Anshari TaslimWith the 2026 NBA trade deadline a mere three days away, the league is abuzz with speculation. An early notable transaction saw the Cleveland Cavaliers send De’Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis. As teams position themselves for potential seismic shifts, including the widely discussed possibility of the Milwaukee Bucks trading two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, SportsBreakNews.com revisits the defining moments of last year’s deadline. One year ago today, on February 2, 2025, a series of impactful trades reshaped the league landscape. We re-grade three of the most significant deals, including a move that sent shockwaves across the NBA.
The Luka-to-the-Lakers Stunner: A Year in Review
One of the most astonishing trades in recent memory saw Luka Dončić depart the Dallas Mavericks for the Los Angeles Lakers. This multi-team transaction involved significant assets and has had profound implications for all parties.
Full Trade Details (as reported):
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- Los Angeles Lakers received: Luka Dončić
- Dallas Mavericks received: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, Jalen Hood-Schifino (from Jazz via Lakers), 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)
- Utah Jazz received: 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAL), 2029 Second-Round Pick (LAL via LAC)
Original Grades (via CBS Sports’ Brad Botkin):
- Los Angeles Lakers: A
- Dallas Mavericks: F
- Utah Jazz: C
Lakers Re-grade: A+
One year later, the Los Angeles Lakers’ acquisition of Luka Dončić stands as a masterstroke. While Dončić’s defensive commitment has occasionally drawn scrutiny, his overall impact solidifies his status as one of the top five players globally. The Lakers secured this generational talent for a package that appears, in hindsight, to be significantly undervalued. Anthony Davis, who will turn 33 next month, has been plagued by injuries since the trade, seeing limited action. Max Christie, a promising young role player, and a 2029 first-round pick—likely to fall in the 20s as long as Dončić anchors the Lakers—completed the deal.
Dončić’s performance this season has been exceptional. In 40 appearances, he is averaging a league-leading 33.6 points, eight rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game. His selection as an All-Star starter in late January further underscores his dominance, and he is widely expected to earn another All-NBA honor, provided he meets the 65-game threshold.
The Lakers, currently holding a 29-19 record, find themselves in a transitional but competitive phase. Positioned sixth in the highly contested Western Conference, their playoff prospects hinge on the health of Dončić and LeBron James. Regardless of this season’s outcome, the Dončić trade has fundamentally reset the Lakers’ long-term outlook, which appeared uncertain a year ago. General Manager Rob Pelinka’s strategic move has demonstrably brightened the franchise’s future.
**Mavericks Re-grade: F***
From the Dallas Mavericks’ perspective, the original trade for Dončić remains perplexing on multiple levels. Dončić was a foundational and beloved figure in Dallas, with no expressed desire to leave the city or the franchise. The decision by then-General Manager Nico Harrison (who is no longer with the Mavericks) and the rest of the front office to trade Dončić without first initiating a comprehensive bidding war to explore alternative offers has been widely criticized as incomprehensible. Further compounding the issue, the subsequent leakage of concerns regarding Dončić’s health and conditioning—especially after acquiring Anthony Davis, a player six years older and with a well-documented injury history—was perceived as insulting to both the player and the fanbase.
The trade’s logic was questionable at the time, and it continues to be so. However, an assessment of the Mavericks’ current situation necessitates acknowledging the extraordinary events that unfolded post-trade.
If the Mavericks’ current standing were evaluated against their position immediately following the Dončić trade, their grade would, remarkably, shift to an "A." Late last season, Dallas faced a severe injury crisis, including a prolonged absence for Davis and a torn ACL for Kyrie Irving. The team ultimately landed in the Play-In Tournament, where they were eliminated, missing the playoffs entirely. Despite holding only the 11th-best lottery odds, the Mavericks defied statistical probability, jumping to the No. 1 overall pick with a mere 1.8% chance. This enabled them to draft Cooper Flagg.
The Mavericks would not have secured Flagg, widely regarded as one of the best prospects in recent memory and the likely Rookie of the Year, without the Dončić trade. While this fortuitous outcome does not absolve Harrison for what was widely considered a flawed and unintentional process, the Mavericks now possess a promising trio of Flagg, Davis, and Irving. This group provides significant hope and strategic flexibility for both the present and future. They can choose to keep this core together and contend in the Western Conference as Flagg develops, or they retain the option to move Davis and/or Irving to retool around the 19-year-old Flagg, whose recent 49-point performance set a new scoring record for a teenager in NBA history.
