The NBA trade deadline 2026 has come and gone, leaving a trail of shattered rosters and redefined championship odds in its wake. In a frantic flurry of activity before the 3:00 PM ET buzzer, the league saw multiple MVPs and All-Stars change zip codes. The headline shocker involves the Washington Wizards acquiring superstar Anthony Davis from the Dallas Mavericks, while the Cleveland Cavaliers pushed their chips to the center of the table by landing James Harden. From the Utah Jazz making a blockbuster pivot to the Golden State Warriors adding size, the 2026 NBA season trades have officially reshaped the basketball landscape.

Blockbuster: Anthony Davis Traded to Washington Wizards

In the day's most stunning development, the Washington Wizards have acquired Anthony Davis from the Dallas Mavericks. The deal, which involves eight players and multiple draft picks, marks a sudden end to Davis's short and tumultuous tenure in Dallas. Just over a year after the Mavericks shocked the world by trading Luka Dončić to Los Angeles for Davis, they have pivoted again, sending the big man to D.C. to pair with Trae Young, who arrived in Washington earlier in January.

Trade Details:

  • Wizards Receive: Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D'Angelo Russell, Dante Exum
  • Mavericks Receive: Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, 2026 first-round pick (via OKC), 2030 first-round pick (via GSW, protected), and three second-round picks.

For the Wizards, this is a clear signal that the rebuild is over. Pairing Davis with Young creates one of the most potent inside-out duos in the Eastern Conference. For Dallas, the move appears to be a financial reset and a concession that the Davis experiment failed to launch the post-Luka era they envisioned. By clearing Davis's massive salary, the Mavericks are effectively handing the keys to rookie sensation Cooper Flagg.

James Harden Lands in Cleveland: A New King in the East?

The James Harden Cavaliers trade is the other seismic shift rocking the Eastern Conference. The Cleveland Cavaliers, sensing a wide-open window to the NBA Finals, traded fan-favorite guard Darius Garland and a 2026 second-round pick to the Los Angeles Clippers for the 36-year-old former MVP.

Harden, who is in the midst of his highest-scoring season in six years, brings elite playmaking and veteran savvy to a Cavaliers squad led by Donovan Mitchell. Reports indicate that Harden and Mitchell have already connected and are "excited" about the partnership. The Clippers, meanwhile, pivot to a younger timeline with the acquisition of the 26-year-old Garland, looking to retool rather than rebuild.

Vucevic to Boston: Celtics Bolster Frontcourt

The defending champions didn't stay quiet. The Boston Celtics acquired center Nikola Vučević from the Chicago Bulls to shore up their frontline depth. In exchange, Boston sent Anfernee Simons—who they had acquired in a previous transaction—and a 2027 second-round pick to Chicago. Vučević adds a new dimension to the Celtics' offense with his post scoring and rebounding, addressing a specific need for size as they gear up for another playoff run.

Utah Jazz Go All-In: Jaren Jackson Jr. Blockbuster

Perhaps the most aggressive buyer of the deadline was the Utah Jazz. In a move that surprised NBA rumors live trackers, Utah acquired former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. from the Memphis Grizzlies. The Jazz sent a massive package including Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang, and three first-round picks to Memphis.

This trade signifies the official end of the Grizzlies' "Grit and Grind 2.0" era and the conclusion of the Ja Morant-Jaren Jackson Jr. partnership. For Utah, adding Jackson Jr. to a core that already features Lauri Markkanen creates a terrifying defensive frontcourt and signals that the Jazz are done with the lottery and ready to compete for home-court advantage in the playoffs.

Warriors and Hawks Swap Stars: Porziņģis to the Bay

The Golden State Warriors made a significant splash to maximize Stephen Curry's championship window, acquiring Kristaps Porziņģis from the Atlanta Hawks. In return, the Warriors finally parted ways with Jonathan Kuminga, sending the young forward along with Buddy Hield to Atlanta.

Porziņģis gives the Warriors the floor-spacing rim protector they have long coveted. His ability to shoot from deep fits seamlessly into Steve Kerr's system, potentially unlocking a new version of the "Death Lineup." For the Hawks, acquiring Kuminga gives them a high-upside athletic wing to pair with their retooling roster.

Other Notable Moves in the NBA Trade Tracker

The deadline flurry included several other intriguing moves that could impact the playoff race:

  • Lonzo Ball to Utah: The Jazz also acquired Lonzo Ball in a salary-dump move from Cleveland, though reports suggest he may be waived or flipped again.
  • Chris Paul to Toronto: The veteran point guard was shipped to the Toronto Raptors, though he is not expected to report to the team.
  • Jared McCain to OKC: The Thunder added another young guard to their war chest, acquiring rookie Jared McCain from the 76ers for draft capital.

As the dust settles on the NBA trade deadline 2026, the balance of power has shifted dramatically. The East looks like a bloodbath with a supercharged Wizards and Cavaliers joining the fray, while the West sees the Jazz and Warriors loading up to challenge the elite. The next few months of the 2026 NBA season trades fallout will be fascinating to watch.