Grading Every Blockbuster Deal Of The 2025 February Deadline
Feb 4, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic poses for photos with general manager Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images. The 2025 NBA Trade Deadline delivered a whirlwind of blockbuster deals, with massive names like Luka Doncic, Anthony Davis, Jimmy Butler, De’Aaron Fox, and Brandon Ingram switching teams. The NBA landscape has dramatically shifted, and we have a grade for every blockbuster trade before the deadline.
Lakers Shock The World With A Luka Doncic Trade
Los Angeles Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka introduces guard Luka Doncic at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images.
Full Trade Details:
- Lakers Receive: Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris
- Mavericks Receive: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 LAL 1st
- Jazz Receive: Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 Clippers 2nd, 2025 Mavericks 2nd
Grades
- Lakers: A+ – The Lakers pulled off a franchise-altering move by landing Luka Doncic, a top-tier player who pairs perfectly with LeBron James. The move bolsters both their present and future, although trading Anthony Davis hurts defensively.
- Mavericks: C+ – Dallas traded Luka Doncic to build around Anthony Davis, but his injury history makes this move a gamble. A 2029 first-round pick is valuable, but it doesn’t compensate for losing a generational talent.
- Jazz: B – Utah added promising guard Jalen Hood-Schifino and draft picks, strengthening their rebuild without giving up much.
Jimmy Butler Sweepstakes Is Over: Joins Stephen Curry And The Warriors 
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler warms up before the game against the Denver Nuggets at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images.
Full Trade Details:
- Warriors Receive: Jimmy Butler
- Pistons Receive: Dennis Schroder, Lindy Waters III, 2027 Second-Round Pick, Dallas’ 2031 Second-Round Pick
- Heat Receive: Kyle Anderson, Davion Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins, 2025 First-Round Pick (Top-10 Protected)
- 76ers Receive: $8 million traded player exception
- Raptors Receive: P.J. Tucker, 2026 Second-Round Pick
- Jazz Receive: K.J. Martin, Josh Richardson, 2028 Second-Round Pick, 2031 Second-Round Pick
Grades
- Warriors: B+ – Golden State added Jimmy Butler, giving Stephen Curry a defensive star and secondary playmaker, although he doesn’t perfectly fit their system.
- Heat: C+ – Miami settled for a less-than-ideal return for Butler, but the future looks brighter with Wiggins and the pick.
- Pistons: B – Detroit acquired veterans and picks, making a smart move in their rebuilding phase.
De’Aaron Fox Gets His Wish: Lands In San Antonio As Zach LaVine Heads To Sacramento
San Antonio Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox in action against the Atlanta Hawks. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images.
Full Trade Details:
- Spurs Receive: De’Aaron Fox, Jordan McLaughlin
- Kings Receive: Zach LaVine, Sidy Cissoko, 3 First-Round Picks, 3 Second-Round Picks
- Bulls Receive: Zach Collins, Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter, 2025 Pick
Grades
- Spurs: A – San Antonio adds a star in De’Aaron Fox, fitting perfectly with their young core around Victor Wembanyama.
- Kings: B – Sacramento traded Fox for LaVine and a bundle of picks, a smart move for the long term.
- Bulls: C – Chicago could have gotten more for LaVine, but this marks a step toward rebuilding.
Brandon Ingram Heads To Toronto In A Surprising Deal
Toronto Raptors Receive: Brandon Ingram
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Bruce Brown Jr., Kelly Olynyk, 2026 1st-Round Pick, 2031 2nd-Round Pick
Grades
- Raptors: A – Toronto lands an All-Star-caliber player in Ingram, strengthening their playoff push.
- Pelicans: B – New Orleans opts for depth and picks rather than replacing Ingram’s talent, but it starts their rebuild.
Bucks Ruthlessly Move Khris Middleton For Kyle Kuzma
Full Trade Details:
- Bucks Receive: Kyle Kuzma, Patrick Baldwin Jr., 2025 Second-Round Pick
- Wizards Receive: Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, 2028 First-Round Pick Swap
Grades
- Bucks: B+ – Milwaukee adds Kuzma, a versatile player to pair with Giannis and Dame, strengthening their win-now push.
- Wizards: C+ – Washington takes a chance on Middleton’s return to form but lacks significant draft capital.
Cavaliers’ Depth Chart Looks Dominant After De’Andre Hunter Trade
Full Trade Details:
- Cavaliers Receive: De’Andre Hunter
- Hawks Receive: Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, 2026 1st-Round Swap, 2028 1st-Round Swap
Grades
- Cavaliers: A – Cleveland strengthens their defense and shooting with Hunter, bolstering their playoff contention.
- Hawks: B- – Atlanta gets picks but loses a key forward in Hunter, signaling a shift toward a rebuild.
Mark Williams Becomes Lakers’ New Starting Center
Full Trade Details:
- Lakers Receive: Mark Williams
- Hornets Receive: Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, 2030 1st-Round Pick, 2031 1st-Round Pick
Grades
- Lakers: B- – Los Angeles acquires a much-needed center, but the sacrifice of draft picks may hurt in the long run.
- Hornets: B+ – Charlotte gets valuable picks and a solid return for their young center.
Clippers Win A Trade With The Hawks For Bogdan Bogdanovic
Full Trade Details:
- Clippers Receive: Bogdan Bogdanovic, 2025 2nd-Round Pick
- Hawks Receive: Terance Mann, Bones Hyland
Grades
- Clippers: B+ – LA adds shooting with Bogdanovic and gets three second-round picks, boosting their roster for a title push.
- Hawks: C – Atlanta trades a valuable player for young talent but doesn’t improve significantly.
Suns Finally Move Jusuf Nurkic For A Package Headlined By Cody Martin
Full Trade Details:
- Hornets Receive: Jusuf Nurkic, 2026 First-Round Pick
- Suns Receive: Cody Martin, Vasilije Micic, 2026 Second-Round Pick
Grades
- Suns: B – Phoenix addresses depth concerns but the trade isn’t flashy.
- Hornets: B – Charlotte adds a first-round pick, though Nurkic’s injury history raises concerns.
Kings Continue Roster Shake-Up With Jonas Valanciunas
Full Trade Details:
- Kings Receive: Jonas Valanciunas
- Wizards Receive: Sidy Cissoko, 2028 2nd-Round Pick, 2029 2nd-Round Pick
Grades
- Kings: B+ – Sacramento adds Valanciunas, strengthening their interior game for the playoffs.
- Wizards: B – Washington stocks up on assets and moves a player who didn’t fit their rebuilding plans.
