The 2026 NBA trade deadline saw many moves, some surprising, while others were due to happen. Many stars were on the move, while contending teams were adding important pieces to their roster.

Below are the rankings for the major trades of the 2026 trade deadline.

Anthony Davis to the Wizards 

Mavericks Grade - B+

Just one year after the Luka Doncic trade, the Mavs have moved on from Anthony Davis. Aside from that point, the Mavs got the best they could've for Davis current value.

Securing five picks is a good enough haul for Davis, but they were also able to send him away before his contract extension comes up. They also took on three expiring contracts, freeing up a lot of cap space this offseason.

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Wizards Grade - B-

I believe this is a good trade for the Wizards, and it's worth the risk for Davis. They didn't give up any major assets because the first-round picks were not their own. Adding Trae Young and now Davis builds them a solid core with their young players.

I think future star Alex Sarr will be able to learn from Davis as they play a similar style. The only downsides I see are that having Davis and Young puts them into a winning situation and may hinder the development of young players such as Sarr, George, Johnson and Carrington.

James Harden, Darius Garland swap

Cavaliers grade - A-

This trade gives the Cavaliers a short championship window, but it needed to happen for them to have a serious shot at the title.

Garland, who is an All-Star and has been with the team for seven years, was a player hard ot move on from, but due to his injury problems in the past and current injuries, the Cavs have made this move.

Harden is a perennial all-star and has always been healthy come playoff time. Even with poor playoff performances in the past, this deal is what had to happen. If they fail to win a championship while Harden is there, it could be a disaster.

Clippers grade - A

This trade is perfect for the Los Angeles Clippers. They were already on the ropes with their current team, and it didn't look like their championship aspirations would come true.

Harden also has an extension coming up and is asking to be paid a max contract at 38 years old. To avoid this, trading him for a 26-year-old all-star is a perfect situation for them.

If Garland can stay healthy Clippers may come off better in this deal for the long run.

Utah Jazz acquire Jaren Jackson Jr.

Grizzlies grade - A-

It was time for the Grizzlies to move on from Jaren and start heading into a new direction in the future, and they seemed to have banked on a good trade for him.

The first three picks from the Jazz are very valuable and are a good return for the former Defensive Player of the Year. They were also able to receive Walter Clayton Jr and Taylor Hendricks, who are young former first-round draft picks looking for a fresh start.

Jazz grade - B-

This move is very interesting for the Utah Jazz, fast-forwarding their development and trading away future assets for a move that is essentially not taking them over the bump, and might not even get them into a playoff appearance.

I think Jaren is a great player to add to their young core and is worth a flyer, which is why their grade is still in the positives, but they may have given up more than they needed to.

Pacers find their big man in Ivica Zubac

Pacers grade - B+

This is a perfect trade for the pacers but it could backfire by the lottery this year. Zubac is a great big man to add to this core that made the finals last season. Zubac has turned into one of the best centres in the NBA, and the Pacers didn't give up a whole lot to get him.

As of right now, if that pick conveys to the Clippers, the Pacers may regret this trade. There is also some concern about how well Zubac will fit into the play style. Adding Zubac to their core for next season, once Haliburton comes back, it makes this team right back into championship contention.

Clippers grade - A-

After the Harden trade, it was writing on the wall for the Clippers to maximise the value of Zubac. The 2026 protected Pacers draft pick they acquired could seriously have some potential, because if it falls in the range of five to nine, they have a great pick in an outstanding draft.

Even if the pick ends up being top four, they still get a 2031 unprotected first-round pick, along with the unprotected 2029 first-round pick they got in the trade. Benedict Mathurin is also a solid young player whom they can give a chance and see what happens.

It was good to see the Clippers maximise the value of a player.

Ayo Dosunmu gets dealt to the Wolves

Timberwolves grade - A

Acquiring Dosunmu finally gives the Wolves much needed bench production. He seems like the perfect fit on any team that is competing for a title.

The Swiss Army Knife can do about anything, score in transition, hit threes and hold his own defensively. They also didn't give up much to acquire him, which is why the grade is so high.

Bulls grade - C+

The Bulls did have a good side in this deal acuring four second-round picks along with former lottery pick Rob Dillingham. They now get to give Dillingham a chance, but do people believe he can turn into something real?

I gave them a bad grade because I think Dosunmu was one of the players that was hot on the market for most championship teams, and I believe the Bulls could've secured at least a first-round pick in return.

The Celtics add a centre in Vucevic 

Celtics grade - B-

The Celtics are surprisingly one of the best teams in the league, with their starting centre being Neemis Queta, so it was obvious they needed to acquire a big man to compete.

Vucevic is a good offensive player who could thrive in the Celtics system. He does have downsides on the defensive end, but it was still worth the flyer on him this year.

He is also on an expiring deal,l so they free up money for next year if they don't want to pay him. It seems like a good one-year rental for Boston as of now.

Bulls grade - B-

This was a nothing trade for the Bulls as they just acquired Simons for Vucevic. Simons is a fun player on an expiring deal, so expect the Bulls to let him go in the offseason.

They do get a second-round pick for this year's draft, which helps them in the deal.

Coby White gets sent to Buzz City.

Hornets grade - B+

The Hornets essentially gave up nothing for a good sixth man to add to their exciting young core.

Coby White averages 18 points per game, and the Hornets have been looking to add a scoring punch for some time now.

White also becomes a free agent in the offseason, so if it doesn't work out, they can let him walk. If not, they may be able to add him for a good price, but essentially, this is a trade that has no downsides for the Hornets.

Bulls grade - D+

The Bulls have essentially got nothing for Coby White. Sexton is a piece that doesn't help them. He is a decent player, but it doesn't help what the Bulls are doing.

The two second-round picks are not great value; it just seems the Bulls lost the opportunity to maximise the value of White.

Smaller trades that I believe worked out well for teams. 

Jared McCain to the Thunder.

Atlanta Hawks add Kuminga.The 

The New York Knicks add hometown hero Jose Alvarado.

Cleveland adds Schroder and Ellis.