NBA trade deadline date/time (2026): The NBA trade deadline is Thursday, February 5, 2026, and it ends at 3 p.m. ET.
That’s 2 p.m. CT / 1 p.m. MT / 12 p.m. PT, so fans tracking deals from should know the exact time their team will stop.
(Last updated: February 3, 2026, 3:17 p.m. ET)
NBA Trade Deadline Date and Time
If you’re here for the quick answer, it’s simple: Feb. 5 at 3 p.m. ET. That’s the final moment teams can complete trades before the stretch run.
What Time Does the NBA Trade Deadline End?
The NBA trade deadline ends at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, Feb. 5.
You’ll sometimes see reports pop right at the buzzer (or just after) because news breaks in real time while paperwork and formal approvals process. But as far as the league calendar goes, 3 p.m. ET is the cutoff.
Historically, deadline day is when contenders decide whether to pay the price for a real upgrade, and when struggling teams choose between a quick reset and a longer rebuild. That’s why the final 48 hours can feel chaotic: front offices call on everything from bench scoring to rim protection to playoff-ready wings, and one deal can trigger two more as teams scramble to respond. If you’re watching for a “big name,” keep an eye on the teams with the most picks, the most tradable contracts, and the clearest urgency to win now.
Biggest NBA Trade Rumors and Storylines Right Now: Giannis to the Warriors?
Even when the deadline is “about role players,” the rumor cycle always bends toward stars. This year, the names fans keep searching are loud.
Grizzlies Mega Trade: The Memphis Grizzlies recently completed a trade for Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang and three future first round-picks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Giannis Antetokounmpo watch: Is Giannis heading to the Bay? A new report suggests that might be true.
James Harden bombshell: ESPN reported late Monday night “the Los Angeles Clippers and 11-time All-Star James Harden are working through whether the sides can find a deal by Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. Both sides are aligned in conversations together and with interested teams.”
Karl-Anthony Towns chatter: With the New York Knicks always linked to big-game hunting, reporting has suggested Towns “may not be untouchable” as front offices weigh whether a bold move is worth it.
Ja Morant speculation: It’s deadline season, so even a cryptic post can become rocket fuel. Morant’s social-media message drew fresh attention and kept his name in the rumor ecosystem heading into the week.
Anthony Davis noise: The Dallas Mavericks have been framed as a team that will at least listen if interest materializes, even if the preference is to keep the veteran big man.
What Happens After the Deadline?
Trades stop on Feb. 5, but roster movement doesn’t. The next phase is the buyout market—and the date to remember there is March 1, the NBA’s playoff eligibility waiver deadline.
That’s why contenders sometimes pivot immediately after the deadline: if they can’t land help via trade, they’ll try to win the buyout race, especially for rotation depth.
Updates (as deals happen):
-
Biggest deal so far: Cavs trade De’Andre Hunter to Kings for Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder
-
Team that looks like the biggest buyer: Warriors, Lakers, Knicks, Timberwolves, Celtics
-
Team that looks like the biggest seller: Bucks, Celtics, Grizzlies, Mavericks, Blazers
When Is the NBA Trade Deadline?