Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ja Morant… A close-up on hot topics a week before the trade deadline

Blockbuster or marginal adjustments, this 2026 “trade deadline” could be in line with that of 2025. In the last week before the end of the transfer window, Luka Dončić was sent to the Lakers, Jimmy Butler finally left Miami for Golden State, the Spurs got their hands on it De’Aaron Fox etc Brandon Ingram headed for Canada, for the Raptors.

Several big names should be looked at this year, while some franchises are at a crossroads. Here’s what we’ll have to watch from now until February 5, 9 p.m. sharp.

Will Giannis Antetokounmpo still be in Milwaukee?

This now seems certain, Giannis Antetokounmpo will leave the Bucks. The Wisconsin franchise is now open to offers for their Greek star, assure ESPN. Currently injured, “The Greek Freak” no longer hides fatigue, even disbelief in recent weeks leading up to Milwaukee, a disappointing 12th in the East. ESPN specifies that several franchises have submitted “aggressive” offers for the 2019 and 2020 MVP. Seeing Antetokounmpo still in a Bucks uniform after the deadline seems increasingly improbable. Especially since the interior only has one season left on its guaranteed contract (and a player option for 2027-2028), and waiting until next offseason could limit potential compensation.

Milwaukee would be waiting in return “top young talent and/or quantity of draft rounds “. The most active paths currently lead to the Heat, Wolves, Knicks and Warriors, again according to ESPN. Miami could fit the Bucks’ criteria with Tyler Herro etc Kel’el Ware and six more first-round draft picks available through 2032. Which is less true for Minnesota, which would undoubtedly have to sacrifice Julius Randle or Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid and does not overflow with great confirmed hopes (Rob Dillingham, Terence Shannon Jr, Jaylen Clark, Joan Berringer), nor any available draft round. The observation also applies to the Knicks, who would probably put Karl-Anthony Towns in the balance, but they’ve already sacrificed a large chunk of their draft rounds to get Mikal Bridges back. As for the Warriors, a trade would require a lot of tinkering between options Jonathan Cumminga on the one hand, but about a $35 million salary gap that needs to be filled and that includes the contract of Jimmy Butlerlong term injured.

Willingness to leave Jonathan Cummings, Jimmy Butler injury… Will the Warriors make a move?

In addition to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s record, Golden State could be one of the main players in the coming days. The Warriors are among the solid teams, but not enough to be among the favorites for the title. In eighth place in the Western Conference, the Bay franchise appears to be forced to move in order to offer one last shot at the crown. Stephen Curry (38 years old in March) i Draymond Green (36 years old). Jonathan Cumminga is more than a candidate at the start, but suitors are not pushed. And the labor force currently does not have very attractive market values.

Mike Dunleavy Jr. will have to get creative with the Warriors in particular watching Trey Murphy III. Or resign yourself to settling for the men currently in place, and hope an internal solution derails the Warriors’ season.

Chicago, dismantling or status quo?

Nikola Vucevic, Zach Collins, Kevin Huerter, Coby White, Aio Dosunmu, Jevon Carter even Dalen Terry etc Julian Phillips. In Chicago, half of the workforce is at the end of its contract, and therefore potentially on the chopping block. Kobe White is closely followed, especially by Minnesotaaurals working by Dosunmu et al The Three Jonesesone of the few contracts « long” of the Bulls, are also being followed.This contract situation of rather rare proportions is coming to an end by weighing in the locker roomwhile the season resembles the previous three: average and without realistic prospects for improvement.

Chicago has the ability to try to convert players who could be leaving free agency in a few months anyway against possible future solutions (Draft rounds, players to develop). It remains to be seen whether the leaders will be inclined to such a strategy, after often staying on the sidelines in recent years.

What will the Grizzlies do with Ja Morant?

