1 Player On Every NBA Team Who Could Hit the Trade Block
Seventeen NBA teams are now eligible to start trading players, with the Phoenix Suns, New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers joining the 14 lottery franchises that have already begun their offseason.
Roster evaluation has already begun. In Phoenix, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant are almost certainly safe, but can we truly say that about anyone else on the Suns' roster? Every NBA team likely has at least one player who will become available via trade this season for a number of reasons.
From All-Stars to role guys, it's time to take a spin around the league and see which players are most likely to be moved.
Atlanta Hawks: Everyone?
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The Atlanta Hawks are, arguably, the most interesting team to keep an eye on this summer, as the franchise could move in a number of directions following a 36-win season and play-in tournament loss.
There's a lot of talent on the roster, headlined by the backcourt of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. It seems almost certain that Atlanta will trade one of its point guards and should garner plenty of interest for both.
Jalen Johnson, 22, may be the only player we can say with confidence is sticking around. He has one more year remaining on his rookie deal and broke out in season No. 3 with 16.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals a game.
Clint Capela, De'Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanović are all names to monitor as the Hawks decide which path to take.
Boston Celtics: PG Payton Pritchard
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The hot takes will fly if the Boston Celtics fall short of winning a championship this year, and there are bound to be some "Should Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown be split up?" questions if they choke at some point.
For now, we're assuming this entire core (Tatum, Brown, Kristaps Porziņģis, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday) is coming back following a 64-win regular season.
This leaves Al Horford and Payton Pritchard as the most likely to be shopped.
Horford, 37, will be on an expiring $9.5 million contract but is more important as injury insurance for Porziņģis, who had to leave Game 4 against the Miami Heat due to calf tightness.
Pritchard, 26, is a good backup point guard who's only set to make $6.7 million next season. There's no reason for Boston to shop him, but if it wants to find salary to send out in a potential deal, he may be the guy to go.
Brooklyn Nets: G/F Ben Simmons
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We're past the point where teams will covet Ben Simmons the player, but there could be some interest as an expiring contract.
The three-time All-Star, 27, will be on an expiring $40.3 million contract during the 2024-25 season, and a lot of teams could use that kind of money falling off of their salary table before the free-agent summer of 2025.
Players like Jayson Tatum, Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, Jamal Murray, Jimmy Butler, Kyrie Irving, Brandon Ingram, Lauri Markkanen, Julius Randle, Paul George and Derrick White could all be unrestricted free agents, setting up the best class we've seen in a long time.
It would take the right team to be willing to take a chance on Simmons and his on-going back problems, and there would need to be significant financial motivation to bring in his expiring deal as well.
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Charlotte Hornets: F Dāvis Bertāns
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Despite ongoing injury concerns, the Hornets have shown no signs of shopping LaMelo Ball, with the core of him, Brandon Miller and Mark Williams all appearing safe.
Bertāns is a player to keep an eye on, though, due to his unique contract.
The 31-year-old is owed $16 million next season in the final year of his deal. An amendment agreed between the Latvian and the Oklahoma City Thunder in November 2023 removed a games-played guarantee in his contract while adding more guaranteed money to his 2024-25 base salary.
This means the Hornets (or any other team that trades for Bertāns) can choose to keep him at $16 million or release the veteran forward and owe just $5.25 million instead.
According to Spotrac, the contract only becomes fully guaranteed on January 10, 2025, giving teams some extra flexibility with their finances going into the season.
Due to the uniqueness of his contract, Bertāns may be a player included in a deal this summer.
Chicago Bulls: SG Zach LaVine
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It's no secret the Chicago Bulls were shopping Zach LaVine before foot surgery ended his season. We can fully expect them to resume discussions this offseason in their quest to get off his hefty contract.
"The Bulls know they have a Zach LaVine problem. Not the man or the player, but the contract," Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote. "A team source reiterated that trading the two-time All-Star remains priority one, two, and three this summer, with the hope to not only get off the remaining three years, nearly $138 million left on the max contract, but also to make sure the runway remained clear for the continued emergence of Coby White as a lead guard."
Outside of White, perhaps no player is safe in Chicago after the team finished below .500 and missed the playoffs yet again.
Nikola Vučević could be available and cash-strapped contenders may approach the Bulls about a sign-and-trade for free agent DeMar DeRozan. LaVine is already on the trade block, with other veterans likely to follow.
Cleveland Cavaliers: SG Donovan Mitchell
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To be clear, the Cleveland Cavaliers don't want to trade Donovan Mitchell this summer.
