NBA Trade Rumors: Predicting the most likely player to be traded in-season for each team.
With NBA free agency essentially over, although the likes of Kelly Oubre Jr. and T.J. Warren are still holding out hope, the attention from the fans and the media has shifted to hypothetical trades. There are two potential deals that are still being held up for various reasons: Damian Lillard away from the Portland Trail Blazers and James Harden off of the Philadelphia 76ers.
While Dame to the Miami Heat and the Beard to the Clippers seemed like done deals earlier in the offseason, the Blazers and Sixers have gone on record to say that they’re less than thrilled with the trade packages they were both offered.
1 Player from each NBA Team most likely to be in a trade this season
That leaves the door open for previously unexpected franchises to throw their hats in the ring for a chance to land an NBA 75th Anniversary Team member. Of course, whenever Dame and Harden are traded, that’ll leave 28 other squads that missed out on adding an All-NBA-level talent.
It appears that the league’s organizations are mostly complacent with the rosters they’ve built this past summer and are looking forward to seeing how their new iterations will compete on the court come season’s tip-off. By the 2023-24 NBA Trade Deadline, though, there should be more than a few players placed on the trading block, and some will probably land there well before February.
It’s a difficult task to try to predict the entire parameters of a deal that’s yet to take place. Identifying likely trade candidates, though, should be a more manageable task. Here’s the player on each NBA team most likely to be in a trade in the upcoming season.
Boston Celtics – Malcolm Brogdon
Malcolm Brogdon was brought in to be the facilitator that the Boston Celtics have lacked for years. One that could distribute the ball to Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and the rest of the C’s offensive options and run a half-court offense for them.
While Brogdon had his moments for Boston last season, he certainly took a step back from the production he had with the Indiana Pacers. With Brown’s new supermax contract extension on the books and Derrick White’s ascension into a reliable, above-average starter, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Brogdon and his $45 million owed over the next two seasons nominated as the sacrificial lamb if the Cs find themselves needing to make a roster move next season.
Brooklyn Nets – Dorian Finney-Smith
Dorian Finney-Smith is a perfect trade candidate for next season. He’s a 30-year-old NBA veteran on a team that’ll more than likely be looking up at the six guaranteed playoff spots in the Eastern Conference next season, at best. He’s also set to become a free agent next summer, so the Brooklyn Nets should be looking to get something in return for his services, lest they risk the possibility of him walking away for nothing.
His skills as a prototypical 3-and-D wing make him a desirable prospect for any team looking to make noise in the postseason next year. If his shooting can return to form, there should be plenty of playoff hopefuls willing to make an offer that the Nets will find difficult to turn down in a trade.
New York Knicks – Isaiah Hartenstein
Both R.J. Barrett and Julius Randle have frequented the NBA rumor mill far more than Isaiah Hartenstein, but neither is more likely to be traded than the former Los Angeles Clipper.
Barrett has accumulated plenty of detractors but has shown enough to be an integral part of the New York Knicks’ future moving forward. Both the Knicks and their fans would love to flip Randle for a more consistent upgrade, but the big man’s mercurial play and lofty contract would make him a difficult piece to move.
On the other hand, Hartenstein is a player who doesn’t seem to fit with the Knicks — at least, not in the way that head coach Tom Thibodeau wants to deploy him. He could add plenty of value to other teams as a short-roll playmaker, at-rim finisher, and backup defensive anchor, though.
With Jericho Sims and Isaiah Roby ready to step up and take the role as the reserve center, Hartenstein is a natural candidate to be dealt away if New York wants to shake things up before the trade deadline.
Philadelphia 76ers – James Harden
Even though the Philadelphia 76ers have gone public with their desire to retain James Harden and convince him to give it another shot at the title alongside Joel Embiid and company, it would be shocking to see the Beard finish next season on the same team.
Harden doesn’t want to be there and has made his malcontent explicitly clear. The Sixers do not trust him to be a top-two option on the team moving forward and have made that abundantly apparent with their hesitation to offer him the extension that he wanted.
At some point, something’s got to give. If Harden pulls the antics he did with the Houston Rockets in Philly while the Sixers chase another title, President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey should quickly change his tune and his asking price for the former MVP.
Toronto Raptors – OG Anunoby
Basically, every Toronto Raptor on last season’s roster saw his name in a trade rumor at some point last year. While there are plenty of options to choose from for this list, OG Anunoby is far and away the most likely candidate to be in a trade next season.
