No Dunks: NBA Trade Deadline Special

Date: February 5, 2026
Hosts: Jay Skeets, Tas Melas, Trey Kirby, JD (super producer)
Episode Focus: Detailed and lively breakdown of the NBA Trade Deadline, with real-time reactions and analysis to the latest deals

Episode Overview

The No Dunks crew spends over six hours live on NBA Trade Deadline Day, digging into the major headlines, breaking trades, and offering their takes on player moves and organizational strategies. The show’s signature energy is on full display, blending serious basketball analysis with the group’s trademark humor, casual banter, and insightful commentary. This episode covers blockbuster trades, team philosophies, the importance (or irrelevance) of second-round picks, and memorable moments around the league.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Kuminga–Porzingis Trade: Warriors & Hawks Swap Distressed Assets

(06:10–15:56)

• Trade Details:
  Golden State Warriors trade Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to Atlanta Hawks for Kristaps Porzingis.

• Warriors’ Perspective:

  • Porzingis is a big name, but health is a major concern. Only played 17 games this season, and his condition has been uncertain since last year’s Boston playoff run.
    • Tas Melas:

      "Let's not be in denial here. The guy has not been able to be himself for years... Maybe we can get six games out of him for the postseason. That’s the dream here." (06:23)

  • This move seems to close the door on using Kuminga as the centerpiece for a potential Giannis trade (though technically, the door is not entirely shut).
  • Warriors fans might hope for Porzingis to replicate his limited but impactful EuroBasket form, but realistically, it's "depressing" and about dumping negative contracts.

• Hawks’ Perspective:

  • Take a flyer on Kuminga, a once-promising young talent who never fully fit the Warriors’ system.
    • Jay Skeets:

      "Maybe the Hawks get like a flyer here on a really young guy in Kuming... you get at least some opportunity here, and we quickly find out, was it you or the system?" (13:10)

  • Kuminga has a team-friendly contract with a second-year option.
  • His starting prospects are unclear amidst a crowded roster of young, athletic wings.
    • Trey Kirby:

      "Welcome back to the bench, Jonathan Kuminga." (12:38)

  • The group jokes about Atlanta being obsessed with “long, athletic wings.”

• Summary:
  Both sides swap assets that have lost significant value; neither walks away a clear winner.

2. The State of Second-Round Picks (32:24–34:52)

• Repeated deals involve bundles of second-round picks, prompting debate on their practical value.

• Skeets rants:

  • "I do not give a shit what these second round picks are. Stop wasting tweets about them, okay? I can't stand it." (33:19)

• Trey counters:

  • "You say that, but [Nikola] Jokic was a second round pick..." (33:26)

3. Busy Bulls: Ayo Dosunmu, Coby White Moved in a Mini-Fire Sale

(25:15–28:35, 53:35–57:03)

• Ayo Dosunmu to Timberwolves (25:15)

  • Minnesota trades for Ayo Dosunmu and Julian Phillips (Bulls receive Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and four seconds).
    • Trey Kirby:

      "This is great for the Timberwolves...they needed an upgrade at the guard positions...but it’s a terrible return for Ayo." (25:48, 27:10)

  • Bulls unhappy with their return—trading Ayo and Coby White for less than they could have previously.

• Coby White and Mike Conley Jr. to Hornets (53:35)

  • Bulls get Colin Sexton, Uzman Jang, and three future seconds.
    • Kirby:

      "Another sad one. Kobe and Ayo were both good development stories for the Bulls...This is good for the Hornets to get a guy like Kobe White who can play alongside LaMelo." (53:35)

• Gershon Yabusele swap:
  Minor move involving the Bulls, who stack up more guards and future flexibility.

• Bulls’ new roster is a revolving door:

  • The show runs through the new hodgepodge Bulls roster, marveling at its sheer number of guards.

4. Lakers Land Luke 'Nard Dog' Kennard for Gabe Vincent

(35:15)

• A quick-hit deal yields more shooting for LA; Atlanta picks up a future pick and Gabe Vincent.
  • "Luke is taller than Gabe...A real three-point shooter." (36:02 – 36:32)

5. Raptors' Moves: Minor Big Man Shuffles, Chris Paul Drama

(42:34–44:48, 57:10–61:46)

• Trace Jackson-Davis to Raptors:
  The Raptors get a low-cost backup big for a second-rounder.

  • Tas:

    "Defensively, he can alter some shots…Your Mo Bamba part two type of thing…but it’s a flyer." (43:40–45:21)

• Chris Paul Traded to Toronto (but won't play):

  • CP3 arrives in a salary dump, but will be waived or retraded, continuing the tradition of stars being traded to but never playing for Toronto.
    • Skeets:

      "Chris Paul is now the greatest player traded to the Raptors to never report to the team. So step aside Alonzo Mourning, Spencer Dinwiddie, Kenny Anderson." (61:25)

6. Magic-Hornets: Tyus Jones on the Move (51:00–52:43)

• Tyus Jones goes to Charlotte for four second-round picks and cash.
  • Minor move for backup depth; Magic escape the tax.
  • Trey:

    "If Tyus Jones is your third string slash fourth string point guard, that's fine." (51:25)

7. Jazz, Cavs, Pelicans, Mavericks, Wizards: Other Notable Moves

• Lonzo Ball Waived:
  Cavs cut bait and open a roster spot.

