NBA Trade Grades: What Teams Won and Lost in the Recent Trades?

The 2025 NBA trade deadline took everyone's breath when the crazy trades happened iin a span of a day. Now we're back for an NBA trade grade to see what teams won and lost during the superstar trades and surprise moves.

Here are the biggest trades and an analysis of how each team did.

Luka Doncić to Lakers

NBA Trade Grades: What Teams Won and Lost in the

One of the most eye-catching moves saw Luka Doncić end up with the Los Angeles Lakers, while Anthony Davis landed with the Dallas Mavericks. This trade pairs Doncić with LeBron James, creating a deadly offensive duo in L.A.

Trade Details

• Los Angeles Lakers Get: Luka Doncić
• Dallas Mavericks Get: Anthony Davis, 2027 first-round pick (unprotected), 2030 second-round pick.

Grades

• Lakers: A – Getting one of the league's best playmakers puts L.A. firmly in the mix for a title.
• Mavericks: B+ – The loss of Doncić hurts, but Anthony Davis provides them with an elite defensive anchor.

Jimmy Butler to Warriors

Jimmy Butler initially rejected an extension with the Warriors but changed his mind upon his arrival, signing a two-year, $111 million deal.

Trade Details

• Golden State Warriors Get: Jimmy Butler (signs extension)
• Miami Heat Get: Kyle Anderson, Andrew Wiggins, Golden State's 2025 first-round pick (top-10 protected)
• Philadelphia 76ers Get: $8 million traded player exception
• Detroit Pistons Get: Dennis Schröder, two second-round picks

Grades

• Warriors: B+ – Butler's defense and leadership add value, but his max extension poses risks.
• Heat: B – Miami acquires solid contributors while avoiding an expensive long-term deal for Butler.
• 76ers: D – Using draft assets to clear salary cap space is uninspiring.
• Pistons: A+ – Detroit smartly manages cap space in acquiring valuable pieces.

For the record, Schröder calls the NBA trade deadline a "modern slavery."

Mark Williams to Lakers

Lakers continue to rebuild their roster as they trade for promising big man Mark Williams of Charlotte.

Trade Details

• Los Angeles Lakers Get: Mark Williams
• Charlotte Hornets Get: Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, 2031 unprotected first-round draft pick, pick swap 2030

Grades

• Lakers: C- – Williams is a good talent but has suffered from injuries enough that this overpays for him.
• Hornets: A- – Offloading Williams and obtaining future draft picks is a good, long-term decision.

Bogdan Bogdanović to Clippers

The Clippers get big-time backcourt playmaker and shooter with Bogdanović

Trade Details

• Los Angeles Clippers Get: Bogdan Bogdanović, three second-round picks
• Atlanta Hawks Get: Bones Hyland, Terance Mann

Grades

• Clippers: B- – Bogdanović fills in a need for the secondary playmaker.
• Hawks: C- – Atlanta gives up shooting depth while failing to acquire quality assets.

De'Andre Hunter to Cavs

Cleveland acquires a versatile wing defender in a trade with Atlanta.

Trade Details

• Cleveland Cavaliers Get: De'Andre Hunter
• Atlanta Hawks Get: Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, multiple pick swaps

Grades

• Cavaliers: A – Hunter's size and versatility strengthen Cleveland's defensive core.
• Hawks: D+ – Losing a solid player for limited return raises questions about their direction.

Brandon Ingram to Raptors

The Raptors add a star wing, signaling a shift toward playoff contention.

Trade Details

• Toronto Raptors Receive: Brandon Ingram
• New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Bruce Brown Jr., Kelly Olynyk, Indiana's 2026 first-round pick

Grades

• Raptors: C+ – He is a terrific scorer, but Ingram's fit and upcoming contract extension is fraught with risk.
• Pelicans: C+ – The return does not feel substantial for a talent of Ingram's star caliber.

Marcus Smart To Wizards

Marcus Smart and his leadership will assist Washington with their rebuild on defense.

Trade Details

• Washington Wizards Get: Marcus Smart, Memphis's 2025 first-round pick
• Memphis Grizzlies Get: Marvin Bagley III, Johnny Davis, two second-round picks
• Sacramento Kings Get: Jake LaRavia

Grades

• Wizards: A – A veteran presence is what a rebuilding team needs for Smart.
• Grizzlies: D+ – Sending a first-rounder for Smart feels like a miscalculation
• Kings: B+ – LaRavia provides defensive versatility and upside.

This year's trade deadline saw major shifts across the NBA. Some teams loaded up for title runs, while others focused on asset accumulation. The remainder of the season will reveal whether these moves were game-changers or gambles gone wrong.