24/25 Trade Deadline Analysis

Jimmy Butler to Golden State

To Golden State: Jimmy Butler

To Miami: Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, PJ Tucker, 2025 protected first-round pick

To Detroit: Dennis Schroder, Lindy Waters

To Utah: KJ Martin, Josh Richardson, 2028 second-round pick

To Philadelphia: TBA

• Jimmy gets his money, the Heat get a pick and a solid asset in Wiggins, and the Warriors give themselves a shot at getting out of the play-in. The Warriors are an excellent landing spot for Butler. He’ll be motivated now that he’s locked in his contract extension and should have a major role on a Warriors squad very light on offensive threats after Steph Curry. Golden State is a much better landing spot for Butler than Phoenix would have been. He’s still a very risky fantasy asset due to his poor durability, but he could be a top-30 per-game asset down the stretch. Butler is not a high-usage star, so Curry managers should not be concerned about the new addition. Butler’s usage rate usually sits in the low 20s which is a very low number for a star. Wiggins’ usage rate in Golden State (24.9 USG%) was much higher than Butler’s in Miami (20.0 USG%). Brandin Podziemski is worth adding in 12-team leagues with both Wiggins and Schroder out of the picture. He’s not a lock to play major minutes, as Kerr’s rotation will likely remain unpredictable going forward, but with some extra point guard minutes being made available, he’s more likely to stay in the 30 MPG range than he was a day ago. Buddy Hield is not an add outside of very deep leagues, but he is worth keeping an eye on. The Wiggins-Butler swap leaves Golden State very light on shooting. Three of the Warriors’ top four players are mediocre-to-bad shooters from deep. Hield may need to play a little more to compensate for Jimmy’s inability to spread the floor. The trade should likely end up as a small positive for Jonathan Kuminga’s value, as Butler is likely to spend less time at the four than Wiggins was. He’ll be worth a pickup when he is back but will likely be just a low-end option in category leagues when both Curry and Butler are healthy. In points leagues, he has a shot at being a top-100 asset. The loss of shooting ups the odds of Quentin Post holding onto the Warriors’ starting center spot since he’s the only Warriors center who can hit from deep at a decent clip. However, unless you play in a 20+ team league, he does not need to be added.
• Wiggins’ value should hold up well in Miami. He will likely lose some touches as he’ll be his team’s third option instead of the second. However, that dip in usage should be offset by an increase in minutes. Wiggins was playing just 30.1 MPG with the Warriors. He could get into the 34+ MPG range in Miami. Tyler Herro is playing 35.5 MPG and Bam Adebayo is sitting at 33.9 MPG. The Wiggins and Kyle Anderson acquisitions are potentially bad news for Kel’el Ware. He is a must-hold in all leagues, but it’s possible the Heat will start rolling with the double-big lineup less often now that they have more options at the four. Nikola Jovic’s value could also take a small hit. A small hit for Jovic is more of an issue than it is for Ware because he has less room for error. If Ware loses a couple of minutes of playing time, he’ll still be a top-100 option. If Jovic loses a couple of minutes of playing time, he could end up back in the streaming zone. Hold Jovic for now and see how things shake out. Duncan Robinson will need an injury or two to have a shot at minutes in the high 20s again. He’s just a deep league threes streamer. Terry Rozier’s role will take a hit as well with a potential 34 MPG player entering the rotation. He’s a drop in 12-team leagues. In deeper leagues, we should give him a couple of games beside Wiggins, but he could end up a drop there as well.
• Schroder was originally being sent to Utah but is now headed to Detroit. He could slide in as Cade Cunningham’s backup but is unlikely to play enough to be useful outside of very deep leagues.
• The Sixers moving KJ Martin is a move that has nothing to do with basketball. The Sixers are saving about $40 million by dumping both KJ Martin and Caleb Martin. KJ moving to Utah shouldn’t have a major impact on the Sixers’ rotation as he’s been out with a foot injury since the middle of December. His absence makes Guershon Yabusele’s role slightly safer and gives Quentin Grimes a better shot at turning into a useful 16+ team league piece. Yabusele should be rostered in 12-team leagues even though Joel Embiid is back and Paul George is on the verge of a return. The Frenchman won’t be very valuable on nights when the top three are active, but how often will that be? Grimes is just a watch for now in deeper leagues. He needs to establish himself as the team’s clear sixth man to have a shot at being a long-term deep league hold. Martin could crack the Jazz’s rotation at some point and should be watched by deep league managers. Richardson is getting waived by the Jazz and will be just a depth piece on whatever team he joins.

