The NBA trading deadline has come and gone, so now it’s all about sorting through the implications of what it all means.
To be clear: this was a peculiar deadline, one that perhaps lacked the massive, where-were-you-when deal like last year’s Luka Dončić trade. But it was marked by the looming presence of the potential availability of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time Most Valuable Player, who ultimately remained with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Advertisement
Paired with Ja Morant remaining on the Memphis Grizzlies, this perhaps is setting the stage for what could be a very busy summer.
Here are the winners and losers from the 2026 NBA trading deadline:
WINNERS
Milwaukee Bucks
Overwhelmingly, the Bucks are the biggest winners here, and it’s because they didn’t give in to external pressure and they exercised patience. This isn’t to say that Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t eventually be traded. That may still come in the summer. But it became clear early on that Milwaukee had no obligation to trade Antetokounmpo before the deadline, especially because suitors will have more draft capital and financial flexibility to improve their offers during the summer.
Advertisement
But there’s still a pathway for the Bucks to convince Antetokounmpo to stay. His public comments have been nothing but positive about the Milwaukee community and he has expressed a desire to win in the city. These are all signs that Antetokounmpo’s loyalty may win the day and get him to commit to the long-term future of the franchise. Now, the Bucks have work to do.
1 / 8
Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors’ Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center.
1 / 8
Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors’ Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center.
2 / 8
Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 26: The Washington Wizards’ Cam Whitmore dunks the ball against…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nba-trade-deadline-winners-losers-233449388.html
Author :
Publish date : 2026-02-05 23:34:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
NBA News NBA News, Match Reports and Updates
