NBA Trade Rumors: As we inch closer to the NBA Trade Deadline, we rank the 13 superstars that are most likely to be traded this season.
It's pretty crazy to think that the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline is roughly six weeks away. It feels as if the regular season just started. Now we're already beginning to talk about the trade deadline and soon the push toward the playoffs. Nevertheless, the trade season is nearly here and happens to be one of the most entertaining events on the NBA calendar.
This year will be no different. In fact, the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline could offer some big fireworks with the names that have been swirling in the rumor mill so far this season. As we inch closer and closer to those festivities, we rank the 13 superstars most likely to be traded at the deadline.
13. Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
As outrageous as it may sound, Zion Williamson's future with the New Orleans Pelicans with very much unstable. Zion has taken a clear step back this season. After posting near career highs across the board in the 30 games he appeared in last season, Zion is posting near career lows across the board this season.
That's not exactly the trajectory that you want to see from a player that is supposed to be your franchise piece. You can't help but wonder if Zion's inconsistent start to the season has anything to do with the trade whispers that took place during the offseason. Either way, all of that culminating together makes Zion a potential dark horse trade candidate.
If it wasn't for the Pelicans being within striking distance in the West standings, there'd probably be a bit more traction on the Zion trade crusade.
12. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves have the best record in the Western Conference and in a recent interview, head coach Chris Finch praised Karl-Anthony Towns for being the "glue" for the team this season. However, I still can't get the fact that the Wolves were trying to trade KAT just a few months ago. They're going to deny that or push back on those whispers because of their strong start to the season, but where there's smoke there's usually fire.
Deep down, I still believe that there's an outside chance that the Wolves surprising trade KAT at some point before the grade deadline. It would be a huge shocker but if the Wolves have the opportunity to get out from under his contract, you'd have to imagine that Minnesota would jump at that chance to do so.
At the same time, the Wolves aren't going to make a trade KAT just for the sake of doing so. They're going to be smart and if one arises that makes sense, I would imagine them to seriously think about pulling the trigger.
11. Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz
Lauri Markkanen is another player to keep an eye on heading into the NBA Trade Deadline. While he may not be a star that many believe will confidently be moved ahead of the deadline, the chances of it happening have certainly increased over the last couple of weeks. It's already been voiced that the Jazz wouldn't be completely opposed to trading their All-Star forward for the right price. The question is, will the "right" deal arise between now and the trade deadline?
The Jazz will likely be looking for a monster return for Markkanen. Think of something similar to what the team got in exchange for Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert two offseasons ago. The starting point is somewhere close to 3-4 future first-round picks, if not more. There aren't many teams that have that many disposal draft assets and those that do have them may not feel as if they're a Markkanen away from contention.
Still, I'd be remissed not to include Markkanen on this list of superstars that could be moved ahead of this year's NAB Trade Deadline. Even if there isn't a great chance of it happening.
10. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors have been one of the most disappointing teams in the Western Conference this season. The hope was that the Warriors would bounce back in a big way this season and make a return to championship contender status. That hasn't exactly happened so far this year. In fact, the Warriors have continued to take steps back as a team. Twenty-seven games into the regular season, the Warriors are sitting outside the top 10 in the standings.
With the NBA Trade Deadline quickly approaching, you can't help but wonder what approach the Warriors will take. Will they try to add another piece in an attempt to jump-start the team heading into the push toward the playoffs? Will they admit that the dynasty is probably over and try to retool around Stephen Curry? There is very much that needs to be decided over the next few weeks for the Warriors.
Recent reports indicate that rival teams are waiting for the Warriors to make the shift to sellers ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline. And if so, Klay Thompson would be a natural trade candidate to be moved. It remains to be seen if that will happen, but there's at least an outside chance that Thompson could be on the move if the Warriors do end up making a big move at the deadline.
9. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Taking a quick glance at the Eastern Conference standings, it may not seem as if the Cleveland Cavaliers are having an inconsistent start to the season, but considering the pre-season expectations, it's easy to see why there are many that are down on this team. Add in the fact that Darius Garland and Evan Mobley are expected to miss extended time due to injuries, and there's an argument to be made that disaster could be on the horizon.
And the potential impending disaster revolves around Donovan Mitchell and his status regarding his future with the Cavs. With only one year on his contract after this season, this was always going to be a huge year for the Cavs. With injuries abounding, Cleveland could be on the verge of a disastrous end to the season. And if that does end up being the case, Mitchell is likely drafting his exit from Cleveland.
If the front office knows that, they have to understand that they may have to trade Mitchell sooner rather than later. Even though it probably makes the most sense for the Cavs to trade Mitchell, I still don't believe it's unlikely it will happen at this year's NBA Trade Deadline. At best, there's like a 10 percent chance it does.
8. Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers
In the early stages of a rebuild, it's not that big of a surprise that the Portland Trail Blazers have gotten off to a rocky start to the season. However, the NBA Trade Deadline will give Portland another opportunity to continue to lean into their new build. One way that they could accomplish that over the next few weeks is by trading Jerami Grant. Even though he just re-signed with the team this past season, he's a veteran difference-maker who would greatly benefit from being on a contender at this point in his career.
Considering how far away the Balzers are from competing again in the Westen Conference, you'd have to assume that Grant is going to be traded at some point in the next 1-2 seasons. The question is whether or not the Blazers would be willing to shop him ahead of this year's NBA Trade Deadline. While I believe there's a chance it could happen, I also don't believe it to be particularly likely considering the recent reporting that has surrounded him.
In a vacuum, Grant would make a lot of sense for many contenders. And I'd imagine many will be at the very least making a call or two. Still, it would be shocking if the Blazers moved him this season.
7. OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors
There's an overall expectation that the Toronto Raptors are going to be active heading into the NBA Trade Deadline. They're currently outside the top 10 in the Eastern Conference standings and very much need to retool the roster around Scottie Barnes if they're going to continue to underwhelm with their current core. One player that is going to garner plenty of trade interest from around the league heading into the NBA Trade Deadline is OG Anunoby.
There's a lot to like about Anunoby and his potential in the NBA moving forward. It's easy to see why he could be viewed as the primary target for any contender in search of a missing piece ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline. He has untapped potential on the offensive end of the floor and is arguably the best perimeter defender in the league at the moment. He's also just 26 years old.
When it comes to the Raptors, I still don't believe that he's the most likely big name to be moved on the roster. I think the big question for Toronto revolves around whether they'd be willing to make two huge moves at the deadline.
6. Gordon Hayward, Charlotte Hornets
Looking like a team that is going to find themselves near the top of the NBA Draft Lottery once again, it would be surprising if we didn't see the Charlotte Hornets explore a potential trade of Gordon Hayward ahead of the Deadline. In the final year of his contract with the team, Hayward is the perfect candidate to be traded at the deadline. At this point in his career, Hayward would very much benefit from landing on a contender.
Hayward has been solid so far this season in Charlotte and could play a vital role for a team during the push toward the postseason. As an experienced veteran, Hayward should be moved at some point over the next few weeks. This is the ppoint in the list where we make the shift from players that could be traded to those that should be traded.
As the Hornets look for more minutes for their young core, Hayward is a natural candidate to be on the outside looking in. And let's be perfectly honest, Hayward is not considered a big part of this team's future.
5. DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls
Over the next few weeks, we're going to see the Chicago Bulls prioritize trading Zach LaVine. That's not surprising by any means. However, no matter what ends up happening with LaVine, there's also a chance that Chicago ends up moving DeMar DeRozan as well. Contract extension discussions between the Bulls and DeRozan have gone nowhere and considering he's in the final year of his contract, it would be malpractice for Chicago not to explore trading him before the deadline. At the very least, they should test the waters on what a potential trade would look like.