  • Tas:

    "Sometimes you just go hard too early and too fast...it's time, it's time to cut the cord." (63:06)

• Anthony Davis to the Wizards:
  Previously discussed in their emergency pod, but revisited here.

  • Trey:

    "No doubt the Wizards got the best player…an impact maker when he plays…you can't win 20 games forever." (66:53)

  • Tas:

    "I don't think the Wizards front office is tied to a massive AD extension at all...this is a trial." (68:42)

  • Skeets:

    "Trey Young and Anthony Davis... they just got them for honestly, next to nothing." (71:11)

• Mavericks Future:
  Eyes turning to the Cooper Flagg era; veterans like Klay Thompson could be next on the block.

• Thunder Acquire Jared McCain:

  • Considered a steal for a capable bench scorer.
  • Tas:

    "OKC is just cashing in here on a…capable player to come off their bench and score." (76:50)

  • Trey:

    "Worthy shot to use one of these random first round picks you just have sticking around on a guy like Jared McCain." (78:17)

8. Around the League: Game Recaps and Mafia-Style Banter

(87:00–101:28)

• Knicks win 8th straight, outlasting Nuggets in double OT.

  • Brunson scores 42; Jokic struggles from deep (1 of 13).
  • Peyton Watson's emergence discussed—a summer storyline.

• Wolves break a 20-year drought by beating the Raptors in Toronto.

  • Anthony Edwards dominates late.
  • Tas:

    "Watching Anthony Edwards close this game out and talking trash to Toronto Raptors fans, incredible stuff." (95:12)

• Spurs beat a depleted Thunder; Celtics outclass Rockets.

• Trey Murphy III's 44 points (including 12 threes) recognized with "Woah Boy" honors.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Warriors–Hawks trade:

  • Trey Kirby:

    "We used to call him the Unicorn. Now his nickname is if healthy, because if healthy, Kristaps Porzingis helps." (08:09)

• On second-round picks:

  • Jay Skeets:

    "Stop wasting tweets about them, okay? I can't stand it." (33:19)

  • Trey Kirby (joking):

    "The Bulls are getting the next Jokic, they're getting the next Draymond, they're getting the next Manu Ginobili..." (33:31)

• On Bulls’ chaotic roster turnover:

  • Trey Kirby:

    "Jaden Ivey, Isaac Okoro, Josh Giddey, Anthony Simons, Leonard Miller… There's so many guards." (103:09–103:39)

• On Chris Paul's Toronto 'legacy':

  • Skeets:

    "Chris Paul is now the greatest player traded to the Raptors to never report to the team." (61:25)

• On Anthony Edwards closing out the Raptors:

  • Skeets:

    "I was actually smiling watching my team lose because I sort of like this guy so much." (97:50)

Important Trade Segment Timestamps

• Kuminga–Porzingis swap: 06:10–15:56
• Second-round pick debate: 32:24–34:52
• Ayo Dosunmu to Wolves: 25:15
• Coby White to Hornets: 53:35
• Luke Kennard to Lakers: 35:15
• Gershon Yabusele to Bulls: 37:24
• Trace Jackson-Davis to Raptors: 42:34
• Chris Paul to Raptors (salary dump): 57:10
• Tyus Jones to Hornets: 51:00
• Anthony Davis to Wizards, Mavericks fallout: 66:39–71:25
• Thunder land Jared McCain: 76:50

Other Fun & Quirky Moments

• If-Healthy All-Stars: The crew coins “if healthy” as Porzingis and AD's unofficial nickname.
• Running Wedgie Tracker: Celebrates another wedgie in the Knicks game.
• “Nard Dog” Watch: Running riff on Luke Kennard’s nickname.
• Chicago Bulls as “All Guards” Meme: Countless jokes as the roster grows increasingly guard-heavy.
• Canadian In-Jokes: On CP3 possibly becoming "CP24" if he ever played in Toronto.
• Banter about spiders and snakes: Classic No Dunks tangents.

Summary Takeaways

The 2026 NBA Trade Deadline is shaping up as the year of the distressed asset swap, the permanent devaluation of second-round picks, and the formal start of new eras for several franchises. The No Dunks crew balances nostalgia for failed timelines with realistic (and often comically despondent) present-day analysis. While a few teams (Wizards, Hornets, Wolves) get instant talent upgrades, most deals are hedges and flyers, hinting that the real action might arrive in the offseason. The show runs deep with genuine basketball insights and nonstop laughs—a perfect primer for fans needing both the substance and absurdity of NBA trade season.

For more: Tune in for the next "Drop" podcast with the No Dunks crew, when they’ll pick the winners and losers of the 2026 NBA Trade Deadline.