The Lakers emerged as a significant victor at the NBA trade deadline by obtaining 25-year-old superstar Luka Doncic, but which teams made the most remarkable moves alongside them?
The 2025 NBA Trade Deadline will be remembered as one of the most intense and tumultuous times in league history. Major trades created a stir in the league, highlighted by the Los Angeles Lakers achieving the unbelievable: uniting Luka Doncic with LeBron James in a transaction that dispatched Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks.
In a time characterized by player empowerment, this trade has demonstrated that front offices no longer prioritize loyalty and the dynamics may be shifting as a consequence. However, the Lakers were not the sole participants in the intense trade deadline excitement.
From Jimmy Butler finally teaming up with Stephen Curry in Golden State to De’Aaron Fox pushing for a trade to San Antonio and Brandon Ingram unexpectedly moving north to Toronto, both contenders and rebuilding squads executed bold strategies to alter their paths. The Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings, and Cleveland Cavaliers also discovered methods to adjust their rosters through strategic trades that may yield benefits in the playoffs.
Nonetheless, not every team emerged from the trade deadline as a victor. Let’s explore the major winners and losers of the 2025 trade deadline and analyze which teams emerged more successful than the rest.
Victor: Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers completed the trade of the decade by landing Luka Doncic, potentially the league’s most exciting young talent. Combining Doncic with LeBron James instantly elevates Los Angeles to title-favorite status, allowing for potential dominance for years even after LeBron retires.
This decision might improve the Lakers’ performance immediately (we’ll have to wait and see), but it definitely secures their future, keeping them significant in a world beyond LeBron. It’s difficult to emphasize how significant this trade is for a franchise that relies on superstar influence.
However, what really defines the Lakers as champions is their low expense. Letting go of Anthony Davis might hurt on defense, but his injury issues and lack of consistency in recent years rendered him expendable in the quest for a generational player like Doncic.
The Lakers succeeded in retaining much of their depth, including important players such as Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, while they acquired Mark Williams through a trade involving a package focused on Dalton Knecht. If the Lakers can unify their efforts, they possess a lineup capable of securing an NBA championship this season, but their prospects appear even more promising ahead.
Perdedores: Aficionados de los Dallas Mavericks
Mavericks supporters are certainly experiencing the pain of Luka Doncic’s exit. Seeing the franchise’s key player leave after years of poor management is a blow that no amount of justification can cushion. That is the reason fans gathered to protest the trade by carrying a coffin to the American Airlines Center.
Luka was expected to be the next Dirk Nowitzki—a player capable of guiding the Mavs to numerous championships while dedicating his entire career to Dallas. Instead, the fans are left questioning what happened and why the front office didn’t provide Luka with the support he required.
The hurt is only heightened by Luka’s current association with the Lakers, a major rival of Dallas. Mavericks supporters will need to observe their ex-star flourish in Los Angeles, possibly securing titles while their own squad wallows in average performance. Until the outcome of Nico Harrison’s decision unfolds through the remainder of the season, this stands as one of the bleakest times in franchise history for the supporters.
Champion: Jimmy Butler
Following months of conjecture and turmoil in Miami, Jimmy Butler finally achieves his anticipated departure and finds himself in a perfect scenario with the Golden State Warriors after signing a two-year max extension valued at $121 million. In other terms, Butler achieved his goal: a maximum contract and the opportunity to compete with a championship contender.
Butler is set to team up with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green in what has the potential to be one of the most fascinating Big 3 pairings in recent history. For Butler, this decision revolves around legacy. He has always aimed to demonstrate his ability to lead or add value to a championship-worthy team, and given Golden State’s championship history, this represents his greatest opportunity since his 2023 Finals appearance.
If everything goes well, he’ll establish himself as one of the most reliable and adaptable stars of this era. Outside of the game, Butler also succeeds by relocating to the Bay Area, a market that matches his vibrant personality. He will have the chance to compete with some of the league’s most altruistic stars and excel in a system focused on movement, defense, and competitiveness.
Perdedor: Phoenix Suns
The Suns attempted to acquire Jimmy Butler but were unsuccessful as they were unable to deal Bradley Beal. The no-trade clause effectively quashed Phoenix’s chances of re-tooling, and they also attempted to trade Kevin Durant. The “Big Three” remains unchanged for the time being, prompting the Suns to pursue lesser transactions instead.
They decided to trade Jusuf Nurkic for a lackluster deal focused on Cody Martin. This agreement hardly addressed Phoenix’s obvious shortcomings and puts even more pressure on Kevin Durant and Devin Booker for the rest of the season.
What’s even more troubling is that the Suns’ front office seemed inactive during one of the most bustling trade deadlines in NBA history. Teams such as the Lakers and Warriors were actively making significant changes to their franchises, whereas Phoenix remained relatively stagnant. The Suns are expected to falter into the playoffs and encounter a first-round elimination with their existing lineup.
Champion: San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs are undoubtedly among the major victors of the deadline, executing a significant trade to acquire De’Aaron Fox. Incorporating Fox grants the Spurs a top young core in the league, teaming him with superstar Victor Wembanyama.
