Is it safe to say that this might have been the craziest NBA trade deadline…ever? We all heard the Butler drama and the Ingram contract debacle, but most NBA fans were not ready for what was to lay out. As Pelican guard CJ McCollum hilariously posted, “Gotta pack them bags just in case now a days . If the Don got traded only lord knows.”
From new superstar duos to possible account hacking, here are the rundowns for the biggest moves of the 2024-2025 trade deadline.
Ingram off to Toronto- did the Pelicans get robbed?
Raptors receive: Brandon Ingram (F)
Pelicans receive: Bruce Brown (G-F), Kelly Olynk (F-C), 2026 first-round pick, second-round pick
The injury-plagued Pelicans have finally made their move, eyeing a new direction away from the Ingram-Zion duo. Ingram’s on-ball requirements proved to be incompatible with Zion’s offensive utility, but should this have been the trade that executed this departure? The return is a bit weak in my eyes, given the heavy protections on the first-round pick. But this should be the step in the right direction if the team does plan building around Zion long term. If he can get his steps on court and get in appropriate game time with Murphy, McCollum, Jones, and Alvarado, the Pelicans could be a solid team in the coming years despite what their current record of 12-39 implies.
The Raptors have won six of their last ten games, which sounds great on paper until you realize that they’re still the 13th seed in the East. I must admit…it might be too early to judge from this perspective. Toronto has definitely had big names on their rosters like the OG Anunobys and Pascal Siakams of the world. I need to see general manager Masai Ujiri either make further moves or to give a hint as to the team’s overall future direction. Ingram is a high-volume scorer who can boost any team, but the looming contract next summer and the team’s status raises many questions.
Butler finally escapes South Beach for the Bay
Warriors receive: Jimmy Butler (F)
Heat receive: Andrew Wiggins (F), Kyle Anderson (F), P.J. Tucker (F), 2025 Warriors protected first-round pick
Pistons receive: Lindy Waters III (F), Josh Richardson (G)
Jazz receive: Dennis Schröder (G)
I have one word: FINALLY! We knew that Butler was packing his bags for one of the twenty-nine other teams, and the Warriors have made the call. I’m very glad this happened, because I could only imagine the heat in the Miami locker room if Butler had to stay any longer (pun intended).
With an aging Steph Curry comes great demand for assistance. The Warriors know that their championship window is on the verge of shutting down and that the dynasty is soon to be over. Butler, despite the beef that he so often gets himself into, is still a remarkable NBA star and a perfect fit next to Steph and Draymond. This eases some nerves in terms of disappointment over Wiggins’s departure. His two year, $121 million extension locks him in for a bit, but keep in mind that Butler is already 35 years old.
We all knew the Heat were going to have to cut ties with Butler. Although this might have been one of the few achievable deals out there, I’m not certain if it is a good one. The Heat secured no young assets, and Wiggins can’t be seen as the “replacement” for Butler. A protected first-rounder will prove to be mid at best depending on Golden State’s trajectory. I guess the real question is this: What did Miami really accomplish besides getting Butler off the roster?
If you want to take away anything from this trade…say goodbye to those ridiculous rumors about a KD-Warriors reunion!
Wemby gets his help, does Chicago always have to be so mid?
Spurs receive: De’Aaron Fox (G), Jordan McLaughlin (G)
Bulls receive: Zach Collins (F-C), Tre Jones (G), Kevin Huerter (G), 2025 first-round pick
Kings receive: Zach LaVine (F-G), Sidy Cissoko (G), 2025 first-round pick, 2027 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick, 2025 second-round pick, 2028 second-round pick, 2028 second-round pick
After “lighting the beam” in the dry ruins of Sacramento, Fox has his wish granted and joins Wembenyama and the Spurs in another blockbuster deal. Zach LaVine reunites with old teammate DeMar DeRozan and brings with him a load of picks. And for the Bulls? They receive a solid point guard in Jones, a respectable shooter in Huerter, and not much else. At least they traded LaVine when he has been showing healthy bursts of offense, so that’s somewhat of a win.
The real spotlight is on De’Aaron Fox and Wemby. Just imagine that pick-and-roll. The mismatches that will be created are perfect for exploitation on the hands of either star. Fox’s clutch-ness also adds to the package; he will be able to fill in the offensive gaps for a growing Wemby who now has a chance to elevate his scoring next to another elite threat.
Bucks take the gamble on Kyle Kuzma
Bucks receive: Kyle Kuzma (F), Patrick Baldwin Jr. (F), Jericho Sims (C), 2025 second-round pick
Wizards receive: Khris Middleton (F), AJ Johnson (F), 2028 first-round pick swap
Knicks receive: Delon Wright (G), cash considerations
Middleton has been a key piece for the Bucks for a long time; he has many franchise records to his name in terms of career 3-pointers, points, minutes, and assists. Milwaukee is hoping that a slightly younger Kuzma (29) will play a similar role as the older Middleton (33) played in their 2021 championship campaign. Kuzma has not been the best in Washington this year, but the Bucks urgently needed a roster upgrade that is now satisfied. The Bucks are currently 5th in the East, one game back from the 4th seeded Pacers who defeated them in last year’s Playoffs. I’m not entirely sure if Kuzma is the answer to dominate in the top-heavy East.
