A jam-packed NBA trade deadline has passed, ending months of Phoenix Suns speculation and a Jimmy Butler saga that ended with his trade to the Golden State Warriors.

Western Conference teams looking to reach contender status got busy, notably the Los Angeles Lakers by trading for superstar Luka Doncic and athletic center Mark Williams.

The Suns were involved in advanced talks to send Kevin Durant to Golden State and acquire Butler, but the momentum stalled given Durant’s desire to stay in Phoenix and disinterest going back to Golden State.

Instead, the Suns worked out a trade to send center Jusuf Nurkic and a 2026 first-rounder to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for forward Cody Martin, point guard Vasilije Micic and a 2026 second-rounder.

Phoenix previously acquired center Nick Richards from the Hornets for Josh Okogie and three second-round picks. They also traded their 2031 first-rounder in exchange for three lower priority first-rounders.

To recap the trade deadline, let’s start with Saturday, which began with a seemingly unexciting deal between the Clippers and Jazz before the entire sports world was thrown for a loop.

NBA trade deadline recap: Western Conference playoff contenders

Clippers get Eubanks in calm before the storm

Clippers: Drew Eubanks, Patty Mills
Jazz: Mo Bamba, P.J. Tucker, second-round pick, cash

Lakers acquire their next face of the franchise, Mavericks pivot

Lakers: Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris
Mavericks: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 first-round pick
Jazz: Jalen Hood-Schifino, two 2025 second-round picks

Quick breakdown: This trade walloped the NBA world from fans to front offices. Doncic is a five-time First Team All-NBA player who expected to be the face of the Mavericks for a long time. Instead, he joins forces with LeBron James, while the Mavs opted to move on from their homegrown star with an explanation of focusing on defense.

Spurs find second star to pair with Victor Wembanyama

Spurs: De’Aaron Fox, Jordan McLaughlin
Kings: Zach LaVine, Sidy Cissoko, three first-round picks, three second-round picks
Bulls: Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins, Tre Jones, 2025 first-round pick

Quick breakdown: Fox did not show a willingness to commit long term in Sacramento, and San Antonio was an obvious fit with budding superstar center Victor Wembanyama. The Kings pick up another high-caliber scorer along with draft picks, while the Bulls get their own first-rounder back.

Mavs swaps wings with 76ers

Sixers: Quentin Grimes, 2025 second-round pick
Mavericks: Caleb Martin, 2030 second-round pick

Rockets add another young wing

Celtics: 2031 second-round pick
Rockets: Jaden Springer, 2030 second-round pick

Thunder acquire Theis

Thunder: Daniel Theis, 2031 second-round pick
Pelicans: Cash

Kings nab a center

Kings: Jonas Valanciunas
Wizards: Sidy Cissoko, 2028 second-round pick, 2029 second-round pick

Warriors end Jimmy Butler saga

Warriors: Jimmy Butler
Heat: Andrew Wiggins, P.J. Tucker (rerouted to Toronto), Kyle Anderson, protected first-round pick
Pistons: Josh Richardson and Lindy Waters III
Jazz: Dennis Schröder (rerouted to Detroit)

Quick breakdown: The Warriors quickly pivoted after Durant talks broke down, and their aggressive pursuit of a star landed them Butler. The six-time All-Star signed a two-year extension for $111 million with the Warriors, giving Stephen Curry a potential co-star.

Lakers find Doncic’s lob threat

Lakers: Mark Williams
Hornets: Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, 2031 first-round pick, 2030 pick swap

Quick breakdown: Williams is a 23-year-old seven-footer who has put up 15.6 points and 9.6 rebounds per game this year. He gives the Lakers a lob threat and potential rim protector, although his defensive prowess has faced some scrutiny.

Suns dump Nurkic for two players

Suns: Cody Martin, Vasilije Micic, 2026 second-round pick
Hornets: Jusuf Nurkic, 2026 first-round pick

Quick breakdown: The Suns wanted to alleviate themselves of Nurkic’s contract, which has another year and $19 million on it. They add a pair of players without guaranteed contracts next year and can get under the second apron by letting both go.

Clippers add Bogdanovic

Clippers: Bogdan Bogdanovic, three second-round picks
Hawks: Terrance Mann, Bones Hyland

Quick breakdown: The Clippers bring in a scoring threat to bolster their bench, as Bogdanovic is a career 38% 3-point shooter. The Hawks continue to retool, bringing in Mann fresh off his contract extension.

Rockets trade for veteran big man

Rockets: Cody Zeller, second-round pick
Hawks: N/A

Bucks-Clippers swap

Clippers: MarJon Beauchamp
Bucks: Kevin Porter Jr.

Grizzlies ditch Smart

Grizzlies: Marvin Bagley III, Johnny Davis, second-round pick
Wizards: Marcus Smart, Colby Jones, Alex Len, first-round pick
Kings: Jake LaRavia

Quick breakdown: The Grizzlies get out of the Smart business, as he is due $21.6 million next year. It cost them sharpshooter LaRavia, while the Wizards take on Smart’s money for draft capital.

Western Conference standings at trade deadline

1) Oklahoma City Thunder (40-9)
2) Memphis Grizzlies (35-16)
3) Houston Rockets (32-18)
4) Denver Nuggets (32-19)
5) Los Angeles Lakers (29-19)
6) Los Angeles Clippers (28-22)
7) Minnesota Timberwolves (28-23)
8) Dallas Mavericks (26-25)
9) Sacramento Kings (25-25)
10) Phoenix Suns (25-25)

11) Golden State Warriors (25-25)
12) San Antonio Spurs (22-26)
13) Portland Trail Blazers (22-29
14) Utah Jazz (12-37)
15) New Orleans Pelicans (12-39)

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