NBA Trade Rumors: Predicting 1 way-too-early 2024 trade deadline candidate for all 30 teams.
The official start of the 2023-24 NBA season is still a couple of months away, but it’s never too early to begin to make some predictions for what will likely end up being another exciting campaign in the Association.
One place we’ll begin is by predicting one way-too-early 2024 NBA Trade Deadline for all 30 teams in the league.
Atlanta Hawks
Trade deadline candidate: Clint Capela
One easy prediction for an NBA Trade Deadline candidate for the Atlanta Hawks is Clint Capela, if he’s not moved before that point in the season. If I had to guess though, I’d predict that if he isn’t traded before the start of the season, the Hawks will hold onto him until the trade deadline.
Capela still has one season remaining on his contract after this season, which could be both a good and bad thing. On one hand, it could be a good thing considering any team that is trading for him gets added value than just an exploring contract. On the other hand, signing up for more than one year of Capela at a $20-plus million per season number could be viewed as somewhat of a hindrance toward making a deal.
Nevertheless, if the Hawks are going to make a big move at the trade deadline, Capela seems like the most likely candidate to be traded. Moving Capela makes a ton of sense overall for the Hawks. The move would open up the opportunity for more minutes for their young frontcourt and would help them add another asset for their retooling.
Boston Celtics
Trade deadline candidate: Malcolm Brogdon
Heading into the season, the Boston Celtics will be facing some sky-high expectations. If it wasn’t proven that they were all-in before, that became clear after they decided to trade Marcus Smart in a three-team blockbuster deal to acquire Kristaps Porzingis. The Celtics now have quite the formidable big three (Kristaps, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown) and should be the unanimous favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference to start the season.
Could that change if the Miami Heat land Damian Lillard? Maybe, but the Celtics would still likely have the deeper roster. I don’t believe it would be likely for the Celtics to aggressively trade away one of their core pieces at the NBA Trade Deadline (short of an injury or a disappointing start to the year), but one deadline candidate that could arise is Malcolm Brogdon.
He’s not a player that the Celtics are going to pursue an extension for and has just one year remaining on his contract after this season. If he has a healthy and productive start to this season, it wouldn’t be all that surprising if the Celtics attempted to cash in on Brogdon at the trade deadline. Especially if Derrick White can control the backcourt as the starting point guard.
Brooklyn Nets
Trade deadline candidate: Spencer Dinwiddie
I don’t think it would be that surprising if Spencer Dinwiddie didn’t end the season on the Brooklyn Nets roster. When you really think about the direction that this team is heading, it’s easy to see why Dinwiddie may not be the best long-term fit. For one, the Nets’ new core of Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson are 26 and 27 years old respectively. Dinwiddie is 30 years old and has probably already peaked as a player. Entering the final year of his current contract, it makes more sense for the Nets to trade Dinwiddie rather than offer him a contract extension.
And if Ben Simmons is indeed healthy, and if he shows any level of promise to start the season, it would be a fairly easy decision for the Nets to shop Dinwiddie throughout the season leading toward the NBA Trade Deadline. If that’s a route the Nets end up pursuing, there could be a good market for a veteran point guard at the deadline.
Any contender that is looking to solidify their backcourt or even add depth ahead of the playoff run would have no option but consider Dinwiddie if he’s available. It almost makes too much sense for the Nets not to trade Dinwiddie at some point soon.
Charlotte Hornets
Trade deadline candidate: Gordon Hayward
It’s a new era for the Charlotte Hornets. Under new majority ownership, the Hornets are hoping the new build centered around LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller is something that could lead the franchise not only toward entertaining basketball but, perhaps most importantly, successful basketball. That could be difficult to accomplish but there’s no question the Hornets have a solid starting point.
One player, however, that doesn’t fit on the team heading into the season is Gordon Hayward. Because of that, it’s easy to see why he should be considered a safe NBA Trade Deadline candidate for the team heading into the season.
