As the NBA trade deadline closed on Feb. 6 at 3 p.m. EST, the league and its followers have had the chance to settle in and react to the annual madness. With the deadline passes, none of the 30 NBA teams are able to make trades at this point as a plethora of stars and players switched locations, impacting the whole league.
With keen anticipation of the recent trades, let’s take a look at the opinions and reviews of the Daily Wildcat’s Sports Desk on what these trades mean for these players and the teams.
Melisa Guzeloglu:
Luka Dončić to LA: A+
When the Los Angeles Lakers made the move to secure 25-year-old superstar Luka Dončić, the world did the opposite of going silent. Instead, on the night of Feb. 1, news broke out around the league that Dončić, a five-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA honoree, the league’s leading scorer in the 2023-2024 season and a Western Conference Finals MVP who took the Mavericks to the finals in 2024, was put on a silver platter by Nico Harrison, the Mavericks general manager.
“We think defense wins championships,” said Harrison in a press conference held on Feb. 2 addressing the trade.
In a three-team trade involving the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz, that would have a mark on the entire Western Conference, Luka Dončić was sent to the Lakers and Anthony Davis to Dallas. The Lakers also received Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris while Dallas also gained Max Christie and a Lakers 2029 first-round pick. The Jazz received Jalen Hood-Schifino, the Mavericks’ 2025 second-round pick and the LA Clippers’ 2025 second-round pick.
What does this mean for everyone? The Lakers just found their new face and star of Hollywood as Los Angeles has figured out a way to youth up the team. The trade not only has an impact on free agents and other players wanting to play in Los Angeles, but it also creates cap space in 2026. Despite a fallout in the Mark Williams trade attempt, L.A. gained a player in free agent center Alex Len, who was initially going to the Indiana Pacers but is now part of the depth the Lakers need. The Lakers waived Christian Wood to add Len.
In Dončić’s anticipated debut in purple and gold against the Utah Jazz on Monday night, the 6-foot-7 guard collected 14 points while shooting 5-of-14 in 24 minutes of play. He also added five rebounds and four assists to cap off the tense matchup that peaked at 2.55 million viewers. The Lakers went on to win 132-113. As the world and players adapt to the shift of the NBA, additions like Dončić, Kleber and Len will be a vital part of aiding Los Angeles in bigger plays and size down low that impact that game.
Dončić averaged 28. 1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.8 assists and two steals per game for Dallas this season, before suffering a left calf strain injury on Dec. 25 that kept him out until his Lakers debut on Feb. 10.
Jimmy Butler to Golden State Warriors – Andrew Wiggins to Miami Heat:
Patience is a virtue and that’s what Jimmy Butler displayed upon being traded by the Miami Heat. On Jan. 2 Butler put in his formal request to leave Miami and find joy playing basketball elsewhere. Following this, Butler was suspended three times in the month of January for a variety of reasons. On Feb. 6 the Heat and the Golden State Warriors agreed to a trade that ultimately involved five teams and nine players.
Key components of the trade however, is the Heat acquiring Kyle Anderson, Andrew Wiggins and Golden State’s projected 2025 first-round selection. Securing the deal ahead of the deadline on Feb. 6 Golden State has the chance to pair another dominant force alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Proven through playoff performance, Butler is known for his strength and ability to convert on tough shots at the rim. Butler has put up 17.4 points and 4.8 assists on a 53.3 shooting percentage. His IQ on defense and size as a 6-foot-7 small forward stands out as Butler also contributes 5.3 rebounds per game.
Wiggins, a key tool of the 2022 Warriors’ championship team, found out the team he has been with for five-years after a pre-game warmup. Soon after, head coach of Golden State and former Wildcat, Steve Kerr, asked the media to leave the locker room to address the team about the trade. Wiggins now joins a Heat team in need of a weapon on both ends of the court.
“I think Wiggs, once he gets really comfortable, you can see, you know, that the areas he can help on both ends of the court. But, he’s a weapon you know, offensively, defensively he can really move. He has that kind of length and unique ability to move laterally,” head coach of the Miami Heat, Erik Spoelstra said in Wiggins’ Heat debut against the Boston Celtics on Feb. 10.
Reed Lofstedt:
Luka Dončić to LA: A+
Dončić’s trade shocked NBA fans everywhere, as what was the centerpiece to a Western Conference Championship and Finals appearance the year before was traded. Mavs GM, Nico Harrison cited possible conditioning issues as one of the main reasons Dončić was traded. The Lakers would give up Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick for the superstar, while the Mavs give up their future, they don’t do so without some hope. Davis has been one of the most injury-prone players in the NBA having three seasons with the Lakers playing under 56 games. When healthy, Davis is one of the best defenders in the league, so if the Mavs can keep a healthy AD, their defense will surely thrive. This was seen how AD’s outing against the Rockets saw him drop 26 points, but left due to an abductor strain. However, their offense fell apart as they didn’t replace Dončićs’ scoring ability. Dončić will immediately add to a Lakers team that has been subpar this season, in more ways than one.
