It’s finally here, the 2025 NBA trade deadline is officially upon us.
Action has been underway for a couple of days now, and while arguably nothing will top the blockbuster swap of Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis on Saturday or the Spurs nabbing De’Aaron Fox to pair with Victor Wembanyama on Sunday, there’s still plenty of possible movement.
Just look to trade deadline eve for instance. Wednesday began with the Bucks exchanging franchise stalwart Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma. Then came the Warriors adding Jimmy Butler in a massive multi-team deal that ended the drama in South Florida. The Raptors seemingly turned into buyers with their late-night acquisition of former All-Star Brandon Ingram. Then finally the Lakers swooped in and picked up a starting calibre centre in Mark Williams from the Hornets.
Hard to keep track of it all? Don’t worry, follow along with the live blog to keep a pulse on the conversation as we inch toward the 3 p.m. ET / noon PT deadline.
-
-
The Raptors Show
Sportsnet’s Blake Murphy and two-time NBA champion Matt Bonner cover all things Raptors and the NBA. Airing every weekday live on Sportsnet 590 The FAN from 11 a.m.-noon ET.
First trade of the day! (10:14 a.m. ET)
As you make that cup of coffee and wipe the gunk out of your eyes, here’s a tidbit on the first deal of deadline day.
A transaction between two Eastern Conference squads as the Sixers are reportedly sending Reggie Jackson and a 2026 first-round pick to the Wizards in exchange for Jared Butler and a haul of four future second-rounders.
Washington gets an extra asset in the near future while Philadelphia boosts its collection of tradeable capital down the road.
The rich get richer (9:28 a.m. ET)
For some non-transactional news to give us a little reprieve from the wheeling and dealing, the Oklahoma City Thunder are set to welcome back third-year standout Chet Holmgren after nearly three months. The 22-year-old has been out since Nov. 10 due to an iliac fracture but is off the injury report as of Thursday and is eyeing a return against the Raptors on Friday.
Holmgren is averaging 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.6 blocks through his 10 appearances this year. Not a bad addition on deadline day for the NBA-leading Thunder.
So, are the Suns trading KD or not? (8:46 a.m. ET)
For a brief moment, the idea of a Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry reunion in the Bay Area seemed plausible. Rumours swirled that the Warriors and Suns were in talks around the idea, and with Phoenix’s massive payroll and seemingly no way to move Bradley Beal due to a no-trade clause, there was some credence to the notion of moving the 15-time All-Star.
All that momentum shut down once Durant added his two cents, however, as the ex-Warriors star reportedly had “coldness” to a supposed return. With that move snuffed before it even truly sparked, the Suns seemingly have done an about-face and want to stick things out with the former MVP. But with a high tax bill, a middling 10th seed and Durant only signed through next season, will owner Mat Ishbia be fine standing pat? If not, “KD” appears to be the asset that nets Phoenix the biggest return.
Bay Area business (8:13 a.m. ET)
Although the Warriors already made their big splash by acquiring Butler, they may still be eyeing more moves considering the depth they slashed to get the six-time All-Star.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on Get Up this morning reported that Golden State “may not be done dealing.” The Warriors have movable expiring contracts and are in the market for a big man in the middle.
Bulls centre Nikola Vucevic has been linked to Golden State previously and might just fit the bill. The dependable 34-year-old has played all but one game for Chicago this year, averaging 19.5 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting a lights-out 39.4 per cent from distance on nearly five attempts a game. Could he be the final piece in the Warriors’ latest push for another title?
