The NBA never stops. Just when you think things have settled, another seismic trade drops out of nowhere. This past weekend alone saw two superstar trades—Luka Doncic heading to the Los Angeles Lakers in a shocking deal and De’Aaron Fox landing with the San Antonio Spurs to pair up with Victor Wembanyama.
With the February 6th deadline only a few days away, front offices around the league are pressured to either double down on their championship aspirations or cut their losses and retool for the future. But who’s next?
History tells us that when the first big domino falls, others quickly follow, and we could be seeing some more moves. Contenders need reinforcements right now while fringe playoff teams must decide whether to buy or sell. Here are five blockbuster trades that could shake up the NBA before the February trade deadline passes.
Warriors Make Blockbuster Deal For Kevin Durant
Proposed Trade Details
Golden State Warriors Receive: Kevin Durant
Phoenix Suns Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Gary Payton II, Moses Moody, 2025 First-Round Pick (GSW), 2029 First-Round Pick (GSW)
The Warriors acquiring Kevin Durant would mark one of the most shocking full-circle moments in NBA history, which is why there has been reported interest for this to happen. With Stephen Curry still an elite scorer, the Warriors are looking to maximize what’s left of their championship window as soon as possible.
Durant, averaging 26.9 points on 52.4% shooting this season, remains one of the league’s most unstoppable offensive weapons. Adding him to a roster led by Curry and Draymond Green would restore Golden State’s offensive dominance and create a team capable of matching up with the Western Conference’s best.
However, concerns about Durant’s willingness to return to Golden State loom large. The relationship between Durant and the Warriors’ core wasn’t entirely smooth by the time he left in 2019, and Durant’s preference for being the clear alpha on his teams may resurface.
Golden State would need to ensure Durant feels valued and has a clear role within their system, particularly since Curry is the unquestioned leader. If Durant embraces the return, though, his ability to carry stretches of games and alleviate pressure from Curry could make this an ideal pairing.
The trade package, headlined by Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga, would give the Suns valuable young assets while replenishing their depth. Kuminga offers untapped potential as a two-way player, while Wiggins has proven to be a reliable scorer and defender in big games. The draft picks provide additional flexibility for Phoenix to make future moves.
From the Warriors’ perspective, this trade would be an all-in push to recreate their dynasty magic while Curry remains elite. With the Western Conference more competitive than ever, Golden State might not have another chance to swing this big.
Phoenix Suns Finally Acquire Jimmy Butler
Potential Trade Details
Phoenix Suns Receive: Jimmy Butler
Miami Heat Receive: Kyle Kuzma, Jonas Valanciunas, Saddiq Bey, Anthony Gill, 2031 Second-Round Pick (DEN)
Washington Wizards Receive: Bradley Beal, 2031 First-Round Pick (CLE)
The Phoenix Suns finally get their true two-way closer in Jimmy Butler, a player who is hell-bent on getting to Phoenix. It is only a matter of time before Butler leaves the Heat because everyone in Miami is sick to death of him after a season filled with unprofessional behavior.
For the Suns, they might need Butler more than they would like to admit. Butler is known for elevating his game in the playoffs—something Phoenix has desperately needed. Of course, this trade will only go through with Bradley Beal’s blessing, a player with a rare no-trade clause in his contract.
Butler gives the Suns a gritty, battle-tested leader, someone who can take over in crunch time while Devin Booker and Kevin Durant carry the scoring load. He’s not just a scorer, though; he brings defense, toughness, and an elite basketball IQ—all traits Phoenix lacked in last year’s postseason collapse. With Durant aging and Bradley Beal struggling to stay healthy, Butler ensures the Suns remain a legitimate title contender.
Miami, meanwhile, shakes things up by adding Kyle Kuzma, Jonas Valanciunas, and Saddiq Bey, three versatile, win-now contributors who allow the Heat to reload without tanking because Tyler Herro has just made his first All-Star Team.
Kuzma gives Miami a high-volume scoring forward, Valanciunas provides an interior presence, and Bey adds 3-and-D reliability—all things they’ve lacked behind Bam Adebayo and Herro. Plus, they free up long-term cap space while securing a future second-round pick.