It’s as simple as this: Hayward doesn’t fit the direction of the team and he still prevents value outside of the Hornets. I’m not sure how clearer it can be for Hayward and where this season is likely trending. It would be pretty surprising if Hayward wasn’t traded by the Hornets at some point before the trade deadline.
Chicago Bulls
Trade deadline candidate: DeMar DeRozan
There’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Chicago Bulls heading into the season but short of an unexpectedly hot start to the season, there’s a growing expectation that this is a team that could end up being big sellers at the NBA Trade Deadline. If that were to happen I still firmly believe that one of the first dominos to fall will revolve around DeMar DeRozan, who is on an expiring contract.
DeRozan would still hold value on the open market and considering he’s unlikely to re-sign with the Bulls after this season, it would make sense for Chicago to at least explore the possibility of moving him at the NBA Trade Deadline. At the very least, there should be conversations about the idea. And if the Bulls do get off to a rough start and believe that a rebuild is necessary, DeRozan is the first piece that needs to be moved because of his expiring contract.
They have the luxury to be patient with the likes of Alex Caruso and Zach LaVine, but DeRozan’s value diminishes a little on the trade block with every day that passes between now and the trade deadline.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Trade deadline candidate: Jarrett Allen
Heading into the 2023-24 NBA season, this is a huge year for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Not only do they have to take a tangible step forward in their overall team development to try and sell Donovan Mitchell on their future, but they also have to figure out what the dynamic is going to be with the emerging Evan Mobley – will they continue to play him next to Jarrett Allen? That’s one of the bigger questions that need to be answered this season.
While there were some whispers that the Cavs could trade Allen, nothing of the sort came to fruition during the offseason. Maybe those talks are revived closer to the start of the season. I believe the Cavs only pivot to trade Allen if there’s some sort of bump in the road to begin the year. Ultimately, it’s probably best if they move Allen when thinking about the long-term projections for Mobley. I just don’t think the Cavs are there yet.
The fact that it could change between now and the NBA Trade Deadline leaves me to believe that Allen is a name to keep an eye on over the first few months of the season.
Dallas Mavericks
Trade deadline candidate: Tim Hardaway Jr.
The Dallas Mavericks entered the offseason in hopes of retooling their roster or supporting cast around Luka Doncic. That’s exactly what the Mavs accomplished by re-signing Kyrie Irving, drafting Dereck Lively II, and acquiring Grant Williams via a sign and trade from the Boston Celtics. They may not be done and they’ve already done a good job in strengthening the roster around the face of their franchise.
Heading into the start of the season, I’d imagine that there’s a pretty good chance that Dallas ends up trying to move Tim Hardaway Jr. by the NBA Trade Deadline. With Josh Green emerging as an interesting key part of the rotation, I believe Dallas wants to try to open minutes for their talented young wing. That’s where trading Hardaway comes into play.
It’s been reported that the Mavs are interested in Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela. If such a deal would come to fruition, you’d have to imagine that perhaps Hardaway would be involved in one way or another.
Denver Nuggets
Trade deadline candidate: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Fresh off winning the 2023 NBA Championship, it would actually be surprising if the Denver Nuggets didn’t run it back and give this core a legit shot at repeating as champions next season. Trading a key part of the rotation at the NBA Trade Deadline could prevent that from happening. But if the Nuggets were to trade a player at the deadline, a good bet would be to name Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as a candidate.
Even though there’s little reason why the Nuggets would trade a starter in the middle of the season, KCP is an expiring contract after this season and with the concern of losing him for nothing, perhaps the Nuggets would much rather trade him at the deadline. That could be expedited with the continued development of Christian Braun.
If the Nuggets do move forward with trading a player at the trade deadline, KCP is, at the very least, a name to keep an eye on. Especially if either the Nuggets aren’t in a position to make another deep playoff run or if one or a few of their younger players make an unexpected leap in their development.