Jazz Re-grade: B
The Utah Jazz’s involvement in the Dončić trade, primarily as a facilitator, proved to be sound business. Although Jalen Hood-Schifino is no longer with the organization, the Jazz acquired two second-round picks without sacrificing significant assets. They utilized one of these picks, the 2025 No. 43 overall selection (Jamir Watkins), to move up to No. 18 in last year’s draft, where they selected Walter Clayton. While Clayton has faced early struggles, his offensive talent suggests that it is premature to dismiss his potential. The 2029 second-round pick via the Clippers also represents a valuable future asset.
The Warriors Get Jimmy Out of Miami: A Retrospective
Another major transaction from the 2025 deadline saw Jimmy Butler move from the Miami Heat to the Golden State Warriors. This complex four-team deal aimed to bolster the Warriors’ championship aspirations.
Full Trade Details (as reported):
- Golden State Warriors received: Jimmy Butler
- Miami Heat received: Andrew Wiggins, 2025 First-Round Pick (GSW), Davion Mitchell (from Raptors), 2031 Second-Round Pick (GSW)
- Detroit Pistons received: Dennis Schroder (from Warriors), 2031 Second-Round Pick (GSW)
- Toronto Raptors received: 2025 Second-Round Pick (MIA)
- Utah Jazz received: Cash, 2031 Second-Round Pick (MIA)
Original Grades (via CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn):
- Golden State Warriors: B
- Miami Heat: C-
- Detroit Pistons: B
- Toronto Raptors: C-
- Utah Jazz: C
Warriors Re-grade: C
The Golden State Warriors’ ambition to extend their championship window by acquiring an All-Star caliber player to complement Steph Curry and Draymond Green was understandable. However, Jimmy Butler’s arrival came with inherent risks, which the Warriors are now experiencing.
Butler’s statistics, particularly this season, were solid, averaging 20 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists on 51.9% shooting. Yet, concerns persisted regarding his reluctance to shoot (averaging 12.2 field goal attempts per game) and a tendency to exert inconsistent influence throughout games. While he improved the Warriors, he did not elevate them to a genuine threat in the competitive Western Conference.
Currently, Butler is sidelined for the remainder of the season after tearing his ACL in January, effectively ending the Warriors’ realistic playoff aspirations, unless a dramatic trade for Antetokounmpo materializes. Reports indicate the Warriors have committed to Butler through his rehabilitation. However, his long-term outlook remains a concern; he will turn 37 in September and has not played more than 65 games in a season since 2017. His contract—$54 million this season and $56 million next—represents a substantial financial commitment for a player who will spend a significant portion of that time recovering.
The mitigating factor for the Warriors is that their outgoing package was not prohibitive. Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, Josh Anderson, and Payton Waters were not difference-makers in the Bay Area. Kasparas Jakučionis, drafted by the Heat with the Warriors’ first-round pick, has played sparingly, and the Warriors even netted a second-round pick in the overall deal.
Heat Re-grade: B
The conclusion of Jimmy Butler’s tenure in Miami was tumultuous, and it is plausible the Heat could have secured a more substantial return had they managed the situation differently or traded him earlier. Nevertheless, a year removed from the transaction, the deal appears more favorable than it did initially.
Andrew Wiggins has emerged as a dependable all-around role player for the Heat. Davion Mitchell, acquired in the trade, has found renewed purpose as the starting point guard under Coach Erik Spoelstra’s system. Josh Anderson, another asset from the deal, was later utilized in a summer trade to acquire Norm Powell, who is currently leading the team in scoring with 23 points per game and recently earned his first All-Star selection. Kasparas Jakučionis, drafted at No. 20 with the Warriors’ pick, has shown promise, shooting nearly 40% from 3-point range despite limited opportunities.
While the Heat were not championship contenders with Butler last season, they are currently 27-24, placing them firmly in contention for a top-six spot and an automatic playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. Furthermore, the development of Mitchell and Jakučionis could position them as valuable assets in a potential trade package for a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Jazz Re-grade: B
The Utah Jazz again demonstrated shrewd asset management by acquiring additional second-round picks and cash in this multi-team deal. They have already leveraged the 2031 second-round pick received from the Heat as part of a summer trade that brought Jusuf Nurkić to Utah in exchange for Collin Sexton. Nurkić has performed exceptionally well for the Jazz and could potentially generate further assets at the upcoming deadline.
Pistons Re-grade: B+
The Detroit Pistons’ participation in the Butler trade allowed them to acquire Dennis Schroder. Schroder played a crucial role in helping the Pistons reach the playoffs last season for the first time since 2019. Although they opted not to re-sign him in free agency, his contribution in providing valuable postseason experience to their young core was a significant asset to their rebuild. The Pistons also secured an additional 2031 second-round pick from the Warriors, which could prove useful in future roster construction.
