As the 2026 NBA trade deadline approaches, speculation is reaching a fever pitch.
There were already several trades completed on Tuesday, and the fireworks are just starting. Contending teams are weighing bold maneuvers, rebuilding franchises are plotting roster overhauls, and several notable players have emerged as focal points in discussions that could reshape the league’s landscape.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo headlines the list of 2026 trade candidates, with the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, and Minnesota Timberwolves aggressively pursuing the two-time MVP, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
While negotiations continue, Antetokounmpo hopes to land a new home amid frustrations in Milwaukee, and the Bucks aim to secure young talent and a surplus of draft picks in return for their longtime star. If Antetokounmpo isn’t traded by Thursday, expect the Bucks to move him in the offseason.
Jonathan Kuminga
The dynamic between the Golden State Warriors and forward Jonathan Kuminga has long hinted at a breakup. Golden State’s system has limited Kuminga’s ceiling and earning potential, while the former No. 7 overall pick has sought an opportunity to step out of the role-player mold.
Once Kuminga and the Warriors weren’t able to agree to a long-term contract last offseason and only inked a two-year pact, a trade felt inevitable.
Now, a trade could benefit both sides if the Warriors can acquire meaningful assets while moving Kuminga somewhere he can get a fresh start.
James Harden
In a late trade-cycle development, the Los Angeles Clippers and guard James Harden are reportedly working together to find a deal for the 11-time NBA All-Star before the Feb. 5 deadline, according to ESPN.
Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated reported that the Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers have discussed a potential Darius Garland swap for Harden, though Cleveland pushed for an additional draft pick swap that Los Angeles has resisted.
Jordan Poole
Since joining the New Orleans Pelicans via trade from the Washington Wizards last offseason, Jordan Poole has fallen short of the team’s expectations. His departure would free up playing time for other emerging pieces as the Pelicans rebuild, while also addressing concerns around the $34 million committed to him next season.
Pelicans GM Joe Dumars faces tough decisions with this young core that will define the franchise’s direction, and high-cost assets that don’t fit a reshaping roster long-term are expected to be central in trade discussions.
Coby White
Beyond previous offers, the Chicago Bulls don’t seem interested in committing substantial salary to White, who is on an expiring contract and rejected a four-year extension last fall. Chicago has also brought in guards Jaden Ivey, Mike Conley Jr., and Anfernee Simons ahead of the deadline, which could point to White being next out of Chicago.
The Timberwolves had been tossed around in trade rumors regarding White, though their three-team deal with the Bulls and Pistons on Tuesday better positions them in the Antetokounpo sweepstakes.
Ja Morant
This is the first time the Memphis Grizzlies have seriously entertained offers for guard Ja Morant since drafting him in 2019, though the two-time All-Star guard has not formally requested a trade. Injuries, suspensions, and tension within the franchise have forced Memphis management to consider Morant’s future this season, as the Heat, Bucks, Pelicans, and Timberwolves, among others, continue to monitor his market closely.
On Tuesday afternoon, in what could be a sign that the Morant era will soon come to an end, the Grizzlies traded Jaren Jackson Jr., John Konchar, Jock Landale, and Vince Williams Jr. to the Utah Jazz for Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang, and three future first-round picks, per ESPN.
