Record NBA Trade Deadline: 28 Trades, Cavs, Harden

Teams exploded into activity in the seven days before the trade deadline, setting records with 28 trades and 73 players moved. The late flurry followed a quiet start to the season and included deals like James Harden to Cleveland and Ivica Zubac to Indiana. The moves were driven in part by the 2023 CBA apron rules that punish big spenders, so teams hustled to upgrade rosters while cutting tax exposure. As Cavs GM Koby Altman said, "We really felt like we got a lot better in this deadline. I'll say this, it's very rare to improve your team and save $100 million at the same time." Merlin notes the league is learning to trade like a chess match, using the deadline for both basketball and balance-sheet maneuvers. The last three deadlines rank among the four busiest ever, and only Cleveland, New York and Golden State sit over the first apron, with Cleveland alone above the second. Expect more surgical moves this summer to clear apron space and preserve flexibility.