Imagining Every NBA Team's Top 3 Offseason Trade Targets
It might be hard for the 2025 NBA offseason to live up to the most recent trade deadline.
Hard isn't impossible, though.
Maybe there won't be another Luka Dončić-Anthony Davis-level stunner, but there could be a bounty of blockbusters. There could be direction changes based on playoff performances, stars with wandering eyes, clubs looking to cut costs ahead of a potentially loaded 2026 free agency or any number of other factors motivating front offices to make major moves.
Only the basketball gods know what's actually ahead, but for now, we can do a bit of table-setting by laying out the top three trade targets for all 30 franchises.
Atlanta Hawks
1 of 30
- Draft picks
- Cam Whitmore, Houston Rockets
- Collin Sexton, Utah Jazz
The Hawks have put a forward-looking focus on most of their most recent moves, but they need to keep pushing in that direction. Remember, they're working from a deficit, having already ceded control of their next three first-round picks to the San Antonio Spurs, so they can't reap the rewards of bottoming out.
Chasing as many external picks as possible remains the way to go, as this young core, intriguing as it is, remains in need of expansion.
In an ideal world, Atlanta would trade its way back into those now Alamo City-based picks, but that option likely went out the window when the Spurs tabbed De'Aaron Fox—not Trae Young—as Victor Wembanyama's first co-star.
The Hawks should still be on the hunt for picks wherever they can find them, but chasing young talent makes sense, too.
With more developmental room to grow than he's had in Houston, Whitmore has a chance to really blossom as a scoring threat thanks to his spring-loaded athleticism and ignitable outside shot. Atlanta could also have eyes on Sexton, either to serve as a temporary replacement for Young or to pilot the offense when he needs a breather.
Boston Celtics
2 of 30
- Jay Huff, Boston Celtics
- Nikola Vučević, Chicago Bulls
- Ousmane Dieng, Oklahoma City Thunder
Building a trade target list for the Shamrocks is like gift shopping for that friend who has everything. Needs are almost impossible to find, and even wants can be tricky to spot.
Still, it wouldn't surprise if Boston dips into the big-man market. Al Horford is 38 years old and playing on an expiring contract, and Kristaps Porziņģis perpetually has trouble shaking the injury bug. Depth pieces could be coveted at a minimum, and Huff might have some admirers due to his combination of size (7'1") and outside shooting (1.4 threes per tilt at a 41.8 percent clip).
Should the Celtics seek a more stable option than Porziņģis, they could see appeal in adding Vučević's well-rounded offensive arsenal to the menu. Or maybe Boston keeps it quiet and simply looks for a low-cost young player who's languishing on a win-now team, à la last season's Jaden Springer trade.
Dieng, the 11th pick in 2022, has struggled to crack the Oklahoma City Thunder's rotation but remains a tools-y 21-year-old with interesting upside.
Brooklyn Nets
3 of 30
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
- LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets
- Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
As busy as Brooklyn was at the start of trade season, its decision to keep quiet at the deadline could be revealing. Even if the Nets falter down the stretch, it doesn't sound like they plan on being down for long.
They have designs on "going star searching" this summer and kept swingman Cameron Johnson because they view him "either as a very good fit as a role player next to a star or an attractive player to use in a trade to get that star," according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN. The pick-rich franchise is positioned to take a massive swing, and SNY's Ian Begley called Giannis Antetokounmpo "the dream acquisition for Brooklyn."
If the nine-time All-Star doesn't push for an exit out of Milwaukee, the Nets could be on the look-out for a rising star who can quarterback their attack. Ball would certainly qualify and could become available if Charlotte is wary of his ongoing availability issues and its own lack of success.
Haliburton seems less likely, but if he and the Pacers both fizzle out of the playoffs, perhaps they rethink their supermax commitment to him.
Charlotte Hornets
4 of 30
- Draft picks
- Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets
- Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers
This has basically become a buzz-free season in Charlotte. LaMelo Ball is again struggling to stay on the floor, and his second-year sidekick, Brandon Miller, was long ago lost to season-ending wrist surgery.
The Hornets are desperate to find a spark, and non-destination franchises like themselves typically need to find those at the draft. While Charlotte's own draft picks will be most valuable to its future, it should still explore opportunities to add some external selections to the pot.
