NBA trade deadline: The biggest winners and losers of a busy week - ESPN

The 2025-26 NBA trade deadline came and went, and Giannis Antetokounmpo wasn't traded after all, but a whole host of other players changed teams and future draft picks changed hands this week.

The Dallas Mavericks moved on from Nico Harrison's shocking trade for Anthony Davis, sending the big to the Washington Wizards. The Golden State Warriors finally put an end to the Jonathan Kuminga saga, sending him and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks for Kristaps Porzingis.

And in perhaps the most shocking trade of the deadline, James Harden left the surging LA Clippers to give the Cleveland Cavaliers a boost in the East.

There's a whole lot to analyze, so let's dive into the biggest winners, losers and trends of the 2026 NBA trade deadline.

Cleveland is finally on a hot streak, with a 9-2 record since a 22-19 start, and the preseason Eastern Conference favorite improved at the deadline. Out of 11 players with at least 500 minutes for the Cavaliers this season, the three worst net ratings belonged to Darius Garland (minus-3.0), De'Andre Hunter (minus-0.9) and Lonzo Ball (plus-1.3). And now all three are gone, replaced by James Harden, Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder.

Swapping the 26-year-old Garland for the 36-year-old Harden might cost the Cavaliers in future seasons, but at the moment, Harden is undoubtedly better and healthier than the former Cavs point guard, and he should help reduce the offensive burden on Donovan Mitchell, who's posting his highest usage rate since he was in Utah. Harden's weaknesses also line up with Garland's: He's not the most engaged defender, but he's still bigger than Garland, and he can't be counted on in the playoffs, but Garland has a shaky postseason track record, too.

Cleveland's other deadline