The LA Clippers cleaned up a potential logjam on their roster by taking a flyer on a young player. The Bucks added some backcourt depth, while moving a player who was no longer part of their roster plans.

Here are the particulars:

LA Clippers acquire: MarJon Beauchamp

Milwaukee Bucks acquire: Kevin Porter Jr.

Let’s dive in!

LA Clippers

Incoming salary: $2.7 million in 2024-25

• Marjon Beauchamp (SG/SF, one year, $2.7 million)

Outgoing salary: $2.2 million in 2024-25

• Kevin Porter Jr. (SG/PG, two years, $4.8 million (2025-26 player option))

The Clippers no longer had a need for Kevin Porter Jr. in their backcourt. Kris Dunn has assumed the primary backup point guard role, Patty Mills was added earlier in trade season for depth, and Ben Simmons is joining the team after a buyout from the Nets. Off-ball, the team Norman Powell, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Amir Coffey in front of Porter.

Porter has been a bit of a wild-card in the past when he’s not playing regular minutes. That’s something that LA can no longer guarantee him with the depth they’ve added.

MarJon Beauchamp is a flyer for the Clippers. If he shows enough, LA could bring him back on a team-friendly contract next season as a developmental player.

On the cap sheet, there is a little bit more clarity for next season. Beauchamp had his fourth-year rookie scale option declined, so he’ll be an unrestricted free agent. Porter has a $2.5 million player option, which he’s likely to decline. Now, the Clippers can go into the offseason knowing they’ll certainly have that roster spot open.

Milwaukee Bucks

Incoming salary: $2.2 million in 2024-25

• Kevin Porter Jr. (SG/PG, two years, $4.8 million (2025-26 player option))

Outgoing salary: $2.7 million in 2024-25

• Marjon Beauchamp (SG/SF, one year, $2.7 million)

The Bucks protected themselves in case of a backcourt injury in this move. MarJon Beauchamp was long longer a part of the plans in Milwaukee, as witnessed by the team declining their rookie scale team option for Beauchamp for next season.

Porter could be in line for a regular rotation role for the Bucks. Milwaukee is a bit thing behind Damian Lillard at point guard, as two-way player Ryan Rollins has become the primary backup ballhandler. That’s a spot where Porter can step in and help.

Long-term, if Porter opts in for next season, he’ll make just above the veteran minimum amount. That’s solid value for the production he can bring.

After making two deals earlier in trade season that left with him a hole at center, the Lakers went all-in to fill it. The Hornets continued picking up draft capital and young players.

Here are the particulars:

Los Angeles Lakers acquire: Mark Williams

Charlotte Hornets acquire: Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, rights to swap 2030 first-round picks, 2031 Lakers first-round pick

Let’s dive in!

Los Angeles Lakers

Incoming salary: $4.1 million in 2024-25

• Mark Williams (C, two years, $10.4 million)

Outgoing salary: $6.3 million in 2024-25

• Dalton Knecht (SF/SG, four years, $14.5 million (rookie scale deal))
• Cam Reddish (SF/SG, one year, $2.1 million)

After trading Anthony Davis in the deal to get Luka Doncic, the Los Angeles Lakers were really thin at the center position. Los Angeles had Jaxson Hayes, two-way players and small-ball options. They filled that need with Mark Williams.

When healthy, Williams has been a solid starting center. He’s a good rebounder, decent rim protector and a solid finisher around the rim. Williams is the type of athletic lob-catch that thrives playing with Doncic. The two should make a very good pick-and-roll pairing for years to come.

The issue is that Williams has rarely been healthy in his NBA career. He’s missed considerable time in each of his first three seasons. The good news is that none of the injuries are directly related and none of them seem to a chronic thing.

The other issue with this trade is that the Lakers gave up their remaining draft capital to add Williams. Paying a first-round pick in six years, plus a swap the year before, is a lot for a guy who will probably never be more than a solid starter. In addition, Los Angeles gave up Dalton Knecht, who was a prized draft pick in just this past draft.

In the immediate, the loss of Knecht isn’t that big of a deal. The Lakers weren’t going to be able to play him with two of Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves very often. Not without Davis to clean up for them. That was going to limit Knecht’s role. Given those three players seem entrenched in Los Angeles for now, it was best to move Knecht while they could get something for him. Cam Reddish has been out of the rotation while, so there’s no production loss there.

The Lakers needed to do something up front. They reportedly sought out Doncic to find out what type of center he wanted to play with. Williams fits that mold. This was just a very high price to pay for a non-All-Star.

Charlotte Hornets

Incoming salary: $6.3 million in 2024-25

• Dalton Knecht (SF/SG, four years, $14.5 million (rookie scale deal))
• Cam Reddish (SF/SG, one year, $2.1 million)

Outgoing salary: $4.1 million in 2024-25

• Mark Williams (C, two years, $10.4 million)

This trade is a massive win for the Hornets. It’s not that Mark Williams isn’t a good player. He is. Williams was also a good fit with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller on the young Charlotte roster.

