Breaking Down and Grading the Top NBA Trade Deadline Trades

Washington Wizards receive: Anthony Davis (pictured), Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, Dante Exum
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Khris Middleton (pictured), AJ Johnson, Tyus Jones, Marvin Bagley III, 2026 first-round pick (via OKC), 2030 first-round pick (via Golden State), 3 future second-round picks
Grade for Wizards: B+
Grade for Mavericks: D+
The big Luka trade to the Lakers happened last season where they got Anthony Davis, and many Mavericks fans hated this. They fired Nico Harrison who did the trade and now they maybe made a worse trade. The Mavs traded Anthony Davis for Khris Middleton; there were other parts of the trade but nothing else important, just more reasons to show that the Mavs made a bad decision. Once you hear that they got 5 picks you might think it can’t be that bad, but the first pick they got this year is a first round pick, but it’s for the former champions the Oklahoma City Thunder. The next pick they got is from Golden State who isn’t the best right now, but the pick is all the way in 2030, so they’re about to be scouting middle schoolers for that pick. Then they got thrown three useless second-round picks which are chump change. The Wizards now have a good looking team that has a chance of making a playoff run if everyone stays healthy, but they probably won’t.

Utah Jazz receive: Jaren Jackson Jr. (pictured), Jock Landale, John Konchar, Vince Williams Jr.
Memphis Grizzlies receive: Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks Georges Niang, 3 future first-round picks
Grade for Grizzlies: A
Grade for Jazz: B+
This trade works phenomenally for both teams, although it is heartbreaking to see one of the last players of the 2021-22 Grizzlies team get traded, Memphis made the right move. Being able to trade the duo of Bane and Jaren for a total of 7 first-round draft picks gives them an easy high grade. The Jazz were able to add one of the best defenders in the league while keeping all of their core players, making it obvious that they're going for a ring soon.

Chicago Bulls receive: Anfernee Simons (pictured), future second-round pick
Boston Celtics receive: Nikola Vučević (pictured), future second-round pick
Grade for Bulls: C-
Grade for Celtics: B+
Although Simons is a talented young guard, this trade left Chicago without a true center. It feels like the Bulls are purposely tanking to get a better draft pick. It is sad how they were so quick to give up their core 4 in 2 years, for no first-round draft picks. The Celtics acquired a very solid backup Center in Nikola Vučević, while only swapping second-round picks and trading their backup PG.

LA Clippers receive: Darius Garland 2026 second-round pick
Cleveland Cavs receive: James Harden (pictured)
Grade for Clippers: A+
Grade for Cavs: B
It was sad seeing the big 4 torn apart in Cleveland. The Cavs lost a young Darius Garland in his prime, drafted to Cleveland in 2019 calling it his second home. The Clippers now have more youth in their aging lineup helping them go for a spot in the playoffs, but they lost the 36 year old James Harden. James Harden the 11 time All-Star is actually performing very well his first couple games in Cleveland, but they aren’t getting many years out of him so they’re clearly trying to go for the championship in these next couple years.

Atlanta Hawks receive: Jonathan Kuminga (pictured) and Buddy Hield
Golden State Warriors receive: Kristaps Porziņģis
Grade for Hawks: A
Grade for Warriors: A
This trade is great for both teams and it appeals to both teams needs. The Warriors were in need of a good center so they received the champion Kristaps Porziņģis and gave up two good offensive weapons in Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield who could help replace Trae Young's elite offense.

Oklahoma City Thunder receive: Jared McCain (pictured)
Philadelphia 76ers receive: 2026 first-round pick, 2027 second-round draft pick, Two 2028 second-round draft picks
Grade for Thunder: A+
Grade for 76ers: C+
For the Thunder, they acquired one of the best young PGs, for something not super valuable. McCain has now gone to a city that will appreciate and utilize his abilities, better than Philadelphia. Although the 76ers got a first-round and 3 second-round picks, I still feel they just gave up on the future of their team. With the Thunder being the overall 1 seed right now, their pick will be far from the lottery, and realistically from 25-30 depending on playoffs.

