The 2026 trade deadline is rapidly approaching on Feb. 5 at 3 p.m. ET, with plenty of high-profile names potentially available in this year’s cycle.
The biggest splash yet came Tuesday evening, with the Los Angeles Clippers reportedly trading James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland and a second-round pick, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
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The Memphis Grizzlies, who have fielded offers for point guard Ja Morant, took the first step toward a significant rebuild on Tuesday by trading Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz in a massive eight-player deal. The Grizzlies also are including John Konchar, Jock Landale and Vince Williams Jr. in the trade to the Jazz in return for Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang and three future first-round picks, according to ESPN.
The Utah Jazz are reportedly trading their most favorable 2027 first-round pick (they also own picks from the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves), the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2027 first-round pick and Phoenix’s 2031 first-round pick to the Grizzlies.
Soon after, the Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls reportedly agreed to a three-team trade that will send Jaden Ivey and Mike Conley Jr. to the Bulls and Kevin Huerter, Dario Šarić and a 2026 first-round protected pick swap from the Timberwolves to the Pistons. With the trade, the Timberwolves will see their luxury tax bill drop from $24 million to $3.8 million, putting them under the first apron.
The Bulls also weren’t done making moves, sending two-time All-Star Nikola Vučević to the Boston Celtics for Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick.
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The Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers also have discussed a trade that would swap James Harden for Darius Garland, Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Iko reported.
Milwaukee Bucks forward and two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo appears to be ready for a new home amid frustrations with the organization’s disappointing season. He’s projected to be out of the lineup for the next 4-6 weeks as he recovers from a calf injury, but will no doubt command a hefty return for the Bucks — and be a game-changing asset for the team that acquires him.
Among the “serious suitors” for Antetokounmpo are the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA insider Shams Charania reports.
Also atop the list of players who could be on the move are Mavericks star Anthony Davis, the Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga, the Nets’ Michael Porter Jr. and the Grizzlies’ Ja Morant. Notably, despite an abysmal season, the New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly informing teams that several players, including Zion Williamson, are off the market.
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[Check out the NBA trade tracker for full details on every move]
The 2025 NBA trade deadline was one for the ages and set expectations high for this year, thanks to the blockbuster trade that sent superstar Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers in a package deal that included Davis. The move sent shockwaves through the league, eventually leading to the Mavs winning the No. 1 pick in the draft lottery, which they used to select then-18-year-old phenom Cooper Flagg.
Time will tell if this year’s deadline can offer just as much excitement.
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest news, rumors and updates ahead of Feb. 5’s NBA trade deadline.
Live29 updates
Tue, February 3, 2026 at 8:11 PM PST
Ben Rohrbach
Every NBA team is looking for big men who can space the floor and protect the rim, and the Boston Celtics found someone who can at least do one of those things: Nikola Vučević.
The Celtics scored Vučević for Anfernee Simons and a second-round draft pick, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The now-former Chicago Bulls center has shot 39.1% on 4.5 3-point attempts per game over the past two seasons. He is also, ugh, the anchor of the NBA’s 24th-rated defense.
How that helps the Celtics remains to be seen. They will add him to a big-man rotation that includes Neemias Queta, Luka Garza and Amari Williams — hardly a powerhouse rotation. It was seen at season’s start as worse than it is has been. Vučević is, at the very least, an upgrade over Garza as a reserve center on the Eastern Conference’s third-place roster.
Tue, February 3, 2026 at 7:54 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
Trading Giannis Antetokounmpo before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline is not an urgency for the Milwaukee Bucks, Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Iko reports.
Several teams, including the Minnesota Timberwolves (who are creating payroll room), Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat are making aggressive offers for the two-time MVP. However, the Bucks may take those offers into the offseason if that’s when the best deal presents itself.
Read more of Iko’s NBA trade deadline buzz here, including the T-Wolves eyeing the Chicago Bulls’ surplus of guards, the team showing the most interest in Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis and what the Houston Rockets are looking for at the deadline.