But Williams wasn’t projecting to be an All-Star. He’s also regularly out of the lineup due to injuries. Center is a spot where teams can find affordable talent almost every offseason. And the Hornets got paid handsomely to move on from Williams.

Knecht is a nice prospect to work with, even if he’s eight months older than Williams, who was drafted two years earlier. Charlotte needs more shooting and scoring on the wing. With Miller out for the season, Knecht should have a clear runway to minutes. He’ll help the Hornets with his shooting and knack for drawing contact and free throws.

The real get here though is the control of the Lakers draft in the “who knows?” years. 2030 and 2031 will be post-LeBron James and we have no idea what Los Angeles will look like at that point. That’s so far out, there’s a decent chance Doncic may have also moved on. If nothing else, it’s worth the gamble for the Hornets.

The Milwaukee Bucks shoot up their roster, while the Washington Wizards took on some salary for draft capital, while the Knicks and Spurs helped to facilitate.

Here are the particulars:

Milwaukee Bucks acquire: Kyle Kuzma, Jericho Sims, second-most favorable 2025 Pistons, Suns or Warriors second-round pick, 2026 top-55 protected Spurs second-round pick

Washington Wizards acquire: Khris Middleton, A.J. Johnson, draft rights for Mathias Lessort, right to swap least favorable 2028 Bucks or Trail Blazers first-round pick, Cash

New York Knicks acquire: Delon Wright, draft rights for Hugo Besson, Cash

San Antonio Spurs acquire: Patrick Baldwin, Cash

Let’s dive in!

Milwaukee Bucks

Incoming salary: $25.6 million in 2024-25

• Kyle Kuzma (PF/SF, three years, $64.4 million)
• Jericho Sims (C, one year, $2.1 million)

Outgoing salary: $36.6 million in 2024-25

• Khris Middleton (SF/SG, two years, $65.7 million (player option for final season))
• A.J. Johnson (SG, four years, $14.6 million (rookie scale deal))
• Delon Wright (PG, one year, $2.1 million)

The Bucks seemingly wanted to shake things up at the trade deadline. They did so by trading away beloved Buck Khris Middleton to bring in talented, but inconsistent forward Kyle Kuzma. Milwaukee also gave up first-round pick swap rights in the deal and 2024 first-rounder A.J. Johnson.

Middleton was oft-injured over the last few seasons. Milwaukee was often left without the veteran wing during key moments, including during the playoffs. This season, Middleton has struggled to find his form. Bucks coach Doc Rivers recently commented that it was hard for Middleton to get into a rhythm with being constantly in and out of the lineup.

Kuzma has largely been healthy in recent years. He’s been inefficient this season, but that’s come while playing with a lot of young players on a Wizards team with nothing to play for.

Milwaukee is hoping that Kuzma will give them more size on the wing, in addition to a player who will be more regularly available. The Bucks are also betting with better talent around him that Kuzma will find his shooting form again.

The Bucks also picked up Jericho Sims. Despite being given chances over the last few seasons, Sims has never been able to seize a rotation role for the Knicks. Still, Milwaukee was very thin behind Brook Lopez at center, and Sims will provide them with some depth at the five.

In addition to adding frontcourt depth, the Bucks were able to save some money for this year and next by swapping out Middleton for Kuzma. That’s big for a team that was above the second apron prior to their deadline deals.

Washington Wizards

Incoming salary: $34.5 million in 2024-25

• Khris Middleton (SF/SG, two years, $65.7 million (player option for final season))
• A.J. Johnson (SG, four years, $14.6 million (rookie scale deal))

Outgoing salary: $26 million in 2024-25

• Kyle Kuzma (PF/SF, three years, $64.4 million)
• Patrick Baldwin (SF/PF, one year, $2.5 million)

Like in their other deadline moves, the Wizards picked up additional draft capital for taking on some short-term salary over the next two seasons. Washington has talked about adding Khris Middleton to help with their younger roster, but this was really about getting a draft pick while shedding an additional year of salary for Kyle Kuzma.

Middleton may very well contribute to the Wizards for the remainder of this season, and possibly for part of next. He could also decide that making $34 million for a lottery team isn’t appealing and could decline his player option. That’s not very likely, but don’t take it offer the table.

If Washington can get Middleton back into form, he’ll become an attractive trade chip for next season, as he’ll have a large expiring salary. In the interim time, he can help a young group of wings including Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George and A.J. Johnson learn how to succeed in the NBA.

Johnson is being treated as a throw-in part of this deal, but he could be more than that. Johnson is fairly athletic and is very young. There’s potential there and he’ll have a chance at minutes on the rebuilding Wizards.

San Antonio Spurs

Incoming salary: $2.5 million in 2024-25

• Patrick Baldwin (SF/PF, one year, $2.5 million)

Outgoing salary: None

The Spurs were in this deal to act as a facilitator. They took on Baldwin’s contract for more than enough to cash to cover it. Baldwin was already waived by San Antonio.

