NBA Trade Block Big Board: Deal Proposals for Top Rumored Players
As the NBA moves closer to the Dec. 15 unofficial start of trade season, all eyes are on the Chicago Bulls.
And maybe the Toronto Raptors. But definitely not the Minnesota Timberwolves. Not as sellers, at least.
The Bulls are obvious blow-it-up candidates, even if they still (somehow) haven't accepted their fate. The Raptors' direction is less certain, but with 2024 free agency definitely awaiting Pascal Siakam and Gary Trent Jr. and likely on the table for OG Anunoby (who could beat his $19.9 million player option on the open market), Toronto could certainly decide a demolition is best between now and the Feb. 8 trade deadline.
As for the Timberwolves, though, their growing lead in the Western Conference standings should all but silence any trade talks around Karl-Anthony Towns. If they suddenly stumble, they could always rethink that—he'd be much easier to move before his supermax extension kicks in next season—but they're way too good right now to even entertain the idea of subtracting their second-best scorer.
So, with Towns seemingly off the table, let's dig into our updated big board of trade candidates.
10. Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers
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The Buzz
Jerami Grant's five-year, $160 million contract preceded Damian Lillard's exit from Portland and made him a possible trade candidate the second that deal went down. The question, though, is what he's worth on the trade market.
"Grant's value fluctuated among ... executives, with no clear consensus," HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported.
That checks out.
Grant could be a dynamic third or fourth option on a great team, since he's a lanky defender who offers a little of everything on offense. The problem is he's being compensated like a centerpiece, so interested suitors must weigh whether his on-court impact would be enough to offset the damage he'd do to their financial books.
The Trade
Jerami Grant to the Indiana Pacers for Buddy Hield, Obi Toppin, a 2024 first-round pick (via OKC, HOU, LAC or UTA) and a 2025 second-round pick
Indiana's offseason investments in Toppin and Jarace Walker haven't done enough to fill the franchise's void at the 4 spot. Dealing for Grant could check that box and potentially put the Pacers in the shadow-contender class.
He would likely not only slide into the second scorer role behind Tyrese Haliburton, but Grant would also boost Indiana's 28th-ranked defense with length, athleticism and versatility.
9. Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls
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The Buzz
This is lower than Zach LaVine ranked the last time we built a trade season big board, and it probably seems too low for those only evaluating these players by talent. The two-time All-Star clearly offers plenty of that.
There are other factors in play, though, and almost none of them help his stock.
He's had injury issues in the past and is currently fighting a right foot inflammation that could sideline him for another three to four weeks. It also doesn't help his good-stats-on-bad-teams reputation that Chicago has played its best basketball without him, winning each of the first three games he's missed with this foot issue.
Tack on his colossal contract, which would pay him $178.1 million through 2026-27 if he picks up a player option for the final season, and it's not at all surprising to see The Athletic's Darnell Mayberry report there's been "minimal interest" in LaVine so far.
The Trade
Zach LaVine to the Los Angeles Lakers for D'Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino and a 2029 first-round pick (top-five-protected)
A team must be pretty desperate on offense to consider a LaVine trade, but the Lakers might be feeling that level of desperation if their offensive issues are ongoing when Russell and Hachimura become trade-eligible on Jan. 15. L.A. faces some of the league's most extreme win-now pressure due to LeBron James' impending 39th birthday, but it won't win much as long as it's buried in the offensive efficiency rankings (24th).
LaVine is overpaid for a third option, but if the Lakers could get past that, they might recognize how potent he could be in that role. They need to find shooting, creation, off-the-dribble attacking and additional playmaking, and LaVine is one of the only trade candidates capable of checking all those boxes.
8. Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz
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The Buzz
You may not find a direct link tying Jordan Clarkson to the trade market yet, but it's entirely possible one surfaces between now and the trade deadline. The Lakers, for instance, are monitoring a "potential fire sale" in Salt Lake City, per The Athletic's Jovan Buha.
The Jazz may not tear their roster down to the studs—apologies to all the Lauri Markkanen dreamers—but they could question their future with Clarkson, who is 31 years old and should be easy to pitch to offense-needy shoppers. He was having a rough start before a thigh injury forced him off the floor, but he has time to heat up before becoming trade-eligible in early January.