Detroit Pistons
Trade deadline candidate: Bojan Bogdanovic
As one of the younger teams with a bright future, the Detroit Pistons are certainly a team to monitor in the Eastern Conference. If they don’t take the step forward that perhaps many expect them to this season, however, there’s a chance they would be open to trading one of their more veteran players on their roster. Bojan Bogdanovic could very well end up being one of the hottest NBA Trade Deadline candidates if the Pistons made him available.
Coming off one of the more efficient seasons of his career, Bogdanovic should be on a contending team. And if the Pistons quickly emerge as a team that’s not even going to compete for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, it would be wise for them to explore the possibility of moving him at the NBA Trade Deadline.
On an affordable deal that runs through the 2024-25 season, there’s no question that Bogdanovic would be a great addition for any contender that’s looking to solidify itself as a championship threat heading into the stretch run.
Golden State Warriors
Trade deadline candidate: Jonathan Kuminga
Jonathan Kuminga could be preparing to have a breakout season but that may be difficult to pull off without playing a big role for the Golden State Warriors. Considering the Warriors just re-signed Draymond Green, I can’t imagine Kuminga is going to be able to carve out a meaningful role for the team this season. Maybe Kuminga is that good where the Warriors can’t help but give him a larger role but I have a hard time seeing that happen.
That means it would almost be surprising if the Warriors didn’t at least explore the possibility of trading Kuminga at the NBA Trade Deadline. Golden State tried to balance both sides of building for the future while also trying to maintain a win-now roster. It didn’t work out as well as the front office hoped.
Now it’s time for the Warriors to pick a side. And they did exactly that with the acquisition of Chris Paul and the re-signing of Draymond. Kuminga could be the next young player on the move after Golden State decided to move on from James Wiseman and Jordan Poole recently.
Houston Rockets
Trade deadline candidate: Kevin Porter Jr.
After drafting Amen Thompson with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and then signing Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks in free agency, it created a pretty big logjam in the backcourt for the Houston Rockets. So much so that it has certainly blurred some of the futures of other young guards on the roster. One of those players is Kevin Porter Jr. And you can’t help but wonder if there are enough minutes to go around for every developing guard.
In a vacuum, having too many talented players is a good problem to have. But it’s never ideal. That’s why there’s a very real chance that KPJ could find his way to the trade block between now and the deadline. He’s a really good player on an affordable contract that could gain some steam if made available for trade.
It just seems that the Rockets and KPJ have grown apart a bit. Sometimes that happens. Houston is going in one direction and KPJ just may not be part of that path. At this point, it seems like a matter of “when” and not “if” for KPJ.
Indiana Pacers
Trade deadline candidate: Buddy Hield
The Indiana Pacers have quietly assembled one of the better young cores in the Eastern Conference. And they could very much be primed to make quite the jump this season. Led by Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner, it would be far from surprising if the Pacers made a strong push to finish as one of the top 6 teams in the standings during the regular season. At the very least, they’re going to play a factor in the Play-In Tournament.
But one player that could very well find himself on the trade block by the deadline is Buddy Hield, and there are several reasons for that. For one, he is entering the final year of his contract with the team. If there’s no guarantee that he’ll re-sign, it would be smart for Indiana to explore his trade value before the deadline. Secondly, if Bennedict Mathurin is ready to start, it could make Hield somewhat of a luxury.
In that case, it would make even more sense for the Pacers to trade Hield at the deadline. As the Pacers’ young core continues to develop, it’s only going to make some of their more veteran players expendable. And Hield could be the first example of that.
LA Clippers
Trade deadline candidate: Robert Covington
There may not be a team that I’m more uncertain about heading into the season than the LA Clippers. I don’t know if this is a “one last dance” type of season for the team or if this core is going to be re-signed. However, I do know that there’s at least a good chance that they end up making a move or two in-season before the NBA Trade Deadline. One player that probably has a good chance of being traded by the deadline is Robert Covington.