New York Knicks

Incoming salary: $2.1 million in 2024-25

• Delon Wright (PG, one year, $2.1 million)

Outgoing salary: $26 million in 2024-25

• Jericho Sims (C, one year, $2.1 million)

The Knicks inclusion in this deal was an odd one. New York already has a glut at point guard with Jalen Brunson, Miles McBride, Cameron Payne and Tyler Kolek. All of those players are more productive than Wright is. The Knicks did get enough cash to cover Wright’s deal, so that’s likely all this was about.

New York may very well waive Wright if they need a roster spot, but that would be a down-the-line thing. The Knicks are already working with open roster spots and apron issues at it is, waiving Wright will only come if there is a real need.

The Phoenix Suns and Charlotte Hornets became familiar trade partners during this trade season. The two teams linked up for another deal ahead of the deadline, after working a previous deal a few weeks earlier.

Here are the particulars:

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

Charlotte Hornets acquire: Jusuf Nurkic, least favorable 2026 Suns, Grizzlies, Magic or Wizards first-round pick.

Let’s dive in!

Phoenix Suns

Incoming salary: $15.8 million in 2024-25

• Cody Martin (SF, two years, $16.8 million (2025-26 non-guaranteed))
• Vasilije Micic (PG, two years, $15.8 million (2025-26 team option))

Outgoing salary: $18.1 million in 2024-25

• Jusuf Nurkic (C, two years, $37.5 million)

This trade for the Suns was about cutting their luxury tax bill, while also adding some depth to their roster. And they managed to do that while shedding Jusuf Nurkic, who was no longer part of the plans in Phoenix.

Martin enters a crowded wing mix for the Suns. Even if you subtract Kevin Durant, who plays mostly at power forward, Martin will be competing for minutes alongside Devin Booker with Royce O’Neale, Grayson Allen, Bradley Beal and Ryan Dunn. That’s a tough group to crack.

In addition, Martin is the only player from that mix that doesn’t have guaranteed money on the books for next season. Maybe Phoenix takes a look, but we’ll see.

Micic is in a similar situation at point guard. He’ll be behind Tyus Jones and Monte Morris, and whatever minutes that Beal and Allen log at point guard too.

Micic also isn’t carrying money into next season. The Suns will hold an $8.1 million team option for the veteran point guard. There are already reports that Micic hopes that option will be declined so that he can return to Europe next season.

If nothing else, the Suns saved some on their tax bill this season, while also shaving over $19 million off the books for next season. There is a chance Phoenix could use Martin’s or Micic’s salary in a trade in the offseason, but that will depend on where things are at. This trade was about savings and flexibility, and the Suns achieved that.

Charlotte Hornets

Incoming salary: $18.1 million in 2024-25

• Jusuf Nurkic (C, two years, $37.5 million)

Outgoing salary: $15.8 million in 2024-25

• Cody Martin (SF, two years, $16.8 million (2025-26 non-guaranteed))
• Vasilije Micic (PG, two years, $15.8 million (2025-26 team option))

The Hornets were miles from the luxury tax before taking on money in a few different deals. As they did in their other moves, Charlotte added draft capital. In this trade, that was in the form of a future first-round pick.

Jusuf Nurkic should have a chance to play for the Hornets. Charlotte doesn’t have much at the center position, and Nurkic is eager to prove he can still play. Look for him to get some minutes, as the Hornets would like to rebuild his trade value ahead of Nurkic having an expiring contract next season.

Throughout trade season, the Hornets have reshaped their roster while adding future draft picks. That’s what you should be doing when you’re a lottery team. In addition, Charlotte didn’t have to take back any bad salary that stretches beyond next season. That’s a win.

The Toronto Raptors used some of their room under the luxury tax to help the Indiana Pacers create room under the luxury tax.

Here are the particulars:

Toronto Raptors acquire: James Wiseman, Cash

Indiana Pacers acquire: 2031 top-55 protected Raptors second-round pick

Let’s dive in!

Toronto Raptors

Incoming salary: $2.2 million in 2024-25

• James Wiseman (C, one year, $2.2 million)

Outgoing salary: None

The Raptors had plenty of room under the luxury tax. With the Pacers willing to cover Wiseman’s salary with cash, Toronto did them a favor.

Wiseman was released, which auto-declined the team option on his contract for next season. The young big man will spend the rest of this year rehabbing from a torn Achilles’ tendon. Because he was injured while with the Pacers, Wiseman can continue to rehab with the team, their medical staff and using their facilities.

Indiana Pacers

Incoming salary: None

Outgoing salary: $2.2 million in 2024-25

• James Wiseman (C, one year, $2.2 million)

This move was about creating a roster spot and some clearance under the luxury tax for Indiana. The Pacers could now be involved in adding a player via the buyout market. Keep an eye on big men, as Indiana is still a bit light in terms of depth behind Myles Turner and Thomas Bryant.