Between sulking and repeated injuries, the season of I Morant in memphis is still a funny soap opera. The running back played just three games with the Grizzlies in 2026 and is no longer in the scent of holiness in Tennessee. But his background (medical as well as behavioral) makes him a talented player, certainly, but with a blocked future. Memphis has reportedly been ready to move on since early January. Since then, rumors have not been legion, and Jake Fischer, pour Stein’s lineOn Tuesday, he mentioned Vrucin’s interest, but only for an exchange “at a knockdown price.”» like the one concluded between Atlanta and Washington for Trae Young.

And that was before Giannis Antetokounmpo is officially on the market, with Miami as a candidate to land him…Memphis ultimately had no choice but to hold on to their soon-to-be former franchise player for a little while longer and try to boost their ratings before next offseason.

Will he stay French in New York?

The Knicks had three French players on their roster to start the season, it could only be one Mohammed Diawara still in the big apple » on the evening of February 5. Guerschon Yabusele he failed to find his place in New York and is talked about a lot. The Spurs are likely interested in the idea possible exchanges with Jeremy Sochan. But San Antonio would be a little chilled by the “player option.” » available to the captain of the French team for the next season. Deal with the Suns around Nick Richards it is also mentioned in the last days, which has been confirmed by John Gambadorlongtime anchor of the Phoenix franchise for Arizona Sports Radio.

The future of Guerschon Iabusele and her Pacome Dadiet may be related, as the Knicks could also shed their contract with the French winger, relegated to an end-of-the-bench role since his NBA debut. The real operation remains to be found, even if everyone seems to believe that it is « Dancing Bear » he won’t be in New York for the next few days.

Who will want Anthony Davis?

And he got hurt, Anthony Davis he had never been able to continue since his arrival in Dallas the year before. Former GM Nico Harrison fired, and the “cleanup” operation after the utter failure of the Luka Doncic trade could now include a departure from AD. The interior remains a dominant player when fit, the problem is that it happens too rarely. The Mavericks will now focus their future on Cooper Flagg, and they could quickly hang up their pennant to make this season an exercise in transition.

On Tuesday, ESPN assured that trading the former Lakers player is not urgent and that a trade could happen, but in anticipation of next season with, for example, players who are currently injured. Makes you wonder if Dallas couldn’t have become the underdog on the case of Giannis Antetokounmpo… The Mavericks could also receive calls for several players such as Klay Thompsonor Find Marshall.

Will the Nets try to use Michael Porter Jr.?

Michael Porter Jr is one of the very nice surprises of the season. Limited to a third-string role in Denver and unable to regularly show that he can earn more, the winger used his first-option role with the Nets to reboot his career. “MPJ” is now in the discussion for the first selection for the All-Star game, and Brooklyn could be tempted to take advantage of that. The New York franchise has made a specialty of turning its core players into draft magnets in recent years to continue the rebuild. Michael Porter Jr. could be the franchise’s next bargaining chip.

But the rumors surrounding the 27-year-old have calmed down recently. In order to attract him, it will undoubtedly be necessary to offer the Nets a generous price, which has not been the trend in recent months in the transfer market.

Will the Kings (finally) get younger?

With one of the worst records in the league despite an experienced core, Sacramento isn’t going anywhere. A year after flirting with a 50% win rate in an already disappointing season, the Kings are now doing so in last place in the Western Conference. The situation requires drastic changes. Trio Zach LaVine – DeMar DeRozan – Domantas Sabonis it’s not enough to hope they’ll be competitive, and the rare promising young players (Keegan Murray, Makime Rainaud, Nikoue Clifford, even Dylan Cardwell) have little room to express themselves. But who will pounce on the Kings’ veterans when LaVine still has to make $49 million next season, Sabonis is signed through 2028 and DeRozan is heading toward his 37th birthday?

Domantas Sabonis is undoubtedly one of the three who is generating the most interest, with the Athletics debating the paths of the Wizards, Suns and Bulls, while HoopsHype advance interest from the Raptors. The coming days should tell a lot about the short- and medium-term strategy of the California franchise.