Latest NBA Rumors Reveal Why 3-Team Trades May Be Popular at 2026 Deadline
Increasing restrictions imposed by the NBA salary cap could lead to an uptick in multi-team trade agreements ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer.
Fischer wrote Wednesday that "lots of front offices, based on recent conversations, are expecting upcoming trade activity to feature three- or four-team deals."
According to Fischer, there is "a growing belief leaguewide" that the Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets and Utah Jazz are willing to be the third team involved in these trades.
"Sources say that the Nets, Hornets and Jazz have all been reiterating to teams in ongoing conversations that they are willing to help grease trades in exchange for draft capital," Fischer wrote.
In addition to the Hornets and Jazz, 15 other teams are hard-capped at the first apron ahead of the upcoming trade deadline, per Spotrac.
Of those first-apron hard-capped teams, several— including the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets— have less than $2 million in space below that hard cap, according to Spotrac.
The Nets join the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks as teams capped at the second apron. The Knicks, Warriors and Mavs are also right up against their cap, per Spotrac.
Other teams even without the hard cap could be restricted at the deadline if they don't want to pay luxury tax, Fischer noted.
Fischer's report was published the same day ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo "is ready for a new home," and that his team is "starting to listen" to offers.
SNY's Ian Begley named the New York Knicks and Miami Heat as two teams who will be making a push to acquire Antetokounmpo, although both franchises would be restricted in how much they can offer in return.
The Knicks only have one tradable first-round pick in 2026, and it belongs to the Washington Wizards if it's a top-eight pick this spring, per ESPN's Bobby Marks. The Heat don't have any tradable first-rounders until 2030.
The Heat are also hard-capped at the first apron with just over $7 million in space, per Spotrac, while the Knicks are right up against their own hard cap at the second apron.
Bringing in other teams on a potential deal would potentially allow either team to reroute some additional draft capital and move salary in order to make a more attractive offer to the Bucks and increase their odds of landing Antetokounmpo.