The Toronto Raptors again went the “pre-agency” route. The Pelicans got value for a player who was no long a part of their future plans.

Here are the particulars:

Toronto Raptors acquire: Brandon Ingram

New Orleans Pelicans acquire: Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, 2026 top-four protected Pacers first-round pick, 2031 Raptors second-round pick

Let’s dive in!

Toronto Raptors

Incoming salary: $34 million in 2024-25

• Brandon Ingram (SF, one year, $34 million)

Outgoing salary: $35.8 million in 2024-25

• Bruce Brown (SG/SF, one year, $23 million)
• Kelly Olynyk (C, two years, 26.3 million)

For the fourth consecutive trade deadline, the Toronto Raptors have traded a future first-round pick to acquire a pending free agent. This strategy has worked for the Raptors in the past, but this one is the biggest move yet.

Toronto has no real path to acquiring a player as good as Brandon Ingram in free agency. The Raptors don’t have cap space, nor is Toronto a free agent destination. That means not waiting to get your work done in free agency. By acquiring Ingram now, the Raptors make a pre-agency move to be in position to offer him more than anyone else can.

Ingram is set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Ingram remains extension eligible, but he’s bound by signing for no more than is allowable via the extend-and-trade rules. That restriction remains in place for six months, which clearly takes us past the start of free agency. That means a max extension of up to three season, starting at 120% of Ingram’s current salary with 5% raises.

That means from today through June 30, Ingram could sign a three-year extension worth up to $136 million. Which begs the question: Is that enough? That’s not a max deal, but it’s not far off of one. And is a max deal coming for Ingram anyway?

Those are the questions that Ingram, his reps and the Raptors have to look at over the next several months. Toronto has some flexibility, but they are already carrying long-term money for Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickly, RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl. That’s starting to be a lot of money locked up for a team that hasn’t proven anything.

In addition, only the Brooklyn Nets project to have cap space this coming offseason. Given they are rebuilding, they aren’t likely to be up for a max deal for Ingram. Sign-and-trade deals could be in play, but that involves Toronto playing ball.

Basically, the Raptors don’t have full control here, but they should feel good about re-signing Ingram.

As far as his next contract goes, Ingram is really good. He’s a three-level scorer, and a good playmaker and rebounder. He’s also fine defensively, especially when playing with other good defenders. That’s the kind of guy who lands a near-max deal.

That core, plus Ingram, is probably a playoff team in the Eastern Conference next season. And there’s young talent behind that core group, and a high draft pick coming too.

Mostly, the Raptors didn’t trade a first-round pick and a couple of good players, to mess around with re-signing Ingram. If he’s reasonable and doesn’t demand a full max, there’s room to get something done before unrestricted free agency in July.

New Orleans Pelicans

Incoming salary: $35.8 million in 2024-25

• Bruce Brown (SG/SF, one year, $23 million)
• Kelly Olynyk (C, two years, 26.3 million)

Outgoing salary: $34 million in 2024-25

• Brandon Ingram (SF, one year, $34 million)

It’s been clear for a while now that Brandon Ingram’s time in New Orleans was coming to an end. The team and Ingram were reportedly far apart in extension talks. The Pelicans were leery of locking into another big deal with Ingram, given long-term money they already have committed to several players. Ingram’s challenges with staying on the court could also be a challenge for New Orleans, given that issue persists with other players as well.

The Pelicans aren’t going to buy out either Bruce Brown or Kelly Olynyk. They’ll use both as rotation players for the remainder of this season. Olynyk should slot in nicely as a third big in a rotation with Zion Williamson and Yves Missi. Olynyk’s spacing will help spread the floor for the other big man to work inside.

Brown will give New Orleans some much-needed backcourt depth with Dejounte Murray out for the season and Herb Jones sidelined for a while longer. But this offseason is where things will get interesting for Brown.

This time around in unrestricted free agency, there won’t be any offers for $40 million-plus for Brown. But that doesn’t mean his Bird rights won’t have real value for him and the Pelicans. With almost the entire league over the cap, and several operating around the aprons, Brown could get to his next destination via sign-and-trade. Even if his annual salary is cut in half, that’s still reason enough to not take a buyout and then have to work without Bird rights this summer.

On the Pelicans side, a potential sign-and-trade of Brown could replenish some depth. And, of course, New Orleans and Brown could find that they enjoy this partnership over the next couple of months. That could lead to Brown re-signing to stay with the Pelicans beyond this season.

Overall, this is a new direction for New Orleans. They have Jones and Trey Murphy III as more-than-capable fill-ins for Ingram on the wing. The Pelicans will have a high draft pick this year to add more talent too. Getting some flexibility, both on the cap sheet and with two good players, for a guy who wasn’t in the long-term plans is good work.

