The 2025 NBA trade deadline has turned the league on its head with some of the most shocking moves in recent history. In a whirlwind of deals ahead of Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET cutoff, several All-Star talents found new homes, drastically altering the landscape of the NBA.
Lakers Land Luka: A Franchise-Altering Move
In one of the most stunning trades in NBA history, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired superstar Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks. The move pairs Dončić with LeBron James, forming one of the most dynamic duos in league history. In return, the Mavericks received star big man Anthony Davis and a future first-round pick, signaling a new direction for Dallas.
But the Lakers weren’t done yet. They further bolstered their roster by adding emerging big man Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets. Williams, a 7-foot lob threat out of Duke, is having a breakout season, averaging 16 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. The Lakers sent rookie Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, an unprotected future first-round pick, and a 2030 pick swap to Charlotte in exchange for Williams.
Raptors Secure Brandon Ingram
Another major move saw Brandon Ingram traded from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Toronto Raptors. Ingram, a former All-Star, has been sidelined since December with an ankle sprain, but Toronto is betting on his ability to elevate their offense once healthy. The Pelicans, in return, received Bruce Brown Jr., Kelly Olynyk, a first-round pick, and a second-round pick.
Kings, Spurs, and Bulls Pull Off Three-Team Swap
The Sacramento Kings made waves by trading star guard De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs. In return, the Kings received Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls in a three-team deal. The trade gives the Kings a proven scorer to complement Domantas Sabonis, while the Spurs add an elite playmaker in Fox to accelerate their rebuild alongside Victor Wembanyama.
Jimmy Butler Heads to Golden State
After months of speculation, Jimmy Butler finally got his wish to leave Miami. The Heat struck a deal with the Golden State Warriors, sending Butler to the Bay Area in exchange for Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, and P.J. Tucker, along with the Warriors’ 2025 first-round pick (top-10 protected).
The full four-team trade involving Miami, Golden State, Utah, and Detroit included the following:
Warriors receive: Jimmy Butler
Heat receive: Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, P.J. Tucker, Warriors’ 2025 first-round pick (top-10 protected)
Jazz receive: Dennis Schröder
Pistons receive: Lindy Waters III, Josh Richardson
This move gives the Warriors another elite two-way player to pair with Stephen Curry, as they push for another championship. Meanwhile, Miami gets a mix of solid rotation players and assets to retool their roster.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 NBA trade deadline will be remembered for its sheer volume of blockbuster moves. The Lakers, Warriors, Raptors, Kings, and Spurs all made significant changes, setting up an exciting second half of the season. With new superteams forming and championship aspirations shifting, the race for the 2025 NBA title just got a whole lot more interesting.
