NBA Rumors: After one of the most chaotic NBA Trade Deadline seasons in recent history, we explore four bold winners and three clear losers while breaking down the madness.
The 2025 NBA Trade Deadline has come and gone and it will be remembered as one of the most chaotic and active ones in recent memory. In total, a record 63 players were moved this trade season and there were a few blockbuster deals that ended up changing the landscape of the league overall. As the dust begins to settle across the league, we break down five clear winners and five big losers from this year's NBA Trade Deadline.
Dallas Mavericks - Loser
Notable trade deadline moves: Traded Luka Doncic; acquired Anthony Davis
Having been decimated by injuries for the majority of the first half of the season, the Dallas Mavericks quickly emerged as one of the more underwhelming teams in the Western Conference. While there were many expecting the Mavs to make a move ahead of the trade deadline, I'm not sure there are many who envisioned what Dallas would end up doing. Out of the blue, the Mavs agreed to trade Luka Doncic (and pieces) to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis (and pieces). It's a move that will drastically change the future of the franchise.
Look, I understand there's an argument to be made that the Mavs could be good for the next 2-3 seasons with a high-level AD in the frontcourt and the dynamics of Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson in the backcourt. However, this is one of those trades that you just can't do if you're the Mavs. Essentially, Dallas traded 10-15 years of guaranteed relevance for the chance (and not a great one at that) to win a title (with a more balanced team?) for two seasons. This is not about AD. He's a great player and he will probably be amazing for the Mavs (if he can remain healthy).
Even if the Mavs go on to win a championship in the next couple of seasons (which I don't believe to be all that likely), it's going to be incredibly difficult to justify the decision to trade Luka. Because of that, the Mavs have to be considered one of the bigger losers from this year's trade deadline season.