The NBA trade deadline is finally over and almost every team made moves.
63 players, including many of this year’s superstars, were traded in this year’s historic trade deadline.
Some teams went all in on players to push towards a Larry O’Brien and many set themselves up with a brighter and younger future.
The Mavericks – Anthony Davis
Dallas fans have held protests during Mavericks games and outside of American Airlines Center ever since sending Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick. Maverick’s fans aimed their negativity towards Dallas Mavericks General Manager, Nico Harrison, so much that Harrison hired a private security team for his escorts and house.
Despite all this hate toward the Mavericks’ management team, Anthony Davis had a dominant debut in their win against the Houston Rockets last Saturday. Davis left the game early with an abductor strain and is set to miss multiple weeks. Davis scored 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks.
The Lakers – Luka Doncic
Fox Sports ranks the Luka Doncic trade as the biggest trade deadline move of all time. The Los Angeles Lakers secured themselves a legitimate superstar in Luka Doncic, who scored 14 points in only 24 minutes in their win against the Utah Jazz. Lakers fans sold out Crypto.com Arena and celebrated Doncic’s debut by giving each fan a purple and gold Doncic jersey shirt. “I was a little bit nervous before,” Doncic said. “I don’t remember the last time I was nervous before the game. But once I stepped on the court, it was fun. And just being out there again felt amazing.”
The Lakers look to become legitimate contenders after being in “no man’s land” for most of the season. They are currently 8-2 in their last 10 games and sitting contently at 5 seed in the Western Conference. Doncic adds superstar power alongside Lebron James in hopes of making a push toward the Lakers’ 18th championship.
The Kings – Zach Lavine, Jonas Valančiūnas
The Kings didn’t have much leverage, considering Fox’s recent comments and looming free agency. Fox was set to enter free agency this following offseason and took to social media to say San Antonio would be an “ideal” landing spot.
The Kings ended up making two very huge trades that shook up their entire starting lineup and made Domantis Sabonis the “captain of the ship”.
Fox was sent to the San Antonio Spurs in a three-team trade for Zach LaVine, Sidy Cissoko, and three first- and second-round picks. The Kings ultimately used those second-round picks to trade for a legitimate backup center, Jonas Valančiūnas, in exchange for forward Sidy Cissoko and two second-round picks.
LaVine scored 13 points in his debut during the team’s loss to the Orlando Magic, despite going 0-for-4 from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Valančiūnas has established himself as a strong defensive presence and an elite backup big man behind Domantas Sabonis. The Kings have been actively searching for defensive reinforcements, as they currently allow the sixth-most points in the league.
Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine (8) drives past New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III, left, to the basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Forest) (AP)This changes the Kings lineup completely as they look towards being contenders. After the King’s biggest offseason in recent memory, adding star power small forward Demar Derozan to their starting lineup, Zach Lavine looks to replace superstar Deaaron Fox.
The Warriors – Jimmy Butler
Rumors of this trade had been happening for months, especially after multiple suspensions with the Heat. Butler was suspended indefinitely after walking out of practice where staff told him he would be coming off the bench.
Butler missed 15 of his last 20 games with the Heat making the obvious impression that Butler wanted out. The Golden State Warriors acquired Butler and two second-round picks, sending over Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, and a
first-round pick. The Warriors are currently sitting in 10th place and looking to contend by adding weapons around Steph Curry.
Warriors teammate Draymond Green described Jimmy Butler as a “franchise changer”. Green wasn’t kidding, in his first four games, Butler has pushed the Warriors to have the 4th best defensive rating while averaging 21.3 points.
The Spurs – De’Aaron Fox
The Spurs have given rising star Victor Wembenyama the keys to the castle and more. After adding Chris Paul in the offseason and rookie of the year frontrunner Stephon Castle, The Spurs traded for De’Aaron Fox, coming off arguably his best season yet. Fox’s stats took a slight dip as expected. Fox played for the Sacramento Kings his entire seven-year NBA career.
Fox had a strong debut with a 24-point double-double in a win against the Atlanta Hawks last Wednesday. Even with the addition of Fox, the Spurs have struggled to mesh together, losing seven of their last 10 games. The Spurs currently don’t qualify for the NBA play-in going into the All-Star weekend.
The trade left a sting on Kings fans as days after the trade, Fox seemingly unfollowed all his former teammates. Fox took to social media after a fan asked why he unfollowed all his teammates, “I don’t care to see it, why’s that your problem?” The Kings play the Spurs on March 4.
