Rowan DuBois | staff writer

As the NBA trade deadline drew to a close Feb. 5, various players had new homes.

Anthony Davis was traded for the second consecutive year, the James Harden era in Los Angeles came to a close and Jaren Jackson Jr. played his final game for the Memphis Grizzlies.

There were more shockers, too, like the 76ers shipping Jared McCain, but some of the most surprising moves were the ones that didn’t happen.

Ja Morant and Zion Williamson both stayed put in Memphis and New Orleans respectively, while Giannis Attentekumpo, perhaps the most sought after trade target, somehow remained a Milwaukee Buck.

Memphis sends Jaren Jackson to Utah in massive eight-player deal

The Utah Jazz surprised the league on Feb. 3 by sending three first-round picks and four players to the Grizzlies in exchange for Jaren Jackson Jr.

Jackson, the former DPOY, and two-time All-Star who has never played for anyone but the Grizzlies in his eight-year NBA tenure, joined the Jazz along with Jock Landale, John Konchar and Vince Williams Jr.

The Grizzlies also received Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks and Georges Niang.

Much of Memphis’ trade rumors during the window surrounded Ja Morant, and those rumors only thickened after the Jackson trade, but the Grizzlies hung on to Morant and created a $28.8 million trade exception with the deal, the most in NBA history, according to NBA insider Bobby Marks.

Utah received an exceptional shot-blocker and two-way player in Jackson, who scored 22 points in 25 minutes in his Jazz debut on Saturday.

Jackson averaged 19.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks for the struggling Grizzlies this year, and the Jazz signed him in the midst of his contract, with four seasons and $205 million remaining on it.

James Harden shipped to the Cavaliers, Darius Garland to the Clippers.

Later that evening, news broke that James Harden would be heading to Cleveland in exchange for Darius Garland and a second-round pick.

With the deal, Los Angeles separated itself from an experiment which united three stars in Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Harden. Leonard, the only one remaining on the clippers, shrugged when asked about the era’s completion.

“From what was expected?” Leonard said. “It’s over. Guys are gone.”

The transaction was a contrast from Harden’s previous trades, as he attracted public drama during his exits from Brooklyn, Houston and Philadelphia.

Harden, the 11-time All-Star, reignited his elite scoring potential this season, averaging over 25 points this season with the Clippers. Los Angeles has the best win percentage in the NBA since Christmas, but even that can’t make up for the team’s 25-27 record

Harden, wanting more guaranteed money than the Clippers can afford, and the Clippers, being realistic on whether or not the outcome of the season will be worth giving Harden what he asks for, came to a mutual decision to trade him.

In return the Clippers get a talented shooting guard in Garland who has averaged 18 points and 6.9 assists in 26 games this year while battling injury.

The trade provides Harden a chance to win now at 36 years old.

“At the end of the day, it is a business,” Harden said, “and I think both sides got what they wanted, are in a great place and are very happy. I’m excited about Cleveland. I’m still trying to chase my first championship and do whatever it takes to win.”

Thunder trade first, second rounders for Jared McCain

On Feb. 4, around the same time that news broke of reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s abdominal injury, which would likely cause him to miss games through the All-Star break, Oklahoma City acquired Jared McCain from the Philadelphia 76ers.

In a move that 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey called “selling high,” Philadelphia sent one of their young stars to the reigning champions in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick and three future second-round picks.

McCain had a quick start to his NBA career, averaging over 15 points during his rookie campaign after being drafted by Philadelphia in 2024. After a knee injury cut his 2025-26 season short, McCain has regressed, averaging only 6.6 points in 37 games this season and struggling to find minutes on a competitive 76ers roster.

With his early success in Philadelphia, the trade was unexpected. According to McCain, even he didn’t see it coming.

“We were on the bus to the airport and just got a call. I had no feeling,” he said. “I got the call and went to Tyrese [Maxey] first. It was pretty emotional.”

Anthony Davis goes to D.C. after 31 Mavs games

Almost exactly a year after the Dallas Mavericks shocked the basketball world by sending Luka Doncic to the Lakers, Dallas was once again involved in a blockbuster trade, this time shipping Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards as a part of a three-team deal.

Davis, the 32 year old who was a vital part of the Doncic trade, was traded in exchange for Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Tyus Jones (via Charlotte), Marvin Bagley III, two first-round picks and three future second-round picks

The Wizards also received Dante Exum, D-Angelo Russell, and Jaden Hardy from Dallas. The Hornets acquired Malaki Branham from D.C. in the deal.

The move demonstrates the Mavericks’ intent to move on from last year’s Doncic deal, which was orchestrated by since-fired general manager Nico Harrison. Davis was the key piece Dallas received in exchange.

Rowan DuBois can be reached at duboisr1@duq.edu