NBA News NBA News, Match Reports and Updates
Every team had an objective they were trying to accomplish heading into the 2026 NBA trade deadline. Some wanted to bolster the rotation for the playoff run, others wanted to cut their luxury tax bill, and then there were teams like the Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, and Indiana Pacers who made bold moves in an attempt to take a leap up the standings next year.
While we didn’t get a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, there were some big names and highly impactful players on the move: Anthony Davis, Trae Young, James Harden, Darius Garland, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Ivica Zubac were the headliners, and that’s only a fraction of the players who actually changed teams.
Advertisement
We’ve already graded every notable trade and handed out our winners and losers from the deadline. Now, let’s zoom out and take a simple look at who got better and who got worse. Given the nature of some of these deals, I’ve also included teams who improved for next year in the ‘got better’ section.
Teams that got better at the trade deadline
Cleveland Cavaliers
James Harden for Darius Garland is a true trade deadline stunner that no one would have suggested a week ago. Harden is 10 years older than the point guard he’s replacing, but he’s also more durable historically and healthier currently. The Cavs just didn’t think they could count on Garland for the playoffs with his lingering big toe injury, and apparently it was so discouraging that they thought JAMES HARDEN would be more reliable in the postseason. Harden wasn’t the Cavs’ only pickup: Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder also came over from the Kings — and not to be a hater, but losing De’Andre Hunter in that deal might be addition by subtraction. I’m fascinated to see the new-look Cavs.
Advertisement
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder needed a shooter, and they found a young one on a cost-controlled contract in Jared McCain. McCain looked like arguably the best player in the rookie class a year ago, but multiple injuries and the arrival of V.J. Edgecombe made him expendable in Philadelphia this season. That, or Sixers owner Josh Harris just wanted to cut his tax bill….
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/7-nba-teams-got-better-130000288.html
Author :
Publish date : 2026-02-07 13:00:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