Indiana Pacers receive: Ivica Zubac, Kobe Brown (both pictured)
LA Clippers receive: Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, 2026 first-round pick 1-4 protection (via Indiana), 2029 first-round pick (via Indiana), 2028 second-round pick (via Indiana)
Grade for Pacers: C-
Grade for Clippers: A
The big reason I say the Clippers won on this trade, is because they just got the 1st round pick from the worst ranked team in the NBA. Acquiring the pick that can either get them pick 5-10 or a different future 1st round pick, will be huge for this aging franchise that also just added 2 young players that may be able to have good pairings with the newly acquired Darius Garland.

Chicago Bulls receive: Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, 2026 second-round pick (swap worst), 2027 second-round pick (via Cleveland), 2031 second-round pick (swap best), 2032 second-round pick (swap best)
Minnesota Timberwolves receive: Ayo Dosumnu (pictured), Julian Phillips
Grade for TimberWolves: A
Grade for Bulls: F
Although they got a bunch of second-round picks along with a couple players, the Bulls shouldn't have traded Ayo for relatively nothing they need. They have way too many guards now and just got another unnecessary one for one of their best remaining players. It’s unfortunate to see Ayo go and now the new core of Chicago is gone.

Charlotte Hornets receive: Coby White (pictured), Mike Conley Jr.
Chicago Bulls receive: Collin Sexton, Ousmane Dieng, 3 second-round picks (‘29, ‘31, ‘31)
Grade for Hornets: A
Grade for Bulls: C+
Another guard for the Bulls, while also giving up their Best player in Coby White. They definitely could have received a first-round pick for Coby rather than 3 second-rounds which they have way too many of now. It's very sad to see the fall off of Chicago this trade deadline, hopefully they’d be able to possibly acquire a star this offseason with the very open cap space they have. Hopefully this addition of Coby White will boost the Hornets to have the playoff run they’ve been fighting for.

Utah Jazz receive: Lonzo Ball (pictured), 2 future second-round picks
Cleveland Cavaliers receive: Nothing
Atlanta Hawks receive: Jock Landale
Grade for Cavaliers: F-
Grade for Jazz: B
Grade for Hawks: A+
Cleveland acquired Lonzo last season by trading away one of their young assets in Issac Okoro and this season they traded away Lonzo for nothing and lost 2 second-round picks. The Cavs getting literally nothing from a trade especially trading from a good 6th man to nothing is heartbreaking to see for the Cavs. Hopefully they have a greater plan for this trade, maybe even get ready for Lebron James’ return? Utah received Lonzo Ball and 2 second round picks and gave up Jock Landale. Utah swaps one okay player for another and receives 2 second-round picks, and Atlanta receives Jock Landale and gives up nothing.

Cleveland Cavaliers receive: Dennis Schröeder, Keon Ellis, Emmanuel Miller
Chicago Bulls Receive: Dario Šarić, 2 second-round picks (‘27, ‘29)
Sacramento Kings receive: De’Andre Hunter (pictured)
Grade for Cavaliers: C-
Grade for Bulls: B+
Grade for Kings: A
De’andre Hunter’s time in Cleveland was ephemeral, and he made a great impact to help the Cavs have a winning season. Sadly, he was gone without even being there for a full year. Hunter played a pivotal role in Cleveland but we all knew he sadly wouldn't last, now everyone is expecting Lebron James to be signed to Cleveland this offseason.

Washington Wizards receive: Trae Young (pictured)
Atlanta Hawks receive: CJ McCollum, Corey Kispert
Grade for Wizards: A
Grade for Hawks: C
While this isn’t necessarily a deadline trade it was very impactful to the Wizards at the deadline. Trae Young personally asked for a trade to the Wizards, so maybe he knew that he would be getting another all-star teammate in Anthony Davis. This makes the Wizards a good team which they haven’t been in a while. The Atlanta Hawks didn’t receive too much back from their star so they definitely got the worse end of the trade and might need to consider rebuilding.