Major Trades — Graded
The Knicks finally got their star in a franchise-altering move, sending Julius Randle, three first-round picks (2026, 2028, 2030), and two pick swaps to Cleveland for Mitchell. The 29-year-old guard agreed to a max extension with New York immediately. For the Cavaliers, the rebuild begins with a war chest of draft capital — and Randle who can still play at a high level.
- Donovan Mitchell → NYK
- Julius Randle → CLE
- 3× First-Round Picks → CLE
- 2× Pick Swaps → CLE
Boston added the versatile forward for Payton Pritchard and two second-round picks. Kuzma, who revitalized his career in Washington as a primary option, now slots into a complementary role as a floor-spacer and switchable defender on a championship roster. Low-cost depth acquisition for a contender.
- Kyle Kuzma → BOS
- Payton Pritchard → WAS
- 2026 Second → WAS
- 2028 Second → WAS
After two rocky seasons post-extension, Golden State finally moved Poole's $128M deal, getting Miles Bridges and a 2027 first-round pick. Bridges gives the Warriors an athletic wing to pair with Curry, while Charlotte gets a proven scorer to build around in a rebuild situation.
- Jordan Poole → CHA
- Miles Bridges → GSW
- 2027 First (top-10 protected) → GSW
Denver addressed wing depth by acquiring O'Neale from a Phoenix team in full teardown mode. The Nuggets sent a 2027 second-round pick to secure the veteran 3-and-D wing. Sensible playoff depth addition for a Jokić-led contender.
- Royce O'Neale → DEN
- 2027 Second-Round Pick → PHX
- Cash Considerations → PHX
In one of the most stunning roster moves of the year, Draymond Green agreed to a buyout with Golden State and immediately signed with New York on a veteran minimum deal. Green brings four championship rings, elite playmaking, and leadership to a Knicks team that suddenly looks like a legitimate Finals contender.
- Green waived/bought out by GSW
- Signed NYK — veteran minimum (~$3.3M)
- GSW absorbs remaining salary
Top Free Agent Signings
| Player | From | To | Contract | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Jaylen Brown | Boston Celtics | Boston Celtics | $304M / 5yr | Supermax |
Karl-Anthony Towns | New York Knicks | New York Knicks | $220M / 4yr | Max |
Bam Adebayo | Miami Heat | Miami Heat | $195M / 4yr | Max |
Isaiah Hartenstein | New York Knicks | Oklahoma City Thunder | $87M / 3yr | MLE+ |
Khris Middleton | Milwaukee Bucks | LA Clippers | $42M / 2yr | MLE |
Malik Beasley | Milwaukee Bucks | Dallas Mavericks | $28M / 2yr | MLE |
Alex Caruso | Oklahoma City Thunder | Chicago Bulls | $78M / 4yr | MLE+ |
NBA Trade Rules Explained
The Trade Deadline
The NBA Trade Deadline falls on the first Thursday of February each year. After this date, no trades can be completed until the following off-season. Teams use the deadline to either go "all-in" by acquiring stars, or "sell" by trading veterans for future draft picks and rebuilding assets.
Salary Matching Requirements
NBA trades must match salaries within specific rules. For teams above the luxury tax, outgoing salary must be within 110% + $100,000 of incoming salary. This is why trades often involve multiple players, picks, and "salary filler" — teams must balance the books on every transaction.
The Buyout Market
After the trade deadline, veterans on large contracts can negotiate a "buyout" — the team pays them a portion of their remaining salary and waives them, making them free agents. Buyout players typically join contenders on minimum contracts. The buyout market has become a crucial tool for playoff teams seeking proven veterans without cap space.
No-Trade Clauses (NTC)
Players with 8+ years of NBA experience and at least 4 years with their current team can negotiate a full NTC, meaning they must approve any trade. A partial NTC lets a player submit a list of teams they cannot be traded to. NTCs give stars more leverage but can complicate front office strategy when teams want to rebuild around younger players.