Raptors President Masai Ujiri has notoriously held egregiously high asking prices for his players, but his standards for an Anunoby deal should drop this upcoming season — barring some unexpected development for the young wing.
Anunoby has been rumored to want a bigger role within Toronto’s offense and can become a free agent next summer if he declines his player option. If his demands for his role on the team are indicative of his financial desires, it might mean that OG is expecting more money than the Raptors are willing to commit to him.
That said, there should be a line of suitors queueing up to add his services on both ends of the court.
Chicago Bulls – Alex Caruso
The Chicago Bulls have proven to be a faux title contender: a team with the salary cap table of a squad honestly competing for the championship but without the talent and wins to show for it. The entire core of this iteration of the Bulls is in danger of being traded next season.
The piece that Chicago has that would be easiest to move, though, is Alex Caruso. He’s a valuable two-way contributor on a team-friendly deal that any contender would love to add to their backcourt rotation.
Cleveland Cavaliers – Jarrett Allen
The Cleveland Cavaliers took a major step towards true title contention when they traded for Donovan Mitchell ahead of the previous campaign. With Spida on board, the Cavs went on multiple impressive runs through the 2022-2023 NBA regular season, looking like dark-horse threats in the postseason along the way.
Unfortunately, their twin towers lineup with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen proved to be a dud in the playoffs, as they struggled to defend and rebound against the New York Knicks en route to a crushing first-round exit. Cleveland made some significant additions to try to bolster their title chances next season, but if things start off rocky, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Cavs move Mobley to center and use Allen to try to find the missing piece they need.
Detroit Pistons – Bojan Bogdanovic
Similar to Dorian Finney-Smith with the Brooklyn Nets, the Detroit Pistons have the perfect veteran to use a trade chip next season in Bojan Bogdanovic. His offensive creation, shooting, and passable perimeter defense make him a valuable asset for any team looking to make a deep playoff push in this upcoming campaign.
That team probably won’t be the Pistons. This past summer, Detroit added a few more vets in Alec Burks, Monte Morris, and Joe Harris, so they can afford to sacrifice Bogdanovic’s sage locker room presence in return for some future capital, either in the form of draft picks or young players.
Indiana Pacers – Jalen Smith
The Indiana Pacers are a difficult team to gauge, as they’re one of the younger squads in the league but also have the talent necessary to potentially make a playoff push next season. Once a good chunk of the year has been played out, it’ll be easier to determine whether they’ll be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline.
Either way, though, Jalen Smith is the requisite piece for them to include in a deal. He’s young with plenty of potential to grow but plays at a crowded position on this roster. Plenty of teams should be interested in adding his rangy defense and possible stretch-big capabilities for the right price.
Milwaukee Bucks – Bobby Portis
The Milwaukee Bucks don’t have many assets at their disposal, so they’ll have to hope that their current roster will be enough to make another title run. If they start off slow and need to make an upgrade, though, one of their only viable trade chips that could land a return that’ll improve their chances is Bobby Portis.
Every other player on the Bucks is either too valuable, too old, or too unproven to be dealt away for a return that makes sense for them. Portis has proven himself to be one of the most versatile offensive big men in the game and has shown that he’s willing to play a reduced role for the well-being of his team. Any playoff hopeful would love to have a Bobby Portis going to war with them.
Atlanta Hawks – De’Andre Hunter
De’Andre Hunter is a young 3-and-D wing with the potential to grow into much more. Unfortunately for him, the Atlanta Hawks somehow have a surplus of those and needs at other positions.
With A.J. Griffin, Saddiq Bey, Jalen Johnson, and Kobe Bufkin all vying for Hunter’s minutes and shots, it’d be a natural choice for Atlanta to ship him and his four-year, $90 million contract off in return for a better fit on their roster.
Charlotte Hornets – Terry Rozier
Terry Rozier is another valuable NBA veteran on a rebuilding team. With Nick Smith Jr. and James Bouknight looking to earn their keep in the league next season, it’ll only be a matter of time before the Charlotte Hornets front office decides that they need their young guards to get more opportunities so that they can properly evaluate their talent.
For that to happen, Terry Rozier will need to be moved in return for more future assets to aid in the Hornets’ rebuild. His shot creation should be enticing for any playoff team looking to add more offensive juice to their roster.
Miami Heat – Nikola Jovic
Whether it’s Damian Lillard or someone else, the Miami Heat clearly want to add some more firepower to their roster to prevent the offensive bogs they struggled with throughout their 2023 Finals run. If it’s Dame, the Heat will need to add every single young prospect they have on their roster to get the deal done, including Nikola Jovic.