Covington simply hasn’t fit on the team as perhaps he hoped he would. His role last season was pretty much nonexistent and I don’t see how that changes much unless LA does end up clearing up some of their depth, potentially in a deal for James Harden. Aside from that, though, Covington doesn’t fit on the team.
It would make sense for both sides to move on and considering Covington is entering the final year of his contract with the team, it could be a likely scenario that ends up playing out at the deadline. At the very least, it’s a possibility to keep an eye out for.
Los Angeles Lakers
Trade deadline candidate: D’Angelo Russell
The Los Angeles Lakers may have re-signed D’Angelo Russell in free agency this past offseason but I still believe that there’s a very real chance they could end up placing him on the block by the time the NBA Trade Deadline rolls around. If Gabe Vincent, who the team also signed in free agency this summer, ends up winning the start point guard job and is a consistent enough of a player for the team to start the season, I’d be shocked if we didn’t hear the whispers of Russell being available as soon as he becomes trade eligible.
The Lakers didn’t make a big splash move this offseason but they’re still likely open to it. If a difference-making player becomes available that fits better on the team than Russell, the Lakers likely don’t hesitate to make the move. Russell seems most like the player whose future is unknown even after re-signing with the team.
It could happen it could not. It kind of has to be the perfect scenario that plays out for the Lakers. But Russell should be a name to monitor heading into the NBA Trade Deadline.
Memphis Grizzlies
Trade deadline candidate: Ziaire Williams
Heading into the 2023-24 NBA season, Ziaire Williams is probably a name that many Memphis Grizzlies are hoping has a breakout campaign. However, especially considering the step back he took during his sophomore campaign, there’s no guarantee that will happen. If Williams doesn’t take the next step in his progression and that becomes very much evident after training camp and early on into the season, would it be that surprising if Memphis explore trading him before the deadline?
I don’t believe it would be that surprising at all. With the amount of young talent that the Grizzlies already have on its roster, and considering this is a team that is ready to win now, I’m not sure how much patience this front office will have for a player that may need another 2-3 years of development before production appears.
Williams may still be a good and quality asset to have on the roster. However, he may be better served on a different team that could give him more minutes and more of an opportunity to blossom.
Miami Heat
Trade deadline candidate: Kyle Lowry
The Miami Heat still have plenty of uncertainty surrounding them heading into the dog days of the NBA offseason. One of the bigger questions revolves around whether or not they’re going to land Damian Lillard via trade. If so, it completely changes the narrative and outlook for this team heading into the 2023-24 season. For now, it’s difficult to assume what this roster is going to look like at the start of the seasons. However, if Kyle Lowry is still on the roster, it would almost be an assumption that he’ll be traded at some point before the trade deadline.
Not only has he proved not to be a good fit on the team but he’s entering the final year of his contract with the Heat and I find it hard to believe that either side is going to want to explore extending this deal. The experiment didn’t work and it’s in the best interest of both sides to move on.
And if the Heat does land Lillard, it will be an easier move to make. If he’s still on the roster, Lowry could be an interesting trade candidate at the deadline.
Milwaukee Bucks
Trade deadline candidate: Bobby Portis
Coming off a disappointing showing in the playoffs in which they lost in the first round to the Miami Heat, the Milwaukee Bucks have a lot of repairing to do around the league. They must prove once again that they can be (and are) a legit threat to win the championship. With essentially the same roster, that could prove to be difficult. That could open the door for an in-season move at the NBA Trade Deadline for the Bucks.
During the offseason, there were some whispers that the Bucks were going to shop or at least explore the trade market for Bobby Portis. However, nothing materialized and the team will enter the season with him on the roster. That said, I firmly believe that if the right opportunity does present itself, it would be far from surprising to see him back on the trade block.