Tue, February 3, 2026 at 7:01 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
After trading Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, the Memphis Grizzlies are next expected to move Ja Morant, reports Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Iko.
With the Grizzlies now appearing to embrace a full rebuild, rival NBA teams expect general manager Zach Kleiman to lower his asking price for the star guard. Morant’s injury history, which currently includes a sprained UCL in his left elbow, also likely affects Kleiman’s bargaining position.
Morant prefers to stay with Memphis, but has accepted that the team is now moving in a different direction that likely won’t involve him in its future. The Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly two of the teams that have shown interest in Morant.
Tue, February 3, 2026 at 6:02 PM PST
Dan Titus
Harden joins forces with Donovan Mitchell in the Eastern Conference, hoping to make one last quest for a championship and a big payday. Harden probably cares about the bag more than a trophy, but that’s a debate for another day.
Harden’s role as a primary facilitator won’t change with the Cavs. However, we could see him relinquish some ball-handling responsibilities to Mitchell, as the latter is more than capable of initiating offense. Still, with a healthy Evan Mobley (potentially), Jarrett Allen and a far deeper roster, I don’t think Harden’s assist rate will dip much from what we’ve seen this year. Harden should remain a top-15 asset in fantasy across formats, even though the usage may not be in abundance as it was in L.A. The scoring, however, is likely to drop off from 25 per game because he won’t have to take as many shots when the roster is at full strength. Short term, though, he’s getting buckets. Fantasy managers should hold.
Tue, February 3, 2026 at 5:35 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
Despite the Los Angeles Lakers’ recent slide, going 9-7 in January and dropping to the No. 6 spot in the Western Conference, the team has no intention of trading LeBron James, reports ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
James, 41, has a no-trade clause in his contract and thus would have to approve of any deal the Lakers could potentially make. However, he could move to another team next season if he chooses to play. The Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors have been rumored as possible destinations.
In addition to the Lakers’ slump, a Jan. 21 ESPN report detailing a rift between James and Lakers governor (and minority owner) Jeanie Buss fueled speculation that the two sides could move on.
Following the report’s release, James was asked about his rapport with Buss.
“I thought it was good,” he said. “But, you know, somebody could see it another way. There’s always two sides to a coin.”
James was then asked f he hoped to stay with the Lakers for the season, to which he said, “I’m good. I’m good… I’m good.”
Tue, February 3, 2026 at 5:08 PM PST
The Los Angeles Clippers are trading James Harden Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Darius Garland and a second-round pick, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports.
Conjecture of potential trade for Harden gained steam just ahead of the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 5, as Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Iko reported late Monday evening that the Clippers and Cavs were engaged in discussions surrounding the veteran All-Star.
The 36-year-old Harden is in the second year of a two-year, $81.5 million deal he signed last June when he declined to activate the opt-out clause in his contract. Because of the structure of his contract, he could have declined any trade.
Harden does have a $42.3 million player option for 2026-27, but only $13 million of it is guaranteed.
Tue, February 3, 2026 at 3:27 PM PST
With less than 48 hours to go before the NBA trade deadline, teams are going WILD today, as the Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves have connected on a three-way deal.
The details:
Chicago receives: Jaden Ivey and Mike Conley Jr.
Detroit receives: Kevin Huerter, Dario Šarić and a 2026 protected first-round pick swap courtesy of the Wolves.
Minnesota receives: Well, essentially nothing. And that’s the point.
Let’s get into some grades here.
Tue, February 3, 2026 at 12:50 PM PST
Tue, February 3, 2026 at 12:45 PM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
The Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics are officially in the mix ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.
Chicago will reportedly trade center Nikola Vučević and a second-round pick to Boston in exchange for Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday.
Vučević, 35, has been with the Bulls since the 2020-2021 NBA season after being acquired from the Orlando Magic. He’s made 375 starts for the franchise over six seasons and is in the final year of a three-year, $60-million contract extension signed back in 2023.
