We waited in vain for another big transfer on the final day: Durant stays in Phoenix.

As the NBA trade deadline approached, the final day saw some movement, but no significant changes involving star players.

Despite several teams making strong efforts to acquire Kevin Durant, the two-time NBA Finals MVP remains with the Phoenix Suns. Phoenix, which had declared itself a serious contender for the championship at the start of the season, is currently teetering on the edge of playoff contention. The team has faced internal challenges since January, and rumors suggested that trading their highest-paid player might be part of the solution. In the final hours before the deadline, the Atlanta Hawks made an attempt to negotiate a deal, but ultimately, no trade occurred.

While Durant stayed put, Phoenix did manage to complete a deal by sending center Jusuf Nurkić to the Charlotte Hornets. The Suns had attempted this trade back in January, but Charlotte hesitated due to the financial burden of Nurkić’s contract. The Bosnian center, who was the fourth-highest-paid player on the Suns roster, had been left on the bench, further signaling that a move could be imminent. Eventually, the Hornets agreed to the trade, with Phoenix sweetening the deal by adding a 2026 first-round draft pick. Alongside Nurkić, the Suns also acquired Cody Martin and Vasilije Micić in the trade.

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers, who lead the Eastern Conference and are the second-best team in the league overall, were also busy during the deadline. The Cavs strengthened their roster by acquiring wing De’Andre Hunter from Atlanta. In return, the Hawks received Caris LeVert and Georges Niang. The Hawks, looking to bolster their wing positions, also traded Bogdan Bogdanović to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Terence Mann and Bones Hyland.

In Los Angeles, the Lakers made moves to fill the gap left by the absence of center Anthony Davis, acquiring Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets. However, the Lakers had to part ways with promising rookie Dalton Knecht to make the trade happen.

There were also notable moves involving high-profile players across the league. After a difficult season with the Memphis Grizzlies, the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Marcus Smart, was traded to the Washington Wizards, along with a first-round draft pick. German point guard Dennis Schröder, a member of the recent world champion team, made his third team switch in a short period, landing with the Detroit Pistons.

While the deadline brought some exciting moves, the absence of a major trade involving a star player like Kevin Durant left many fans eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the NBA’s postseason race. As teams continue to adjust their rosters, the dynamics of the league will undoubtedly shift in the lead-up to the playoffs.