Washington gets Bradley Beal back, but this time with a 2031 first-round pick attached. While Beal didn’t work out in Phoenix, he remains a talented shot-creator who could either be flipped later or serve as a veteran mentor. The Wizards are still in full rebuild mode, but adding a future pick and a familiar face isn’t the worst move.
Detroit Pistons Make Win-Now Move For Brandon Ingram
Potential Trade Details
Detroit Pistons Receive: Brandon Ingram
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Tim Hardaway Jr., Tobias Harris, 2027 First-Round Pick (DET), 2029 Second-Round Pick (MIL)
The Detroit Pistons continue their aggressive rebuild by trading for Brandon Ingram, giving Cade Cunningham a high-level wing scorer who can take pressure off him. Ingram, a 20+ PPG scorer for six straight seasons, immediately becomes Detroit’s second-best offensive player and fits the timeline of their young core.
If the Pistons want to take the next step in the East instead of currently being a fringe playoff team, this is the kind of move they need—bringing in a proven All-Star to accelerate the process. There is a little risk for them considering Ingram will be a free agent at the end of this season, but it could be worthwhile to see where it goes.
For New Orleans, the trade signals a retooling rather than a full rebuild. They get Tim Hardaway Jr. and Tobias Harris, two veteran scorers who can space the floor and perhaps boost the team’s record a little bit because 12-38 is very embarrassing right now.
The real prize, though, is the 2027 first-round pick from Detroit, which could be extremely valuable if the Pistons struggle to develop their roster. The 2029 second-round pick from Milwaukee is just a bonus. This deal makes sense for both sides—Detroit takes a step toward playoff contention, while New Orleans reshapes their roster and adds a future asset.
Lakers Get New Starting Center In Nic Claxton
Potential Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Nic Claxton
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, 20231 First-Round Pick Swap (LAL)
The Los Angeles Lakers are clearly searching for a mobile, defensive-minded big man since the Doncic trade, and they might have a perfect fit in Nic Claxton. The 25-year-old is posting 9.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game and gives L.A. the rim protection they lost after trading Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic.
Claxton is an elite pick-and-roll partner, a great lob threat for Doncic and LeBron James, and one of the NBA’s most underrated switchable defenders. He also fits the long-term timeline of the Lakers because we saw how great Doncic was with big men such as Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II. It might also be solid that the center is under contract for the next three seasons after this one, at $25,352,272, $23,147,727, and $20,943,184.
Brooklyn, on the other hand, gets Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and a 2031 first-round pick swap from the Lakers. Hachimura is a proven power forward who fits the Nets’ timeline, while Gabe is a high-risk, high-upside guard who could flourish with more opportunities.
The real prize here is the Lakers’ 2031 first-round pick swap, which could become incredibly valuable if L.A. declines post-LeBron (unless Luka has something to say about that). This is a win-win. The Lakers get their long-term center, and Brooklyn stocks up on future assets while staying competitive in the short term.
Bucks Make A Swap For Kyle Kuzma
Proposed Trade Details
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Kyle Kuzma, Anthony Gill
Washington Wizards Receive: Khris Middleton
The Milwaukee Bucks making a move for Kyle Kuzma would signal going all-in to win around All-Stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. After all, the Bucks are reportedly determined to find the right trade to push for an NBA championship.
Kuzma, averaging 15.2 points and 5.8 rebounds this season, is a versatile forward who can stretch the floor and create his own shot, something the Bucks have lacked outside of their superstars.
The inclusion of Anthony Gill is to match salary and the Bucks would have to waive a player to get this deal done, but this trade is centered on bringing Kuzma’s offensive versatility to Milwaukee. With Khris Middleton struggling to regain his All-Star form due to injuries, the Bucks might see this as the right moment to pivot and bring in a younger forward to support their title push.
The challenge lies in the Bucks’ lack of first-round picks to sweeten the deal for Washington. With their future picks already tied up in previous trades, Milwaukee would need to rely on Middleton’s value or involve a third team to send the Wizards the draft assets they likely desire.
According to David Aldridge of the New York Post, the Wizards might demand first-round picks in return, which would necessitate a three-team trade scenario. In this case, Middleton could be rerouted to a team willing to part with draft capital, while the Bucks would land Kuzma to revitalize their roster. It’s a creative solution that keeps Milwaukee competitive while addressing Washington’s long-term rebuild.
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