These NBA trade grades will take a look at the five craziest trades of the 2026 NBA offseason up until this point. It’s been a crazy one, and there seems to be no slowing down. Superstars after superstars are being traded right now, so let’s grade some trades.
The Miami Heat broke the seal on the NBA offseason when they acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. The Heat finally get their superstar, and the Bucks get some great pieces. Milwaukee added some great young depth pieces and could be back in playoff contention sooner rather than later. There are concerns about the Heat’s depth now, but the trade itself was a win-win.
Heat grade: A
Bucks grade: B+
Lamelo Ball was traded the day after the 2026 NBA draft in a shocking move that came out of nowhere. The Charlotte Hornets certainly confused everyone when this move went down, and it still kind of doesn’t make sense. They received Naz Reid and picks from the Minnesota Timberwolves, but nothing that brings back the value Ball should have. This is a clear win for Minnesota.
Timberwolves grade: A+
Hornets grade: C-
The Memphis Grizzlies were put in an awful situation here with Ja Morant. They obviously come out as losers, but it’s not even their fault. His value had gotten so low that the Portland Trailblazers could get him for literally just Jerami Grant. The fit in Portland is a little iffy, so no A grade here, but a great low-risk, high-reward move.
Trailblazers grade: B+
Grizzlies grade: D
Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors, where have we seen this story before? The 2019 Finals MVP returns to Toronto with hopes of pursuing another. The Los Angeles Clippers got Brandon Ingram, a nice young piece in Gradey Dick, and some draft capital. They felt they were in a position where they needed to trade Leonard, but they didn’t get back anything that would help them stick around. Maybe it’s a better strategy to be mid-pack with the new lottery format, but the Clippers don’t really have an identity right now.
Raptors grade: A+
Clippers grade: C
The Philadelphia 76ers and Mike Gansey simply made Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics look stupid with this move. What on earth could they possibly be thinking? Jaylen Brown for Paul George and two first-round picks. A report came out recently that the Sixers were attempting to salary dump George, and were willing to attach a first-round pick to do so. Essentially, they got an MVP candidate for free.
76ers grade: A+
Celtics grade: F
The 2026 NBA offseason has been one of the craziest offseasons in NBA history. Just when you think it’s calming down, another superstar is being traded to a surprise team. There is no slowing down either, as LeBron James still needs to join his next franchise.
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