As the 2025-26 NBA season’s trade deadline inches toward a close, the flurry of expected movements has yet to gather steam. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jimmy Butler, Domantas Sabonis, and even James Harden are among the major names churning the rumor mill.
The lack of action this time around can be attributed to the slew of injuries to major trade candidates in Anthony Davis (Dallas Mavericks), Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies), and Antetokounmpo (Bucks).
Teams that look to vault into potential title-contender status or enter rebuild mode include the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, and Milwaukee Bucks, among others. As we now get closer to the February 5 deadline, here’s a look at the five most active teams to keep an eye out for.
1) Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks have been in the spotlight after reports emerged that they were looking at interested parties for franchise superstar Antetokounmpo. Earlier, NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Milwaukee was sending counteroffers to “aggressive proposals” from potential teams.
As it stands, the Bucks can also add picks (2031 or 2032 first-round) to sweeten the deal. That said, they also have the offseason to mull it over, since the ‘Greek Freak’ still has two years left on his contract. However, the focus on the Eastern Conference team remains irrespective of their moves over the next couple of days.
2) Golden State Warriors
It didn’t help the Golden State Warriors that they lost a vital cog in Butler midway through their season. The loss of their All-Star forward only heated the rumors of pairing Stephen Curry with Antetokounmpo.
ALSO READ: Warriors Sharpshooter Buddy Hield Makes Feelings Clear on Potential Trade Deadline Move
With Jonathan Kuminga’s future as one of the major storylines, the question is how much Golden State would dump the young forward. Any trade to pair Curry and Antetokounmpo will most certainly include Kuminga along with a bunch of first-round picks to make a beeline for a versatile forward (and secure their future while at it).
3) Sacramento Kings
Trading Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis to the Cleveland Cavaliers for De’Andre Hunter might just be a start. Team GM Scott Perry minced no words when he said the objective was to build a young roster with the perfect blend of experience.
Sabonis’ future with Sacramento continues to garner chatter as well. This comes on the back of insider Jake Fischer’s latest in “The Stein Line.” “The Kings do, however, still see pathways for moving Domantas Sabonis before Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET deadline,” the insider wrote, with the Toronto Raptors looked at as ideal suitors for the big.
4) Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers are the oldest team in the NBA. They were expected to add their major stars, Kawhi Leonard and Harden, at some point during their dismal 6-21 run this season. That ‘The Beard’ was reportedly on the market and linked to the Cavaliers came as a massive shocker.
Just into @SportsCenter — Clippers and James Harden working on finding a trade by Thursday’s deadline, with the Cleveland Cavaliers as one of the teams expressing serious interest: pic.twitter.com/Bx6qj11SOX
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 3, 2026
The latest update sees both teams “in advanced talks” for Harden, swapping him for Darius Garland. There is no denying that this move will shake up the East, bringing a prolific ball-handler to Cleveland, while the Clippers get younger with an electric guard in Garland.
5) Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers are one of the teams under pressure to win it big in the East. That also raises the question of guard Donovan Mitchell’s future if the team doesn’t put a name in place that allows him to help the side make a deep postseason run.
🚨 The Cleveland Cavaliers are exploring trades involving Jarrett Allen, per @sam_amick
“Their second-apron status has been well chronicled, but league sources say they’ve explored ways of trading the contract of big man Jarrett Allen ($90.7 million combined in the next three… pic.twitter.com/ANG9QnUW52
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 3, 2026
While Schroder and Ellis add some teeth on both ends of the floor, the question is whether they will swing for another major name in Harden (or Antetokounmpo) to help the Cavs remain in contention.