The Trade
Jordan Clarkson to the Miami Heat for Kyle Lowry and a 2028 first-round pick (top-10-protected)
The Heat could still use another perimeter scorer and creator, and a Clarkson trade would allow them to address those needs without depleting their assets. With Lowry on an expiring deal, the financial relief and protected pick might be enough to get Utah to bite.
Get Clarkson to South Beach, and Miami would have one of the league's better quick-strike scorers to either run the bench unit or play a support role with the starters. He pressures opposing defenses with his downhill driving, and he's had full seasons during which he's been a quantity-plus-quality shooter from distance. Between 2019-20 and 2020-21, he averaged 2.6 threes per game on 35.6 percent accuracy.
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7. DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls
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The Buzz
DeMar DeRozan is 34 years old and playing on an expiring contract. If the Bulls are veered into a (seemingly inevitable) rebuild, the veteran scorer would almost certainly be one of the first players to breeze out of the Windy City.
The Athletic's Sam Amick reported DeRozan "is considered very likely to be on the move before the deadline passes." The scribe also noted the Miami Heat and New York Knicks "are known to be preferable to DeRozan if he winds up getting moved."
It's too early to say for certain where DeRozan might head, but virtually any win-now shopper with an offensive deficiency could be open to a partial-season rental. He's an 83rd percentile player by estimated offensive plus/minus, per Dunks & Threes, which feels particularly impressive given how clunky Chicago's 25th-ranked offense has been.
The Trade
DeMar DeRozan to the New York Knicks for Evan Fournier, Quentin Grimes, Miles McBride, a 2025 first-round pick (top-four protected, via MIL) and a 2024 second-round pick (via DET)
The Knicks keep scanning the market for a star, but it's possible this trade market never offers up true top-shelf talent. If it doesn't, New York could pivot to a second-tier target like DeRozan, who could upgrade this attack without costing a mountain of assets. He's a proven scorer with a knack for coming up big in the clutch, and he's a rock-solid option as a secondary playmaker.
The Bulls, meanwhile, would do well to turn a partial season of DeRozan into a possible building block in Grimes, who isn't thrilled about his role reduction, a protected future first and a second-rounder from this season's worst team.
6. Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers
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The Buzz
Neither the Blazers nor Malcolm Brogdon seem in a hurry to find him a new home, but that still seems like the logical next step for both. Portland is in the infant stage of a full-scale rebuild, and the soon-to-be 31-year-old Brogdon belongs with a club that's much closer to contention. Not to mention that subtracting Brogdon would mean adding developmental minutes for No. 3 pick Scoot Henderson to handle.
If the Blazers shop Brogdon, rival executives see his trade value as "a protected first-round pick in this year's draft," per HoopsHype's Michael Scotto.
The Trade
Malcolm Brogdon to the Utah Jazz for Kelly Olynyk, Talen Horton-Tucker and a 2025 first-round pick (top-seven-protected, via UTA)
The Jazz haven't been the same since moving Mike Conley at last season's trade deadline, and they apparently know it. According to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, the Jazz could "look to add a veteran point guard at some point this season to provide backcourt stability."
Brogdon could be a stabilizing force in Utah, cleaning up the offensive execution and allowing the front office to see how this young nucleus plays when it has a savvy veteran steering the ship. He's been a model of consistency when healthy, as this could be the fourth time in the last five seasons he's averaged better than 16 points and five assists per night.
Portland, meanwhile, would gain a future first, get a chance to see if Horton-Tucker might be a long-term fit and perhaps be able to flip Olynyk for additional assets in a separate swap.
5. Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls
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The Buzz
Of all the players reasonably connected to the trade market, Alex Caruso could have the largest number of suitors. His quiet counting categories (9.8 points and 2.3 assists in 23.7 minutes) may not highlight his appeal, but his affordable salary ($9.5 million) and two-way versatility make him a fit for almost anyone.
His defense is all-caps ELITE, evidenced both by his selection last season to the All-Defensive first team and his current standing in the 96th percentile for defensive estimated plus/minus. His offense is held back by a minuscule usage rate (15.5 percent), but when he chooses his spots, he makes the most of them (54.2/47.8/77.4 shooting slash).
