2026 AD (after Davis was traded to Dallas).
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Ja Morant stayed put (for now), other demands finally saw daylight from a Golden State, and the Lakers made a minor move…but look at the major one they made just a calendar and change ago.
The buzzer has rung out on this season’s NBA Trade Deadline.
And AD is on the way yet again. After Luka Dončić was amazingly traded to the Lakers from Dallas, Anthony Davis became a Maverick. His “I’m here” dynamic debut seemed to silence all those critics who called this LA Luka trade the worst in history for the Mavs…until he went out the game with an injury. Davis gets hurt more times than return to sender’s on February 14th.
Now we can only imagine how a team of him, a healthy Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson and number one rookie Cooper Flagg could fly.
Because the big-man is involved in another blockbuster, as AD is now in DC. Traded to the Washington Wizards alongside former Laker teammate D’Angelo Russell, Danté Exum and Jaden Hardy for Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham and Marvin Bagley. The combo of Davis and recently acquired superstar Wizard Trae Young could be a great one for the US capital’s franchise.
Now, the internet is saying Dallas basically traded Luka Dončić for Khris Middleton. But let’s put some respect on that champion’s name.
Out in Hollywood, gossip had the Lakers even trading the King, but they stayed quiet like their man’s arena during the Grammy road trip. They did unload the inconsistent disappointment of Gabe Vincent (still a bucket, though) for the more dependable three-point stroke of sharpshooter Luke Kennard from Atlanta. A guy who’s been on their radar for years. The Lake Show also didn’t deal downtown’s Dalton Knecht (still looking hurt from last year’s trade attempt), or Rui Hachimura, who looks to now find a nice Robert Horry like niche off the bench.
Across town the Clippers gave more big-names strange uniforms than Inglewood’s Inuit Dome will do during next week’s All-star game. Their rival Lakers used to get scorn for trading away their young core, but how about trading Ivica Zubac in his prime? Easily one of the most underrated and a top five center in the league. He will now replace Myles Turner in Indiana and remind the Pacers of those Rik Smits days as Tyrese Haliburton plays Knick killer Reggie Miller.
The Clippers get the dependable Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson in return. And they also picked up star guard Darius Garland from Cleveland, but to get him they finally relinquished to superstar James Harden’s trade demand that now finds him in The Land. This big game, and blockbuster trade, James looks to chase former teammate (twice over) Kevin Durant’s ring of costume changes.
The Clips finally set Chris Paul free, too, as he now comes here to Canada, looking to offer a steady hand to Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram led young Raptors. There’s still some life in the old dinosaur.
Speaking of demands, the Warriors Jonathan Kuminga got his long-awaited wish as he was shipped to Atlanta. But can he be the man now Trae Young’s dice have rolled to DC? In return Golden State becomes the new home for former Boston bigs as they space the floor even more with the north star of Kristaps Porziņģis in the paint.
When it comes to Celtic centers, they just added another one who fits their mould in the Bulls’ Nikola Vučević, but the Celtics had to give up young scorching scorer Anfernee Simons to Chicago to get him.
Chi-town also clinched Mike Conley’s contract with Minnesota, alongside the promise of Jaden Ivey in what looked like the Timberwolves howling for a Buck.
Yet, out west, the wildest move happened in Memphis…without Ja Morant. Remember the revered ‘Grit N Grind’ era? Well, the one that came after that is a memory, too, after all Ja’s friends have been traded. Dillon Brooks, Desmond Bane and now former ‘Defensive Player of the Year’, Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Grizzlies now have more picks than teeth, as for JJJ, he now looks to make music with a Jazz team that are ready to play. Immediately. Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler. The rise of Keyonte George. What could be with rookie Ace Bailey. Utah aren’t tanking anymore. They’re as strong as one.
All eyes are on the buyout market from here on out, where points like Utah’s waived Lonzo Ball, Conley and even CP3 could find a new home to guard.
