Updated: Mar 22
The NBA trade deadline is arguably the most exciting day in basketball, and the day that attracts the most attention from fans, but this year it has shocked fans more than any previous years.
Prior to the deadline day in particular, there have been some electric trades which surged through the basketball world, including Luka Doncic joining the Lakers to team up with LeBron, and big man Anthony Davis joining the Mavericks in arguably the biggest trade in NBA history. But it didn't end there. Bulls guard Zach Lavine who has been attracting trade interest for months finally made his move out of Chicago in a three team trade that saw him reunite with DeMar DeRozan in Sacramento, and De’Aaron Fox joining Chris Paul, and Wembanyama in San Antonio.
But besides these trades, here’s what makes this year’s trade deadline better than any deadline ever in the NBA.
Along with one of the league's biggest stars Luka Doncic being traded in a shock move with the Lakers, but Miami Heat outcast Jimmy Butler was finally traded after weeks of deliberation and deteriorating relationships with those in Miami, finding himself involved in another blockbuster trade that saw him take his talents to Golden State. Curry was calling out for another big star on the team after a tough start to the year, and the Warriors front office made it happen with this trade, and definitely could be a game changer going forward for Golden State. Almost immediately after being traded, Butler and the Warriors dropped another bombshell after Butler agreed to a two year $121 million extension with the Warriors, sending shockwaves through the league with his new monster salary.
Butler’s arrival in Golden State had to come with some sacrifices by the Warriors, as Andrew Wiggins was moved to the Heat, and star role player Dennis Schroder was traded for the second time this year to the Jazz after only being acquired by the Warriors in December. Wiggins is a pretty decent pickup for the Heat after trading a player which was dead weight to them, and was another pretty big trade on this year's trade deadline.
The trades didn't stop there though, as the Lakers were still in the market for a big man after offloading Anthony Davis. With their eyes set on a number of players across the league, it was Hornets big man Mark Williams. The Larker allegedly had lots of interest in the Wizards Jonas Valanciunas, but he was also traded at the deadline, in a trade which saw him join the Sacramento Kings as they continued their trading spree.
Along with the Valanciunas and Williams trades, there were a number of minor trades which make this deadline still better than others. The Wizards acquired Khris Middleton from the Bucks in return for Kyle Kuzma, as the Bucks aimed to add some more offensive prowess, and the Raptors acquired Brandon Ingram in a trade involving draft picks and players.
But the trades in particular which make this trade deadline the best of all time, has to be simply because of the Doncic, Davis trade. When a player like Luka Doncic gets traded, it's hard not to say it's the best deadline of all time, purely because of the level of player he is, and the shock and surprise the trade sent around not only the NBA, but the sports world as a whole. With a few hours left of the deadline, there’s still time to make it even better, but there's no doubt that the 2025 trade deadline will go down in history, and will be remembered for years.
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