Reviewing the biggest trades in the 2025 NBA trade deadline
By DIEGO CERNA — sports@theaggie.org
The National Basketball Association (NBA) trade deadline has officially come and gone after a very hectic period. The growing rumors of players wanting out and teams needing change brought some of the most shocking and exciting news to NBA teams and fans.
On Jan. 31, NBA news reporter Shams Charania reported that the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers combined in a three-way trade. The trade sent superstar point guard Luka Dončić, forward Maxi Kleber and forward Marcus Morris Sr. to the Lakers in exchange for star power-forward Anthony Davis, guard Max Christie and a first-round pick to the Mavericks.
This came as a shock to everyone in the sports world, and for good reason.
Dončić is a generational talent — drafted in 2018, Dončić has been transformative to the Mavericks organization. He’s led them to their first playoffs since 2016, their first conference finals since 2013 and their first NBA Finals since Dirk Nowitzki — who led them to a championship in 2011, falling to the Boston Celtics in five games this past 2024 season.
“We think defense wins championships,” Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison said in a press conference with Head Coach Jason Kidd. “We feel like we’re built to win now as well in the future”.
Fans, however, might say otherwise. Crowds showed up at the Mavericks’ American Airlines Arena the day after the trade to cope with the departure of their beloved fan favorite. Viral videos on social media have shown fans placing memorabilia such as jerseys and other merchandise of Dončić outside of the arena.
Many speculate that the Mavericks traded Dončić because they did not want to extend his eligibility for a super-max contract, which would have been $346.3 million over the next five years. Another reason may have been Dončić’s workout conditioning, as he currently has an injured calf.
“When we win, I feel like the frustration will go away,” Harrison said.
Still, many label this trade as one of the most unexpected trades in NBA history.
For the Lakers, they have shifted the dynamic of their team completely. By pairing Dončić with forward Lebron James and also acquiring center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for rookie forward Dalton Knecht and a first-round pick to replace Davis, they have not only a strong team for the season but also young players to build around in the future.
Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka has received criticism for his inability to make moves in the past, but this trade deadline has shown major progression throughout his time with the Lakers.
Shams reported another major trade that occurred on Feb. 5. In a massive five-team trade, the Golden State Warriors acquired Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler in exchange for Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins, forward Kyle Anderson, guard Dennis Schröder and a first-round pick.
Currently the 10th seed in the Western Conference, Warriors General Manager Mike Dunleavy has made it clear that they are “all in” to maximizing 36-year-old superstar point guard Stephen Curry’s time left in the league. One other concern experts have is the price the Warriors signed Butler for, as they signed the 35-year-old to a $121 million contract over the next two years, making him one of the highest-paid players in the league.
After two finals appearances in four years, things seemed to end in a stalemate between Butler and Heat General Manager Pat Riley after Butler publicly requested a trade. Suspended for seven games because of his protest of participating in team activities, Riley decided to deal Butler away and end his saga with the Heat.
On Feb. 2, the San Antonio Spurs made headlines with their blockbuster trade to acquire Sacramento Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox to pair alongside global phenom center Victor Wembanyama. In a three-team trade, the Spurs acquired Fox, the Kings acquired Chicago Bulls’ star guard Zach LaVine and Spurs guard Sidy Cissoko, three first-round picks and three second-round picks. The Bulls received Kings guard Kevin Heurter, Spurs center Zach Collins and Spurs guard Tre Jones.
After the Kings fired former Head Coach Mike Brown earlier this year due to the team’s early struggles, rumors were speculating that Fox would be traded after being with the team since 2018. In return, the Kings will pair LaVine with his former Bulls teammate DeMar DeRozan, who both made a playoff appearance together in 2022.
There’s no doubt that this has been one of the most interesting NBA trade deadlines in recent league history. With multiple all-stars being dealt, rumors manifesting to be true and surprising trades, the NBA landscape has dramatically shifted for years to come.
By (Diego Cerna) — sports@theaggie.org
