NBA executives anticipate a relatively quiet February trade deadline but expect significant movement during the 2026 offseason, according to multiple league sources. Large player salaries and new CBA restrictions are limiting trade possibilities as teams navigate luxury tax aprons and roster-building limitations.
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps reported on the outlook as the league reaches the halfway point of its current collective bargaining agreement.
“I don’t see an eventful trade deadline,” an Eastern Conference executive said. “But that could set up for a crazy summer.”
Several star players face limited trade interest due to massive contracts. The source material references a Dallas player earning $58.5 million next season with a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28.
Trae Young with the Atlanta Hawks and Zach LaVine with the Sacramento Kings are also making approximately $40 million annually. Teams are struggling to find cap room to accommodate such salaries.
Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to state he has no interest in discussing a future outside Milwaukee. League insiders suggest waiting until summer would maximize his leverage in any potential move.
“If he waits until the summer [to ask out], he’ll have maximum leverage on what his future will be,” an Eastern Conference scout said.
Sources indicate Milwaukee will focus on roster improvements around Antetokounmpo before the February 5 deadline. The Bucks sit five games behind the fourth-seeded Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference.
“They aren’t trading him in-season,” a Western Conference scout said.
“I don’t think it will be as busy as people think, and I don’t think the available players will be that good,” a Western Conference executive said.
Jonathan Kuminga’s situation with the Golden State Warriors also remains unresolved following last summer’s contract negotiations. Kuminga becomes trade eligible on January 15th.