Even if it’s someone else, Jovic has launched himself into premium trade chip status with his performance in the 2023 FIBA World Cup and should be a significant part of any deal Miami makes to try to increase their title chances.
Orlando Magic – Gary Harris
Yet another storied NBA mainstay on a young team not yet ready to compete, Gary Harris should accrue plenty of trade interest from playoff hopefuls who need a little more shooting, secondary playmaking, and perimeter defense on their squad.
Returning from a stretch of different injuries, Harris proved last season with the Orlando Magic that he still has plenty to offer on both ends of the court. Going into a contract year, the team would be wise to offload him for either more youth or draft capital in return.
Washington Wizards – Kyle Kuzma
After years of procrastinating, it appears that the Washington Wizards have finally committed to tanking and resetting their core. Having dealt away Bradley Beal, there are only a few desirable veterans left on the roster — chief among them being Kyle Kuzma.
A two-way presence with size, Kuzma would be an excellent addition for any team looking to upgrade along their wings.
Denver Nuggets – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Of all the teams in the league, the reigning champion Denver Nuggets are the least likely to make a trade next season. Not only do they have a roster that’s already proven to be a title-worthy contender, but they also don’t have many trade chips to offer.
If it came down to brass tacks, the most likely candidate to be moved on the Nuggets is Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. He’s on a friendly contract, isn’t crucial to the team’s core, has a valuable skillset that is highly sought after, and has replacements for his services already lined up in Denver in Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, and Julian Strawther.
Minnesota Timberwolves – Karl-Anthony Towns
After trading for multiple-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert last summer, the Minnesota Timberwolves suffered a painfully similar early exit in these past playoffs. Gobert struggled to gel on the court alongside fellow superstar big Karl-Anthony Towns.
With Anthony Edwards forcefully claiming the future of the franchise as his own, it’s only a matter of time before the Wolves have to make a tough decision regarding the core of their team. While trading Gobert would be the easier pill to swallow for fans, it’s a lot harder to do in practice compared to finding a deal for KAT who’s significantly younger and more malleable.
If things start out sour again for Minnesota, dealing away Towns should bring them back a hefty enough return to revamp their roster and their title chances.
Oklahoma City Thunder – Luguentz Dort
The Oklahoma City Thunder have already had to make some painful subtractions from their roster due to the sheer abundance of talent they employ. With a surplus of future draft picks still in store, they’ll have to continue to make difficult decisions simply to make room for their incoming prospects.
The next piece that’s most likely to be gone is Luguentz Dort. Arguably the best perimeter defender in the league pound-for-pound, Dort is a perfect target for any playoff hopeful looking to beef up their point-of-attack defense. He’s on a relatively palatable contract, and OKC already has plenty of young upstarts who could theoretically replace his production.
Portland Trail Blazers – Damian Lillard
Maybe the Miami Heat up their offer or find an appealing return for Tyler Herro that they can reroute to the Portland Trail Blazers. Perhaps a different franchise swoops in with a pitch that can pique the interest of both Dame and Portland General Manager Joe Cronin. Or the Blazers might just give in and accept the Heat’s current package once it becomes clear that no other team is willing to go above and beyond to deal for Lillard who has already made his wishes to be in Miami clear.
Those are all possibilities for how this Dame saga could end. The least likely scenario would be Cronin’s disclosed wishes: that the Blazers hold out on trading Lillard, and he eventually is somehow convinced to stay with the team and the front office that, in his eyes, betrayed him.
Utah Jazz – Kelly Olynyk
The Utah Jazz and their president, Danny Ainge, can try to convince the NBA world that they’re not tanking all they want, but it’s fairly obvious that the team is not yet ready to truly vie for the championship. As they flesh out their core, it’s also apparent that Kelly Olynyk won’t be a huge part of their future going forward.
Similar to Chris Paul in Oklahoma City, this was always a stopgap for Olynyk, a place where he could showcase his talent while the Jazz gauge the interest in his services. This him entering free agency next offseason, this upcoming campaign is Utah’s chance to collect a significant return for Olynyk. A playoff-rotation big man with a complex offensive skill tree would be a useful addition for any contender.
Golden State Warriors – Jonathan Kuminga
Jonathan Kuminga was able to show some of the promise that made him a top-10 pick in 2021. Not enough so for the Golden State Warriors to be able to trust him to be a consistent postseason contributor, but more than enough to raise his status as an appealing trade piece.