If the 27-year-old refuses to sign a contract extension, though, moving him now would be the safe choice considering Cleveland still owes the Utah Jazz unprotected first-rounders in 2025, 2027 and 2029 with swap rights in 2026 and 2028.
The Cavs can't afford to lose Mitchell for nothing and could still get a fair amount back for him to restock the roster around Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
Teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, New Orleans Pelicans, Brooklyn Nets and others should be hungry to add an All-Star guard to their roster. All have picks and players they can offer as well.
Of course, how Cleveland ends the playoffs will have a lot to do with Mitchell's future. Even if the Cavs make it past the Orlando Magic, a second-round beatdown by the Boston Celtics would make for a rather uninspiring season overall.
Whether the Cavs are willing to field trade offers for Mitchell will be one of the most intriguing storylines of the NBA summer.
Dallas Mavericks: G/F Josh Green
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Josh Green has been a fine role player for the Mavericks the past few seasons yet hasn't blossomed into an everyday starter the way the franchise would have hoped.
After signing a three-year, $41 million extension last fall, the 23-year-old averaged 8.2 points in 26.4 minutes this season.
This new contract could serve as a salary-matcher in a potential deal to add more veteran talent around Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, as Green's contract jumps to $12.7 million in 2024-25.
Dallas doesn't have much left it can offer in a trade, with just one first-round pick available (2031). It would need to send out some of the younger talent like Green, Dereck Lively II, Olivier-Maxence Prosper and Jaden Hardy to entice potential trade partners instead.
Green makes the most money of any of these players and is the most likely to be shopped to acquire win-now help.
Denver Nuggets: F/C Zeke Nnaji
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It seems inevitable that the Nuggets will become a second apron tax team next season unless they can shave off some salary outside of their core.
Zeke Nnaji is the name that immediately stands out, as the four-year, $32 million deal he signed last fall hasn't aged well.
The 23-year-old averaged just 3.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 9.9 minutes while shooting 46.3 percent overall. All of these figures represented the lowest since his rookie year of 2020-21.
Nnaji has yet to play a single playoff minute in 2024, but he stands to earn $8.9 million next season.
Denver will almost certainly try to move his deal to acquire a veteran who can be trusted in the postseason or look for a team with cap space to take the contract on, giving the Nuggets more breathing room to try to avoid the second apron.
Detroit Pistons: F/C Isaiah Stewart
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Despite enduring another awful season on the court, the Pistons are in terrific financial shape moving forward and may not have a single player making over $15 million next season (assuming a $19 million team option on Evan Fournier is declined).
Isaiah Stewart will be the highest-paid Piston, and there's really no reason to shop him now. Still, he's not untouchable like Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson, who currently make up Detroit's core four.
The 2020 draft class hasn't aged well for the Pistons, as Saddiq Bey was traded last season and Killian Hayes was released in February. Stewart, 22, is the only member who remains of Detroit's three first-round picks in that class. At least, for now.
The Pistons may be motivated to move Stewart in a deal for some more win-now help following the worst season in franchise history, as his contract is the friendliest to match.
Golden State Warriors: F Andrew Wiggins
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The four-year, $109 million extension that Andrew Wiggins signed in 2022 looked like a bargain for Golden State at the time, as the veteran forward was a key piece to the Warriors' title that summer.
Now, the 29-year-old has become a negative asset with $84.7 million still owed to him over the next three seasons. He projects to be the Warriors' second-highest paid player next to Stephen Curry next season, pending a new contract for Klay Thompson.
Golden State isn't going to get much value for Wiggins after he averaged 13.2 points on 35.8 percent shooting from three and was benched for part of the season. It can use his contract figure as a salary-matcher in potential deals, though, attaching some of its future first-round picks or young talent to try to bring in more veteran help.
His hefty contract may make deals tough to find, but the Warriors should at least explore trade options for Wiggins this summer.
Houston Rockets: C Jock Landale
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Jalen Green looked like a potential trade candidate for the Rockets to go star-chasing with this summer until he balled out over the final month of the season. The fit and play style between him and Alperen Şengün is worth watching moving forward as well.
For now, we'll assume both are staying put while still on rookie contracts. No decision needs to be made by Houston at this time.
The safe answer here is Jock Landale, who now becomes the Rockets' third-string center with a healthy Steven Adams on board.
Landale has one of the more unique contracts in all of basketball, and he's owed $8 million in each of the next three seasons but with all three years being non-guaranteed.
Houston could use his $8 million salary in a trade this offseason, with the team acquiring the 28-year-old then having the option to keep paying him this money or opt for the cap space instead.