Standard League Pickups: Brandin Podziemski, Guershon Yabusele

 

Kyle Kuzma to Milwaukee for Khris Middleton

To Milwaukee: Kyle Kuzma, Patrick Baldwin Jr., Jericho Sims, second-round pick

To Washington: Khris Middleton, A.J. Johnson, first-round pick swap

To New York: Delon Wright, cash considerations

• The move to Milwaukee makes it unlikely Kuzma will become more than a back-end 12-team category asset, but it’s still an upgrade on what was happening and likely to happen down the stretch in Washington. Kuzma was headed towards a shutdown and would likely continue his low-efficiency ways until that shutdown happened. In Milwaukee, he could continue to be a fairly useless gunner, but at least there’s a chance he improves his efficiency enough to be a usable category league piece. Kuzma did develop into a quality role player toward the end of his time with the Lakers. It is possible he fits in well beside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. In 12-team category leagues, he is just a flier. However, in points leagues, especially those on Yahoo, where his percentages don’t matter or matter less, he should be added. Kuzma joining the Bucks is bad news for Bobby Portis. Kuzma will play more than Middleton did and will spend more time at the four. Give him a couple of games, but the odds of Portis becoming a 12-team drop are decent. Kuzma should not have a notable impact on the value of Giannis or Dame. Sims will not be in the rotation. Baldwin Jr. is being rerouted to San Antonio.
• Middleton loses most of what little standard league appeal he had in Washington. With the Bucks, he was a defensible luxury stash. It didn’t look like he was going to eventually play 28+ MPG, but at least we knew he was going to be active in March. In Washington, Middleton could have some nice performances in February but is a lock to be shut down eventually. He is just a streamer in 12-team leagues. In deep leagues, he should be rostered until the Wizards decide to end his season early. Middleton will not be bought out. He has a $34 million player option that he will pick up this offseason. Kuzma being swapped for Middleton should lead to more minutes for Bilal Coulibaly. He’s not a lock to be a clear 12-team asset because his issue this year has not been his role but his level of play, but the incoming slight increase in usage and minutes does increase his chances of turning into a player who can flirt with the top 100 in friendly builds. He is an add in 12-team leagues. Deep league managers should keep an eye on Justin Champagnie. He was a clear standard league player when Kuzma was out earlier in the season. His minutes may not jump right away with Middleton around, but he could get an extended look at some point this season. The forward is an excellent per-minute producer and would only need minutes in the mid-20s to be useful in deeper leagues. Kuzma being swapped for Middleton will also help Kyshawn George. He’s fine to take a flier on in 16-team leagues if you are punting FG%, but in anything shallower, you should be able to do better. The rookie is a weak per-minute producer and is unlikely to be a standard league add before silly season starts.
• Delon Wright feels like a Thibs type of player but is unlikely to play enough to be more than a steals streamer. He’s just someone to keep in mind in case Jalen Brunson goes down at some point.

Standard League Pickups: Bilal Coulibaly, Kyle Kuzma (A flier in 12-team category leagues, a must-add in 12-team points leagues)

Deep League Pickups: Justin Champagnie, Kyshawn George

 

Jonas Valanciunas to the Kings for Sidy Cissoko and picks

To Sacramento: Jonas Valanciunas

To Washington: Sidy Cissoko, two second-round picks

• Valancinuas gives the Kings’ a quality backup center which is something they haven’t had for a while. Unfortunately, the move to Sacramento is a death sentence for Big V’s fantasy value. He and Domantas Sabonis are very unlikely to play beside each other and he will likely end up in a 12 MPG role. He will be a run-don’t-walk type of add if Sabonis goes down at some point.
• Cissoko has been waived by the Wizards and will likely spend the rest of the season in the G League.

 

Daniel Theis to the Thunder for cash considerations

To Oklahoma City: Daniel Theis, 2031 second-round pick (least favorable of New Orleans and Orlando)

To New Orleans: Cash considerations

• Theis is being waived by the Thunder. The move will not impact the Pelicans’ rotation. Theis was out of the rotation in the lead-up to the deadline.

 

Jaden Springer to the Rockets

To Houston: Jaden Springer, 2030 second-round pick, protected second-round pick

To Boston: Protected second-round pick

• Sending Springer to Houston opens up a roster spot for the Celtics while saving them about $15 million. Springer was not in the rotation in Boston and is being waived by the Rockets.

