February 5 is the trade deadline for the 2025-26 NBA season, and while most of the attention is focused on Giannis Antetokounmpo, there are other names quietly shaping their future for the remainder of the campaign, even if everything appears to be moving at a slow pace for now.
With only one move completed so far – Trae Young’s trade to Washington – teams are cautiously navigating a market dominated by rumors, self-serving leaks, and silent negotiations. Pessimism looms especially large in Milwaukee, where the atmosphere feels almost funereal amid the growing sense that the departure of a key player is all but inevitable.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the domino effect on the market
The name that defines the entire landscape is Giannis Antetokounmpo. Milwaukee is mired in a negative stretch that has fueled speculation, but the reality is that the Bucks have neither urgency nor real incentive to move their franchise player before the deadline.
While Giannis himself has expressed discomfort with the team’s direction – and has done little to quiet rumors in his public comments, often leaving the door open to a potential change – he has also been clear that he will not publicly demand a trade. Under contract through 2027, the franchise appears more inclined to bolster the roster than to initiate a full-scale rebuild.
That stance, in turn, slows down the rest of the market, as other teams wait for clarity before making secondary moves. Compounding the situation is the limited draft capital currently available, which severely restricts the feasibility of a blockbuster deal of this magnitude – a reality that could change dramatically during the offseason.
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks have emerged as attentive but cautious observers. Despite persistent rumors involving Karl-Anthony Towns, the New York franchise has shown no clear signs of parting with one of its core pieces after reaching the conference finals. The message from the front office points to immediate ambition rather than disruptive midseason gambles.
Other names continue to surface, though with important caveats. In Dallas, Anthony Davis has seen his market value diminish due to another injury and a long-standing health history, even as he remains productive when on the floor. In Memphis, Ja Morant remains an unresolved case: the team is unconvinced it would receive fair value for his talent, although his recent performances could reignite outside interest.
In Brooklyn, Michael Porter Jr. stands out as an appealing asset for a franchise committed to stockpiling draft picks, while Jonathan Kuminga in Golden State appears increasingly close to a change of scenery due to a lack of on-court fit.
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