The Memphis Grizzlies moved some salary out to create financial flexibility. The Sacramento Kings picked up a potential rotation player. The Washington Wizards added to their draft capital by taking on some future salary.

Here are the particulars:

Memphis Grizzlies acquire: Marvin Bagley III, Johnny Davis, least favorable 2025 Pistons, Warriors or Suns second-round pick, 2028 Kings second-round pick

Sacramento Kings acquire: Jake LaRavia

Washington Wizards acquire: Marcus Smart, Colby Jones, Alex Len, 2025 lottery-protected Grizzlies first-round pick

Let’s dive in!

Memphis Grizzlies

Incoming salary: $17.8 million in 2024-25

• Marvin Bagley III (C/PF, one year, $12.5 million), Johnny Davis (PG, one year, $5.3 million)

Outgoing salary: $23.6 million in 2024-25

• Marcus Smart (PG, two years, $41.7 million), Jake LaRavia (PF/SF, one year, $3.4 million)

The Memphis Grizzlies tried to make a blockbuster move. They were reportedly in on stars, including Jimmy Butler and Kevin Durant. Memphis also tried to acquire Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith. In the end, the Grizzlies chose to create some financial flexibility, which should aid them in keep some of their own players around long-term.

On the court, Memphis didn’t lose all that much here. Marcus Smart was injured for much of his Grizzlies tenure. When he did play, Smart struggled to get much going. Scotty Pippen Jr. has emerged as perfectly solid backup for Ja Morant. Losing Smart in a salary-clearing move didn’t come with a loss of much on-court production.

Jake LaRavia is a bit of a different story. LaRavia was playing well, but his time was likely growing short in Memphis. The Grizzlies declined LaRavia’s fourth-year rookie scale team option. That means he wasn’t overly likely to return next season. In addition, with GG Jackson and Vince Williams Jr. finally healthy, Memphis has players ready to go to replace LaRavia’s spot in the rotation.

This trade was all about creating flexibility with the cap and luxury tax as soon as next season. There’s a world where Memphis could create a small amount of cap space next summer, while retaining Santi Aldama’s restricted free agent rights.

With that cap space, Memphis could then renegotiate-and-extend Jaren Jackson Jr. this offseason. That would allow them to bump Jackson’s salary up to around $30 million for next season (more if the Grizzlies were to shed some additional salary in the offseason), then to extend Jackson off that new first-year salary. Of course, this could all be made moot by Jackson making All-NBA this season, which would open up a Designated Veteran Player Extension for the Grizzlies and their star forward.

With either path with Jackson, Memphis can retain Aldama. That’s important, as he’s become a crucial part of the Grizzlies frontcourt rotation. Memphis can control the free agency process for Aldama, as they’ll have his restricted rights. That should keep things from get out of control with offers for the forward/center.

It’s unknown at this point what will happen with Bagley and Davis. Both could be waived, as Memphis has enough clearance under the tax to replace them with prorated veteran minimum signings. Neither Bagley nor Davis has money carrying into next season, and neither’s free agent rights are valuable enough to keep the Grizzlies from waiving them now.

All around, it stings to not have done something bigger for right now with Smart’s contract. Memphis is a tier below the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference. A major addition could have pushed the Grizzlies over the top. They tried, but not succeeding doesn’t make this trade deadline a failure. It just means you have to wait a bit longer to see the results.

Sacramento Kings

Incoming salary: $3.4 million in 2024-25

• Jake LaRavia (PF/SF, one year, $3.4 million)

Outgoing salary: $4.2 million in 2024-25

• Colby Jones (SG/SF, three years, $6.7 million (final two seasons non-guaranteed))
• Alex Len (C, one year, $2.1 million)

For the Kings, this was a chance to add a good player in Jake LaRavia at the cost of players who had already been replaced in the rotation. LaRavia has built on a strong finish to last season by continuing his solid play this season. The third-year combo forward has become a very good shooter and scorer, in addition to being an improved rebounder and passer.

There is one wrinkle to this deal for Sacramento, and it might not be a positive one. Because the Grizzlies declined LaRavia’s fourth-year rookie scale team option, he can’t make more than the amount of that declined option in first-year salary by re-signing with a team. That restriction carries over to the Kings, even though the Grizzlies were the ones to decline the option.

For LaRavia, that limits him to up to $5.2 million if he re-signs in Sacramento. A reasonable path forward, is probably a 1+1 deal, with a player option for $10.7 million over the two seasons. That would allow LaRavia to get back on the market in 2026, and the Kings would have his full Bird rights at that point.

Colby Jones had flashed at times for Sacramento, but was buried in the team’s wing rotation. There was no real path towards playing time for Jones with the Kings, following the team other acquisitions.

Len was replaced in a previous deal when Jonas Valanciunas was traded to Sacramento. He’d already lost most of his playing time to Trey Lyles in smaller lineups. With Valanciunas in the fold, and Lyles still around, there wasn’t really a place for Len on the roster.