Last season showed that the Dubs have plenty of holes in their roster, mainly their lack of depth, and will likely need to add some veterans that they can trust in a deep playoff run before next season’s trade deadline. If so, Kuminga should be a significant chip for them to use to acquire reinforcements for their bench unit.
LA Clippers – Terance Mann
Not only has Terance Mann been named as a prime trade target by the Philadelphia 76ers and their president, Daryl Morey, in a James Harden deal, but he should be a key piece of any swap the Clippers make this upcoming season to try to bolster their title odds.
Norman Powell has proven to be a reliable offensive support piece and secondary shot creator for the Clippers, which should make it easier for them to part ways with Mann.
Los Angeles Lakers – D’Angelo Russell
Every LeBron James-led team has to identify a possible scapegoat for when things start to go south, as it’s not usually the best player in the world’s fault that his team is underperforming. While LeBron has seemingly aged out of the “best in the world” debate, his level of eminence will remain for the lifetime of his NBA career.
Russell is the natural choice here, as he was once a highly regarded player who makes more money than his current production would justify. His salary and reputation, though, will make him a more valuable trade chip than nearly any non-Lebron or Anthony Davis player on the Lakers.
Phoenix Suns – Deandre Ayton
There are pretty much only four viable trade candidates on the Phoenix Suns, and they all make upwards of $30 million per year. With the Suns and new Governor Mat Ishbia likely to want to give their new core of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal at least one year to try to win the title, it’ll be Ayton who is moved if the Suns come to the conclusion that they’ll need more depth in order to secure the championship.
Still only 25 years old, if Ayton can come out of the gates and prove that he can be a cornerstone on both ends of the court, there should be plenty of franchises willing to part ways with their role players and other pieces in order to obtain him.
Sacramento Kings – Harrison Barnes
If it wasn’t apparent on draft night 2022, it became clear that Keegan Murray was acquired as insurance for Harrison Barnes once he proved to be a seamless fit alongside De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis throughout his rookie season.
Still a valuable contributor both ways, Barnes should be an interesting target for any contender looking to beef up their wing rotation.
Dallas Mavericks – Tim Hardaway Jr.
With Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving shouldering the vast majority of the offensive load for the Dallas Mavericks, the team has little use for a one-way utility player like Tim Hardaway Jr. While the Mavs would be better off with a decent 3-and-D wing with size guarding the flanks alongside Luka and Kai, any playoff hopeful that needs more perimeter shooting and shot creation on their wings should have Hardaway’s status on their radar.
Good for 15 points and multiple triples in any given game and a recent postseason riser, THJ should generate plenty of interest if Dallas were to make him publicly available.
Houston Rockets – Kevin Porter Jr.
Between Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, and Aaron Holiday, the Houston Rockets have plenty of ball-handling and shot creation. Kevin Porter Jr.’s history of off-court issues has also likely given him less margin for error, as the Rockets evaluate their current core under the new direction of head coach Ime Udoka.
Still only 23 years old, KPJ has shown plenty of promise in various moments and should be an alluring talent for both rebuilding teams looking to add new cornerstones and contenders who need more offensive creativity on their roster.
Memphis Grizzlies – Steven Adams
Jaren Jackson Jr.’s recent performance with the United States Men’s National Team in the 2023 FIBA World Cup didn’t inspire confidence that he’s ready to be a full-time center on a title team. While that makes Steven Adams a valuable frontcourt partner for him, Brandon Clarke has shown repeatedly that he’s ready for a larger role.
The Grizz proved last season that they can still succeed without Adams manning the paint and setting bone-crushing screens, but his two-way talents should be intriguing for any contender that needs more size up front.
New Orleans Pelicans – Herb Jones
There’s a real chance that the New Orleans Pelicans will need to blow up their core in the near future, but deciding between Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson will be a nearly impossible choice this upcoming season.
If Zion can stay healthy, the Pellies have more than enough talent to honestly compete for a title. But if they need a shakeup within their role players, Herb Jones would be the perfect trade chip to bring in some new pieces and revamp their supporting cast. Trey Murphy III has lapped Jones as a developing prospect, but Herb’s defensive capabilities should carry plenty of value in any potential deal.
San Antonio Spurs – Doug McDermott
The last person on this list is also the last veteran on a rebuilding team that’s probably going to be involved in a trade this next season. Doug McDermott hits free agency after the 2023-2024 campaign, so this year is the time for San Antonio to capitalize on the value McBuckets has accrued as a trade chip.
His movement shooting and improved team defense should make him a popular target for NBA contenders looking to spice up their perimeter attack.