Indiana Pacers: C Isaiah Jackson
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The Pacers' collection of bigs became a little crowded following the addition of Pascal Siakam. Assuming he re-signs this offseason, Indiana could look to move one of its backups for some wing or guard help.
With Siakam and Myles Turner established as the starting power forward and center, this leaves Obi Toppin (restricted free agent), Jalen Smith (player option), Jarace Walker and Isaiah Jackson all fighting for playing time.
Indiana isn't getting rid of Walker after he was selected No. 8 overall in 2023, and Smith's three-point shooting should keep him in the rotation.
This potentially leaves Jackson, 22, as the odd man out and the big most likely to be shopped to better balance out the roster overall.
Los Angeles Clippers: F/C P.J. Tucker
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If P.J. Tucker gets his wish, he'll most definitely be on the trade block this summer.
The forward has already expressed his desire to be dealt after arriving in Los Angeles in the James Harden trade, a request that ultimately cost him $75,000.
The Clippers should have mutual interest in moving the soon-to-be 39-year-old as well. He appeared in just 28 games for them, averaging 1.6 points and 2.5 rebounds in 15.0 minutes.
The veteran can choose to become a free agent and sign anywhere he wants, but there's no way he'll turn down an $11.5 million player option to do so at this stage of his career.
Expect Tucker to take the money and again ask (this time privately) to be traded.
Los Angeles Lakers: PG D'Angelo Russell
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D'Angelo Russell can choose whether or not the Lakers put him on the trade block thanks to an $18.7 million player option.
However, both parties should try to work together to find a common solution, as the 28-year-old and Los Angeles can benefit by him opting in.
Depending on what LeBron James does with his own player option, the Lakers will likely be over the cap anyway, so replacing Russell in free agency isn't realistic. He isn't going to get nearly $19 million a season in free agency, especially when nearly all of the teams with cap space are rebuilding.
Russell should opt in with the agreement that the Lakers find a new home for him, ensuring he still gets paid. L.A. could use his salary to try to build packages for stars who may hit the market while keeping James and Anthony Davis.
A Russell opt-in and trade would be best for everyone involved.
Memphis Grizzlies: F Ziaire Williams
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We never truly got to see what the new-look Grizzlies with Marcus Smart actually looked like due to player injuries and suspensions.
The core four of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Smart logged just 238 total possessions together, meaning it's worth running it all back in 2024-25 to see if they can thrive with more opportunity.
One player Memphis got a good look at is Ziaire Williams, as the third-year forward played over 20 minutes per night in his 51 games. The No. 10 overall pick in 2021, he averaged just 8.2 points on 39.7 percent shooting overall and registered a negative swing rating on both offense and defense for the third-straight year.
This was the 22-year-old's chance to break out with so many starters sidelined. His role should be greatly reduced next year when the Grizzlies return to full strength.
Memphis should look to move Williams and his $6.1 million salary to a rebuilding team for some win-now help.
Miami Heat: G Tyler Herro
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Miami probably won't place Tyler Herro on the trade block just for the sake of wanting to trade him, but rather to use the 24-year-old guard in talks to land a bigger fish.
It was a strategy the Heat used and ultimately fell short of last year in their pursuit of Damian Lillard. With Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo still the faces of this franchise, Miami could pursue an All-Star guard like Donovan Mitchell or Trae Young with Herro as a centerpiece of a trade package.
The 2022 Sixth Man of the Year averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and shot 39.6 percent from three this season and is under contract for three more years at a total of $93 million.
If no deal for an All-Star guard is found, Herro will be back. If an upgrade becomes available, however, this is the player Miami will begin trade talks with.
Milwaukee Bucks: G/F Pat Connaughton
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Injuries have wrecked the end of their season, but the Bucks could still be really good next year with a core of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez. Bobby Portis has been a big part of their recent success as well.
Outside of these five, Milwaukee only has one player scheduled to make more than $2.7 million next season. If it wants to swing a trade without giving up one of its top-five guys, Pat Connaughton and his $9.4 million salary for next season will be the one to go.
The 31-year-old was just OK as a reserve this year, although his three-point shooting and scoring have declined in recent seasons.
Packaging Connaughton with their Nos. 23 and 33 overall picks in the 2024 draft may be enough to add one more quality rotation piece to this roster.
Minnesota Timberwolves: SF Jaden McDaniels
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No player in Minnesota should be on the trade block with the success this franchise has enjoyed this season. If forced to pick one, though, we're going with Jaden McDaniels for financial reasons.