Let's be honest; the Bulls are not going anywhere. They've played slightly better with LaVine out of the lineup (due to injury), but this isn't a team that's going to make a run up the Eastern Conference standings during the second half of the season. They're within shouting distance of a spot in the Play-In Tournament but that's false hope if I've ever seen it.
Again, the Bulls' No. 1 goal heading into the trade deadline is to move LaVine. There's no denying that. However, at the same rate, the Bulls could very well also move DeRozan and other pieces over the next few weeks. Especially if they find a LaVine resolution sooner rather than later.
4. D'Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers have lost four games in a row and five of their last six. They've fallen all the way to 10th in the Western Conference standings and if it wasn't clear before, it's looking more and more like they'll need to retool the roster once more if they want to have any shot of competing for a title this season. And if the Lakers do end up making a big move at the NBA Trade Deadline, you'd have to imagine that D'Angelo Russell is going to be included in any deal.
Even in a possible deal for Zach LaVine, Rusell would certainly have to be included. And it's not just because of salary implications, though that would be the case. But dating back to the playoffs last year, Rusell is not a great fit with the Lakers. And this season, he's begun to fade a bit over the last couple of weeks.
Considering that it would be shocking if the Lakers didn't make a sizable move at the trade deadline, you almost have to assume that Russell is a near-lock to be moved at some point over the next few weeks.
3. Bojan Bogdanovic, Detroit Pistons
What's lost in the Detroit Pistons struggles is the fact that they started the season 2-1. Since then, the Pistons have been a disaster. Detroit has lost 25 straight games and doesn't even have the look of a young team that's trying to figure out themselves. The Pistons look like a team that is beginning to reach its breaking point. And that's not good considering this was the year that many expected this team to take a big step forward in their progression.
While it would be pretty premature for the Pistons to throw in the towel on this team's build, there is one sore thumb sticking out - and that's Bojan Bogdanovic. He's a quality veteran on the roster that deserves to be playing for a contender. I understand the Pistons wanting to keep him on the roster heading into this season with the hope of their young core making an unforeseen leap, but that is now off the table.
When - or if - the Pistons do end up shopping Bogdanovic, which I predict will happen soon, likely before the trade deadline, there should be a strong market for his services. Any and every contender should be looking at ways to add Bogdanovic for the stretch run.
2. Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors
With as much as the Toronto Raptors have struggled this season, the front office has to be drawing up what they'd view as acceptable returns for both OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam. Both players will hit free agency after the season and could very well sign with different teams. The Raptors are fading quickly in the Eastern Conference standings and currently find themselves outside the top 10. It would be borderline insanity for the Raptors not to make a move at the deadline.
It will likely come down to Anunoby or Siakam on the move. If I had to predict what ends up happening at the deadline, I believe the Raptors will pick the young player (Anunoby) to continue to build around and trade Siakam. The Raptors have to hope that shopping Siakam will create a bidding war over the next few weeks.
For an All-Star forward, Siakam should have a strong market. But the Raptors also have to be realistic with their demands. Quite frankly, that's been the team's biggest problem recently when it's come to their trade pursuits.
1. Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls
I don't think there would be much pushback with the idea that Zach LaVine is easily the one superstar that many assume will be traded between now and the deadline. The noise surrounding a possible trade of LaVine is defaning and at this point, it would be shocking if the Chicago Bulls didn't trade him this season. The only real concern of a LaVine trade falling through is if the market is so dried up for him that the Bulls would be taking a loss by making a deal.
As poor as LaVine's trade value may be at the moment, I can't imagine the Bulls are in a spot where they'd have to attach one of their own assets to get him off the books. I don't imagine it's reached that level of a trade market just yet. That said, it could still prove to be difficult for the Bulls to find a trade that makes sense.
LaVine is going to be on another trade by the time the deadline comes and goes. It's just a matter of which team steps up to the plate to offer Chicago a deal that is as close to fair as possible.