We have arrived at NBA trade deadline week, with just two days separating us from now and the day when most of the main action could take place.
Of course, that might not be the case, as new scuttle is coming out hourly at this point, trade rumors about players we had no idea would even be on the move this deadline. So perhaps some of the bigger moves take place even before Thursday.
As is, we have already seen Keon Ellis get traded to Cleveland for De’Andre Hunter, and that was a taste of the action to come, as on Tuesday, the likes of Nikola Vucevic, Jaden Ivey, Anfernee Simons and even two-time All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. were all traded. That last move only added fuel to the Ja Morant trade fire, although, surprisingly, he didn’t get enough mentions this week in trade scuttle to make the cut here.
Below, check out the eight NBA players who have appeared most often in trade rumors over the previous week.
8. Darius Garland (Cleveland)
After a slow start to the season, the Cleveland Cavaliers have warmed up in a major way of late, winning eight of their last 10 games, making it all the more surprising to see them pop up in trade rumors in such a prominent way.
Even so, according to reports late on Monday, namely from Chris Mannix at Sports Illustrated, former All-Star guard Darius Garland could be headed to Los Angeles in exchange for a future Hall of Famer, in what was a completely shocking report that no one could have seen coming. Yahoo! Sports’ Kelly Iko also reported on the matter late on Monday:
Cleveland’s initial interest in Harden dates back to December, sources say, in the midst of the Clippers’ dismal 6-21 start. During that time, a number of key veterans expressed frustration and the front office explored potential deals for the likes of Harden, John Collins and Brook Lopez, among others, sources say. The Cavaliers have also canvassed the point guard market at various points over the past few months. Subsequently, the Clippers have held a longstanding interest in seventh-year guard Darius Garland, sources say.
Both Marc Stein and Brian Windhorst have said a deal is not quite advanced or quite near the finish line, but on the other hand, Chris Haynes reported that there’s a motivation between both teams to get a trade done quickly:
Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers have ramped up conversations on a James Harden, Darius Garland package with both sides motivated to executing a deal relatively soon, league sources tell me.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 3, 2026
Clearly, this is a situation to monitor closely over the coming hours and days, as this would be a blockbuster deal, especially considering both teams have been on absolute tears of late. For two teams with the expectations that Los Angeles and Cleveland have to swap star floor generals is pretty unheard of and utterly fascinating. Let’s see if the two sides come to an agreement, as, according to Windhorst, Garland fully expects to be a Clipper and Harden a Cavalier at this point.
For the latest Darius Garland trade rumors, click here.Put together Darius Garland deals on our NBA Trade Machine.
7. Jimmy Butler (Golden State)
It would be cruel of the Golden State Warriors to trade Jimmy Butler after he blew out his knee in service of the team, but at the end of the day, the NBA is a business, and if the team feels it can rebuild a championship contender around Stephen Curry in the twilight of his prime, they’ll likely do it. We’ll just have to wait and see if that involves trading Butler.
According to the latest report from the New York Times, the Warriors “have made it clear” they will stick by Butler as he begins his extended rehab process. Stein reported similarly earlier in the week.
However, ESPN said that everyone not named Curry should be a little concerned ahead of the trade deadline, depending on how aggressive the team is going to be in the sweepstakes for the No. 1 player in this ranking:
According to team sources, there’s a sense on the ground that everyone on the Warriors’ roster besides star guard Stephen Curry is vulnerable as the front office chases Antetokounmpo and figures out how best to reorient the roster in the late stages of Curry’s career. Because of salary-matching purposes, either Draymond Green, who makes $25.8 million this season, or injured forward Jimmy Butler, who makes $54.1 million this season, would be a necessary part of the outgoing package to make a trade for Antetokounmpo work. Antetokounmpo’s salary this season is $54.1 million.
So, although it would be pretty callous of the Warriors to trade Butler, we’re surethat even if he would understand if Golden State moved him for a player of Antetokounmpo’s caliber.
For all of the latest Jimmy Butler trade rumors, click here.Put together Jimmy Butler deals on our NBA Trade Machine.
6. Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento)
With Vucevic traded, Domantas Sabonis might be the best pure big man remaining on the trade block. Sabonis, having an injury played 2025-2,6 hasn’t helped his trade value, but we’d still be surprised if he remains with the Sacramento Kings past this week.
According to veteran NBA reporter Sam Amick, one option for Sabonis might be the Cleveland Cavaliers, who he says have shown interest in Sabonis in the past. Meanwhile, Stein reported that the Toronto Raptors remain an option for Sabonis, but that the team from the great white north needs to find a new home for Jakob Poeltl if it’s going to actually make a move for the Lithuanian southpaw.
Sabonis has two fully guaranteed years left on his contract, worth roughly $94.1 million, a solidly team-friendly number based on his output, though questions remain on his impact on winning due to his lack of defensive chops.
For all of the latest Domantas Sabonis trade rumors, click here.Put together Domantas Sabonis deals on our NBA Trade Machine.