Beyond that, the Hornets should be hunting for young players with building-block potential. Sheppard flashed that kind of ability in summer league but has yet to lock down a regular rotation role with the Rockets. Charlotte would gladly give it to him, either as Ball's backcourt mate or even as his long-term replacement.
The Hornets also tried to add Knecht once and could still view him as a viable option to help crank up the club's three-point volume.
Chicago Bulls
5 of 30
- Draft picks
- Isaiah Stewart, Detroit Pistons
- GG Jackson II, Memphis Grizzlies
The Bulls might be more focused on the future than they have been in years, but they still haven't leaned far enough in that direction.
Not doing a deadline deal with Nikola Vučević remains baffling, almost as head-scratching as declining a first-round pick to keep and extend Lonzo Ball.
Hopefully, this front office isn't finished and has more forward-thinking maneuvers on the offseason to-do list. Chicago's collection of incoming picks is nearly non-existent. That has to change.
The Bulls should also be plotting paths to players, particularly frontcourt ones, with a realistic chance of growing with this core.
Stewart would add toughness and hopefully some outside shooting to the center spot, while Jackson—an All-Rookie second-teamer last season—might thrive as a quick-strike scorer with more consistent minutes than he's handled in Memphis.
Cleveland Cavaliers
6 of 30
- Cameron Johnson, Brooklyn Nets
- Vasilije Micić, Phoenix Suns
- Duop Reath, Portland Trail Blazers
If the Cavaliers carry over their regular-season success into the playoffs, they'll probably be headed for a sleepy summer. Well, sleepy after any champagne-soaked celebrating, of course.
Should Cleveland again be undone by the logistical challenges of this roster build—undersized backcourt, non-shooting frontcourt—then it could be a candidate for a significant shakeup.
At a minimum, it feels like the Cavs could again go hunting for a two-way wing, a search that nearly steered them toward Johnson at the deadline.
Barring any major moves, though, Cleveland might simply search for some depth pieces. Micić could stabilize the backup point guard spot if Ty Jerome moves on in free agency, while Reath would add a shooting element to the interior mix.
Dallas Mavericks
7 of 30
- Aaron Nesmith, Indiana Pacers
- Ochai Agbaji, Toronto Raptors
- T.J. McConnell, Indiana Pacers
In case this wasn't obvious, once the Mavericks turned 25-year-old Luka Dončić into 31-year-old Anthony Davis, it showed they aren't interested in playing the long game. As general manager Nico Harrison put it, "the future to me is three to four years from now."
If there's a window to win big with Davis and 32-year-old Kyrie Irving, it's right now. So, the Mavericks should be exhaustive in their efforts to build the best supporting cast around those two.
Three-and-D wings should top the wish list, making Nesmith and Agbaji priority targets. The Pacers may need to cut costs if they plan on bringing Myles Turner back in free agency, and the Raptors might opt against ponying up for Agbaji's extension.
Beyond that, Dallas should be on the hunt for non-Irving playmaking. That's how a player like McConnell could land on the radar.
The 32-year-old is one of the league's better ball-movers, evidenced most clearly by the cavern between his career averages in assists (5.0) and turnovers (1.6).
Denver Nuggets
8 of 30
- Andre Drummond, Philadelphia 76ers
- Duop Reath, Portland Trail Blazers
- Luka Garza, Minnesota Timberwolves
The Nuggets started the season on seemingly shaky ground, but they appear to have regained their championship form over the past two months.
And with the bulk of their roster already under contract for next season, this feels like one of the least likely teams to undergo substantial changes over the summer (barring a disastrous early exit, of course).
If Denver seeks out subtle upgrades, backup center feels like the right place to start. DeAndre Jordan is 36 years old and on an expiring deal, Zeke Nnaji has spent most of his first five seasons on the fringes of the rotation and 2024 first-round pick DaRon Holmes had his would-be rookie campaign wiped out by a torn Achilles.
A plug-and-play option like Drummond would be ideal, and he seems expendable if the Sixers would rather not keep his $5 million player option on the books.