Washington Wizards

Incoming salary: $24.4 million in 2024-25

• Marcus Smart (PG, two years, $41.7 million)
• Colby Jones (SG/SF, three years, $6.7 million (final two seasons non-guaranteed))
• Alex Len (C, one year, $2.1 million)

Outgoing salary: $17.8 million in 2024-25

• Marvin Bagley III (C/PF, one year, $12.5 million)
• Johnny Davis (PG, one year, $5.3 million)

As they did throughout trade season, the Wizards continued to collect assets by taking on salary. In this case, that salary for Marcus Smart stretches into the 2025-26 season. But that’s why Washington was able to get a first-round pick in this deal.

Essentially, the Wizards did at the deadline what they were likely to do with their cap space next summer: eat unwanted contracts while adding draft capital. Instead of waiting until July, Washington acted now.

Despite some buzz to the contrary, Smart won’t be bought out by the Wizards. It doesn’t make sense for him or them, considering he has money on his deal into next season. Instead, Smart will play some with a young Washington team. They’ll try to rehab some of his trade value, and then a trade for Smart will come next season when he’s on an expiring deal.

Colby Jones is a nice flyer for the Wizards. He’s shown flashes with the Kings. With Washington committed to their rebuild, he has a nice opportunity to show what he can do.

Alex Len should assume the role that Jonas Valanciunas was playing for Washington. The Wizards frontcourt is fairly thin behind rookie Alex Sarr. That should give Len an opportunity to play as a physical, rugged backup.

Neither Bagley nor Davis were playing much of a role for Washington. Bagley has been out with a knee injury, while Davis was never able to crack the regular rotation during his entire Wizards tenure.

The Jimmy Butler saga is over! It was a complicated five-team deal in the end that saw a lot of player and draft pick movement.

Here are the particulars:

Golden State Warriors acquire: Jimmy Butler

Miami Heat acquire: Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, Davion Mitchell, 2025 Warriors top-10 protected first-round pick

Detroit Pistons acquire: Dennis Schroder, Lindy Waters III, least favorable 2031 Warriors or Timberwolves second-round pick

Utah Jazz acquire: KJ Martin, Josh Richardson, least favorable 2028 Pistons, Hornets, Clippers, Heat or Rockets second-round pick, most favorable 2031 Pacers or Heat second-round pick, Cash

Raptors acquire: P.J. Tucker, 2026 Lakers second-round pick, Cash

Let’s dive in!

Golden State Warriors

Incoming salary: $48.8 million in 2024-25

• Jimmy Butler (SF, two years, $101.2 million (final year player option))
• Note: Butler declined his player option for 2025-26 and signed a two-year, $112.5 million extension

Outgoing salary: $50.3 million in 2024-25

• Andrew Wiggins (SF, three years, $84.7 million (final season player option))
• Dennis Schroder (PG, one year, $13 million)
• Kyle Anderson (PF, three years, $27.7 million (final season fully non-guaranteed))
• Lindy Waters III (SG/SF, one year, $2.2 million)

The Warriors were committed to landing a star at this deadline. And they wanted to do so without giving up multiple first-round picks or Jonathan Kuminga.

Mission accomplished.

Butler comes in and seems very happy to be in the Bay Area. That’s a huge plus, given we know what happens when Butler isn’t happy. Part of the reason Butler is happy is to be out of Miami. The other part is the shiny new $112.5 million extension that he signed with the Warriors.

This trade probably doesn’t happen without Butler’s willingness to sign that extension. Sure, you can quibble about spending that kind of money for a 36-year-old perimeter player who has averaged 22 missed games per season over his past three full seasons. That deal probably won’t look good in Year 3.

But for the Warriors, you let tomorrow’s problems be tomorrow’s problems. They wanted to give Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Steve Kerr help to make another run. Butler does that.

Butler isn’t a shooter. That means Golden State will need to keep Curry and at least one or two other shooters on the floor when Butler and Green share the floor. But that’s about the only weakness in Butler’s game.

The veteran wing is still an outstanding creator, both for himself and his teammates. Butler excels in getting to his spots for midrange jumpers, and he’s still a strong finisher around the rim. He’s also terrific at setting up teammates. His skill-set should fit in quite well within the Warriors read-and-react system.

On defense, Butler is better defending bigger wings at this point in his career. He’s not quite as versatile as Andrew Wiggins, who he’s replacing, but Butler is still an above-average defender.

Giving up a first-round pick was a bit rough, but the Warriors don’t really have time for developmental projects. They’d rather use that roster spot in the coming years on a veteran addition that can give them productive minutes now.

Golden State has some more roster work to do. They started that process by converting Quinten Post from his two-way deal to a standard contract. Post has played well and gives the Warriors a stretch-five element that they’ve lacked.