 

Brandon Ingram to the Raptors for Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, and picks

To Toronto: Brandon Ingram

To New Orleans: Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, first-round pick, second-round pick

• The Raptors are making this move so that they can re-sign Ingram in the offseason using his bird rights. However, that doesn’t mean we will see much of Ingram down the stretch. The Raptors know what they are trading for and likely don’t want to jeopardize their lottery odds by giving Ingram an extended look. I would expect Ingram to be brought along very slowly and then eventually shut down. When Ingram is active, he will take a bite out of the value of all of the Raptors’ starters. I would be trying to move Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, Jakob Poeltl, and R.J. Barrett as soon as possible. Try to do it before Ingram debuts, as any bad games with Ingram in the lineup will make opposing managers lose interest. The trade is unlikely to change the direction of the Raptors’ season and the top options are still very likely to either be shut down or be in and out of the lineup late in March. Gradey Dick receives a short-term boost with Bruce Brown headed to New Orleans. However, with Barnes, Quickley, and Barrett still active, he’s just a 14-team league option. He will be a 12-team add at some point, but the Ingram trade likely pushes his return to the standard league conversation back a bit.
• Bruce Brown is worth a flier in deep leagues. It’s possible he steps into a decent-sized right away with Dejounte Murray done for the year. He could take a good chunk of the minutes that Jose Alvarado looked like he may inherit after the Murray injury. In a high-20s role, Brown would likely be a borderline top-150 option. In a low-30s role, he’d be a standard league pickup. Hold Alvarado for now until we see how the Pelicans’ rotation looks with both Brown and Olynyk in it. Olynyk doesn’t need to be added anywhere, but he is a must-watch. The veteran is still a very strong per-minute producer and would be a solid tank commander for the Pelicans now that his defense has fallen off a cliff. If he steps into a big minute role at any point this year, he will be a must-add in all leagues. Olynyk joining the Pelicans could hurt Yves Missi and could make Karlo Matkovic’s run as a big minute player shortlived. Missi will be just a 14-team league hold and a 12-team rebounds and blocks streamer until Zion Williamson is shut down. If you’ve already grabbed Matkovic, you might as well hold for a couple of games until we get a better idea of how the rotation looks. The rookie does have a fantasy-friendly game, so we should give him a little more leash than we give most low-end options. 

Deep League Pickups: Bruce Brown, Gradey Dick

 

Mark Williams to the Lakers for Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, and picks

To Los Angeles: Mark Williams

To Charlotte: Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, 2030 first-round pick swap, 2031 first-round pick

• The Lakers get their center, and it’s a much better one than expected. Williams should be a 30+ MPG player in Los Angeles, and while playing beside Luka Doncic and LeBron James will hurt his usage rate and boards, this is still a great development for Williams’ fantasy value as it erases the shutdown risk that accompanied the big man. How big the boost is will be determined by whether or not Williams starts playing in both ends of back-to-back sets. If he continues to sit, he will be a very annoying player to roster, especially in leagues without IL+ spots, in March and early April because the Lakers’ schedule is very heavy on back-to-back sets down the stretch. The Lakers remaining back-to-back sets come on February 19th and 20th, February 27th and 28th, March 13th and 14th, March 16th and 17th, March 19th and 20th, March 26th and 27th, April 3rd and 4th, and April 8th and 9th. If we get word that back-to-back sets a no-go for the former Hornet, he will be someone to put on the block. Williams joining the Lakers makes Jaxson Hayes an easy drop in all leagues. 
• Knecht could be a 12-team option down the stretch, especially now that Cody Martin is in Phoenix. He’s not going to do anything outside of points and threes, so it’s hard to call him a must-roster, but he’s fine to take a flier on in standard leagues to see how things shake out. In 14-team leagues, he should be added. Moussa Diabate was also looking like a potential grab, but the Jusuf Nurkic acquisition turns him back into just a forgettable boards streamer. Diabate likely won’t play major minutes consistently for at least another month.

Deep League Pickups: Dalton Knecht

 

Reggie Jackson to the Wizards for Jared Butler

To Washington: Reggie Jackson, 2026 first-round pick (least favorable of Houston, Oklahoma City, and the Clippers)

To Philadelphia: Jared Butler, 2027 second-round pick, 2028 second-round pick, two 2030 second-round picks

• The Sixers get further under the luxury tax line by moving Jackson. Jackson was not in the rotation in Philadelphia and will likely be bought out by the Wizards.
• Butler would have been someone to keep an eye on in late March and early April if he was still a Wizard, as he does have a fairly fantasy-friendly game and has popped when given an extended look this season. In Philadelphia, we will only see him in garbage time.