The Wolves are getting quite expensive this offseason, with Anthony Edwards making the jump from rookie contract to max deal and Karl-Anthony Towns beginning a supermax extension. They aren't trading Rudy Gobert, Mike Conley Jr. or Sixth Man of the Year winner Naz Reid.
If Minnesota wants to dodge the second luxury-tax apron, though, 23-year-old McDaniels may have to go.
Minnesota could try to re-sign Kyle Anderson or use Nickeil Alexander-Walker as a low-cost replacement who can defend on the wing, as McDaniels will just be starting a five-year, $131 million extension.
However, trading any member of this core feels wrong, even as the price of the team continues to rise.
New Orleans Pelicans: SF Brandon Ingram
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Following a first-round sweep, changes will be coming to the New Orleans Pelicans.
At the heart of this change is the partnership of Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
Despite both being named All-Stars in the past few seasons and looking like some of the best offensive players at their respective positions, New Orleans only had a net rating of plus-2.2 in 2,239 total possessions this season when the forwards shared the floor.
Williamson is the superior talent, one that the Pelicans are going to continue to build around. With Ingram entering the final year of his contract (at $36 million), New Orleans would be wise to shop him now before handing out a huge extension.
Plenty of teams should have interest in a 26-year-old, 6'8" wing who's scored over 20 points per game in each of the last five seasons.
This is a chance for the Pels to reset their roster around Williamson and become a true contender in the West.
New York Knicks: C Mitchell Robinson
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Ankle surgery cost Mitchell Robinson his starting center job with the Knicks, one he may never get back due to the strong play of Isaiah Hartenstein.
Assuming Hartenstein signs a deal to return to New York this summer, the Knicks will be throwing a lot of money at the center position. Robinson still has two years and $27.2 million remaining on his contract, making the 26-year-old a pricey reserve.
He is a strong rebounder and shot-blocker who should get a chance to start somewhere else. The Memphis Grizzlies, Washington Wizards and New Orleans Pelicans could all be on the hunt for a center this offseason with a trade for Robinson serving as an answer.
A new core of Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, OG Anunoby, Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart and Hartenstein has begun to take shape in New York. Robinson no longer fits.
Oklahoma City Thunder: G Josh Giddey
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Josh Giddey is still an important part of the young Thunder, although not as much as in previous years.
The addition of Chet Holmgren and the emergence of Jalen Williams led to Giddey seeing a decrease in shot attempts, scoring, rebounding and assists this season while his minutes were cut to just 25.1 a game.
The 21-year-old would draw a lot of attention on the trade market, as 6'8" point guards with his kind of versatility don't come around very often. If the Thunder don't feel like they can pay all of their young players max or near-max deals, he could be the odd man out.
OKC doesn't need to shop Giddey for draft picks, and it probably only moves him if it gets some win-now talent back in return. There's no reason to trade the Australian now, but Sam Presti and company should at least listen to incoming phone calls and see what value exists.
Orlando Magic: C Wendell Carter Jr.
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The Orlando Magic are quickly building a contender that should last for years to come. The center position is still a bit in flux, though, especially after Wendell Carter Jr. took a step back this season.
The 25-year-old saw his numbers fall across the board (11.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.5 blocks in 25.6 minutes) while Orlando turned to Goga Bitadze and Jonathan Isaac at times for heavy center minutes.
This isn't to say Carter will be traded this summer, but he shouldn't be viewed as an untouchable member of the core.
Isaac's impact has been tremendous when he's been able to stay healthy, with a swing rating of plus-9.6. Orlando allowed 7.8 fewer points per 100 possessions with him on the floor, ranking in the 94th percentile.
The Magic may keep both, although Carter's minutes could continue to drop.
Philadelphia 76ers: C Paul Reed
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There's not many players to choose from in Philly for this list, as Joel Embiid is the only player on a guaranteed contract for 2024-25. Yes, you read that right.
Paul Reed's deal only becomes guaranteed if the 76ers advance past the first round of the playoffs. Tyrese Maxey is a restricted free agent. Ricky Council IV is on a non-guaranteed deal, and the Sixers hold a club option on Jeff Dowtin.
Unless he demands a trade (and that may not even matter), Embiid isn't going anywhere. This brings us to Reed, who's actually great value at $7.7 million.
It's going to be a wild offseason for a Sixers team loaded with cap space and potentially 14 roster spots to fill.
Phoenix Suns: G Bradley Beal
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It's easy to say now the Bradley Beal trade was unnecessary, expensive and shouldn't have been made by the Suns following a first-round sweep by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
It was also easy to say last offseason when Phoenix first made the deal.