He isn't a star, but he is someone who routinely stars in a supporting role. The Bulls "have been hesitant" to trade him, per NBC Sports Chicago's K.C. Johnson, but the return might be too rich for them to pass up.
The Trade
Alex Caruso to the Indiana Pacers for Isaiah Jackson, Ben Sheppard, a 2024 first-round pick (top-three protected), a 2025 second-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick (via UTA)
If the Pacers have any hope of their regular-season success carrying over to the playoffs, they must find a way to upgrade their 28th-ranked defense. Caruso might be the best available stopper (at least the best not named OG Anunoby, who'd cost even more in a swap), plus he could fit this offense both in transition and the half-court.
If the Bulls entertain Caruso offers, that will be the clearest signal they can send about their intentions for a top-to-bottom rebuild. This deal would help kick-start the process with three picks, plus recent first-round selections in Jackson (No. 22 in 2021) and Sheppard (No. 26 in 2023).
4. Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards
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The Buzz
Trade chatter around Kyle Kuzma specifically merely involves speculation, but rival teams are already eyeing Washington's "veteran role players" like Delon Wright, Landry Shamet and Danilo Gallinari, per HoopsHype's Michael Scotto.
Trade winds may inevitably find their way to Kuzma, then, as Washington's roster is about as uncompetitive as they come. If the Wizards are anywhere near this bad (3-17 with the fifth-worst net rating) when he becomes trade-eligible on Jan. 15, they should at least have an ear open to offers for their 28-year-old swingman.
His trade market should be robust. He contributes at both ends, and despite handling his heaviest assignment to date (31 usage percentage), he has managed to up his efficiency. In addition to posting career highs in points (23.2) and assists (4.8), he's posting a personal-best true shooting percentage (56.2) along with the second-lowest turnover rate of his career (10.4 percent).
The Trade
Kyle Kuzma and Delon Wright to the Memphis Grizzlies for Luke Kennard, Brandon Clarke, Ziaire Williams, a 2024 first-round pick (top-five-protected) and a 2026 first-round pick (top-three-protected)
If the return of Ja Morant helps Memphis climb the standings some, the Grizzlies could consider an aggressive move to improve their playoff outlook. Kuzma would be the big two-way forward they've seemingly searched forever to find, while Wright could shine as both a versatile defender and an offensive organizer.
Washington would further its rebuilding efforts with the two picks and Williams, who's still just 22 years old and was taken 10th overall in 2021. The Wizards could also immediately shop Kennard to teams angling to improve their spacing and later gauge Clarke's trade market once he makes his way back from the torn Achilles he suffered in March.
3. Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors
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The Buzz
The longer it takes Pascal Siakam to rediscover his outside shot, the less attractive he looks as a trade target. That's why the player who held the No. 1 spot on our initial big board has slipped to No. 3.
He's too skilled in other areas for his value to ever totally tank, but he's simply less interesting when he's squeezing the offensive spacing as a 20.7 percent three-point shooter. While this is the worst he's ever shot it since making the three-ball a regular part of his offensive diet, it's been a minute since his long-range splash rates impressed. After hitting 2.2 triples at a 35.9 percent clip in 2019-20, those numbers have fallen to 1.2 and 31.5, respectively, in the three-plus seasons since.
All of that said, he's a two-time All-NBA honoree who should be in the heart of his prime at 29 years old. And he's unsigned beyond this season. There's a reason he keeps the rumor mill rumbling.
"The consensus throughout the league after talking with executives, players and scouts this past week is that the Raptors almost have to do something, and the most prominent name out there is Siakam," Doug Smith of the Toronto Star reported.
The Trade
Pascal Siakam to the Philadelphia 76ers for Tobias Harris, Jaden Springer, a 2028 first-round pick (top-three-protected) and two 2024 second-round picks (one via NYK, one via TOR, IND, UTA or CLE)
The Sixers could take a big swing with Siakam and still have $50 million-plus to go star-searching in free agency next summer. He's a worse shooter than Harris, but Siakam is the superior creator, and Philly would like to land another playmaker.