Portis is a good player and has been a valuable key bench contributor for the Bucks in recent years, but he’s also one of the best tradable assets Milwaukee has on its roster. If they’re going to make a trade in-season, it likely comes at his expense.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Trade deadline candidate: Karl-Anthony Towns
The first year of the Rudy Gobert experiment didn’t go quite as planned for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The hope is that year two goes a lot better. However, I don’t have much hope that it will. Because of that, and in my heart of hearts, I do believe there’s a chance we could see the Wolves trade Karl-Anthony Towns before the NBA Trade Deadline. There’s no evidence that the Towns-Gobert pairing works effectively and pivoting toward an Anthony Edwards build, trading KAT makes the most sense right now.
Add in the fact that there were some whispers that the Wolves were exploring KAT’s trade value during the offseason and we can all see where this is trending. Even if KAT doesn’t get traded at the deadline, there’s probably a good chance he is moved before the start of next season. Even more so if the Wolves struggle once again this season.
Of course, that all changes if Minnesota is able to surprise the masses and emerge as a top 4 team in the conference this season. However, I don’t think there’s a high probability of that happening.
New Orleans Pelicans
Trade deadline candidate: Jonas Valanciunas
The New Orleans Pelicans have had quite a memorable offseason. There were whispers that they were going to trade Zion Williamson and even talks they were looking to trade into the top 3 of the 2023 NBA Draft to take Scoot Henderson. In the end, none of that happened and the Pelicans are heading into the new season in hopes that health and a bit of luck will be the key to this team taking the next step in the Western Conference.
And it very well could. Before the Pelicans were decimated by injuries, they were one of the best teams in the conference. We don’t know where the Pelicans would’ve finished had they been healthy all season long. One player that could be a trade candidate for the team at the deadline, though, is Jonas Valanciunas.
Valanciunas is entering the final year of his contact with the team and as a 31-year-old, he doesn’t really line up with the rest of this core. He may not re-sign with the team during the offseason and if the Pelicans feel as if that’s a real possibility, they should at the very least explore trading him.
New York Knicks
Trade deadline candidate: Evan Fournier
The New York Knicks have made quite a stride in the last 12 months. The signing of Jalen Brunson has completely changed the outlook for the team. They’re now considered a viable contender in the Eastern Conference and a team that may be one or two moves away from possibly emerging as a top 3 team. But I don’t imagine we’ll see this team make a big in-season move. One player that could emerge as a trade deadline candidate for them, however, is Evan Fournier.
It’s almost a foregone conclusion that he’s going to be traded at some point this season and maybe it even comes before the start of the regular season. But if he doesn’t, it’s pretty clear he’s going to be moved by the NBA Trade Deadline. After falling out of the team’s rotation midway through the season last year, the writing was on the wall.
And after the Knicks acquired Josh Hart at the trade deadline last season and then the signing of Donte DiVincenzo in free agency this summer, there’s really not much of a role for Fournier to play for the team.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Trade deadline candidate: Aleksej Pokusevski
One of the most young talented teams in the league, the Oklahoma City Thunder have quickly become one of the universally liked teams heading into the 2023-24 NBA season. With Chet Holmgren now healthy, and already proving his worth, there’s a chance the Thunder take a huge step forward in the Western Conference standings. This could finally be the year when it all comes together for OKC.
But there will come a point when the Thunder have too much talent, as silly as it may sound. And that could begin to emerge this season, perhaps even at the NBA Trade Deadline. One player that could find himself on the outside looking in is Aleksej Pokusevski. He’s flashed potential through his first few years in OKC, but with the emerging talent in the frontcourt, he may be labeled as an expendable player for the Thunder.
In an attempt to thin out the frontcourt or even begin to prepare for the future, Poku could be moved at the deadline.