Raptors Re-grade: C-
The Toronto Raptors chose not to extend Davion Mitchell, who was slated to become a restricted free agent last offseason. Instead of risking him walking for nothing, they accepted a second-round pick from the Heat. While letting Mitchell depart was not a franchise-altering misstep, the Raptors may now regret their decision given Mitchell’s subsequent resurgence in Miami.
Spurs Swipe Fox from Kings: A Transformative Deal
The third major trade under review from the 2025 deadline involved De’Aaron Fox moving to the San Antonio Spurs, profoundly impacting both franchises.
Full Trade Details (as reported):
- San Antonio Spurs received: De’Aaron Fox
- Sacramento Kings received: Zach LaVine (from Bulls), Cidy Sissoko (from Spurs), 2025 First-Round Pick (CHA, lottery protected, converted to two 2nd-round picks), 2027 First-Round Pick (SAS), 2031 First-Round Pick (MIN), five Second-Round Picks
- Chicago Bulls received: 2025 First-Round Pick (CHI, their own pick from Kings), Tre Jones (from Spurs), Kevin Huerter (from Kings), John Collins (from Kings)
Original Grades (via CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn):
- San Antonio Spurs: A
- Sacramento Kings: D
- Chicago Bulls: F
Spurs Re-grade: A-
The acquisition of De’Aaron Fox remains an excellent trade for the San Antonio Spurs. The move significantly enhanced their competitiveness in the present without compromising their long-term future. The Spurs surrendered only one of their own future first-round picks, retained their promising young players, and preserved all the future draft assets owed to them by the Atlanta Hawks from the Dejounte Murray deal.
While Fox’s role in San Antonio is not as central as it was in Sacramento, his contributions are substantial. He is averaging 19.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.2 assists, shooting a respectable 35.3% from 3-point range.
After years at the bottom of the Western Conference, the Spurs have achieved a 33-16 record, placing them second in the standings. They are well on their way to their first playoff appearance since 2019, and despite the formidable challenge of the Western Conference playoffs, they possess a legitimate chance for a deep run. The four-year, $229 million extension the Spurs awarded Fox in August was a significant investment, perhaps a slight overpay, but it was deemed the cost of securing a talent of his caliber. Moreover, his contract will be off the books by 2030, offering future financial flexibility should they need to adjust the roster ahead of the anticipated extensions for prospects like Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant. In the interim, Fox is instrumental in establishing the Spurs as a top-tier team in the West.
Kings Re-grade: C-
The Sacramento Kings found themselves in a difficult position once De’Aaron Fox expressed his preference to join the Spurs. The eventual return for Fox included Zach LaVine, Cidy Sissoko, two first-round picks (the Hornets’ 2025 pick, which was lottery-protected and reverted to two second-round picks, plus the 2027 Spurs and 2031 Timberwolves firsts), and five second-round selections.
Zach LaVine has not emerged as a difference-maker for the Kings and possesses limited trade value. The asset management surrounding Cidy Sissoko proved circuitous: he was immediately flipped (along with two second-round picks) for Jonas Valančiūnas, who was then traded for Dario Šarić, who has since been traded (along with two more second-round picks, Keon Ellis, and Dennis Schroder) for De’Andre Hunter. This sequence of moves has not yielded a clear positive outcome.
Regarding the draft picks, the 2027 Spurs first-round pick is highly unlikely to be a lottery selection and is projected to fall in the late 20s. The 2031 Timberwolves first-round pick carries less certainty, but there is a strong probability it will also not be a lottery selection, especially if Anthony Edwards remains in Minnesota. On a positive note, the Kings utilized the 2025 Bulls second-round pick effectively, selecting Maxime Raynaud at No. 42 overall. Raynaud has had a solid rookie season and shows promise as a future rotational big.
Despite the challenging circumstances surrounding Fox’s departure and the acquisition of Raynaud, there is a substantial possibility that the Kings will ultimately receive little meaningful long-term return for one of their most successful homegrown talents of the last two decades.
Bulls Re-grade: D
The Chicago Bulls’ decision to trade Zach LaVine and, in the process, reacquire their own first-round pick, initially suggested a commitment to a full-scale rebuild. However, the team proceeded to win 15 of their final 20 games last season, a run that paradoxically caused their first-round pick to drop to No. 12 overall. With this pick, they selected French forward Noa Essengue, who played only two games before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery.
In addition to the draft pick, the Bulls acquired Tre Jones, who has performed adequately as a backup point guard. Kevin Huerter, however, has struggled significantly, and John Collins has been limited to just 10 games. While Essengue may eventually develop into a solid player, or Jones and Huerter could be leveraged for future assets, a year after the fact, the overall return for LaVine has been underwhelming.
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