If this newsletter is reaching your inbox in the same place you were last Friday, congratulations. With the way the 2025 trade deadline was going, you may very well have gotten dealt next.

Today’s Lineup

🎉 Happy birthday to Isaiah Thomas, RJ Hampton, and Enjoyer Angelo! 🎉

Breaking Down the Deadline Chaos

Many have called this trade the wildest in history, and we’re inclined to agree. Let's break down all the major deals from the last two days, including a new home for Jimmy Butler and the potential missing piece to the Luka Lakers’ title hopes.

Warriors nab Jimmy, send Wiggins to Miami in five-team blockbuster

Warriors receive: Jimmy Butler

Heat receive: Andrew Wiggins, Davion Mitchell, Kyle Anderson, 2025 first-round pick

Pistons receive: Dennis Schroder, Lindy Waters III

Jazz receive: KJ Martin, Josh Richardson

Raptors receive: P.J. Tucker, 2026 second-round pick, cash considerations

The Enjoy Angle: There’s almost too much in this deal to wrap your brain around, but the main storyline is the end to a tumultuous saga for Jimmy in Miami. Despite the drama and suspensions that have marred the last few months, we’ll always remember Jimmy’s time with the Heat for its highs: two Finals runs, legendary playoff performances, and a postseason legend that will never be forgotten.

The Warriors got their wish of extending Steph Curry’s championship window with another star, but in doing so were forced to give up Andrew Wiggins, a key cog in the post-KD Warriors. Steve Kerr gave Wigs his flowers, shouting out his pivotal role in the Dubs’ 2022 championship and calling him one of his “favorite players [he’s] ever coached.” 🥹

Bucks add Kuzma, Middleton heads to Washington

Bucks receive: Kyle Kuzma, Patrick Baldwin Jr., Jericho Sims, second-round draft compensation

Wizards receive: Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, 2028 first-round pick swap

Knicks receive: Delon Wright, cash considerations

The Enjoy Angle: The writing has been on the wall for Kuzma’s departure from Washington. At 29, he still has plenty of juice to offer to a contending team, and off-loading his contract gives Washington more flexibility as they continue their rebuild.

But arguably the bigger story in this deal is the end of the Khris Middleton era in Milwaukee, one that began in the 2013 offseason when he and Giannis arrived and included the franchise’s first championship in 50 years. Middleton joined the Bucks after a rookie season that saw him play in just 27 games with the Pistons, but blossomed into a three-time All-Star and averaged 20 PPG or more in four separate seasons. And don’t forget about Playoff Khris…

Ingram fins new home in the North

Raptors receive: Brandon Ingram

Pelicans receive: Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, 2026 first-round pick, 2025 second-round pick

The Enjoy Angle: Similar to Kuzma and Butler, Ingram has been rumored to be on the move for some time. The Pels finally pulled the trigger, sending the 27-year old to Toronto to aid in the Raptors’ build back to playoff contention. Ingram has played in just 18 games this season due to injury, but when he returns, the former All-Star can still make an impact for a Raptors team currently sitting 5.5 games out of the play-in.

New Orleans finds itself in a strange limbo following Ingram’s trade and Dejounte Murray’s season-ending injury. At last place in the West, the Pels may not compete for a playoff spot this season, but still have plenty of talent on the roster, including Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, and CJ McCollum. If healthy, the Pels could be a factor in next year’s postseason race, but only time will tell.

Cavs go all-in, acquire Hunter from Hawks

Cavaliers receive: De’Andre Hunter

Hawks receive: Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, three second-round picks, two pick swaps

The Enjoy Angle: The Cleveland Cavaliers are doing everything they can to win the championship, and we absolutely love to see it. After a historic start to this campaign, the East-leading Cavs stayed aggressive on the trade market and added another piece to their young core, nabbing Hunter from Atlanta. Hunter, who was college teammates with Cleveland’s Ty Jerome when they won a national championship at Virginia, is in the midst of a career year, averaging 19 PPG along with tenacious defense. The Cavs frontcourt just became ever harder to score on.

Moving on from Hunter signals another potential retool for Atlanta, who has struggled to build a contender around Trae Young. #1 pick Zacharie Risacher has not been as impactful as many other top selections, but he’s found a groove with 16.2 PPG and a 46% clip from three in his last five games. We can’t wait to keep Enjoying his development and to see what the Hawks do next.

Lakers get their center, send Knecht to Hornets

Lakers receive: Mark Williams

Hornets receive: Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, 2031 first-round pick, 2030 first-round pick swap

The Enjoy Angle: It’s been the worst-kept secret in the NBA: since trading Anthony Davis, the new-look Lakers were in desperate need of a big man who could catch lobs and protect the rim. That’s exactly what they got in Williams, a 23-year old beast of a center who fits Luka Doncic’s timeline and fills L.A.’s hole in the middle.

To do so, the Lakers had to give up a decent amount, including a promising rookie in Knecht and another first rounder. The Lakers now control their own first-round pick in just two of the next six drafts, meaning they’ll be reliant on free agency and the trade market to surround their new superstar. But as far as this season goes, L.A. has all the pieces necessary to contend for a title.

Other players on the move…

Marcus Smart —> Wizards, Marvin Bagley and Johnny Davis —> Grizzlies, Jake LaRavia —> Kings

Jusuf Nurkic —> Hornets, Cody Martin —> Suns

Bogdan Bogdanovic —> Clippers, Terrance Mann and Bones Hyland —> Hawks

Reggie Jackson —> Wizards, Jared Butler —> Sixers

What. A. Deadline.

Game Recaps

Ant drops 40+ on back-to-back nights, leads Wolves to pair of wins

After telling the world that he wants front row seats to Luka’s first game back in Dallas, Anthony Edwards again reminded the world why he’s appointment viewing of his own— the young gun dropped two 40-bombs in as many nights on Wednesday and Tuesday to lead Minnesota to a pair of wins, including a double-digit victory over the West’s third-seeded Houston Rockets.

Without Karl-Anthony Towns, the Wolves have relied on Ant for even more of their offense this season, and at times, the load has been a lot to bear. But Edwards is also the sort of player who is unstoppable when hot, and games of 49 and 41 PTS on consecutive days seem to indicate just that. League, watch out…

40 years, 40 points: LeBron goes off in Lakers win over Warriors

LeBron and Steph Curry have had countless legendary battles throughout their careers. And while their front officers were warring on the phones this week, the two all-time greats delivered another classic on the court.

In the end, it was the old man getting the last laugh, with James racking up 42 PTS, 17 REB, and 8 AST to give L.A. a 120-112 win. Chef did his thing with 37 PTS of his own, but LeBron’s masterclass along with 23 PTS from Austin Reaves and 15 PTS from Gabe Vincent was enough for the Lakers to win the battle of teams patiently awaiting the arrival of their new stars.

When Bron is hitting shots like this… just call it a night.

Three in the Key

Signing Off

And we out! Thanks for spending a portion of your day with us. This weekend, do your best to keep an open mind in everything you do. You never know where it could lead you. See you soon!

-Walker Carnathan