 

Davion Mitchell to the Heat for P.J. Tucker

To Toronto: PJ Tucker, 2026 second-round pick (via the Lakers), cash

To Miami: Davion Mitchell

• Mitchell should be in the rotation in Miami. He’s not going to play a ton, but he does bring some solid perimeter defense to a team that is lacking in the area. He is unlikely to become relevant in fantasy leagues unless the Heat’s backcourt is devastated by injuries.
• Tucker will either be waived by the Raptors or spend the rest of the season glued to the bench. Mitchell leaving opens up a path to solid minutes for Jamal Shead. Shead will be a strong streaming option on nights when Immanuel Quickley rests and will likely become a standard league pickup if Quickley is shut down later in the season. In an expanded role he would be A strong source of assists (7.5 AP36) who provides low-end numbers in points (12.3 PP36), threes (1.7 3P36), and steals (1.2 SP36).

 

Patrick Baldwin Jr. to the Spurs

To San Antonio: Patrick Baldwin Jr., cash

To Milwaukee: TBA

• Moving Baldwin gets the Bucks under the second apron and opens up a roster spot. The Spurs are waiving Baldwin so that they can open up a roster spot themselves.

 

Jusuf Nurkic to the Hornets for Cody Martin and Vasilije Micic

To Charlotte: Jusuf Nurkic, 2026 first-round pick

To Phoenix: Cody Martin, Vasilije Micic, 2026 second-round pick

• Nurkic is a must-add in all leagues. He should be a clear 12-team asset in category leagues. Mid-round numbers in friendly builds like punt threes and punt FT% is possible. In points leagues, where his poor efficiency matters less, he has mid-round upside as well. He’ll be a shutdown candidate late in the season, but that’s not something to worry about given that he won’t cost us anything beyond one of our weekly pickups. He will be a stronger pickup in IL+ leagues than in IL leagues, as he will probably sit during back-to-back sets. If you grabbed Moussa Diabate after the Mark Williams trade, send him back to the wire. Until Nurkic is shut down, Diabate will be just a forgettable boards streamer. Nurkic leaving Phoenix will have no impact on the Suns’ rotation since the team benched him a month ago. Martin and Micic going to Phoenix opens up more minutes for Dalton Knecht, Nick Smith Jr., and Josh Green. Knecht is fine to take a flier on in 12-team leagues, but he is not a must-add. In 14-team leagues, he should be added. With LaMelo Ball sounding like he could return on Friday, I wouldn’t bother with Smith. He’s just a forgettable points and threes option whose usage rate will be low when Ball is active. Josh Green is a nice deep league option for those in need of threes and steals. He has averaged 1.4 3PG and 1.3 SPG over the last month and should get some extra run with Martin out of the picture and Josh Okogie down with a hamstring injury. Dumping Martin will also make it easier for the Hornets to find minutes for Tidjane Salaun later in the year. The rookie is worth keeping an eye on but is unlikely to be useful unless he starts playing massive minutes. He has been just a top-400 per-minute producer this year and is shooting an unfortunate 32.0 percent from the field.
• Cody Martin is currently sidelined with a sports hernia. When he’s back sometime after the break, he will probably be in the Suns’ rotation. He has no realistic path to minutes in the upper 20s, so he’s just a steals streamer in deep leagues. Micic is not as likely to be in the Suns’ rotation, and if he is, he will be in a very limited role.

Standard League Pickups: Jusuf Nurkic

Deep League Pickups: Dalton Knecht, Josh Green

 

De’Andre Hunter to the Cavaliers for Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, and picks

To Cleveland: De’Andre Hunter

To Atlanta: Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, three second-round picks, two pick swaps

• The move to Cleveland will end Hunter’s surprising run as a 12-team asset. He’ll lose usage and likely minutes as well now that he’s part of a loaded Cavaliers team. None of the Cavaliers’ role players are averaging more than 24.5 MPG this year. Hunter should top that mark, but 30 MPG is unlikely. He’s likely going to end up as a very replaceable points, threes, and not much else option. I would expect his points to fall into the mid-teens and for his threes to end up in the 2.2 3PG range. He will also be a weaker source of FT% impact (85.8 FT% on 4.8 FTA) going forward due to a drop in attempts. He’s unlikely to do anything that can’t be easily found on a 12-team wire. It’s fine to give him a couple of games but don’t prioritize him over any players with top-100 upside. Hunter’s ceiling is no longer in that range. With LeVert out of the picture, Ty Jerome will likely pick up a couple extra minutes of playing time and some additional on-ball duties. He’s just a high-ceiling streamer in 12-team leagues, but in 14- and 16-team leagues he should be rostered. There should be fewer 16-minute nights down the stretch.
• The move to Atlanta should be a boon for LeVert’s value. He’s unlikely to play 30 MPG, but he should see more than the 23.8 MPG he was seeing in Cleveland. His usage rate should also receive a slight bump. He should be added in 16-team leagues and is worthy of a flier in 14-team leagues. In 12-team leagues, he remains just a streamer. Zaccharie Risacher will pick up some extra minutes with Hunter (and Bogdan Bogdanovic) out of the picture but is unlikely to play major minutes with the Hawks still looking to make a push for the play-in. He is only a must-add in 16-team leagues. Niang could play minutes in the low 20s for a Hawks team in need of shooting. He should be a quality threes streamer in all leagues.

