The NBA's post-trade deadline landscape is taking shape, and this week gave us our first look at what the new reality might hold. Trae Young suited up for Washington, Boston reminded everyone why they're the defending champions, and Miami's drama continued to overshadow their actual basketball. Let's get into it.
The Big Story: Trae Young's Wizards Debut
Trae Young played his first game in a Washington Wizards uniform on Tuesday night, and he didn't disappoint. The four-time All-Star dropped 28 points and 11 assists in a 118-112 victory over Charlotte, looking comfortable running the offense from the moment he touched the ball.
"I've been waiting for this," Young said postgame. "New city, new start. I'm ready to show what I can do with the right pieces around me."
Those pieces are still coming together. Young's chemistry with Jordan Poole produced some early highlights—a lob here, a kick-out three there—but the Wizards remain a work in progress. They went 2-2 this week with Young, losses to Cleveland and New York sandwiching wins over Charlotte and Detroit.
The most encouraging sign? Young's defensive effort. Whether it's a new environment or renewed motivation, he was more engaged on that end than he'd been in years in Atlanta. Washington's defensive rating with Young on the floor was 108.2, significantly better than his Atlanta numbers.
Meanwhile, CJ McCollum made his Hawks debut on Wednesday with 19 points in a loss to Miami. Atlanta went 1-3 this week as they figure out life without their franchise point guard.
Notable Games and Results
Thunder Roll Past Suns
Oklahoma City dominated Phoenix 127-101 on Thursday in a statement win. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was ruthless with 38 points on just 14 shots, continuing his absurdly efficient season. Chet Holmgren added 22 points and 5 blocks, looking every bit the franchise cornerstone.
The Thunder are 35-10 and have the best point differential in the Western Conference. Their depth—with Jalen Williams, Lu Dort, and Isaiah Hartenstein all contributing—makes them a nightmare matchup for anyone.
Heat Drama Continues
Jimmy Butler missed two more games this week with what Miami called "personal reasons," but everyone knows the situation. The six-time All-Star wants out, and the Heat are weighing their options before the February 5 deadline.
Without Butler, Miami went 1-2 this week. Tyler Herro has been carrying the load (27.3 PPG this week), but the vibes are off. Bam Adebayo looked frustrated after Friday's loss to Indiana.
"We're professionals. We show up and compete," Adebayo said when asked about the Butler situation. "Everything else is above my pay grade."
Trade rumors link Butler to Phoenix, Golden State, and Houston. The deadline can't come soon enough for this team.
Lakers Split Dramatic Week
Los Angeles went 2-2 but generated more headlines than their record suggests. LeBron James hit a buzzer-beater over Denver on Wednesday—a 28-foot stepback three that will live in highlight reels. He finished with 31 points in the 109-107 win.
But the Lakers followed that with losses to Sacramento and Portland, reminding everyone of their inconsistency. Anthony Davis missed both losses with knee soreness, and LA's defense cratered without him.
At 24-21, the Lakers are the 6-seed in a tightly packed Western Conference. They're too talented to miss the playoffs but too flawed to be considered serious contenders.
MVP Watch
The race is heating up as the All-Star break approaches.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder): The favorite. His efficiency is historic—he's scoring 32.1 PPG on 53% shooting with minimal turnovers. OKC's record helps his case enormously.
Nikola Jokic (Nuggets): The three-time winner is averaging a triple-double again (26.4/13.2/10.1). Denver's 29-17 record is good but not great, which might cost him.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks): The numbers are there (31.2/11.4/6.3), but Milwaukee's 26-19 record and the Boston loss hurt his case.
Dark horse: Victor Wembanyama. The second-year star is averaging 25.1/10.8/3.9 with 3.4 blocks. If San Antonio makes a playoff push, he'll enter the conversation.
Standout Performances
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder): 38 points on 14 shots against Phoenix. Absurd efficiency.
Jayson Tatum (Celtics): 34 points with lockdown defense on Giannis in the Milwaukee win.
Trae Young (Wizards): 28-11 in his Washington debut. He looked rejuvenated.
LeBron James (Lakers): The buzzer-beater over Denver at age 41. Still that guy in big moments.
Tyler Herro (Heat): Averaged 27.3 PPG this week while carrying Miami through the Butler drama.
Victor Wembanyama (Spurs): 31 points, 12 rebounds, 6 blocks against Minnesota. A glimpse of the future.
Deep Dive: The Numbers Behind the Headlines
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's true shooting percentage (66.2%) would be the highest ever for a player averaging 30+ PPG. He's eclipsing the previous record held by Stephen Curry (65.5% in 2015-16). For context, league average this season is 57.1%.
- Boston's nine-game winning streak features a +14.7 net rating—the best for any streak of 5+ games this season. They've held opponents under 110 points in seven of those nine games despite the league's pace-and-space era.
- Trae Young's 11 assists in his Wizards debut tied for the most in a debut with a new team since Chris Paul's 11 with the Clippers in 2011. His 28 points marked the fourth-highest scoring debut by a player joining a new team via trade this decade.
- LeBron James's game-winner was the 32nd buzzer-beater of his career, extending his own NBA record. At 41, he became the oldest player to hit a game-winning buzzer-beater since Michael Jordan at 40 in 2003.
- The Heat are 8-4 without Jimmy Butler this season vs. 16-17 with him. That split, while partially circumstantial, echoes Atlanta's experience with Trae Young and likely factors into Miami's willingness to explore trades.
Trends to Watch
Thunder's Dominance
OKC's 35-10 record is the best in the West by four games. More impressive: they're doing it without a traditional superstar pairing. SGA and Holmgren are elite, but their depth and defense separate them.
Celtics' Championship Form
Boston's nine-game streak came against a mix of contenders and pretenders. They beat Milwaukee, Phoenix, and Denver during the run. This is what defending a title looks like.
The Western Conference Logjam
From 3rd place to 10th, only 5.5 games separate teams. The Nuggets, Rockets, Grizzlies, Lakers, Suns, Mavericks, Kings, and Pelicans are all in the mix. Seeding will come down to the wire.
Deadline Approaches
February 5 is two weeks away. Beyond Butler, watch for: Zach LaVine (Bulls looking to deal), Kyle Kuzma (Wizards?), and various role players that contenders need.
What to Watch Next Week
Butler's future: Will Miami move him before All-Star Weekend? The clock is ticking.
Young's adjustment: Can Trae maintain his hot start and lift Washington toward respectability?
Celtics vs. Thunder: Thursday's matchup is the game of the week. Best in the East vs. best in the West.
All-Star selections: Reserves get announced this week. Snub discourse incoming.
Trade deadline maneuvering: Expect the rumor mill to intensify as February 5 approaches.