Golden State still has three more open standard roster spots (they’ll have to fill at least two of them eventually), and now and open two-way spot. Because they are only $1.37 million under their first-apron hard cap, expect the Warriors to play some roster games with 10 Day deals until making rest-of-season signings late in the regular season.

Miami Heat

Incoming salary: $41.5 million in 2024-25

• Andrew Wiggins (SF, three years, $84.7 million (final season player option))
• Kyle Anderson (PF, three years, $27.7 million (final season fully non-guaranteed))
• Davion Mitchell (PG, one year, $6.5 million)

Outgoing salary: $51.9 million in 2024-25

• Jimmy Butler (SF, two years, $101.2 million (final year player option))
• Josh Richardson (SG/PG, one year, $3.1 million)

Considering the Heat were backed into a corner with trading Jimmy Butler, they did pretty well here. Miami saved a good amount of money in the near term, while adding three helpful players.

Andrew Wiggins is a good player and should fit in well alongside Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro in the Heat’s starting lineup. Don’t be surprised to see Wiggins push back to nearly 20 points per game in Miami’s equal opportunity offensive system. The veteran wing is also a solid defender, who adds some versatility to Erik Spoelstra’s defensive schemes.

Davion Mitchell just seems like a Heat player. Given all the off-court uncertainty with Terry Rozier III, and his slipping on-court production, Mitchell could be a long-term player in Miami. He’s a bulldog defensively and showed some playmaking skills for Toronto at points this season. At the very least, Mitchell will be the best backcourt defender on the roster.

It’s unknown what kind of role Kyle Anderson will play. Early reports were that Miami was trying to move Anderson on to another team, but was unable to do so. The 12th-year forward is a solid connector on offense. He moves the ball well and he can hit the occasional jumper too. Anderson is also a solid defender. Don’t be surprised if Spoelstra finds a way to work him into his rotation.

Getting the Warriors first-round pick is a nice addition in this deal for the Heat. Miami has drafted well in the back half of the first round previously. This pick will likely convey this year in the mid-to-late teens. That’s good, given Miami has been out some draft picks in recent years.

Butler put the Heat in a nearly impossible situation. There was no way they could bring him back. That would have been a disaster for all parties involved. Now, the team can move forward with some solid players, some roster certainty and hopefully far less drama.

Detroit Pistons

Incoming salary: $15.2 million in 2024-25

• Dennis Schroder (PG, one year, $13 million)
• Lindy Waters III (SG/SF, one year, $2.2 million)

Outgoing salary: $7.9 million in 2024-25

• KJ Martin (PF/SF, two years, $16 million (final season non-guaranteed))
• Note 1: We’ll also cover the Pistons acquiring KJ Martin from the Philadelphia 76ers here in a previous trade
• Note 2: The Pistons waived Wendell Moore Jr. to create the roster space to complete these moves

Detroit did well with their cap space. For a little bit, it looked like Trajan Langdon was going to eat a couple of a salaries for assets. That would have been fine, but a late swerve brought in Dennis Schroder as a helpful rotation player. Don’t count out Lindy Waters III either.

In this five-team deal and the earlier deal with the Sixers, the Pistons added a sum total of two new second-round picks (three in, one out). But this wasn’t just about the picks for a change. Detroit added roster help too.

Schroder will play an immediate role for the Pistons as a backup ballhandler. With Jaden Ivey out for a while longer (Ivey could return before the end of the regular season), JB Bickerstaff really needed another on-ball playmaker. Too much of the burden to create everything was falling on Cade Cunningham. If the Pistons want to make a real run at the playoffs, they can’t burn out Cunningham in the regular season.

That’s where Schroder will help. He’s still a good scorer, and he’s a far better fit in the Pistons pick-and-roll heavy offense than the Warriors read-and-react system. Schroder will work the screen games to get downhill, to get to his pullup or to set up teammates.

Waters is a shooter. On nights when Malik Beasley or Tim Hardaway Jr. are out or off the mark, Bickerstaff can go to Waters.

The mechanics of the Pistons deadline maneuvering were fascinating too. Detroit entered the day with $14 million in cap space. They first used some of that space to acquire KJ Martin in a salary-shedding move from the 76ers. Detroit then flipped Martin to the Jazz in this five-team deal, with Schroder eating up most of the remaining cap space. Waters was then acquired via the Minimum Exception. Crucially, this sequence of moves left the Pistons with the full $7.9 million Room Exception. That could be handy to help Langdon outbid rivals during buyout season.

For the 76ers part in the previous trade of Martin to Detroit, they got a minimal amount of cash. The real get for Philadelphia was getting under the luxury tax for this season.

Utah Jazz

Incoming salary: $11 million in 2024-25

• KJ Martin (PF/SF, two years, $16 million (final season non-guaranteed))
• Josh Richardson (SG/PG, one year, $3.1 million)

Outgoing salary: $11.5 million in 2024-25

• P.J. Tucker (PF, one year, $11.5 million)
• Note: The Jazz waived Jalen Hood-Schifino to create the roster space  to complete this trade

The Jazz jumped into this deal to act as a facilitator, while picking up some additional draft capital. In addition, Utah will take a flyer on Martin for the remainder of this season. As his contract is non-guaranteed for 2025-26, the Jazz can move on at no cost this summer, if Martin doesn’t work out.

