The NBA trade deadline has officially come and gone. Before 3:00 PM ET on Thursday, the market made far bigger deals than experts expected, as multi-time All-Stars and future Hall of Famers like Trae Young, James Harden, Anthony Davis and Jaren Jackson Jr. now find themselves on new teams.
However, the biggest name before the NBA trade deadline, Giannis Antetokounmpo, will remain in Milwaukee for a few more months and wait to find a new home this summer. With all that in mind, we're breaking down the biggest winners and losers after the 2026 trade deadline.
Loser: Giannis Antetokounmpo
After months of speculation, Antetokounmpo finally told the Bucks last week that he is ready for a divorce. However, after receiving offers from interested suitors, the organization decided that they were not in love with any trade package and will now wait until after the NBA Draft Lottery to revisit the idea.
Now the two-time MVP will have to wait a few more months, potentially face a loss and endure an even longer trade battle in the offseason.
Winner: Washington Wizards
While most will scoff at the idea of a surprise trade by the Washington Wizards for Anthony Davis and Trae Young, the move is a smart piece of long-term thinking. Neither will make him relevant this season. However, he will play a bigger role next season as he will work with a good young core to get the Wizards back to the playoffs for the second time this decade.
Additionally, a pair of veteran stars could also be in play with a high-potential prospect Washington landing with a top-three pick in June. When considering the long-term outlook, the Wizards had a very good NBA trade deadline.
Loser: Golden State Warriors
Just a few days ago, the Golden State Warriors were being seen as a serious contender for Antetokounmpo. Unfortunately, a day before the deadline, reports revealed that the talks had failed. To make matters worse, the goal of re-signing Jonathan Kuminga in the offseason was to use him in a trade that clearly makes him better. Instead, they sent him to the Atlanta Hawks in the deal for Kristaps Porzingis.
Golden State was looking to make moves to improve the roster for the playoffs after Jimmy Butler suffered a torn ACL last month. Although they are a better team today, this is a team that will have to work hard before getting bounced early in the playoffs this spring.
Winner: Indiana Pacers
It's a lost season for the Indiana Pacers. However, before the NBA trade deadline, the team was finally looking for a suitable replacement after losing Myles Turner in the offseason. They did so just before 3:00 PM ET when they acquired Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac.
While they had to give up two first-round picks and a second in the deal, they get a legitimate top 10 center to pair with Pascal Siakam and the returning Tyrese Haliburton next season.
Loser and Winner:Milwaukee Bucks
It's been a tragic year for the Bucks, and the Antetokounmpo trade sweepstakes has made it even more dramatic. This has put a dark cloud over an already disappointing season, making it look like we'll see the playoffs from home this spring. Plus, they will have to deal with an unhappy superstar who is expected to eventually move in the summer.
However, they probably made the right move by not pushing for a deal before the NBA trade deadline. They need to get huge returns in the potential business. If the draft waits until there are more contenders and better offers come in, then it is the right decision. That is why after the deadline they are both winners and losers.
Winner: Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics have been one of the big pleasant surprises in the NBA this season, and if they improve at the center position they have a chance to be a hidden horse in the East playoffs even without Jayson Tatum. They did so this week with a very nice move for veteran center Nikola Vucevic. While he is only a mercenary, they didn't give up much to get him and got significantly better in the deal.
Loser: Minnesota Timberwolves
Along with the Warriors, the Minnesota Timberwolves were reportedly very aggressive in exploring an Antetokounmpo trade. Unfortunately, they lacked the trade assets to convince Milwaukee to make a deal. They were also linked to a Ja Morant trade for several weeks, which would have cost much less, but he also was not moved before the deadline.
To have a real chance in the West, Wolves needed to make a move to land a big-impact piece. Instead, they will move forward with a group that will struggle to avoid playoff play this spring.
Winners and Losers: Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been disappointing this season after having the best record in the East last year. The team needed to change things up, and they did so when they swapped Darius Garland for James Harden. This step makes them better.
However, after being forced to move away from another team, the Cavs get a player with a questionable reputation for wins and a history of falling short in the playoffs. Although they are better now, they may not go as far as they thought in the spring.
Loser and Winner: Atlanta Hawks
This season, the Hawks realized they had a new franchise star in Jalen Johnson. This made it much more possible to pursue Trae Young. However, in the deal, they only got CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert back. But, in a surprise deal that sent Porzingis to Golden State, they acquired high upside forward Jonathan Kuminga and sharpshooter Buddy Hield.
While they allowed Young's value to sink to a career low and didn't get as much value in a trade as they did a year ago, they added an interesting young piece in Kuminga who could be a good partner for Johnson throughout the rest of this season and into 2026-27.
Loser and Winner: Memphis Grizzlies
A few years ago, it seemed like the Memphis Grizzlies had built a team that could be a contender in the West in the near future. However, they are now fully engaged in a rebuild after trading Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz this week. They also failed in their attempt to trade disappointing star Ja Morant. Overall, this will be seen by fans as a disappointing turn that could lead to some difficult years ahead.
However, on the positive side of things, Memphis now has a glut of future first-round picks to rebuild after trading Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane this summer. Although this will be sad for fans, they are poised to be another contender in the years to come.
Winner: Yes Morant
Speaking of Morant, he's a big winner after the NBA trade deadline. Despite making every effort to get out of town, he didn't really want to go into business. Now he has a few months to prove that he deserves to stay and be the guy that the organization looks to when they use all those first-rounders to build around them.
Winner: Utah Jazz
There were rumors over the summer that the Utah Jazz owners wanted the front office to use the trade assets they acquired to eventually add talent rather than move them. They did so this week in a completely unexpected trade for Jaren Jackson Jr.
If they can re-sign Walker Kessler this offseason, which they plan to work hard for, they have a very strong core for next season, including center Jackson Jr. and current stars Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George.
#biggest #winners #losers #NBA #trade #deadline #including #Wizards #Warriors #Giannis