Reath has been negatively impacted by Portland's crowded center group, but he showed an intriguing mix of shot-blocking and three-point shooting as a rookie.
Garza would strictly be a dart throw, but he was super productive in college and has some colossal career per-36-minutes averages (22.1 points and 9.6 rebounds).
Detroit Pistons
9 of 30
- Jalen Green, Houston Rockets
- Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings
- Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers
Legitimately competitive for the first time in years, the Pistons might feel compelled to explore their acceleration options.
There could be some merit in that approach, too, as long as the front office realizes only a certain kind of fast-forward attempt makes sense for this roster.
First-time All-Star and franchise centerpiece Cade Cunningham is only 23 years old. Detroit should only seek out upgrades who are snug fits with his timeline.
So, why not the player picked directly after him atop of the 2021 draft in Green? His scoring punch and fiery outside shot would both be need-fillers, and he could be gettable if Houston pursues a blockbuster trade.
Murray could conceivably be up for grabs, too, if Sacramento looks for another win-right-now splash to complement the Domantas Sabonis-DeMar DeRozan-Zach LaVine trio.
The 24-year-old would add volume shooting to the mix and expand the Pistons' defensive versatility.
The selling points are similar for Mathurin, whose name generated some buzz ahead of this season's trade deadline.
Golden State Warriors
10 of 30
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
- Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
- Nikola Vučević, Chicago Bulls
While Golden State's deadline deal for Jimmy Butler helped cover the co-star void next to Stephen Curry, it didn't deplete the Dubs' asset collection.
That's key, because if the Warriors are convinced the Curry-Butler duo could anchor a title run but their supporting cast underwhelms in the postseason, that might be all the motivation needed for an even bigger blockbuster this summer.
Antetokounmpo has fascinated this franchise for years, and he might have reasons to look around if Milwaukee, which has one series win to show for the past three seasons, can't reverse its playoff misfortunes.
Durant, who won two titles during his previous three-year stint in Golden State, was the Warriors' preferred choice at the deadline. And while he declined their overtures, his issue wasn't against returning but rather simply not wanting "to get traded midway through the season," he told ESPN's Malika Andrews.
If superstars are out of the trade budget, the Warriors might want to take another look at Vučević. They need to maximize their spacing if they're moving forward with Butler, Jonathan Kuminga and Draymond Green in the frontcourt.
And while rookie second-rounder Quinten Post has impressed in stretches, the club could be far more comfortable with someone who has Vučević's track record and established skills.
Houston Rockets
11 of 30
- Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
- Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
- Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
A Phase 3 launch could be in the works should the Rockets learn their developing-by-the-day roster still isn't championship-ready.
And since few teams are better equipped to broker a blockbuster, Houston's target list can grow as big as its imagination allows.
Morant might be pipe dream-adjacent, but an executive did call him someone "to keep an eye on" if Memphis flatlines in the playoffs, per The Ringer's Howard Beck. His numbers are a bit muted from where they've been, but he could still seize control of this attack and potentially provide the Rockets with the kind of two-way balance needed to capture the crown.
The Rockets have held "longtime interest" in Booker, per The Athletic's Sam Amick, David Aldridge and Anthony Slater, and might still view his scoring and shot-making as their final puzzle pieces.
Williamson would be more of a wild-card wager, but he has flashed superstar form and could be (relatively) bargain-priced given his ongoing availability issues.
Indiana Pacers
12 of 30
- Cameron Johnson, Brooklyn Nets
- Corey Kispert, Washington Wizards
- Isaiah Stewart, Detroit Pistons
The Pacers feel like they could go a number of different directions based on how the postseason plays out. They are operating on multiple timelines at the moment—Pascal Siakam is six years older than Tyrese Haliburton—and their willingness to cover the costs of Myles Turner's free agency is tricky to gauge.
Barring a disastrous playoffs, though, Indiana figures to keep trekking along its win-now track. And if it does, then an established movement shooter might be the priority target. The Pacers were previously linked to Johnson and should continue to value his perimeter touch.
Kispert is more of a shooting specialist, but he should still get a look since Indy needs to crank up its three-point volume. Stewart, meanwhile, might be a viable replacement if Turner signs elsewhere.
