Ranking the 9 Biggest Winners of the 2025 NBA Trade Deadline

John Canady
Host · Writer
9) LA Clippers
The LA Clippers have been seeking a reliable scorer off the bench since Norman Powell's move to the starting lineup. Hours before the deadline on Thursday, the Clippers struck a deal to land one of the more underrated bench options in the league in Bogdan Bogdanovic. The Atlanta Hawks guard is fresh off a career season in 2023, but this year, his play took a bit of a hit, with his minutes cut by roughly five minutes per game. LA dealt Terance Mann and Bones Hyland and picks for the bench scorer, but the move could be precisely what they need down the stretch in the Western Conference.
NBA Championship Odds: Last Week +4000 --> Current +3500
1) Los Angeles Lakers
Lakers’ NBA Championship Odds Soar After Luka Doncic Trade
The Los Angeles Lakers potentially pulled off one of the best trades in NBA history when they managed to land Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks. Not only did Rob Pelinka manage to acquire a 25-year-old generational talent for a 31-year-old big man, but he also was able to talk down the asking price for Doncic in negotiations with Mavs' general manager Nico Harrison. Following the move for Doncic, Pelinka stayed to work and pulled off yet another big move to land young center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets. If everything comes together for the Lakers and they can stay healthy, LA has the depth and talent to make a deep postseason run now, with life after LeBron figured out.
Championship Odds: Lakers moved from +4000 to +1200 to win the NBA Championship
2) De'Aaron Fox
When De'Aaron Fox became available on the trade market, the star guard expressed his desire to join the San Antonio Spurs. Following less than a week of trade discussions, San Antonio and the Sacramento Kings agreed to a blockbuster deal that granted Fox's wish to join the Spurs. Now, the Kentucky product gets the chance to grow alongside a young team with high potential in the coming years. He can be Robin to Victor Wembanyama's Batman.
NBA Championship Odds: Last Week +25000 --> Current +15000
3) San Antonio Spurs/Victor Wembanyama
Not only did the San Antonio Spurs manage to find the star guard they've desperately been seeking to pair alongside Victor Wembanyama, but. They made the deal to land him without giving up any of their young talent. With Fox now on the roster while keeping Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell, among others, the Spurs have the talent to make a playoff push this season and become an attractive destination in free agency this offseason.
NBA Championship Odds: Last Week +25000 --> Current +15000
4) Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers have surprised this season staying atop the Eastern Conference heading into the All-Star break in their first season under new head coach Kenny Atkinson. Heading into the deadline, Cleveland made it a point of emphasis to find wing depth as the postseason looms. They may have gotten one of the more underrated players at the deadline by trading for De'Andre Hunter from the Atlanta Hawks. The 27-year-old is a former lottery pick in the midst of a breakout season, averaging 19 points per game, and he has the potential to fit nicely alongside the Cavs' core.
NBA Championship Odds: Last Week +700 --> Current +750
5) New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans made it a point of emphasis to shake things up at the deadline, and they did exactly that when they shipped Brandon Ingram to the Eastern Conference to join the Toronto Raptors. NOLA received valuable depth pieces in the deal with Bruce Brown and Kelly Olynyk incoming. In addition, the Pelicans managed to cash in on future draft assets with a first-round pick and a second-round pick in return.
NBA Championship Odds: Last Week +100000 --> Current +100000
6) Miami Heat
The Miami Heat finally put the Jimmy Butler saga in the past with a blockbuster deal that landed the disgruntled star with the Golden State Warriors. In the three-team deal, the Heat landed Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, and a first-round pick from the Warriors. Miami also received P.J. Tucker from the Utah Jazz. Still, they quickly pivoted and dealt the veteran to the Raptors in exchange for a young defensive-minded guard in Davion Mitchell. Considering the depth the Heat received and the fact that they found a way to get under the second apron, the new CBA guidelines continue to hinder the team's building, this was a long-term win.
NBA Championship Odds: Last Week +12500 --> Current +30000
7) Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets got in on the fun by trading Mark Williams to the Lakers in another big deal that helped Los Angeles reshape their roster. Charlotte managed to land two former lottery picks, Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddish. In addition, the Hornets received a 2031 unprotected first-round pick from the Lakers and a 2030 pick swap. Not only was Charlotte able to capitalize on their young big man who's shown issues staying on the court, but they also landed arguably the best player in the deal in Knecht, who has the potential to be a star in this league, considering his offensive skill set.
NBA Championship Odds: Last Week +100000 --> Current +100000
8) Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler may be one of the biggest winners at the deadline. The frustrated star was able to get his trade request out of Miami granted, and while it may not have been to his preferred destination, he was shipped to Golden State to play alongside future Hall of Famer Stephen Curry. In addition, the forward managed to ink a two-year, $121 million extension following the deal to the Western Conference squad.
NBA Championship Odds: Last Week +5000 --> Current +4000
9) LA Clippers
The LA Clippers have been seeking a reliable scorer off the bench since Norman Powell's move to the starting lineup. Hours before the deadline on Thursday, the Clippers struck a deal to land one of the more underrated bench options in the league in Bogdan Bogdanovic. The Atlanta Hawks guard is fresh off a career season in 2023, but this year, his play took a bit of a hit, with his minutes cut by roughly five minutes per game. LA dealt Terance Mann and Bones Hyland and picks for the bench scorer, but the move could be precisely what they need down the stretch in the Western Conference.
NBA Championship Odds: Last Week +4000 --> Current +3500
1) Los Angeles Lakers
Lakers’ NBA Championship Odds Soar After Luka Doncic Trade
The Los Angeles Lakers potentially pulled off one of the best trades in NBA history when they managed to land Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks. Not only did Rob Pelinka manage to acquire a 25-year-old generational talent for a 31-year-old big man, but he also was able to talk down the asking price for Doncic in negotiations with Mavs' general manager Nico Harrison. Following the move for Doncic, Pelinka stayed to work and pulled off yet another big move to land young center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets. If everything comes together for the Lakers and they can stay healthy, LA has the depth and talent to make a deep postseason run now, with life after LeBron figured out.
Championship Odds: Lakers moved from +4000 to +1200 to win the NBA Championship