Deep League Pickups: Caris LeVert, Ty Jerome, Zaccharie Risacher

 

Bogdan Bogdanovic and picks to the Clippers for Terance Mann and Bones Hyland

To Los Angeles: Bogdan Bogdanovic, 2025 second-round pick (via Minnesota), protected 2026 second-round pick (via Memphis), 2027 second-round pick

To Atlanta: Terance Mann, Bones Hyland

• This is a very nice gamble by the Clippers. Getting Bogdanovic and three second-rounders for Mann, who is a very forgettable role player, is nice work. Bogdanovic is worth watching but doesn’t need to be added anywhere. He hasn’t looked like himself this year which is surprising given he looked very good at the Olympics in the summer. The dip in performance is almost certainly injury-related. Whether or not he bounces back is hard to say, but we do need to keep an eye on him. He could be useful on nights when Kawhi Leonard sits. Bogdanovic joining the Clippers could end Derrick Jones’ big run. I wouldn’t drop Jones just yet, but if he loses even a couple of minutes to Bogdnaovic, that will likely be enough to drop him out of the standard league conversation. Bogdanovic should not have an impact on the Clippers’ top four.
• Mann should be in the rotation in Atlanta but won’t play enough minutes to be relevant in any leagues. He’s a poor per-minute player who needs minutes in the low 30s to be even somewhat useful. In Atlanta, his minutes will likely get stuck in the teens. Zaccharie Risacher could pick up some extra minutes going forward, but he’s just a so-so deep league option. Risacher needs to improve his per-minute production to be a top-200 player, even if his minutes jump into the high 20s. In 16-team leagues, I’d add. In another shallower, I’d view him as a streamer. Bones could replace Keaton Wallace as the Hawks’ backup point guard but could also end up as a DNP-CD. If he can pass Wallace, he will be worth streaming on nights when Trae Young sits.

 

Cody Zeller to the Rockets

To Houston: Cody Zeller, 2028 second-round pick

To Atlanta: TBA

• Zeller is being shipped out to make room for all of the Hawks’ deadline day acquisitions. He did not appear in a game for Atlanta this season. It sounds like the Rockets are going to keep him around, but he will not be in the rotation in Houston.

 

Marcus Smart and a pick to the Wizards for Marvin Bagley, Johnny Davis, and picks

To Washington: Marcus Smart, 2025 first-round pick

To Memphis: Marvin Bagley, Johnny Davis, two second-round picks

• The Wizards are getting a first-round pick for taking on the $21.5 million owed to Smart in 2025-2026. The veteran is unlikely to be bought out since he is not expiring. Smart is not going to have a major role in Washington. At best, he’ll be a decent assists and steals streamer until the team shuts him down. I would not be adding him in deeper settings. Bagley and Davis are both on expiring contracts and could be waived by Memphis.

 

Kevin Porter Jr. to the Bucks for MarJon Beauchamp

To Milwaukee: Kevin Porter Jr.

To Los Angeles: MarJon Beauchamp

• Porter could be in the rotation in Milwaukee, but his minutes are unlikely to get out of teens. He’s just someone to keep in mind for nights when Damian Lillard sits. If he starts when Lillard is out, he’ll be worth streaming in all leagues. He does not need to be added in deep leagues. Beauchamp will not be in the rotation in Los Angeles and could get waived with the Clippers expected to be active during buyout season.

 

James Wiseman to the Raptors

To Toronto: James Wiseman, cash

To Indiana: A top-55 protected 2026 second-round pick

• The Pacers open up a roster spot by sending Wiseman to the Raptors. Wiseman is out for the year with a torn Achilles and will likely be waived by the Raptors. Indiana will not get a pick out of this deal due to the heavy protection. If the second-round pick doesn’t convey next year (and it won’t), the obligation is extinguished. The pick was only included in the deal because teams have to send something in return for a player.