Los Angeles Clippers
13 of 30
- Collin Sexton, Utah Jazz
- Bobby Portis Jr., Milwaukee Bucks
- Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz
A surprisingly competitive campaign by the Clippers could keep them active on the trade front—provided they can find the right financial fit. Per Jake Fischer of the Stein Line, they are "reluctant to bring back any long-term salary."
None of these three players would impact the budget, since Sexton and Clarkson have one season left on their deals while Portis holds a player option for 2025-26. All three also do their best work on the offensive end, which is where L.A. needs the most help.
Shot-creation is perhaps the biggest need, which helps get Sexton the top spot. A stretch-y, offensive-minded combo big would be hugely helpful too, though, so Portis is a close second.
Clarkson rounds out the list, but he could rank higher if the Clippers are fully convinced he can sustain this season's shooting success (38 percent from three, 33.7 for his career).
Los Angeles Lakers
14 of 30
- Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets
- Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks
- Cameron Johnson, Brooklyn Nets
The Lakers might need to do a little convincing to get Luka Dončić, who could enter free agency in 2026, to tie his future to theirs. Those recruitment efforts should start in full swing this summer, as the team starts to construct a supporting cast tailored to his strengths.
L.A., of course, has a glaring void on the interior following the voided deal for Mark Williams, and that needs to be addressed sooner than later. The Lakers need a lob-finisher who can anchor the defensive interior, and both Claxton and (when healthy) Robinson check both boxes.
If the Lakers go the cheaper route for a bouncy big, they might save their best assets to splurge on a three-and-D swingman like Johnson.
With Dončić and Austin Reaves in the backcourt, this club needs all the perimeter protection it can get. Johnson is a sturdy enough defender with some flexibility on that end, though he'd make his biggest mark by helping this team increase its three-point output.
Memphis Grizzlies
15 of 30
- Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz
- Cameron Johnson, Brooklyn Nets
With all of their own firsts, juicy swap rights in 2030 (with Washington or Phoenix) and some intriguing under-25 talent, the Grizzlies could have the assets needed to take a big swing this summer. And maybe they'll feel they have to if they can't push deep into the playoffs.
A two-way swingman still tops the wish list, despite multiple attempts to scratch that itch (drafting Ziaire Williams 10th overall, sacrificing a pair of first-round picks for Marcus Smart). McDaniels would be an effortless fit as an all-purpose defender with a semi-reliable three-ball, and maybe he'll wind up on the chopping block if Minnesota stumbles in the playoffs.
Markkanen would be a dream get if he was more of a natural 3, but he's versatile enough to toggle between the forward spots. And if Utah doesn't hit the draft-lottery jackpot, it could rethink the logic between keeping an in-prime near-All-Star around.
Johnson, who was on the radar ahead of the deadline, feels destined to get more looks from every team with win-now intentions.
Miami Heat
16 of 30
- LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets
- Coby White, Chicago Bulls
- Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic
The Heat face an uncertain near-future without Jimmy Butler, and their long-term outlook is similarly murky, particularly if they're committed to keeping the coffers clear for 2026. But with Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro in their prime years, patience may not be a virtue.
Miami would need to find star power to abandon the save-for-2026 plan, and Ball would provide that in spades. He'd also address a years-long itch for additional scoring and creation on the perimeter. There would be defensive concerns with a Ball-Herro backcourt, but the offensive upside is enormous (and at least some of those concerns would be alleviated by Adebayo's presence behind them).
If the Heat can't snag a star, then they should be on the hunt for scorers who wouldn't stay on the books past next season. Both White and Anthony meet those marks. White no longer feels locked into the Bulls' backcourt plans, while Anthony has seen his minutes and shots fall for the third consecutive season.
Milwaukee Bucks
17 of 30
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Orlando Magic
- Saddiq Bey, Washington Wizards
- Nikola Vučević, Chicago Bulls
While vultures circle Wisconsin in hopes of Giannis Antetokounmpo wanting out, the Bucks will continue doing what they can to keep win-now talent around him. That challenge grows increasingly difficult, too, since their aging roster isn't cheap, and they've already ceded control of their next six first-round picks.