5. Jonathan Kuminga (Golden State)
With Jonathan Kuminga out due to injury at the moment, his trade market has cooled even further, which is really saying something considering where it was before the injury. Really, it seems like Kuminga’s trade prospects are going to come down to whether the Milwaukee Bucks want him back in a deal for the top finisher in our exercise here today, because Kuminga doesn’t appear to have many other suitors outside of the Kings at this point, and they just traded for Hunter, filling their need for an athletic, young two-way wing.
What’s more, due to the Butler injury, it’s become even less likely Kuminga will be traded, according to ESPN:
The Warriors are still exploring Jonathan Kuminga’s trade market, but team sources have described it as less likely he is moved in the wake of the Butler injury. He has a $24.3 million player option that could be utilized in the summer and a clearer path to playing time in the immediate, which could help boost his value and get both sides what they ultimately desire.
Still, keep an eye on Milwaukee here, as that’s by far the favorite to be Kuminga’s next team. If not the Bucks, expect Kuminga to remain with the Warriors, at least judging by what the latest rumors have to say on the matter.
For all of the latest Jonathan Kuminga trade rumors, click here.Put together Jonathan Kuminga deals on our NBA Trade Machine.
4. Draymond Green (Golden State)
Our third straight Warriors frontcourt player, Draymond Green might just be the favorite out of the trio to be traded, surprisingly enough.
According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, the Warriors have involved Green in active trade talks in advance of Thursday’s trade deadline. It would be downright shocking to see Green play in a different uniform, but when the end of Curry’s prime – and a shot at Antetokounmpo – are at stake, anything is possible. Per the same ESPN report, Green has come up in trade talks as the Warriors remain in the hunt for Antetokounmpo. Bay Area reporter Monte Poole had reported similarly late last week, too:
“From what I’m hearing, the only Warrior that’s off the table is Steph Curry. That means Draymond Green is also available for the right package. They don’t want to, but they’re willing to.”
– –@MontePooleNBCS on Draymond’s name a possible Giannis trade 👀 (via @WillardAndDibs) pic.twitter.com/DkG9RyyGLA
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) January 31, 2026
Interestingly, Green responded to trade rumors recently when talking to the media, saying that he wasn’t concerned with the scuttle, and that if he’s traded, he understands it’s a business. He also said he had slept great the night before, indicating how little concern he felt about being dealt.
You can see his full comments on potentially being traded here:
Draymond Green as the trade deadline approaches: “I’ve been here for 14 years. I have no reason to sit and worry about leaving. But if I’m traded, that’s part of the business.”
“I ain’t losing no sleep though. I slept great last night.” pic.twitter.com/VueYUsKilO
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 31, 2026
There’s no question this is the closest we’ve ever been to a potential Green trade. And if it does happen, it’ll be a monumental move. Not only would it mean the Warriors potentially landing a superstar, but also that Green’s 14-year, four-championship run with Golden State would be coming to a close.
For all of the latest Draymond Green trade rumors, click here.Put together Draymond Green deals on our NBA Trade Machine.
3. Karl-Anthony Towns (New York)
The Knicks have been one of the teams in the thick of having an interest in the Greek superstar who finished at the top of this ranking. To pull off such a deal, though, they are going to have to make some painful decisions, such as potentially trading a few of their best players, names such as that of Karl-Anthony Towns.
According to the latest from the New York Times, however, Towns doesn’t have the same level of trade value as he did as when the Knicks first acquired him. That seems just a bit harsh, in our estimation, as Towns is still leading the NBA in nightly rebounds this very season, while putting up nearly 20 points nightly and shooting almost 36 percent from three. His contract is a bit tricky, though, as not only is he owed north of $61 million in 2027-28, but he also has a player option on the year. So if, for whatever reason, his play falls off a cliff by then, his current or next team will be saddled with a huge contract on its books.
If anyone is concerned about Towns’ play of late, that might have to do with his feelings being affected by the trade rumors, according to Newsday:
Towns sat in front of his locker after almost all of his teammates had cleared out of the locker room. When he was asked about the trade rumors, he insisted he wasn’t giving it a thought. You read the quotes and tell me if you believe it. “I feel like I’ve been in trade rumors a lot for a lot of times, for [a] year . . . ,” Towns said. “That don’t matter to me. I’m not looking at social media or none of that stuff. I focus on the job at hand, which is trying to get wins every single night. As long as I do that, I do my job, I go home happy and I feel accomplished. I’m not worried about what anybody got to say or people write or anything like that.”
For the time being, it doesn’t appear as though Towns has much to worry about, as the Knicks look to be a little bit on the outside looking in as far as the sweepstakes for the top player in this ranking. What’s more, Brian Windhorst recently reported that the Knicks aren’t looking to shake things up too much, as they are apparently satisfied with their current roster:
Windy on ESPN this morning:
“The Knicks believe in this team… They are NOT showing that aggression to get Giannis right now.”