We cannot ignore Middleton’s value either. His game IQ, defense, and shot efficiency will be missed, considering that Kuzma has not yet matured his repertoire to become the same well-rounded wing. Middleton will prove to be a great mentor for the young (and struggling) Wizards who have an abysmal 9-41 record. I would say that the Wizards are not going anywhere anytime soon, so the addition of a veteran in Middleton can’t hurt at all. It’s really difficult to say who won the trade when the status of the teams are polar opposites.
Lakers secure future superstar, Mavericks prioritizing defense?
Lakers receive: Luka Dončić (G), Maxi Kleber (F), Markieff Morris (F-C)
Mavericks receive: Anthony Davis (C-F), Max Christie (G-F), 2029 Lakers first-round pick
Jazz receive: Jalen Hood-Schifino (G), 2025 Clippers second-round pick, 2025 Mavericks second-round pick
After initial thoughts that Shams Charania had his account hacked, we all eventually had to come to terms with this trade’s true meaning.
From the Lakers’ perspective, there is definitely a mixed bag of emotions. Are the Lakers no longer contenders? How does LeBron feel about all of this? The oddest part was the joint agreement between LeBron and AD that the current rendition of the Lakers was just a few pieces away from title contention. AD has consistently demonstrated dedication to the franchise, and the front office was pressured into looking for another center. One critical aspect of this trade will be the Lakers missing AD. We saw him reach success in the Bubble with LeBron, and expected that, with the right pieces, the Lakers could reach similar levels with the right moves. His sheer dominance on the defensive interior will surely be missed. And that’s not to brush over his upsides as an offensive monster–heck, his last game as a Laker was a 42 point, 23 rebound showcase. So the disappointment is definitely there from the Lakers fanbase.
However, there was never an option of saying “no” for general manager Rob Pelinka. Luka, forever known to be an untouchable cornerstone for the Mavericks, was never seen by the league as a trade target. So when the Lakers got an offer from the Mavericks offering this superstar swap, it had to be a yes. Sure, the current fit is questionable with LeBron sharing the same on-ball role, but knowing that LeBron will ride to the sunset sometime within the next two years, having a superstar in Dončić is undeniably great for the franchise.
As for the Mavericks- what just happened? General manager Nico Harrison continuously justifies his decision by citing Luka’s uncooperative tendencies in terms of conditioning, and hopes that the defensive-minded AD will bring the team closer to contention. In Harrison’s mind, defense wins championships.
I know it was a while ago, but…weren’t the Mavericks in the Finals just last season, albeit with Luka carrying the team offensively? Sure, Harrison does highlight defensive concerns with Dončić, but we were able to see team success when he was surrounded by the right defensive pieces- Dereck Lively II and PJ Washington to name a few. They were literally right there as a team. Sure, the Celtics dominated the series, but still…it feels blasphemous to dump a 25 year old superstar, with a remarkable combination of basketball IQ, scoring, and passing, for an almost 32 year old AD who is in his last few years of a prime. Dallas, please prove me wrong.
Now, I’m not saying that the Mavericks are “in the dumps” or such. The duo of AD and Kyrie Irving is almost as perfect as it gets, and they have had a history of discussions about playing alongside one another. They will definitely make their ways up the competitive West bracket in the coming months. But to throw away the long term benefits of Dončić seems excessive.
Zooming out, this is probably the most historic trade in NBA history. The lack of communication from both sides made this trade everso more shocking; both Luka and AD had no intentions to ask out of their respective situations, and LeBron only found out at a family dinner just after the trade happened. To wrap things up, let’s just say…if you did see this trade coming, then you’re a liar. Sorry.
Now, again, these are just the highlights of the deadline and I am no means intending to glance over smaller moves. The Cavaliers upgraded on their wings by frontrunning for DeAndre Hunter, the Kings snuck away with Jonas Valančiūnas, and the Lakers added [and overpaid for] Charlotte’s Mark Williams. With the deadline over, looking back we couldn’t have asked for anything better. It was utmostly entertaining as fans witnessed rumors come to reality.
However, important concerns have emerged. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is calling for the deadline to be pushed to the All-Star break to avoid awkward team dynamics (Warriors players even had to be pulled from warmups on court into the locker room as the Jimmy Butler trade settled). Dennis Schröder complains about the corruptness of the trade business–he himself, after being traded from the Nets this past December, was part of FOUR teams in a span of 24 hours. And while we must recognize what players on the move are going through emotionally, as well as their families and loved ones, I cannot deny the excitement that surrounds this time of year. With so many shifts in the league, fans from teams should be content over what is to come, sparking questions about the future. Unless you’re a Maverick fan, though…then I guess our hearts go out to you.