Simons is in his first season with the Celtics, having been traded from the Portland Trail Blazers in the swap for Jrue Holiday back in July. He’s averaged 14.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game coming off the bench in Boston.
Tue, February 3, 2026 at 12:18 PM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
Tue, February 3, 2026 at 11:53 AM PST
By creating tax savings and roster space, Minnesota positions itself well for a possible trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo before Thursday’s deadline.
Tue, February 3, 2026 at 11:37 AM PST
Tue, February 3, 2026 at 11:27 AM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
The Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons have come to terms on a three-way deal, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday afternoon.
In the deal:
Bulls will receive Jaden Ivey and Mike Conley Jr.
Pistons receive Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric, as well as a 2026 first-round protected pick swap from the Timberwolves
Timberwolves’ luxury tax bill reportedly drops from $24 million to $3.8 million, now under the first apron, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks
Tue, February 3, 2026 at 11:10 AM PST
Tue, February 3, 2026 at 10:47 AM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
The Memphis Grizzlies are trading Jaren Jackson Jr. and three other players to the Utah Jazz for four players and three future first-round draft picks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Jackson, a two-time NBA All-Star and former Defensive Player of the Year, has been with the Grizzlies since they selected him fourth overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, averaging 19.2 points, 5.8 boards and 1.9 assists per game this season. He led the Grizzlies with 30.7 minutes per game this year.
Jackson now heads to the 15-35 Jazz, who sit 13th in the Western Conference, currently allowing a league-high 127.0 points per game.
Read more on this developing news story.
Tue, February 3, 2026 at 9:23 AM PST
Tue, February 3, 2026 at 8:41 AM PST
Criss Partee
Senior NBA Insider Chris Haynes is reporting that the Cavs and Clippers have ramped up their conversations regarding a potential James Harden trade to Cleveland that would send Darius Garland to LA. With the trade deadline on Thursday, Haynes says both sides are motivated to get a deal done soon.
Tue, February 3, 2026 at 8:34 AM PST
Criss Partee
The Cleveland Cavaliers have had talks with the Milwaukee Bucks about Giannis Antetokounmpo, and they’ve also had conversations with the Dallas Mavericks about Anthony Davis, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
Cleveland is looking to take a big swing to compete for a title this season, as they’ve also been linked to Clippers guard James Harden. Windhorst also said the deal for Harden to Cleveland might not actually happen, although it’s close.
Tue, February 3, 2026 at 8:20 AM PST
Morten Stig Jensen
In a surprising twist as Thursday’s NBA trade deadline draws closer, former MVP James Harden is now on the market.
The 36-year-old is averaging 25.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 8.1 assists on the season, and is reportedly looking for a chance to do what he’s yet to achieve in his otherwise illustrious career: win a championship.
While the Cleveland Cavaliers have been thoroughly mentioned as a team that will make a play for his services, the fit appears odd and will likely require relinquishing younger players, which could prove to be a long-term problem if the organization wishes to hang on to Evan Mobley.
Additionally, the Cavs (30-21) simply haven’t played that well this season, which should beg the question: Are they even a realistic bet to make a Finals push with Harden?
In fact, there might be a team that’s further along than the Cavs in that regard — one that’s also looking to make a play for a star before Thursday’s deadline.
That team is the Detroit Pistons.
Read more about why the Pistons make the most sense for the Clippers star.
Mon, February 2, 2026 at 8:27 PM PST
Kelly Iko
In the days leading up to Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, the Los Angeles Clippers have engaged in discussions surrounding veteran guard James Harden — with the Cleveland Cavaliers at the forefront of teams that have recently expressed interest in acquiring the former All-Star — sources told Yahoo Sports.
Harden, 36, has missed the past two games due to personal reasons. The former Arizona State guard was present at his alma mater for a Jan. 31 home game vs. Arizona, the No. 1-ranked collegiate team in the nation. The following day, with the Clippers also in town to take on the Phoenix Suns — a distance of just 10 miles between arenas — Harden was ruled out.