The 2026 NBA Trade Deadline is now over. There were 18 NBA in-season trades in 2025-26, including 15 from February 4-5. Of the 18 trades, only five involved multi-teams. Which of the NBA Title contenders improved the most?
Ranking The Top 10 NBA Contenders Who Improved The Most At Trade Deadline & What the Moves Mean Going Forward
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
OKC decided to “run it back” after their first-ever champion and got off to a historic start. However, injuries have started to take their toll on the deepest team in the league. While the Thunder are just .500 over their last 10 games, they still have the league’s best record at 40-12.
No Thunder player has appeared in all 10 previous games. Jalen Williams , who has played in just 24 games this year, has missed nine of the 10 games. Meanwhile, Isaiah Hartenstein , Alex Caruso , and Ajay Mitchell have sat out seven contests during this stretch.
Mitchell (abdomen) is out indefinitely. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is out until after the All-Star break, and Nikola Jokic won’t make his season debut until after the break. On a positive note, Williams could be back tomorrow night against the Thunder.
As a result of the injuries, the Thunder brought in Jared McCain for four draft picks. McCain has dealt with injuries throughout his two-year career, though he should get considerable run between now and February 15 with the Thunder backcourt issues. He brings elite shooting and secondary playmaking to the Thunder.
In 60 career games, McCain averages 10 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. He also averages 1.6 threes while shooting 42.6/48.1/87.7. He has compiled one career double-double.
“Great player, of course — great shooter,” Kenrich Williams said when speaking of McCain. “I honestly haven’t watched a lot of 76ers games this season. So, I don’t know what this season looks like. But I know from last season that he was one of the frontrunning rookies. I know he’s a great player. Great chemistry. I’m getting tagged in a bunch of stuff, saying we’re going to make TikToks together and whatever else. I know he’s a fun guy to be around, from what I’ve heard around the league.
© Gary A. Vasquez, Imagn Images
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland did the best job of all contenders in reshaping its roster, and the Cavaliers really didn’t give up much. While the addition of James Harden has its pluses—taking over primary playmaking and the creator role, as well as being a possession-by-possession problem solver — there is also concern about his perimeter defense.
Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis solidify the Cavs bench. Both players played well in their debut, combining for 17 points and five steals in the Cavaliers’ 124-91 victory over the Clippers. They were also a combined +18 in plus/minus rating.
Cleveland is in fourth place in the Eastern Conference at 31-21. The Cavaliers are seven games behind conference-leading Detroit, so the top seed appears to be out of the question. But the Cavs could take over the No. 2 seed from New York.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota filled its biggest need, which was depth in the backcourt, with the acquisition of defense-first combo guard Ayo Dosunmu. All it took was a couple of struggling youngsters, Rob Dillingaham and Leonard Miller, along with four second-round draft picks. They also shed some luxury tax by trading Mike Conley for nothing. And Conley, who Charlotte waived, is returning to the Wolves, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported earlier today.
“Free agent guard Mike Conley Jr. plans to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania.”
Dosunmu is having a career season, averaging 15.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while shooting 51.4% from the field and 45.1% from deep. Dosunmu is a switchable two-way guard who is at his best when he gets downhill. He projects to be the first guard off the bench for the Wolves and a perfect fit alongside Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels.
Conley is in the midst of a career-worst season. Still, he is a capable backup who will now drop to fourth on the depth chart.
Julian Phillips , whom the Wolves also acquired at the trade deadline, won’t see a ton of action with the Wolves. He is likely an end-of-the-second-unit type player.
Minnesota (32-20) sits in sixth place in the Western Conference. While the Timberwolves have won five of their last six, they have won just 5-6 over their last 10. Neither Dosunmu nor Phillips will play tonight against New Orleans, though they are expected to be available when the Wolves host the LA Clippers on Sunday.
4. New York Knicks
New York did a fantastic job moving Guerschon Yabusele , who wanted out, essentially for Jose Alvarado as the Knicks received him from New Orleans for Dalen Terry , who they got for Yabusele.
Alvarado will immediately step in as Jalen Brunson’s backup, with Miles McBride potentially out until the playoffs due to a core muscle injury. Alvarado is a high-motor defensive point guard who excels at getting deflections and steals. He also thrives at putting constant pressure on the ball and fighting through ballscreens.
Offensively, Alavarado is a spot-up shooter and doesn’t turn the ball over. He averaged 7.1 points, 3.1 assists, and 1.7 threes with shooting splits of 41.9/36.3/83.3. In 41 appearances for the Pelicans.
New York sits in second place in the Eastern Conference at 33-18, tied with Boston. The Knicks, on a season-high eight-game winning streak, are just 4.5 games back of Detroit.
5. Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta has rid itself of two high-priced injury-prone players in Trae Young and Porzingis. In their place, the Hawks added several veterans who bring stability, shooting, and leadership. The Hawks have won eight of 14 games, including two straight, since trading Young and now sit in ninth place in the Eastern Conference at 26-27. They have a real possibility of moving up to a top-6 seed as they are just four games behind Philadelphia.
Atlanta has a solid starting unit. CJ McCollum has been excellent since coming over from Washington. More importantly, Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels have stepped up. Corey Kispert , who has had his moments since joining the Hawks, and Jock Landale, who produced a 26-point and 11-rebound double-double in his season debut last night, join McCullum as the team’s top reserves. Now, if Jonathan Kuminga can consistently play to his potential and Gabe Vincent and Buddy Hield can provide three-point shooting, the Hawks could be a tough out in the playoffs.
6. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors acquired the big man Kristaps Porzingis , whom they have been seeking for years, while trading two players who have struggled this year, Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield . The big question is whether Porzingis can stay healthy.
If Porzingis is healthy, this is a fantastic trade for the Dubs. Porzingis, on an expiring contract, gives the Warriors a vertical big man who can space the floor and provide rim protection. The 7-2 center also draws a considerable amount of fouls. He has not played since January 7, though it is possible he will play on Saturday against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Golden State is in eighth place with a 28-24 record. The Warriors should be at least a play-in team in the Western Conference, though they have work to do if they want a top-six seed, as they are four games behind the final guaranteed playoff spot.
Porzingis will start alongside Draymond Green and Moses Moody in the frontcourt. Stephen Curry and De’Anthony Melton start in the backcourt. Al Horford will be Porzingis and perhaps Green’s primary backup, depending on how many minutes Porzingis can play.
However, Curry has missed two straight games. Pat Spencer , Gary Payton II , Will Richard , and Gui Santos should join Horford on the second unit. Santos has played exceptionally well over the last five contests, scoring in double-figures in each contest.
7. Boston Celtics
Like the Golden State Warriors, Boston needed a starting center and acquired Nikola Vucevic from Chicago for Anfernee Simons . Vucevic will immediately step into the starting lineup. Therefore, Neemais Queta will head back to the bench,h thus strengthening their frontcourt. The C’s have a top-10 starting lineup and a top-5 bench.
Vucevic is a big body who has improved as a shooter and passer throughout his career. As a facilitating big, Vucevic is an ideal fit with the Celtics, who love launching threes. The Celtics rank second in the league in three-point attempts and second in threes made, along with 10th in 3-point percentage.
Vucevic is more of an offensive center than a defensive one, though he is capable on that end in the post. He is an elite defensive rebounder and excels as a screener. His efficiency has declined this year, but he is still an effective big.
The big question is whether the Celtics will miss Simons’ scoring punch off the bench. Simons played exceptionally well for the Celtics, leading their reserves with 14 points a game. He was a major reason the C’s rank second in three-point shooting. Hugo Gonzalez , Baylor Scheierman , and Jordan Walsh will have to step up to cover for Simons’ loss.
Boston has the second-best record in the East at 33-18. But whether the Celtics will be contenders will ultimately hinge on whether Jayson Tatum plays this season.
8. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers got a shooter off the bench that they so desired in Luke Kennard. Kennard is an elite shooter, a quality passer, and an elite shooter off the move. He is also a smart defender who can guard other small forwards well.
Los Angeles is in a battle for 4th through 6th place in the Western Conference with Houston and Minnesota. However, Luka Dončić is dealing with a hamstring injury, though the severity is not yet known.
9. Detroit Pistons
Detroit has the second-best record and leads the Eastern Conference at 37-13. Still, the Pistons sent Jaden Ivey, who will be a restricted free agent, to Chicago in exchange for Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric.
Huerter saw just six minutes off the bench for the Pistons in their loss to Washington last night. The 27-year-old, who has struggled from deep this year, missed both of his shots from beyond the arc against the Wizards. However, he recorded a rebound, an assist, and a steal.
Huerter is projected to be a main piece of the Pistons’ bench. The Pistons don’t have many shooters, especially anyone who moves as well as he does on the perimeter. The Pistons rank 27th in three-pointers made, 28th in 3-point attempts, and 22nd in 3-point percentage.
Saric has not reported to the team, and it is unknown whether he will do so.
10. Toronto Raptors
Toronto improved its depth in the backcourt and frontcourt with the additions of Chris Paul and Trayce Jackson-Davis . Paul may be waived. Regardless, the moves are not really championship upgrades.