The 2026 NBA Trade Deadline is today, February 5th. Which title contender will strike? What happens to Giannis Antetokounmpo? ran summarizes the most important things in the ticker.
The trade deadline is approaching in the NBA. The teams are still allowed to trade players until February 5th at 9 p.m. German time, after which the exchange window is closed and only free agents are allowed to be signed.
There was a lot of movement in the run-up to the deadline. Interesting from a German perspective: Dennis Schröder was traded from the Sacramento Kings to the Cleveland Cavaliers. There he meets former MVP James Harden, whom the Cavs signed from the LA Clippers.
ran collects the most important NBA news about trades and rumors in the ticker.
+++ 6:15 p.m.: Decision about Giannis Antetokounmpo has been made +++
Giannis Antetokounmpo is staying with the Milwaukee Bucks this season. The franchise will not trade its superstar until the offseason at the earliest. This is reported by ESPN.
Bleacher Report even reports that the Bucks never really considered trading the Greek before the trade deadline. It’s unclear whether that means the 31-year-old will stay in Wisconsin beyond this season.
Antetokounmpo, who is currently injured, is still one of the top 5 players in the NBA. The “Greek Freak” still averages 28 points, ten rebounds and 5.6 assists per game.
He’s still good enough to lead a title contender as a top star. The Bucks will have nothing to do with the Larry O’Brien Trophy this season: The team from Wisconsin is currently only in 12th place and is in danger of missing the play-ins themselves.
Giannis has repeatedly emphasized that he would like to spend his entire career in Milwaukee – assuming he can at least compete for titles there. According to US media reports, Bucks officials are dreaming of a Mavericks scenario: missing the playoffs and then winning the draft lottery to convince Antetokounmpo to stay with top talent.
If this dream falls through, the Bucks can still count on significantly better offers in the summer. After the end of the current season, teams can trade more future draft picks and expiring contracts no longer burden the payroll. This means more financial flexibility under the salary cap and therefore more potential interested parties.
+++ 10:30 a.m.: Only two teams left in trade poker for Antetokounmpo +++
With the Warriors’ trade for Porzingis (see previous entry), it should be clear that Giannis Antetokounmpo is not moving to Golden State – at least before the trade deadline.
If you believe the reports from NBA insider Shams Charania in the last few days, there are only two teams left in the running for a Giannis trade today: the Miami Heat and the Minnesota Timberwolves – both teams were already the Greek’s favorites.
However, there is apparently skepticism within the league as to whether the Bucks will even trade their franchise player before the deadline. Many teams have more tradeable picks after the season. If Milwaukee wants to wait that long, the summer offers could be much more lucrative.
+++ February 5th, 6:05 a.m.: Golden State Warriors trade Kuminga for Porzingis +++
The Jonathan Kuminga trade posse with the Golden State Warriors is over. He goes to the Atlanta Hawks together with Buddy Hield. In return, Kristaps Porzingis will join Steph Curry’s team. The former Dallas Maverick won the championship with the Boston Celtics in 2024.
Kuminga extended his contract with the Golden State Warriors in the offseason. Nevertheless, there were rumblings among the Californians. The number 7 pick from the 2021 draft was dissatisfied with his role and his lack of playing time – and is said to have recently even demanded a trade. Now he gets his fresh start in Atlanta.
February 4th, 7:45 p.m.: Top prize in the Doncic trade – Mavericks send away Anthony Davis
Almost exactly a year after the Luka Doncic trade, the Dallas Mavericks parted ways with Anthony Davis. The ex-Lakers forward was considered the centerpiece of the package that moved from LA to Texas. Davis now joins the Washington Wizards. He will be accompanied by his Mavs teammates D’Angelo Russell, Dante Exum and Jaden Hardy, all of whom will play in the US capital in the future.
In return, the Mavs will receive two first-round picks and three second-round picks: 2026 first-round pick (Oklahoma City Thunder), 2030 first-round pick (Golden State Warriors, protected), second-round picks 2026 (Phoenix), 2027 (Chicago) and 2029 (Houston). Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham and Marvin Bagley III are also moving to Dallas.
Davis’ brief interlude in Dallas was marred by injuries. In total, the 32-year-old only played 29 games in a Mavericks jersey. The positive thing about it: Without Doncic and with the rarely available Davis, the Mavs missed the playoffs in 2025 – and hit the jackpot in the draft lottery with number 1 pick Cooper Flagg.
