The NBA trade deadline has now passed.
Big deals involving Anthony Davis, James Harden and Kristaps Porzingis have already been made this week, with the future of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo hanging in the balance.
Here’s everything you need to know about the four most popular trades that happened — and didn’t happen — before tonight’s deadline:
The Antetokounmpo trade stalled
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Antetokounmpo made an incredible buzzer beater as he helped the Bucks beat the Indiana Pacers
Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have been battling for months in arguably the biggest trade saga of the season.
According to reports, the two-time MVP has been telling the Milwaukee hierarchy that his desire was a trade, with the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors among his potential suitors.
However, the Warriors’ deal for fellow power forward Kristaps Porzingis is thought to have marked the end of the Warriors’ pursuit of the Bucks’ star, as they settled on another wing player.
Milwaukee has fielded trade offers according to ESPN insider Shams Charani — however, according to ESPN, their front office has informed teams that they won’t be trading their star.
The Bucks, however, could go as far as deactivating the forward for the rest of the season in an effort to preserve trade value and boost hopes of a lottery pick.
Harden to Cavs signals desire to win
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
James Harden is the 10th leading scorer in NBA history; check out some of his best moments on the court
Eleven-time All-Star James Harden’s trade to the Cavaliers is a statement of intent for both the player and the team.
Harden, in his 17th season, has yet to win a championship, and his chances of hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy with the 23-27 Los Angeles Clippers looked unlikely.
His move to Cleveland, however, significantly increases those chances. The 31-21 Cavs sit pretty much in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, and trading away a young talent in Darius Garland to secure the services of a star like Harden shows their desire to capitalize on their playoff-caliber team.
Garland, who is averaging 18 points per season, is a valuable commodity in the NBA. A two-time All-Star at 26, Cleveland is taking a significant risk by trading a point guard for an asset, in Harden, whose trade value has declined year after year.
Harden has already sought two Eastern Conference trades — to the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers — in unsuccessful pursuits of championship glory in the past. The former MVP will be hoping the third time is the charm in his move to Cleveland.
At 36, this could be his last chance.
Mavs give up Davis in eight-player trade to Wizards
Anthony Davis in action for the Dallas Mavericks
A year after the trade that rocked the NBA, The Dallas Mavericks cut Anthony Davis.
Davis is the star that led to Dallas giving up their franchise player, former MVP and fan favorite Luka Doncic, in a move that led to the firing of general manager Nick Harrison less than a year later.
Davis, a 10-time All-Star, played in just 31 of a possible 84 games during two partial seasons in Dallas, battling a series of injuries, including a core muscle problem, a strained calf and, most recently, a left hand injury — marking a career plagued by injuries.
The Mavs make up for the draft prize in addition to veteran guards Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malachi Branham and Marvin Bagley III.
The trade signals the start of a dramatic rebuild for Dallas and provides a sobering reminder of the cost of mismanagement in the NBA.
Harrison’s misguided vision — that Davis and All-Star guard Kyrie Irving would be a more viable championship-contending duo — nearly dashed any near-term Mavericks title hopes.
The Warriors pick up Porzingis while Kuminga and Hield head to Atlanta
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights of the NBA match between the Golden State Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs
When it became clear to the Warriors that a trade for Antetokounmpo was no longer viable, they set their sights on another long-term target — No. 4 pick Porzingis.
With shooting, rebounding and passing among the Latvian’s versatile skills, Golden State picked up the frontcourt playmaker they were looking for, albeit one that made far fewer headlines than the move for ‘The Greek Freak’.
The move, however, carries a risk. Porzingis, due to various illnesses and injuries, played in just 17 games for the Hawks this season, and just 42 of the Celtics’ 82 games last season.
With Porzingis’ $30.7 million contract set to expire in the offseason, the trade is low risk, high reward for the Warriors, who add a much-needed boost to help their push into the playoffs. But they lose a young, capable wing player with potential in Jonathan Cumminga, who averaged 12.8 points in his 278 games in Bay.
The move appears to be necessary for both parties – but Porzingis’ durability, or lack thereof, could have a huge impact on the Warriors’ postseason hopes.
Watch the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday 15 February live on Sky Sports, with coverage from 9.30pm. Get Ski Sports or stream contract free with NOV.