Finding a wing who can provide shooting and at least passable defense should be the aim. Caldwell-Pope has been cold all season, but he'd be a tremendous find if Milwaukee could help him rediscover his stroke.
Bey is still recovering from an ACL tear, but he has shot-making on his resume and the physical tools to offer some flexibility on defense.
As for Vučević, the Bucks could be in the market for a stretchy big with Brook Lopez on an expiring contract and Bobby Portis holding a player option for next season.
Vučević's lack of rim protection would be worrisome behind this backcourt, but his offensive impact may be enough for the budget-minded Bucks to overlook his deficiencies.
Minnesota Timberwolves
18 of 30
- Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
- Cameron Johnson, Brooklyn Nets
- Ochai Agbaji, Toronto Raptors
The 36-year-old Durant isn't on 23-year-old Anthony Edwards' timeline, and Minnesota's asset collection is greatly restricted, but the Timberwolves already chased the high-scoring swingman once. They could easily bark up that tree again, since Julius Randle has been a peculiar fit, and Durant is one of hoops history's most malleable stars.
Johnson would be another fit-upgrade over Randle. While the former lacks the latter's credentials, Johnson's shot-making and off-ball utility as a movement shooter should better complement Edwards.
Agbaji, meanwhile, might work as a Nickeil Alexander-Walker replacement. And it feels like the Wolves are going to need one. Unless Randle improbably declines his $30.9 million player option, Minnesota might have to choose between re-signing Alexander-Walker or Naz Reid.
New Orleans Pelicans
19 of 30
- Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz
- Daniel Gafford, Dallas Mavericks
- Draft picks
New Orleans could have had a busier trade season. Was the fact that it didn't a show of commitment to this core, or merely a belief that better assets could be found this offseason?
The plan, per The Athletic's William Guillory, is "to build around the trio" of Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray and Trey Murphy III. If that's the focus, then the Pels should be shopping for another big man who fits that group. A defensive anchor like Kessler would be a dream, but Gafford's lob-finishing could be plenty valuable.
It still feels possible plans could change, especially if New Orleans is unconvinced that Williamson offers the kind of reliability needed to serve as a franchise face. Should the Pels opt to put the 2019 draft's top pick up for grabs—and perhaps other plug-and-play veterans like Murray and CJ McCollum—then they'll likely seek out draft picks to help construct their next core.
New York Knicks
20 of 30
- Robert Williams III, Portland Trail Blazers
- Isaiah Stewart, Detroit Pistons
- Jevon Carter, Chicago Bulls
Would the Knicks be tempting fate by swapping out one oft-injured center (Mitchell Robinson) for another (Williams)? Sure, but New York needs defense badly enough to potentially make it worth the risk.
Williams has only topped the 50-game mark twice in his career, but the last time he did, he earned All-Defensive second team honors (2021-22).
Stewart doesn't have the same defensive chops (as Williams or Robinson), but he doesn't share their durability issues, either. Stewart never runs short on toughness or energy on the game's less glamorous end, and he's been an adequate outside shooter before.
New York could also be on the hunt for two-way reserves. Carter, admittedly, has seldom looked the part over two seasons in Chicago, but when he was on winning teams in Milwaukee, he paired tenacious point-of-attack defense steady outside shooting and dependable ball control.
Oklahoma City Thunder
21 of 30
- Herbert Jones, New Orleans Pelicans
- Cameron Johnson, Brooklyn Nets
- Lonzo Ball, Chicago Bulls
It might not even take a full hand to count the number of trade targets who sit outside of Oklahoma City's budget. And yet, the Thunder are far from the most likely candidate to broker a blockbuster.
Beyond possibly having enough to win it all right now, they are "playing for the long term," as ESPN's Brian Windhorst put it, and must be mindful of their cap sheet with colossal contracts seemingly coming for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren over the next few years.
Still, Oklahoma City has enough picks and prospects that it can afford to overpay for a role player. That's surely what it would take to pry Jones out of New Orleans, but the Pelicans also aren't in a position where they can just make a 26-year-old defensive specialist untouchable.
The Thunder might also learn during this playoff run that they need better big-wing defenders to realize their championship aspirations.
Adding size at the forward spot could also draw them to Johnson, who would fit right in with this perimeter-focused attack.
