The NBA trade deadline is February 5, and honestly, the league feels like it’s about to tip over. If you’ve been tracking nba trade rumours today, you know the "silly season" isn't just starting—it’s already here. But this year feels weirder. Usually, we're talking about role players and "maybe" stars. Right now? We're talking about franchise pillars potentially packing their bags.
Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State breaking point
It’s official. Or as official as it gets in this league. Jonathan Kuminga has reportedly demanded a trade from the Golden State Warriors. Shams Charania dropped that bomb on Friday, and the fallout has been messy. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst basically went off on NBA Today, sounding genuinely fed up with the Kuminga saga.
Why now? The relationship is "fractured beyond repair." That’s the quote. Kuminga is 23, and he wants to be the guy, not just a guy in Steve Kerr's rotation. The Chicago Bulls are hovering. They supposedly want him bad and might be willing to move Coby White to make it happen.
The Warriors are in a tight spot. They need to maximize what’s left of the Steph Curry era, but Kuminga is their best young asset. If they move him, they have to get a win-now piece back. Rumours have also linked Kuminga to the Lakers, who are desperate for a wing. But the Lakers’ assets? They’re thin.
The Ja Morant situation in Memphis is getting real
For the first time since he was drafted, the Memphis Grizzlies are actually listening to offers for Ja Morant. Read that again. It’s wild.
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Ja has only played 18 games this season because of injuries and a suspension for an altercation with coach Tuomas Iisalo. The Grizzlies are currently looking at their future and wondering if Jaren Jackson Jr. is the safer bet to build around.
The Toronto Raptors are the name that keeps popping up. They’re sitting in the middle of the Eastern Conference pack and need a spark. A proposed deal involves Immanuel Quickley, Ochai Agbaji, and a 2026 first-rounder heading to Memphis.
Money-wise, it works. Quickley’s $32.5 million salary fits into the math of Morant’s massive $197 million contract. But is Toronto really going to bet the farm on Ja’s health and off-court history? It’s a massive gamble.
NBA trade rumours today: The Lakers are stuck in asset hell
The Los Angeles Lakers are currently 5th in the West, which sounds okay until you realize their defense is ranked 6th-worst in the league. They need a perimeter defender. Badly.
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The problem is they have almost nothing to trade.
- Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent are being shopped as a package.
- Dalton Knecht, who was supposed to be a steal, hasn't found his rhythm.
- They have one tradable first-round pick in 2031 or 2032.
Kevin O’Connor from Yahoo Sports says the word on the street is the Lakers are trying to flip that 2032 pick for multiple lower-tier picks just to have more "bullets" to fire. They’ve been linked to Robert Williams III from Portland. He’s injury-prone, sure, but when he’s healthy, he’s exactly the rim protector they need when Deandre Ayton (yes, Ayton is a Laker now) goes to the bench.
The Bulls are finally being "realistic"
For years, Arturas Karnisovas and the Bulls front office held onto their guys like they were made of gold. Not anymore. Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the Bulls are finally being transparent and "realistic" in their demands.
They are sitting at 19-21 and have a literal pile of expiring contracts:
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- Nikola Vucevic
- Coby White
- Ayo Dosunmu
- Zach Collins
- Kevin Huerter
The Timberwolves are reportedly sniffing around Coby White. The Bulls, meanwhile, are eyeing Jonathan Kuminga as a potential centerpiece for their next era. It’s a rare moment of clarity for a franchise that has been stuck in "treadmill of mediocrity" mode for a long time.
Giannis and the Bucks: The ghost in the room
The biggest name of all is Giannis Antetokounmpo. He hasn't asked out. Not yet. But the Milwaukee Bucks are sweating. They are currently positioned as "buyers" to try and save the season, but everyone in the league is waiting for that formal trade request.
If the Bucks don’t make a deep run, or if they keep sliding, the offseason is going to be a Giannis sweepstakes. The Knicks are reportedly keeping their powder dry just in case. They have a new head coach and a solid roster, but they’d blow it up in a heartbeat for the Greek Freak.
Quick hits from around the league
- Orlando Magic: They’re trying to move Tyus Jones. It’s a money thing. They’ve extended Banchero, Wagner, and Suggs, and they just don’t want to pay the luxury tax for a backup point guard who isn't producing.
- Miami Heat: There’s a wild proposal floating around for them to trade Bam Adebayo to the Celtics. It sounds fake, but Dan Favale over at Bleacher Report thinks it’s the only way Miami can truly "reset" and let Kel’el Ware take over.
- Houston Rockets: They want Darius Garland. Pairing him with Kevin Durant (who is still killing it in Houston) would give them a legit playmaking backcourt.
What you should do next
The trade deadline is February 5. If you're a fan of a team like the Lakers or the Heat, don't expect a superstar trade tomorrow. These things usually come down to the final 48 hours.
Keep an eye on the "selling" teams like Chicago and Brooklyn. Michael Porter Jr. is playing out of his mind for the Nets right now, averaging 25.7 points. He is the prime "consolation prize" for any team that misses out on the Kuminga or Morant sweepstakes.
Watch the injury reports closely over the next two weeks. One twisted ankle can change a team's entire trade strategy from "buyer" to "seller" in a single night.