February 5, 2026, is basically the center of the basketball universe right now. If you've been scrolling through social media, you’ve probably seen a thousand different "leaks" about where your favorite player is heading. It's a circus. Honestly, it’s the best and worst time to be an NBA fan.
The NBA trade rumors trade deadline chatter this year feels different because the middle of the pack is so crowded. Teams aren't just looking for that one missing piece; they’re trying to figure out if they should blow the whole thing up or double down on a roster that’s barely hovering around .500.
Take the Toronto Raptors, for example. Reports from insiders like Shams Charania have linked them to a potential blockbuster for Ja Morant. Yeah, that Ja Morant. The Memphis Grizzlies are actually listening to offers for their two-time All-Star, which is wild to think about considering where they were two years ago.
The Ja Morant and Memphis fallout
It’s not just hype. Memphis is reportedly prioritizing draft capital and young players. They’re looking at a world where building around Jaren Jackson Jr. and their youth movement makes more sense than navigating the constant drama and injury concerns surrounding Morant.
The Raptors are sitting there at 23-16 with an offense that’s—to be polite—clunky. They rank 20th in the league. Adding Morant alongside Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram would turn them from a "tough out" into a legitimate Eastern Conference threat.
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The deal being floated? It’s basically Immanuel Quickley, Ochai Agbaji, and a 2026 lottery-protected pick. Financially, it works. Quickley’s making about $32.5 million, which matches up enough with Ja’s massive extension. But would Memphis actually pull the trigger? Morant is 26 and still has that elite ceiling, but the Grizzlies might just be tired of the roller coaster.
Why the Mavericks are in a total panic
In Dallas, things are... not great.
They are 15-25. That’s a nightmare for a team that has championship aspirations every single year. The Anthony Davis experiment hasn't exactly been a fairy tale. Now, Davis is out with a hand injury for at least six weeks. That basically nukes his trade value for the deadline. No one is giving up a haul for a big man who might not be healthy for the playoffs.
Marc Stein has been reporting that Eastern Conference teams are circling Daniel Gafford instead. Gafford has become a legit asset, but the Mavs are in a weird spot. Do they sell high on him to get some salary relief and pivot toward building around their rookie phenom, Cooper Flagg? Or do they try to salvage the season?
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They really like Naji Marshall, too. He’s been outperforming his $27 million contract, and the front office is reportedly very reluctant to move him. But if the season keeps sliding, everything might be on the table.
The Knicks and their hunt for "the guy"
The New York Knicks are always in the middle of these things. Always.
Right now, they’re hard-capped, which makes life a nightmare for Leon Rose. They need a backup ball-handler and some rim protection behind Karl-Anthony Towns. James L. Edwards III from The Athletic mentioned Simone Fontecchio as a name to watch.
Fontecchio started hot in Miami but has been buried in Erik Spoelstra’s rotation lately. The Knicks could potentially package Guerschon Yabusele and Pacome Dadiet to make the money work. It’s not a "superstar" move, but it’s the kind of marginal upgrade that wins you a second-round series.
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Other names floating in the NBA trade rumors trade deadline ether
- Zach LaVine: The Sacramento Kings experiment has failed. Period. Domantas Sabonis is hurt, and the LaVine/DeRozan duo looks exactly like it did in Chicago—redundant. The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly the only team showing real interest, potentially offering a package around Bobby Portis and Kyle Kuzma.
- Jonathan Kuminga: This is the "chaos grenade" of the 2026 deadline. He’s trade-eligible as of January 15. The Kings want him, but they don't want to give up picks. The Warriors are happy to wait until summer unless someone overpays.
- Michael Porter Jr.: He’s averaging nearly 26 points on a rebuilding Brooklyn Nets team. Playoff teams are desperate for his size and shooting, but that $38 million salary is a massive pill to swallow.
- Herb Jones: New Orleans is asking for a "king’s ransom." We’re talking at least two first-round picks. For a guy who’s been banged up all year, that’s a steep price, even if he is one of the best defenders in the league.
What most people get wrong about the deadline
We all love the trade machine. We love seeing names move. But the reality is that the new CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) has made these deals incredibly difficult.
The "second apron" is the new boogeyman. Teams like the Boston Celtics would love to add Jaren Jackson Jr., but they literally can't without gutting their core or facing massive financial penalties that restrict them for years.
You’ll hear rumors about Giannis Antetokounmpo or Giannis-level stars every day. Ignore them for now. Unless the Bucks completely bottom out in the next three weeks, he’s staying put. The real action is going to be in the "distressed asset" market—players like Morant or LaVine where the talent is obvious but the situation has turned sour.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Deadline
- Watch the January 15th fallout: Now that recent signees are eligible to be moved, expect the volume of minor deals to pick up. This clears the deck for the bigger moves.
- Focus on "The Sellers": Watch the Kings and Pelicans. These are teams that expected to be good and aren't. They are the most likely to overreact and move a core piece for a "culture reset."
- Monitor the Injury Reports: Anthony Davis’s hand injury changed the entire Western Conference market. One more rolled ankle to a star on a bubble team could turn them from "buyers" to "sellers" overnight.
- Follow the "Second Apron" Teams: If a team is near the tax line, they aren't looking for stars. They are looking for cheap rookie-scale contracts or vets on minimum deals.
The NBA trade rumors trade deadline isn't just about who gets traded; it's about who has the guts to admit their current roster isn't working. Between now and February 5, expect a lot of smoke. Just remember that in the NBA, where there's smoke, there's usually a frustrated GM trying to save his job.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep a close eye on the Grizzlies' "European trip" and how Morant integrates back into the lineup. If he’s DNP’d for "rest" or "personal reasons" frequently over the next ten days, the Toronto rumors aren't just rumors—they’re a countdown.