Martin is an uber-athletic forward. He should get a chance to show what he can do, as Utah has regularly been holding their veteran players out of games. Given the Jazz chances at good lottery odds, don’t expect that to stop anytime soon. That will give Martin the opportunity to show he can be someone worth keeping around beyond this season.

Richardson will reportedly be waived. He could still help a team that needs some backcourt help. The challenge for Richardson has been getting and staying healthy this season.

Toronto Raptors

Incoming salary: $11.5 million in 2024-25

• P.J. Tucker (PF, one year, $11.5 million)

Outgoing salary: $6.5 million in 2024-25

• Davion Mitchell (PG, one year, $6.5 million)

The Raptors used some of their space under the luxury tax to help facilitate this trade. In exchange for taking on Tucker’s salary, Toronto picked up a second-round pick.

Trading Mitchell might seem like a giveaway, but Toronto wants to give the backup point guard minutes to rookie Jamal Shead. Considering Shead is younger version of Mitchell in many ways, it makes sense to prioritize playing time for the rookie.

It’s expected the Raptors will eventually waive Tucker. Toronto is in the midst of churning the bottom of their roster, including promoting Jamison Battle from his two-way contract.

The Philadelphia 76ers added some guard depth on a two-way contract, while clearing out some salary and adding some second-round draft capital. The Wizards used some of their tax room to eat a salary, while adding a first-round pick.

Here are the particulars:

Philadelphia 76ers acquire: Jared Butler (two-way player), most favorable of 2027 Warriors or Suns second-round pick, 2028 Warriors second-round pick, 2030 Warriors second-round pick, most favorable of 2030 Suns or Trail Blazers second-round pick

Washington Wizards acquire: Reggie Jackson, least favorable of 2026 Rockets, Clippers or Thunder first-round pick

Let’s dive in!

Philadelphia 76ers

Incoming salary: None (two-way players count as $0 in trade)

Outgoing salary: $2.1 million in 2024-25

• Reggie Jackson (PG, one year, $2.1 million)

Jackson had been a rotation regular for Nick Nurse, but the Sixers have a decent amount of point guard depth. This move was part of a series of moves to that helped Philadelphia to get under the luxury tax line.

In addition to getting under the tax, the Sixers picked up four future second-round picks in exchange for a first-round pick. That’s adding to the coffers long-term.

Lastly, let’s not overlook the addition of Butler. He’s an NBA-caliber backup point guard. Don’t be surprised if Butler is eventually converted to a standard contract by the Sixers before the send of the season.

Washington Wizards

Incoming salary: $2.1 million in 2024-25

• Reggie Jackson (PG, one year, $2.1 million)

Outgoing salary: None (two-way players count as $0 in trade)

This one is pretty simple from the Wizards side. They use some of their considerable space under the luxury tax, plus a bunch of extra second-round picks to add another first-round pick. That’s solid work.

Jackson was waived. He’s got enough left in the tank to help a playoff team that needs some point guard depth. Look for Jackson to catch on with someone on a rest-of-season contract.

The Houston Rockets used some of their room under the luxury tax to pick up a couple of second round picks. The Boston Celtics saved $15 million in luxury tax payments by moving off a non-rotation player.

Here are the particulars:

Houston Rockets acquire: Jaden Springer, 2026 Pelicans or Trail Blazers second-round pick, 2030 Celtics second-round pick

Boston Celtics acquire: 2031 top-55 protected Rockets second-round pick

Let’s dive in!

Houston Rockets

Incoming salary: $4 million in 2024-25

• Jaden Springer (SG, one year, $4 million)

Outgoing salary: None

The Rockets had about $10.5 million in space under the luxury tax. As such, they used a portion of the Non-Taxpayer MLE to bring in Jaden Springer. Houston subsequently waived Springer.

Essentially, the Rockets spent $4 million to buy two second-round picks from Boston.

Springer is a solid defensive player, but his lack of offense has kept him from progressing forward. That said, he’s young enough that a rebuilding team should take a look at him for the rest of the season.

Boston Celtics

Incoming salary: None

Outgoing salary: $4 million in 2024-25

• Jaden Springer (SG, one year, $4 million)

This was all about saving some money for the Celtics. Boston got off $4 million in salary by trading Springer, who wasn’t a regular rotation player. But the real savings came with the luxury tax. Because the Celtics are so deep into the tax, they saved about $15 million in tax penalties with this move.

Boston has a deep roster, and they should be in position to acquire second-round pick down the line, should they need them. The Celtics already re-invested some of the saving by agreeing to a contract with veteran wing Torrey Craig.