Orlando Magic
Trade deadline candidate: Jonathan Isaac
As another young talented team on the rise, there will be a lot of eyeballs on the Orlando Magic. Led by Rookie of the Year winner Paolo Banchero, the Magic has a talented enough of a roster to make a serious run toward a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference this season. The question is, do they have the right combination of supporting players to get it done? One supporting player in question is Jonathan Isaac.
Isaac could already find himself on the outs in Orlando. But he’ll get a chance to prove his worth coming off a major injury, missing multiple seasons. I don’t know if Isaac can get back to his pre-injury form, but he will at least get the opportunity to do so. The difficult part for the Magic is that they already have an extremely talented frontcourt. Isaac would certainly add to it but he’s also no longer a player that the Magic need to have on their roster.
If Orlando does end up making a roster-shifting move at the NBA Trade Deadline, Isaac would be a natural candidate. Considering he’s an expiring contract after 2024-25, the price wouldn’t be that high either.
Philadelphia 76ers
Trade deadline candidate: Tobias Harris
There remains much uncertainty for the Philadelphia 76ers at the moment. Will James Harden be traded? Will anyone else be packaged with him? If he is traded, what does that mean for Joel Embiid and the rest of this roster moving forward? It’s tough to predict right now but there’s no question that if Harden does end up moving on, there will likely be other dominos to fall after that.
One that could fall shortly after is Tobias Harris. He’s entering the final year of his contract with the Sixers and if Harden does end up leaving, it would make little sense to keep him around. If the Sixers do move Harden in a throwaway deal, there will likely be at least a retooling on the horizon for Philadelphia.
If that does end up happening, Harris is likely going to be on the move. And that could just be the edge of the iceberg. If Harden leaves and the Sixers aren’t that competitive at the start of the season, Harris could be the next player on the block heading into the trade deadline.
Phoenix Suns
Trade deadline candidate: Deandre Ayton
The Phoenix Suns are likely going to be the overwhelming favorites to win the 2023 NBA Championship. That’s no disrespect for the Denver Nuggets, but that’s just a testament to how talented the Suns’ roster is. After acquiring Bradley Beal during the offseason, there are no more excuses for the Suns. There is not a core four in the NBA more talented than Phoenix’s. If they can remain healthy, this is a team that should win the championship.
But if the Suns do end up trading one player this season, there’s a good chance it ends up being Deandre Ayton. There was a belief that he was going to be traded this offseason but that kind of all traded as soon as Beal became available and named the Suns as his preferred landing spot.
However, if the Suns do struggle out of the gate or if they realize they need more depth to achieve the goals they want, Ayton seems like a natural trade deadline candidate.
Portland Trail Blazers
Trade deadline candidate: Damian Lillard/Jerami Grant
With the way things have trended recently, it doesn’t appear as if the Portland Trail Blazers are going to trade Damian Lillard before the start of the season. If something doesn’t change drastically between now and the start of the season, Lillard would be the ideal trade deadline candidate for the Blazers. If he is moved before the season, though, Jerami Grant is a name to keep an eye on. He can’t be traded for a while but once he becomes trade-eligible, Grant is a player that would be highly sought-after if made available.
Considering the Blazers are heading into a full rebuild, it doesn’t make much sense for Grant to be on the roster. If Grant isn’t traded this season, it’s probably a good bet that he does get moved within the next couple of seasons. If the perfect storm occurs, there’s a path toward the Blazers moving both Lillard and Grant in the next six months.
Portland has a bright future with Shaedon Sharpe, Anfernee Simons, and Scoot Henderson, but there are going to be a few difficult years ahead before they take any tangible steps forward.
Sacramento Kings
Trade deadline candidate: Malik Monk
Making a surprise run as a No. 3 seed in the Western Conference standings heading into the NBA Playoffs last season, the Sacramento Kings are going to enter the season will a good amount of expectations this year. Maybe they won’t be expected to finish as a top 3 seed in the West again, but they will, at the very least, be expected to finish as a top 6 seed to qualify for the postseason outright.
