Last year’s NBA trade deadline was a snooze compared to this year because of the utter chaos we’ve seen in the past few days.
The basketball world was shocked when the Lakers and Mavericks completed a blockbuster trade that saw Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis switch places. Despite the obvious deficiencies in their current roster, many believe that the Purple and Gold pulled off a major heist over Dallas.
The Lakers are not the only ones who made a big swing, as the Kings, Spurs, Warriors, Bucks, and Cavaliers also made moves to improve their rosters (and NBA 2025 odds) before the deadline passed. However, not everyone will come out of the deadline satisfied, as certain teams stood pat and didn’t do anything.
Who were the biggest winners and losers of the trade deadline? Continue reading below as SBOTOP shares its verdict.
Winner: Lakers
The Lakers are one of the obvious winners on this list because they have secured their franchise star for the next decade in 25-year-old Luka Doncic. In the three-team deal with the Mavericks and Jazz, the Lakers also received Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris. The Mavericks received Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick, and the Jazz acquired Jalen Hood-Schifino and two 2025 second-round picks.
Doncic comes to Hollywood motivated in the aftermath of the trade, as the Mavericks were more than willing to move him despite leading the team to a rare Finals appearance last season. The five-time NBA All-Star made his Lakers debut in a double-digit win over the Jazz, notching 14 points, five rebounds, and four assists on 5-for-14 shooting from the field. It was his first game back since he sustained a strained calf last Christmas.
After trading for Doncic, the Lakers addressed their glaring need at the frontcourt by taking Mark Williams from the Hornets in exchange for Dalton Knecht and several draft picks. However, the trade was rescinded as Williams failed his physical. Fans are disappointed that the deal with Charlotte did not push through, but given Williams’ injury history, Los Angeles may have dodged a bullet. For now, the Lakers will ride with Jaxson Hayes as their starting center.
Loser: Mavericks
After making it to the Finals last season, the Mavericks feel they have a short championship window, so they’re going all-in. The team wanted to improve their overall defence, hence they went after Anthony Davis and Max Christie.
Davis is far from a scrub, and Christie is a promising young player, but many argue the Mavericks could’ve gotten a bigger haul from a Luka Doncic deal. It is rumoured that Dallas’ front office were unwilling to give Doncic a supermax extension next summer because of his fitness and commitment issues.
AD made his Mavericks debut against the Rockets last Saturday and put up 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks on 10-for-18 shooting from the field in 31 minutes but left the match with a lower-body injury. Davis will reportedly miss the next few weeks due to a strained groin.
Christie, on the other hand, is thriving with his new team, averaging 17.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists on 51.2-per cent shooting from the field in his first four appearances wearing the white and blue.
Winner: Spurs
The Spurs have been looking for a guard to pair with Victor Wembanyama, and they got one in De’Aaron Fox. San Antonio acquired Fox (and Jordan McLaughlin) via a three-team deal with Sacramento and Chicago. The Kings took Zach LaVine, Cidy Sissoko, and six draft picks, and the Bulls got Zach Collins, Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter, and a 2025 first-round pick.
Fox and Wembanyama are bound to create numerous NBA 2025 highlights with the former’s speed and ball handling and the latter’s length and athleticism. In his first four games with the Spurs, Fox averaged 21.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 8.5 assists, and 2.3 steals on 46.9-per cent shooting from the field.
Loser: Suns
The Suns have been a hot mess this season and were looking for a way out. They were one of the top suitors for Jimmy Butler, but they couldn’t strike a deal with the Heat, who were unwilling to take on Bradley Beal’s mammoth contract. Instead, Butler has joined forces with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green in Golden State.
Phoenix only managed to get rid of Jusuf Nurkic and their 2026 first-round pick in exchange for Vasilije Micic, Cody Martin, and a 2026 second-rounder. And to make matters worse, the Suns irked Kevin Durant after they reportedly dangled him in trade talks.
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