Fox is an established All-Star capable of managing the offense, excelling in transition, and flourishing in pick-and-roll situations with Wembanyama. San Antonio’s choice to bundle picks for Fox indicates they are prepared to hasten their rebuild and pursue playoff contention sooner rather than later.
For Fox, this is an ideal situation. He’s transitioning from a mediocre Kings franchise to a Spurs team with a defined path and a once-in-a-lifetime talent in Wembanyama. Fox desired to join the Spurs, and his wish was fulfilled, indicating that he will be driven to leave his mark with the team. A beneficial situation for everyone within the Spurs organization.
Perdedor: Miami Heat
The Heat’s choice to ultimately move on from Jimmy Butler might represent a move towards rebuilding their lineup, yet the return was disappointing. Kyle Anderson, Andrew Wiggins, and a safeguarded first-round draft choice don’t impact a franchise that takes pride in vying for championships.
Wiggins is a dependable player aligning with Miami’s defensive style, yet he is not the star that the Heat required to remain competitive in a crowded Eastern Conference. For a franchise recognized for optimizing talent, this trade seems like a partial solution.
Even more troubling, the Heat’s management of the Butler issue created a negative impression for everyone involved. Weeks of pressure and public conjecture portrayed the organization as chaotic and disordered.
Currently, Miami finds itself in a state of uncertainty—too skilled to intentionally lose but not strong enough to compete. For a franchise characterized by its culture, this appears to be an unusual error for Pat Riley and his team.
Champion: Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers’ obtaining of De’Andre Hunter exemplifies the savvy, strategic decisions that championship-worthy teams execute. Hunter adds defensive adaptability and a dependable shooting skill to a lineup that is already filled with youthful talent.
Positioning Hunter with Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen provides Cleveland with one of the most well-rounded starting lineups in the NBA. This action strengthens the Cavs’ status as a significant competitor and a direct challenge to the Boston Celtics in the East.
Hunter’s skill to defend various positions and hit corner threes will be crucial in the playoffs. The Cavs successfully obtained him without surrendering any of their key assets, showcasing the cleverness of their front office.
Champion: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo expressed clearly his wish for the Bucks to remain assertive, and the management responded by acquiring Kyle Kuzma. The inclusion of Kuzma provides Giannis and Damian Lillard with a flexible forward capable of defending various positions and scoring in numerous ways.
As Khris Middleton gets older and deals with injuries, Kuzma might emerge as the dependable third option the Bucks have needed. This trade not only enhances the Bucks’ lineup but also conveys to Giannis that the franchise is dedicated to vying for championships while he is at his peak.
As the Bucks embrace a win-now mentality, Giannis has every reason to be hopeful about his prospects of earning another championship ring, even though it won’t be simple, given that the Cavaliers have improved and the Celtics and Knicks are loaded with skill.
Champion: Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors executed one of the most unexpected trades of the deadline by obtaining Brandon Ingram, providing them a versatile forward to team up with Scottie Barnes. Ingram’s talent for scoring from all three areas immediately boosts Toronto’s offense, which has frequently faced challenges with consistency in the half court.
Incorporating a reliable star like Ingram also evens out the roster, providing the Raptors with an additional late-game shot maker and someone who can divert defensive focus from their other essential players. The following step will be to strengthen the guard positions a bit further.
This action indicates that the Raptors are genuinely focused on competing in the Eastern Conference in the near future. Thanks to their defensive flexibility and an enhanced offense, Toronto aims to turn into a team that opponents will dread facing in the playoffs.
As Khris Middleton gets older and deals with injuries, Kuzma might emerge as the dependable third option that the Bucks have been looking for. This trade enhances the Bucks’ lineup and conveys to Giannis that the franchise is dedicated to winning championships while he is in his prime.
With the Bucks fully committed to winning now, Giannis has valid reasons to be hopeful about his prospects for securing another championship, but it’s a tough challenge given that the Cavaliers have improved and both the Celtics and Knicks boast considerable talent.
Champion: Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors executed one of the most unexpected deals of the deadline by bringing in Brandon Ingram, providing them with a versatile forward to team up with Scottie Barnes. Ingram’s talent for scoring from all three ranges immediately enhances Toronto’s offense, which has frequently faced challenges with consistency in the half court.
Incorporating a proven talent like Ingram also complements the roster, providing the Raptors with another late-game scoring option and a player who can divert defensive focus from their other crucial contributors. The subsequent step will be to reinforce the guard positions a bit further.
This action indicates that the Raptors are committed to competing in the Eastern Conference eventually. With their adaptable defense and a now stronger offense, Toronto aims to become a team that nobody desires to confront in the playoffs.
Winner: Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers made an under-the-radar but impactful move by acquiring Bogdan Bogdanovic from the Hawks. Bogdanovic brings much-needed outside shooting to a team that can stack this type of talent around James Harden, Norman Powell, and Kawhi Leonard.
Bogdanovic’s ability to create his own shot and knock down threes makes him a perfect fit for Ty Lue’s system. With the newcomer in the fold, the Clippers now have one of the deepest and most well-rounded rosters in the league and all they need is a healthy Kawhi Leonard to become a major title-contender