The good news is that the Kings added to their already talented team this offseason. They managed to re-sign Harrison Barnes, a key part of their success from last season but they also managed to acquire Chris Duarte via trade from the Indiana Pacers. Duarte is an intriguing wing prospect that has already shown some promise as a contributor through his first couple of seasons in the league.
Even though he had a great season last year, Duarte’s arrival could open the door for Malik Monk’s departure. If the Kings do elect to make an in-season move, Monk is close to the top of the list of trade deadline candidates for Sacramento.
San Antonio Spurs
Trade deadline candidate: Zach Collins
The San Antonio Spurs will be one of the more intriguing teams to follow all season long. Most of that is due to the arrival of Victor Wembanyama but there are other talented young players on the Spurs’ roster behind him too. One player whose future with the team completely shifted as soon as Wemby was drafted is Zach Collins. He was the starter at the center position for the Spurs at times last season, but Wemby now will overtake that role on a full-time basis.
And as the season goes on, Wemby’s minutes are likely to rise. That means there will be fewer minutes available for a player like Collins. Add in the fact that he’s also entering the final year of his contract with the team and you can see why he may emerge as a potential trade deadline candidate for the Spurs.
Collins is still only 25 years old and probably deserves a chance to start in the NBA. Unfortunately, it won’t be in San Antonio. With that now clear, it will open the door for him to be moved at the trade deadline.
Toronto Raptors
Trade deadline candidate: Pascal Siakam
Whether they wanted it or not, change finally arrived for the Toronto Raptors. Fred VanVleet left in free agency and now there’s a very real chance that Pascal Siakam could be next. He enters the season with one year remaining on his contract but has been at the center of trade whispers for what feels like the last two months. The asking price is high but it’s starting to feel as if Siakam being traded at some point over the next few months is a foregone conclusion.
You’d have to think that if the Raptors did want to keep Siakam around, they already would’ve agreed to a contract extension for him. They haven’t and are still taking calls on him. That leads me to believe that the Raptors are ready to make a youth movement. The only move that remains for them to fully embrace their young core is trading Siakam.
If he isn’t moved by the start of the season, it’s likely that he’ll be at the center of all the action heading into the NBA Trade Deadline.
Utah Jazz
Trade deadline candidate: Collin Sexton
The Utah Jazz are another one of these young teams that could end up making some regular-season noise in the Western Conference this season. However, if they do end up making noise, it will likely be due to one or a couple of their young prospects making a bigger impact than originally expected. One rookie that could be that for the Jazz as soon as this season is Keyonte George.
As a first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, George could end up being one of the steals. In NBA Summer League, he left quite the impression that he could potentially be the long-term answer for the Jazz at the point guard position. It could take time but the early returns on George were quite promising.
If the Jazz decides to give him a larger role a few weeks or a couple of months into the season, one player that could emerge as a trade deadline candidate is Collin Sexton. If Utah is ready to give the reins over to George, Sexton’s time in Utah could be on shaky ground.
Washington Wizards
Trade deadline candidate: Kyle Kuzma
The Washington Wizards may not have been ready for a full-blown rebuild, but it was somewhat forced upon them after Bradley Beal finally pushed the issue toward a trade. In the end, the Wizards traded Beal to the Phoenix Suns. Interestingly, instead of moving on from Kyle Kuzma in free agency, the Wizards decided to re-sign him to a $100 million deal. Even though they retained Kuzma, I have a hard time believing he’s a big part of their future.
Maybe the Wizards are unexpectedly better than expected this season. With Jordan Poole, Kuzma, and their young collection of draft picks they’ve made in recent years, they have the talent to be an intriguing team in the Eastern Conference. But if they’re not, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Kuzma find himself knee-deep in trade rumors once again.
If the Wizards do need to make another move this season and if a trade of Kuzma makes sense, I don’t think they hesitate. That had to at least be part of the thinking when Washington re-signed Kuzma this past season.