The Raptors would have several chances to brighten their future with this deal. Springer could make his case as a long-term keeper, and the draft picks speak for themselves. If this trade went down early enough, Toronto could also try flipping Harris for additional future-focused assets.
2. OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors
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The Buzz
The Raptors haven't yet decided what to do with their core, as they want first-year skipper Darko Rajaković to have a real shot at seeing "what the current group can accomplish before deciding" whether to make a deal, per HoopsHype's Michael Scotto.
Toronto doesn't remotely resemble a contender, though, and it seems unlikely to flash that level of upside between now and the deadline. The team's longest winning streak on the season is all of two games, and it's had a pair of back-to-back triumphs.
From an external view, rebuilding—or at least resetting around Scottie Barnes—still seems like the best option for Toronto, particularly when the trade return for a two-way talent like OG Anunoby should be significant. He was an All-Defensive second-teamer last season, might be the most versatile defender in the league and has never looked better with his outside shot (2.6 three-pointers per game on 40.9 percent shooting).
The Trade
OG Anunoby and Thaddeus Young to the Miami Heat for Duncan Robinson, Nikola Jović, Orlando Robinson, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2028 first-round pick swap
The Heat might have a title-winning tandem in Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, but only if they bring the rest of their roster up to championship speed. Getting Anunoby might do the trick, as he could take their 16th-ranked defense from imperfect to impenetrable and would improve their attack with his outside shot and flashes of creation.
The Raptors, meanwhile, would be wagering that Miami's post-Butler era could get tricky, therefore upping the value of those two picks and the one swap (all unprotected). Plus, Toronto could already see Jović as a keeper, might view Orlando Robinson as a possible keeper and would benefit from Duncan Robinson's spacing until ideally trading him down the line for more rebuilding tools.
1. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
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The Buzz
Admittedly, an in-season swap involving Donovan Mitchell feels somewhere between improbable and impossible, but "rival NBA executives are monitoring (his) happiness in Cleveland," per HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. There are enough eyeballs on this situation to warrant keeping Mitchell on these rankings.
And as long as he's here, he's locked into the No. 1 spot. The Cavaliers have largely disappointed this season, but he's been phenomenal. Scoring remains his best skill, but it's worth noting his 5.4 rebounds and 2.0 steals are both career highs. His 5.3 assists match his previous best, and his 27.6 points are the second-most of his career. He has never had a lower turnover percentage (9.9) and only once had a higher true shooting percentage (57.7).
Teams who have been carefully protecting their trade chips are saving them for an elite player like him. If he ever hit the market—which would probably only happen by way of a trade demand—the bidding battles could be outrageous.
The Trade
Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade and Sam Merrill to the Orlando Magic for Jalen Suggs, Jonathan Isaac, Markelle Fultz, a 2024 first-round pick (top-five protected), a 2026 first-round pick, a 2028 first-round pick and a first-round pick swap in 2027
The Magic are loaded with assets and could be motivated to use them by their scorching start to this season. Their fifth-ranked defense looks wholly legit, but their 17th-ranked offense could use more shooting, creation and scoring in general.
Mitchell could address those needs better than anyone who's reasonably connected to the trade market. Even if Orlando was unsure whether he'd stick around past his current deal—he'll likely decline his $37.1 million player option for 2025-26—the Magic could see enough potential in two playoff runs with him to take the plunge.
Plus, they could present a pretty compelling sales pitch whenever he enters free agency. They are loaded with young talent, reside in a tax-friendly state and have been a destination franchise for free agents in the past. There'd be worse ways for Mitchell to spend his prime than by forming a Big Three with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner and having a strong supporting cast around them.
If the Cavs ever moved Mitchell, they'd need to recoup as many draft assets as possible since they gave up so many to get him, but they probably wouldn't want to bottom out. The Darius Garland-Evan Mobley-Jarrett Allen core could still be plenty competitive, and they'd supplement it in this swap with three plug-and-play contributors in Suggs, Isaac and Fultz, all of whom still have room to grow their games.
Statistics courtesy of Basketball Reference and NBA.com and current through games played on Dec. 6.
Zach Buckley covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on X, @ZachBuckleyNBA.
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