Warriors miss out on Antetokounmpo, acquire 7'2" Porzingis! A 2-for-5 trade, Clippers profit big by trading Zubac!

The NBA trade deadline for this season closed at 4 AM Beijing time today. Next up is the free agent (buyout) market, the time to "pick up scraps."

This year's deadline was marked by "not much thunder, not much rain."

Chinese fans can rest early tonight.

Because the Milwaukee Bucks have declared they won’t sell their biggest asset in the pond for now...

This fake-out move, to be honest, is quite "disgusting."

Giannis demanding a trade, teams bidding aggressively, and the Bucks scrambling to keep him has become a recurring show before every trade deadline...

Teams that made offers and players used as trade chips by other teams—can they really be happy?

A case in point is Odom, who was used as a trade chip due to Paul's "basketball reasons" and became disheartened. After leaving the Lakers, he became disillusioned and declined.

However, the Bucks maximizing their own interests within the rules is understandable.

Especially in a small market like this, producing a superstar is no easy feat.

Look at this offseason, the Bucks can lose again in the playoffs and then talk...

But then Giannis posted on social media: "Legends don't chase, they attract!"

I just can’t get it.

Let’s talk about two major trades everyone is interested in, starting with "finding a tall guy among the short":

1. Warriors traded Kuminga and Hield to the Hawks for Porzingis.

Porzingis, the 7'2" big man, seems out of place on this team.

Commentary by Di Ge:

This is basically a consolation prize after the Warriors failed to land their dream target, Antetokounmpo; after all, they had to do something.

In other words, the team brought in the Celtics’ championship frontcourt combo of Porzingis and Horford...

In terms of playing style, Porzingis fits the Warriors well; his speed, mobility, and especially his high release make him perfect for pick-and-pop plays with Curry, which can open up many tactical options.

The biggest issue is... this guy is one of the league’s most injury-prone players.

He hasn’t played since January 7 and has only appeared in 17 games this season for the Hawks. Can he revive his career in a new place? I’m pessimistic.

However, after so much back and forth with Kuminga, it’s a mutual parting of ways, shedding some trouble (though Porzingis might become a new one).

Another point: Kuminga’s departure marks the Warriors’ complete withdrawal from the Antetokounmpo pursuit.

Whether the Bucks seriously considered the Warriors’ offer, we don’t know.

In any case, Warriors and Curry fans need to face reality and give up the fantasy:

Kuminga has flaws, but he is still the team’s most valuable young asset...

So if you try linking Antetokounmpo with the Warriors again this summer, that would be excessive.

2. Clippers trade Zubac

The Pacers sent Mašerlín, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks (2026 first-round pick, protected for picks 1-4 and 10-30, and an unprotected 2029 first-round pick) plus a second-round pick to the LA Clippers in exchange for Zubac and Kobe Brown.

Unexpectedly, this 2-for-5 trade became the biggest news on trade deadline day.

Zubac also made headlines.

By the way, when Zubac was traded, his daughter with his supermodel wife had just been born.

Commentary by Di Ge:

Looking at the Pacers’ assets, my first thought is the Clippers got a great price.

How good? Just compare it to how the Mavericks sold off Porzingis, and you’ll understand.

Why is Zubac valuable?

He’s a big man who racks up double-doubles and ranks among the league’s top ten centers—such players are rare, which is one reason.

Another often overlooked fact is that in the past six full seasons, Zubac has played at least 68 regular-season games each year.

Although the Clippers have faced many criticisms and bizarre failures in recent years, Zubac has always been a hardworking, reliable contributor to the team.

From the buyer's perspective, after Turner left, the Pacers desperately need an interior presence, so paying a premium makes sense!

Finally, about the Clippers.

After this round of moves, the changes are indeed huge.

Here’s a summary in one picture!