Beal now stands to make over $160 million the next three years and has full no-trade protection even if the Suns could find a deal.
The 30-year-old shooting guard isn't a bad player, but he's extremely overpaid and doesn't fit what this Phoenix team needs.
A trade is possible, but don't expect a big return. A team desperate for a star guard like the Los Angeles Lakers or Miami Heat could have interest if it's struck out on previous targets first.
Portland Trail Blazers: G Malcolm Brogdon
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Malcolm Brogdon looked like a rental after ending up with the Blazers in the trade that sent Jrue Holiday to the Boston Celtics.
Surprisingly, though, Portland held on to the veteran point guard past the trade deadline when a lot of contenders could have used him.
Now entering the final year of his contract at $22.5 million, his value will only decrease if the Blazers keep him into the season. Trading him now gives the 31-year-old time to adjust to a new city and join his teammates for training camp.
He is still a productive player no matter what role he plays, averaging 17.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.8 assists and shooting 42.6 percent from three in 25 starts.
The rebuilding Blazers should move Brogdon this summer and listen to offers for Jerami Grant as well.
Sacramento Kings: F Harrison Barnes
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Outside of De'Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray, no player should feel safe in Sacramento after the Kings failed to reach the playoffs.
Harrison Barnes has been a steady starter in Sacramento for the last five-and-a-half years, but he may be more valuable as a salary-match in a potential trade. The 31-year-old is owed $18 million next season and $19 million in 2025-26.
The Kings seem hungry for another star after sniffing around a Pascal Siakam deal before the deadline. Packaging Barnes and Kevin Huerter together would result in $34.8 million worth of salary, enough to make some competitive offers with draft picks thrown in.
After his scoring dropped to just 12.2 points per game this season, Barnes could be on the move.
San Antonio Spurs: F Keldon Johnson
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Keldon Johnson started all but three games over a three-year stretch for the Spurs from 2020-23, but he was dropped from the opening lineup just before Christmas this season.
The 24-year-old no longer looks like a core piece for San Antonio moving forward, yet he is projected to be the team's second-highest paid player behind Devin Vassell in 2024-25.
The Spurs need a point guard either via the draft, free agency or through a trade. Moving Johnson in a potential deal for a starting floor general is a good option, especially if it leads to a reunion with Dejounte Murray.
San Antonio shouldn't be afraid to speed up the rebuild and try to win now around Victor Wembaynama, even if it means moving Johnson for more veteran help.
Toronto Raptors: G/F Bruce Brown
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The Raptors hold a $23 million team option on Bruce Brown for next season. Toronto could opt for the cap space or look to move the versatile wing for some picks or young players.
A key contributor in the Denver Nuggets' championship run last year, the 27-year-old carries an immense amount of value to a contender with his shooting, ball-handling, defense and overall energy. He doesn't fit on a rebuilding Toronto team and should be shopped.
The Raptors could also look to move center Jakob Poeltl who was re-signed last offseason when this was a different-looking roster. The Austrian, 28, is limited offensively but plays good defense, rebounds and operates within his role.
With a new-look core around Scottie Barnes, Toronto should again be open for business.
Utah Jazz: G Jordan Clarkson
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From winning Sixth Man of the Year in 2021 to averaging over 20 points per game as a starter, Jordan Clarkson has enjoyed a successful four-and-a-half years in Utah.
With the team going through a mini rebuild right now, though, it's time to move on.
The 31-year-old is still an instant offense kind of scorer who is probably best suited to a Sixth Man role moving forward. He put up 17.1 points and 5.0 assists this past season yet saw his shooting efficiency drop (29.4 percent from three). Playing next to a more traditional point guard would likely help.
Plenty of teams should call about Clarkson, especially since his salary drops to $14.1 million next season. He's a relatively easy salary-match for teams that need a scoring punch off the bench.
Utah already has a massive collection of draft picks and should be open to some young talent or draft equity in exchange for Clarkson.
Washington Wizards: F Kyle Kuzma
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As much as the Wizards may want to trade Jordan Poole, Kyle Kuzma remains the most likely player to be dealt this summer.
The 28-year-old forward has a favorable contract (three years, $64 million) and is a skilled scorer and improved passer who would immediately beef up any contender's frontcourt.
He's also the only player the Wizards could get a first-round pick in return for, an important factor for a rebuilding franchise that still owes a future first to the New York Knicks (top-10 protected in 2025 and top-eight protected in 2026).
Kuzma ha said all the right things about staying in Washington, but a trade would benefit everyone involved.
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