The NBA trade deadline is officially less than three weeks away, and honestly, the league is a total mess. Every front office is currently staring at their phones, waiting for one specific person to blink.
That person is Giannis Antetokounmpo.
He hasn't asked for a trade yet, but the Milwaukee Bucks are sitting at a brutal 17-24 record as of mid-January 2026. Because of that, the entire nba trade rumors news cycle is currently stuck in a massive holding pattern.
Teams like the Miami Heat and the Brooklyn Nets are essentially keeping their best assets on ice. They don’t want to blow their load on a "regular" star if there is even a 1% chance that the Greek Freak becomes available. It's a high-stakes game of chicken that is making this deadline feel way more tense than usual.
The Ja Morant Domino and the Milwaukee Panic
While everyone waits on Giannis, the Memphis Grizzlies are actually the ones making noise. They are shopping Ja Morant. Yeah, the two-time All-Star is officially on the block, and the Bucks are desperate enough to try and get him.
The idea is simple: convince Giannis to stay by pairing him with the most athletic point guard in the world.
The rumored price? Milwaukee is reportedly offering a package built around Ryan Rollins—who has been a legitimate Most Improved Player candidate this year—plus a 2031 or 2032 first-round pick. It’s a massive gamble. Some scouts think a non-shooter like Ja is a weird fit next to Giannis, but when you're 17-24, you're not exactly looking for a "perfect" fit. You're looking for a liferaft.
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Miami is playing the long game
Pat Riley is doing what Pat Riley does. He’s lurking. The Heat have interest in Morant, and word is Ja actually prefers Miami. But the Heat aren't pulling the trigger yet. They are waiting to see if the Giannis situation implodes first. If they trade for Ja’s $40+ million salary now, they lose the flexibility to go after Giannis later. It's classic Heat Culture—always hunting the biggest whale in the ocean.
The Lakers, LeBron, and the Luka Experiment
If you haven't been paying attention, the Lakers’ roster looks wild right now. They actually have Luka Dončić. I know, it still feels like a fever dream. But even with LeBron and Luka, the Lakers are struggling with consistency.
Their bench is basically a disaster.
They’ve been linked to a trade with the Sacramento Kings that would bring in Malik Monk, Keon Ellis, and Devin Carter. To get that "power trio," LA would have to give up Dalton Knecht, Gabe Vincent, and Maxi Kleber.
- Malik Monk would give them that spark plug scoring they’ve missed since... well, since the last time Monk was a Laker.
- Keon Ellis is the defensive stopper they desperately need to protect their aging stars.
- Dalton Knecht has unfortunately hit a sophomore slump, shooting only 31.1% from deep, which is why Pelton and other insiders think he’s the odd man out.
Rob Pelinka is also reportedly trying to turn a 2032 first-round pick into multiple picks. It’s a weird strategy, basically trying to "break a twenty" into smaller bills so he has more assets to move for role players.
Why Jonathan Kuminga Finally Had Enough
Over in San Francisco, the "Bridge to the Future" has officially collapsed. Jonathan Kuminga demanded a trade the second he became eligible on January 15th.
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It’s been a long time coming.
Steve Kerr hasn't been playing him, even in garbage time. Kuminga is 23, he’s talented, and he’s tired of being stuck in the "will-they-or-won't-they" limbo. Draymond Green actually went on his podcast and praised Kuminga for being professional, which is high praise coming from Draymond.
The Mavericks and Kings are the frontrunners here. If Dallas lands Kuminga, they are essentially surrounding Cooper Flagg—their new rookie sensation—with even more young athleticism. It makes almost too much sense.
The Anthony Davis Injury Problem
Remember when Anthony Davis was traded to the Mavs last year? That was supposed to be the move that secured a title. Instead, AD is sidelined again with ligament damage in his left hand.
The rumors are swirling that Dallas might already be done with the AD experiment.
He’s 32, he’s making $60+ million, and he’s eligible for a massive extension this summer. Teams like the Pistons, Hawks, and Bulls are sniffing around, but who wants to trade for a guy who might not be healthy until March? AD even went on X (formerly Twitter) to tell fans to "stop listening to all these lies," but where there's smoke, there's usually a trade request.
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Other Names You’ll Hear Before February 5th
It's not just the superstars. The middle of the market is where the real "winning" happens.
- Domantas Sabonis: He’s got a meniscus injury, which complicates things, but the Toronto Raptors are still very interested. They are looking to package RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to get a real center.
- Lauri Markkanen: The Jazz are in a weird spot. If they finish too high in the standings, they lose their draft pick to OKC. Trading Markkanen is the easiest way to "bottom out" and keep that pick.
- Tyus Jones: Orlando is shopping him for second-round picks. He’s a steady veteran, but he hasn't fit in Florida.
- Michael Porter Jr.: Now on the Nets, MPJ is having a career year shooting 41% from three. Brooklyn will likely flip him to a contender for even more draft capital.
What You Should Do Next
The nba trade rumors news cycle moves fast, but there are a few things you can look for to see which way the wind is blowing.
First, watch the "DNP - CD" (Did Not Play - Coach's Decision) lists. If a guy like Kuminga or Dalton Knecht suddenly stops seeing the floor entirely, a deal is likely 24 to 48 hours away.
Second, keep an eye on the "Second Apron" teams. Under the new CBA rules, teams like the Suns or Celtics are extremely limited in what they can do. They can't take back more money than they send out. If you see a trade rumor that involves a team like that taking on a massive contract without sending one back, it's probably fake.
Lastly, follow the draft pick trail. The Raptors and Jazz are some of the only teams that actually own their own first-round picks this year. That makes them the most dangerous "deal-makers" in the room because they aren't handcuffed by previous trades. Expect them to be the ones who finally break the gridlock before the February 5th deadline.