries to make sense of it. But fair warning, if you’re a Dallas Mavericks fan looking to understand the Luka Dončić trade … our sympathies. It still doesn’t make sense, and perhaps we all need to just accept that it never will.
Atlanta Hawks: B-
Key additions: Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, Terance Mann and Bones Hyland
Key losses: Bogdan Bogdanović and De’Andre Hunter
After years of so-so play, De’Andre Hunter finally figured it out, playing inarguably the best ball of his career this season … only to get deal at the deadline?
Sure, he’s just had a rough January, hitting just 39% of his shots, but come on. Something clearly clicked for him this season, and instead of hanging onto him, or at least waiting to shop him in the summer, the Hawks decided now was apparently the time to pivot off him.
It’s a gamble for the Hawks, who have no control of their own first-round pick this year — or the following two.
They did make up for it a little bit by sending the Clippers veteran shooter Bogdanović, who’s looked out of sorts all year, and securing two first-round swaps in 2026 and 2028 from Cleveland, as well as numerous seconds.
Still, the Hunter loss stings, and Atlanta’s direction looks both confusing and unclear.
Boston Celtics: A+ for ownership, F for fans
The Celtics made a cost-cutting trade, shipping out Jaden Springer and saving themselves on the tax bill.
Fans shouldn’t care about their favorite team saving money, however, and since the Celtics gave up two second-rounders for one — which was the cost of getting off the contract — they’re by definition worse off long term.
Charlotte Hornets: B+
Key additions: Jusuf Nurkić and Dalton Knecht
Key losses: Mark Williams, Cody Martin and Vasilije Micić
The Hornets shuffled around some pieces and picked up multiple picks in the process. Knecht could be a long-term player for them, but Nurkić was a clear salary dump on behalf of Phoenix, and it’s unlikely Charlotte will devote its future to him.
Overall, the Hornets understood the market and squeezed when they needed to. That’s solid business.
Chicago Bulls: F
Key additions: Zach Collins, Tre Jones and Kevin Huerter
Key loss: Zach LaVine
After getting fleeced by the Spurs and Kings in the three-team De’Aaron Fox-Zach LaVine trade, the Bulls had to do something Thursday to improve their situation.
Instead, they did nothing, which worsens their D- grade from the LaVine deal a few days ago. They didn’t ship out Nikola Vučević or Lonzo Ball (and instead extended Ball!) and allowed Coby White to stick around when his value is clearly about to heavily diminish due to his contractual situation.
The Bulls continue their awful trend of simply not understanding what type of business they’re in.
Cleveland Cavaliers: A+
Key addition: De’Andre Hunter
Key losses: Caris LeVert, Georges Niang
The Cavs, as they should, acted as buyers and got an agile and offensively explosive 6-foot- wing who will help strengthen their chances against the Boston Celtics in the playoffs.
They paid up for it, forking over two first-round swaps and several seconds, but that’s the cost of doing business for a contender, and this looks like it very well could be worth it.
Dallas Mavericks: C-
Key additions: Anthony Davis, Max Christie and Caleb Martin
Key losses: Luka Dončić, and Quentin Grimes
Look. Many will give the Mavs an F here, and that’s fair. What happened just under a week ago remains absolutely wild and entirely inexplicable.
However, it’s just impossible to give out an F when they got Davis, no matter how illogical, confusing and outright weird the whole thing was.
The Grimes loss also hurts and makes little sense, which just raises the question: What the hell even is the plan in Dallas?
Detroit Pistons: A
Key addition: Dennis Schröder
Key losses: None
The Pistons used their cap space to absorb deals, gain a few extra picks and ultimately land on Dennis Schröder as an addition for the rest of the year, strengthening the point guard spot.
That’s just rock solid. They knew how to leverage their own situation to improve their long-term outlook. Strong job by Detroit.
Golden State Warriors: B+
Key addition: Jimmy Butler
Key losses: Dennis Schröder, Kyle Anderson
The Warriors paid up, signing Butler to an immediate extension of $111 million over two years, prolonging the team’s competitiveness for a few years.
Butler’s age aligns well with the timeline of both Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, so this could in many ways be viewed as a respectful way to send off Curry while keeping the team relevant.
Houston Rockets: A
The Rockets took on the contract of Jaden Springer, whom they later waived, and earned a second-rounder for their troubles.
Small piece of business but solid execution.
Indiana Pacers: B
The Pacers moved off James Wiseman by sending him to Toronto along with cash. This frees up a much-needed roster spot, which the Pacers can use on a healthy player. Wiseman is out for the year due to an Achilles tear.
Los Angeles Clippers: C
Key addition: Bogdan Bogdanović
Key losses: Terance Mann, Bones Hyland and PJ Tucker
The Clippers shuffled around some pieces, moving off older players and, well, getting a new older player.
The organization is hoping Bogdanović is revitalized in California, as the Serbian shooting guard does…
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