Updated NBA Trade Rumors on Celtics, 76ers, Cavs, Pistons Plans at 2026 Deadline amid Giannis Buzz

Several contending teams in the Eastern Conference are reportedly expected to take varying approaches to the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline.

According to ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been engaged in trade talks as they sit fifth in the East, with an anonymous Eastern Conference executive saying, "Cleveland is active [in trade talks]We're not sure what they're trying to set up—and they may not be either—but they're active."

Per Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Cavs are one of several teams that have discussed acquiring Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis.

The Stein Line's Jake Fischer added that the Kings could look to add either forward DeMar DeRozan, guard Malik Monk or both to a trade package involving Ellis.

Bontemps and Windhorst noted that sources believe Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens will look to make improvements at the deadline as usual, particularly in the frontcourt.

The expiring contract of guard Anfernee Simons is reportedly expected to make a major trade chip for the Celtics, although they aren't considered likely to take a big swing by trading for Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo or Memphis Grizzlies center Jaren Jackson Jr.

As for the first-place Detroit Pistons and sixth-place Philadelphia 76ers, neither is reportedly expected to do anything big.

Per Bontemps and Windhorst, a "blockbuster isn't likely" for the Sixers, and the Pistons are considered "more likely to be a facilitator at the deadline" than a team making a big add.

The biggest storyline ahead of the trade deadline is a potential looming trade involving Giannis, who is typically among the five best players in the league when healthy.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported this week that multiple teams have made "aggressive offers" for Antetokounmpo, and the Bucks are "starting to listen."

Charania named the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks as Giannis' top suitors.

If the second-place Knicks or seventh-place Heat acquire Giannis, it could very well shift the balance of power in the Eastern Conference.

However, based on the reports by Bontemps and Windhorst, it doesn't seem as though leading Eastern Conference contenders like the Pistons, Celtics, Cavs and Sixers intend on running interference and blocking a Giannis trade to New York or Miami by acquiring him themselves.

With Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton out for the season and Celtics forward Jayson Tatum potentially out for the season, it always felt like the Eastern Conference was going to be wide open this season.

Although the Pistons hold a 5.5-game lead for first place, that has largely held true, as only four games separate the second-place Knicks and seventh-place Heat.

That suggests any number of teams have a legitimate chance to represent the East in the 2026 NBA Finals, but the trade deadline could be the thing that starts to separate the contenders from the pretenders.

With so many teams in both conferences being in the mix and possibly having a chance to make a deep playoff run, it promises to be a busy week leading up to next Thursday's deadline.