De’Aaron Fox to the Spurs: A-
De’Aaron Fox has been the bright spot to a resurgent Kings team that has found more success as of late, but dealing him for Zach Lavine, Sidy Cissko, three first-round picks three second-round picks doesn’t make perfect sense to me. The Kings lost a prolific scorer who has been the core piece in the franchise revival, forget the picks, the swap for an aging Zach Lavine doesn’t make sense for a team that wanted future success. Lavine gives you talent, but not one that compares to Fox who leads Lavine in points, rebounds and assists. The Kings need to assess their picks and future if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Spurs however complement Webanyama, Stephon Castle, and Chris Paul with Fox. The Spurs turn-around has been quick and their stellar roster could potentially push them into the play-in.
Gabriel Paz:
Anthony Davis to Dallas: D
I was going to have an opinion on how Davis would fare with the rest of his 30-year-old dream team, but I think the abductor sprain in his debut speaks for itself. The streets of Dallas have never looked bluer. Please check on any of your friends or family who live in Dallas.
Kyle Kuzma to Milwakuee: C+
I cannot say that I have thought of Kyle Kuzma often ever since he was sent to Washington. However, if playing there can drain even the powers of Michael Jordan, then Kuzma was bound to suffer until he was set free. With that being said, I’m not sure he adds much to the team that lifts them past another first-round exit. His performance with 13 points in Sunday’s game against the 76ers isn’t a bad omen though. If Kuzma shines, then the Bucks are a sneaky playoff team. If he doesn’t, the Bucks will still make the playoffs.
Michael Smith:
Luka Dončić to Los Angeles: A+
In a move that shocked the entire basketball world, this transaction resets the Lakers’ window for the next several years to come. The move puts Los Angeles one step back in the present day but three steps forward in the future. The Lakers lose out on depth and size which Los Angeles desperately needed at the deadline by sending away the only size they had in Anthony Davis and a solid young bench piece in Max Christie to Dallas, but LA is counting on star power and patience to carry them to the promise land. Acquiring a top-five player in the league who is about to enter his prime and pairing him alongside one of the greatest players ever to play, LeBron James, can give opposing teams major issues in late-game situations that can make or break a deep run in the postseason when the time arrives.
De’Andre Hunter to Cleavland: B+
With the Cavaliers sitting atop the Eastern Conference at a record of 44-10, winning 8 of their last 9 games and 5.5 games clear of the defending champions Boston Celtics, going for a player like Hunter makes all the sense in the world. Hunter, the sixth-year veteran, is having his best year yet averaging 18.8 points per game, 3.8 rebounds and just shy of 40 percent from deep, gives Cleveland a huge surplus defensively and can knock down shots down the stretch if need be. Giving up Caris Levert, Georges Niang, two first-round pick swaps and three second-round picks is a hefty price to pay for a candidate for the Most Improved Player award, but the Cavs have to swing big to contend for a title and this move makes them one step closer in doing so.
Brandon Ingram to Toronto: C+
The Raptors currently sit 13th in the Eastern Conference with a 17-38 record going 4-6 in their last ten games. Toronto gave up Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, a future first and second-round pick for a wing player who is a one-time all-star averaging 22.2 points per game, dishing out 5.2 assists and shooting 46.5 percent from the field. The Raptors already have 6’6 RJ Barrett who they acquired from New York in 2023 and have 6’7 Scottie Barnes who just signed a rookie max extension in the offseason. Now Toronto is doubling down with their wing defenders signing 6’8 Ingram to a three-year $120 million extension that includes a player option in 2027-28 before even playing with the team. It is a puzzling move as no one knows who the focal point of the offense will be and where the organization moves from here, but only time will tell.
Henry Kaplowitz:
Zach Lavine to the Kings: B-
When you lose your franchise player it is hard to completely win a trade, but I think the Kings did solid for the situation they were put in. Fox and his agent Rich Paul had made it clear that Fox’s ultimate goal was to get to San Antonio and with his impending Free Agency in the Summer of 2026, getting back another All-Star caliber player in Zach Lavine and three first-round picks is a decent return. The 2025 Hornets first-round pick will most likely turn into two second-round picks due to protections on it and the 2027 Spurs first-round pick does not project well with Victor Wembanyama and Fox most likely still on the team, but the 2031 unprotected Timberwolves pick has a chance to be a real asset down the line for the Kings.
Jimmy Butler to the Warriors: B+
Although the last few months haven’t been the best look for Butler, he is still an All-Star player and a great option for a second star alongside Stephen Curry. Butler’s timeline at 35 years old lines up well with the 36-year-old Curry and 34-year-old Draymond Green as the team will have a 2-3 year window to compete for a championship before most likely hitting a rebuild. Giving up Andrew Wiggins hurts as he was a key piece to their championship team in the 2021-2022 season but Butler provides a more complete offensive game. The 2025 first-round pick has a Top 10 protection on it so if things fall apart in the back half of the season for the team they will be able to retain their pick.
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