NBA Trade Deadline Watch: Warriors Stand Pat on Butler, Grizzlies Weigh Morant Market, and Roster Math Rules in Philly and Dallas
As the NBA trade deadline inches closer, front offices across the league are working the phones, crunching numbers, and weighing long-term vision against short-term urgency. But not every team is in splash mode. For some, the decisions are more about patience, relationships, and, in a few cases, cold hard cap math.
Let’s break down where things stand for the Warriors, Grizzlies, Sixers, and Mavericks as the February 5 deadline looms.
Warriors Holding Firm on Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler isn’t going anywhere-at least not this season.
Despite the Warriors doing their due diligence and exploring every possible trade angle, Butler is expected to stay put following his season-ending ACL tear. Internally, the message has been consistent: he’s not on the table. And that’s not just posturing.
General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. has reportedly been unwavering behind the scenes. This isn’t a case of bluffing to drive up value-it’s a real commitment to a player who’s been central to the team’s identity since arriving.
There’s a financial layer that can’t be ignored. Butler’s contract is massive-$54.1 million this season and $56.8 million next year. That kind of number makes a midseason trade especially tricky, and it’s a far cry from a more movable deal like the De’Anthony Melton situation last year.
But beyond the cap sheet, the Warriors are looking at the results. They’re 46-22 in games Butler has played since acquiring him-a strong reminder of just how impactful he’s been when healthy. The front office believes he can still be a meaningful piece in the latter half of the 2026-27 season, and they’re not ready to walk away from that potential.
There’s also a personal connection that matters here. Dunleavy and Butler go way back to their days in Chicago. That kind of history isn’t just sentimental-it can shape how a franchise supports a player during a long rehab, and it’s clearly playing a role in Golden State’s approach.
Grizzlies Facing a Ja Morant Dilemma
If the Grizzlies end up moving Ja Morant, it won’t be subtle-and it definitely won’t be easy.
Morant’s popularity in Memphis is real. He’s not just a franchise cornerstone on the court; he’s a face of the city.
That makes any potential trade a high-wire act. The front office knows it can’t come back to fans with a package built around expiring deals and veteran filler.
Something like the recent Trae Young deal out of Atlanta? That’s not going to fly.
But here’s the rub: leverage is limited. There’s genuine interest around the league, but it’s been cautious.
Memphis wants young players and draft capital-future-facing assets that fit their rebuild timeline. Getting both in one deal, though, has proven elusive.
So the Grizzlies are stuck in a balancing act-trying to extract real value for a star while managing the optics of trading away a player who still holds major sway with the fanbase.
Sixers and Mavericks Playing the Numbers Game
Not every team is chasing a blockbuster. For Philadelphia and Dallas, the trade deadline is more about roster mechanics than headline moves.
The Sixers are looking to convert two-way players Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker into standard contracts. The challenge?
They’ve only got one open roster spot and are operating in the luxury tax. That makes even minor moves a delicate dance.
Dallas is in an even tighter spot. The Mavericks want to promote Ryan Nembhard and Moussa Cisse from their two-way contracts, but they’re already at the 15-player limit and flirting with the second tax apron. That’s a tough cap environment to navigate, especially when flexibility is already limited.
For both franchises, the deadline isn’t about chasing stars-it’s about solving the math. And sometimes, that’s just as important.
As February 5 approaches, the league’s trade landscape is as layered as ever. Some teams are hunting for big swings.
Others are playing the long game. But whether it’s preserving chemistry, protecting assets, or managing the books, every decision carries weight.
And for the Warriors, Grizzlies, Sixers, and Mavericks, the next two weeks could quietly define the rest of their season-and beyond.