Says NY could certainly revisit the Giannis situation if the Knicks don’t make a deep playoff run this spring. pic.twitter.com/ViElEDaqaG
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) February 2, 2026
Perhaps Towns doesn’t have to start looking at real estate in Milwaukee quite yet.
For all of the latest Karl-Anthony Towns trade rumors, click here.Put together Karl-Anthony Towns deals on our NBA Trade Machine.
2. James Harden (LA Clippers)
James Harden heading to the Cavaliers this season is something no one could have foreseen, and although it hasn’t happened quite yet, things do appear to be trending in that direction. For however much Harden likes to talk about being so happy with his new team, it sure does seem that goes out the window as soon as his financial demands aren’t met to his liking, and it appears that has happened once again, this time with the Clippers.
Because lack of winning can’t be a reason for Harden wanting out, as the Clippers have been the hottest team in the NBA over the past two months, with Harden’s play being a huge reason for that. Over his last 19 appearances, Harden is averaging 24.6 points, 8.2 assists and 1.3 steals on 39.3 percent shooting from three, with the Clippers going 15-4 in that stretch.
And yet, shockwaves were made on Monday night when rumors started to circulate that Harden could be headed to Cleveland, as was first reported by Mannix and later followed up on by Haynes.
What’s more, according toJake Fischer, the Cavaliers aren’t even the only team after Harden, as the Minnesota Timberwolves, who just opened up cap room and a roster spot by trading Mike Conley, are also a team that Harden would like to end up on. However, per Fischer, the Wolves remain more focused on going after the next player on this list.
Windhorst said on Tuesday afternoon that there’s real momentum on a Harden-for-Garland swap. Meanwhile, here’s what Harden had to say about the Clippers’ organization 11 days ago:
Just 11 days ago, James Harden spoke highly of the entire Clippers organization after his shoe release:
“The support has been high level since I’ve been here.”
“This entire organization from top to bottom is showing me love and I kinda want to reciprocate that.” pic.twitter.com/lIZqbJPAFO
— Grant “Money” Mona (@Gmona48) February 3, 2026
Who knows what possibly could have changed from then until now, but we’re going to assume this might all be financially motivated on Harden’s end, judging by his prior actions.
For all of the latest James Harden trade rumors, click here.Put together James Harden deals on our NBA Trade Machine.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee)
There have been over 100 Giannis Antetokounmpo mentions on our trade rumors page… just over the past seven days. For comparison’s sake, the No. 2 finisher in that regard over the last week, Harden, had just 23 such mentions. Even so, the idea that teams are waiting on the culmination of the Antetokounmpo saga before making any moves went flying out the window today with the flurry of trades we saw go down.
On the Antetokounmpo front, the latest on the matter tells us that although the Wolves opened a roster spot by trading Conley, according to Jon Krawcyznski, that doesn’t mean Antetokounmpo to Minnesota is a done deal. Additionally, Stein reported that Antetokounmpo’s affinity for joining the Wolves has to do with his admiration for Anthony Edwards as a player and competitor. Stein also added that Jaden McDaniels would need to be included in a trade to get it done, as Minnesota is lacking in draft assets for any trade offers. Fischer also mentioned how active the Wolves remain in pursuit of Antetokounmpo just this afternoon.
Meanwhile, in the Southeast Division of the NBA, the Miami Heat are reportedly interested in Morant, but have put that on the back burner as the team remains focused on landing Antetokounmpo by Thursday.
And out West, the Warriors are so interested in Antetokounmpo that they are reportedly willing to make one of their franchise cornerstones, Draymond Green, available in a potential trade for Antetokounmpo. Even so, Stein basically called Minnesota and Miami frontrunners for Antetokounmpo at the moment, as the two-time league MVP might not be as into the idea of joining the Warriors as he was in the past. That might have to do with the fact that Curry is now 37 years old, and soon to be 38.
However, just to put a little water on the fire, there was a report just on Tuesday from Zach Lowestating that teams around the NBA are actually 20-80 in favor of Antetokounmpo not being dealt by the upcoming deadline:
Nobody except a few Milwaukee Bucks owners and executives really has any idea if Giannis Antetokounmpo will be dealt before Thursday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst says it’s 51-49 he won’t be traded this week. The Ringer’s Zach Lowe says he believes it’s 50-50, but the teams involved in the pursuit believe it’s 80-20 against a trade in the next two days: “The consensus is they are a little skeptical the Bucks will move him now.”
Even the Cavaliers were brought up today by Windhorst as a team that has had talks with Milwaukee about Antetokounmpo, so truly, how this plays out is anyone’s guess. We just know whichever team does land him will be greatly amplifying its championship odds, no matter what he costs.
For all of the latest Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors, click here.Put together Giannis Antetokounmpo deals on our NBA Trade Machine.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Trade Rumor Rankings: James Harden, Darius Garland, Giannis and more
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