The 2026 NBA trade deadline has officially passed, leaving a trail of earth-shattering moves that have completely reshaped the league's landscape. In a frantic finish on February 5, the Washington Wizards shocked the basketball world by landing superstar Anthony Davis, while the Cleveland Cavaliers pushed their chips to the center of the table by acquiring former MVP James Harden. While these massive blockbusters headlined the day, the Milwaukee Bucks stood firm, retaining Giannis Antetokounmpo despite intense speculation. From championship contenders bolstering their rosters to rebuilding teams stockpiling assets, this deadline will be remembered as one of the most chaotic in NBA history.

Anthony Davis Heads to D.C. in Massive Shakeup

In the day's most stunning development, the Washington Wizards acquired nine-time All-Star Anthony Davis from the Dallas Mavericks. The deal pairs Davis with Trae Young, giving the Wizards arguably the most potent inside-out duo in the Eastern Conference. To complete the trade, Washington sent a package centered around Khris Middleton, young prospects AJ Johnson and Marvin Bagley III, along with five draft picks—including two future first-rounders—to Dallas. The Mavericks also sent D'Angelo Russell and Jaden Hardy to the nation's capital.

For Dallas, this move signals a drastic pivot. Just a year after acquiring Davis to pair with Luka Dončić, the experiment has been dismantled. The Mavericks, looking to recoup assets and clear salary, also rerouted Malaki Branham (acquired in the Davis deal) to the Charlotte Hornets to bring in veteran point guard Tyus Jones, attempting to salvage a functional rotation for the remainder of the season.

James Harden Joins Cavaliers to Form New Superteam

The Cleveland Cavaliers made their championship ambitions crystal clear by trading for James Harden. In a bold swap with the Los Angeles Clippers, the Cavs sent former All-Star guard Darius Garland and a 2026 second-round pick to Los Angeles. This trade creates a dynamic and potentially explosive backcourt pairing of Harden and Donovan Mitchell.

At 36 years old, Harden is playing some of his most efficient basketball in years, and Cleveland is banking on his elite playmaking to unlock their offense for a deep playoff run. The Clippers, meanwhile, appear to be pivoting toward a soft rebuild, moving on from the Harden era to acquire a younger cornerstone in Garland, who they hope can rediscover his All-Star form on the West Coast.

Giannis Stays Put: "I'm Not Leaving"

Despite weeks of feverish rumors linking him to the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Miami Heat, Giannis Antetokounmpo is not going anywhere. The Milwaukee Bucks refused to entertain offers for their franchise icon, and Antetokounmpo himself silenced the noise minutes after the 3 p.m. deadline passed. In a legendary social media moment, he posted the famous "Wolf of Wall Street" clip declaring, "I'm not leaving," effectively ending the speculation—at least until the offseason.

Warriors Pivot to Porzingis

Missed out on Giannis, the Golden State Warriors didn't stay quiet. They quickly pivoted to Plan B, executing a trade with the Atlanta Hawks to acquire center Kristaps Porzingis. The Warriors sent Jonathan Kuminga and sharpshooter Buddy Hield to Atlanta. This move gives Golden State the floor-spacing rim protector they've coveted, while the Hawks add a high-upside young forward in Kuminga to their rebuilding core.

Winners and Losers of the 2026 Trade Deadline

Winner: Oklahoma City Thunder
The rich got richer. The Thunder, already a powerhouse, acquired sharpshooting guard Jared McCain from the Philadelphia 76ers. In exchange, OKC sent a 2026 first-round pick (via Houston) and three second-rounders. McCain brings elite spacing to an already deadly Thunder offense, and GM Sam Presti managed to add him without sacrificing any core rotation players.

Loser: Dallas Mavericks
The return for Anthony Davis feels underwhelming given the price they paid to get him just last year. While retrieving two first-round picks helps replenish their cupboard, trading a superstar of Davis's caliber for a package headlined by an aging Khris Middleton and rotation pieces is a tough pill to swallow for a team that was supposed to be contending for titles.

Winner: Boston Celtics
The defending champions addressed their biggest need—frontcourt depth—by swapping guard Anfernee Simons for Nikola Vucevic from the Chicago Bulls. Vucevic gives them a proven veteran scorer and rebounder who can stretch the floor, perfectly complementing their five-out system as they gear up for another title defense.

Winner: Utah Jazz
In a surprise blockbuster, the Jazz landed Defensive Player of the Year candidate Jaren Jackson Jr. from the Memphis Grizzlies. While the cost was high in draft capital, pairing Jackson Jr. with their young core accelerates their timeline significantly, giving them a legitimate defensive anchor for the next decade.