NBA Trade Deadline hits today: live updates, confirmed deals, and the last-hour moves to watch before 3 p.m. ET
The NBA trade deadline lands today, Feb. 5, with the buzzer set for 3 p.m. ET. After a week of headline swaps, front offices are now racing to finalize last-minute upgrades, dump salary, and lock in playoff rotations—while contenders try to avoid being outflanked by rivals in the final stretch.
Deadline clock: what has to happen by 3 p.m.
The cutoff is the moment teams must agree to deals by 3 p.m. ET. Paperwork, medicals, and league approval can follow later, which is why the hours right before the deadline often produce a surge of agreements that get finalized afterward.
Two practical realities drive the late rush:
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Roster math: Teams need matching salary and open roster spots, which can require “connector” players or a third team.
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Tax and apron pressure: If a team is near a spending threshold, even a small add can force a separate move to stay compliant.
Confirmed deals that shaped the week
Several major transactions already reset the landscape, including star movement and depth upgrades. Here are notable confirmed deals ahead of the final window:
| Date (ET) | Deal (high level) | What it signals |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 4 | Wizards land Anthony Davis in a multi-player package | A win-now push built around a star duo |
| Feb. 4 | Cavaliers acquire James Harden for Darius Garland and a second-rounder | A major backcourt reshuffle for a contender |
| Feb. 4 | Warriors add Kristaps Porziņģis for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield | A stretch big to change spacing and matchups |
| Feb. 4 | Celtics add Nikola Vučević; Bulls get Anfernee Simons plus a pick | A center solution for a contender; a retool for Chicago |
| Feb. 4 | Raptors acquire Chris Paul in a multi-team deal | Flexible veteran asset, with an uncertain landing spot |
| Feb. 4 | Hornets add Coby White and Mike Conley Jr. | A surprising push for guard scoring and stability |
The last-hour moves to watch
With the biggest names already moved, the final stretch usually tilts toward “fit” trades: players who solve one clear need—rim protection, secondary playmaking, shooting, or wing defense.
What to watch between now and 3 p.m. ET:
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Contenders hunting one specialist: A backup big who can survive switches, a point-of-attack defender, or a bench shooter who can play in May.
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Sellers converting veterans into picks: Teams sliding in the standings may prioritize future draft capital and cap flexibility over short-term wins.
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Three-team constructions: If salary matching is tight, expect more deals where a third club absorbs money or reroutes a player to make the math work.
Teams under the microscope today
Some franchises have clearer urgency than others:
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In the East: Several teams have already taken big swings, so rivals may feel pressure to respond with smaller but targeted upgrades—especially at center and on the wing, where matchups tend to decide playoff series.
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In the West: The arms race often centers on size and versatility. If a contender can add a playable big or a two-way wing without sacrificing top-end depth, it can shift seeding outcomes quickly.
The final hour can also bring “defensive” moves—teams acting not only to improve themselves, but to prevent a rival from landing a particular role player.
What comes next after the buzzer
Once the deadline passes, attention snaps to two follow-on markets:
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Buyouts: Veterans on non-contenders can become available, with playoff teams competing for ring-chasing depth.
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Rotation clarity: Coaches tighten minutes, and new additions need to learn terminology fast. The most successful deadline teams tend to add players with one obvious job, not a complicated new identity.
The biggest deals are already on the board, but the final stretch is often where contenders find the extra two-way piece that swings a series—quietly, and sometimes without a headline.
Sources consulted: NBA.com; Reuters; ESPN; Sportsnet