As for Ball, Oklahoma City could covet a dot-connecting floor general to play behind (or, at times, alongside) Gilgeous-Alexander, and a healthy Ball would do a masterful job of keeping the offense humming without hurting the defense.
Orlando Magic
22 of 30
- Jalen Green, Houston Rockets
- Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers
- Cam Whitmore, Houston Rockets
Do the Magic have an appetite for a major move? One can argue they should. At full strength, they have a championship-caliber defense and, in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, a wing tandem that can hang with just about anyone's.
This offense remains mostly otherwise punchless, though, particularly out on the perimeter. Putting a massive offer in front of the Rockets—or to a third team sending an established star to Houston—for Green could be an incredible attempt at solving this issue. He would immediately up this offense's potency, but he could also grow with Orlando's young core.
The same effectively all applies to Simons as well, though he's a tad older and not quite as tools-y. Whitmore doesn't play the perfect position to solve this problem (small forward), but he might have a deep enough bag to still grow into a third-scorer role with the Magic.
Philadelphia 76ers
23 of 30
- Aaron Nesmith, Indiana Pacers
- Kenrich Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Duop Reath, Portland Trail Blazers
The Sixers seem to be perpetually pushing closer to rock bottom. Whether they actually get there won't be clear until they learn the fate of Joel Embiid's knee and that of the top-six protected pick they owe Oklahoma City.
Still, president of basketball operations Daryl Morey sees championship potential in this group—so long as you "squint a little." Maybe the executive feels he simply has to say that, or perhaps there's lingering hope that if this roster somehow manages to get healthy over the offseason, everything still has a chance of falling in place.
Until proved otherwise, we'll assume Philly is still aiming to win with this core, so defensively versatile forwards who won't torpedo the spacing should be a trade focus.
Nesmith would be on the higher end of the budget, so Williams might be more doable. Reath, meanwhile, could provide cheap frontcourt depth should one or both of Andre Drummond and Guerschon Yabusele move on in free agency.
Phoenix Suns
24 of 30
- Fred VanVleet, Houston Rockets
- Devin Vassell, San Antonio Spurs
- Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers
The Suns tried and failed to build a championship contender on the fly. They should be scrambling back to the drawing board this offseason, as their current situation is clearly untenable—highest payroll in history and maybe not even a play-in tournament invite to show for it—and internally unsolvable.
This maybe isn't time yet for a firesale, but a Kevin Durant deal feels overdue. And Phoenix has to maximize its return for him. Sending him to Houston would be ideal, provided the Suns would regain control of some of their first-round picks.
Bringing back a playoff-tested pro like VanVleet would help, too, since Phoenix would continue aiming for some degree of competitiveness as long as Devin Booker is around.
If the Rockets aren't interested, maybe the Suns could stay in the Lone Star State and hope the Spurs might see Durant as their best bet for flooring the gas pedal.
Phoenix would get additional stuff to Vassell, but he'd help address this roster's glaring lack of two-way talent. If the Suns hold onto Durant, they might see whether the Sixers would have interest in sending out George for Bradley Beal.
Portland Trail Blazers
25 of 30
- Draft picks
- Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings
- Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers
Portland could have leaned fully into its youth movement at the deadline, but it didn't. Expect that to be revisited this summer.
Jerami Grant has been a logical trade candidate from the moment Damian Lillard wanted out, the center rotation is problematically crowded, and Matisse Thybulle could interest some defense-needy suitors if he ever returns.
The Blazers should keep pushing for building blocks, and those are most easily found with draft picks. At this point of the rebuild, the franchise can't have too many throws at the dart board. If this core comes together before all of the picks are spent, Portland could always ship some out down the line for more immediate relief.
The Blazers could also be on the hunt for potential building blocks who are already in the league. Murray's combination of defensive versatility and outside shooting makes him a fit almost anywhere. Mathurin sits a half-step behind on the wish list, since most of his scoring comes from inside the arc.
Sacramento Kings
26 of 30
- Dejounte Murray, New Orleans Pelicans
- Lonzo Ball, Chicago Bulls
- Buddy Hield, Golden State Warriors
The Kings probably need to address the De'Aaron Fox-sized hole in their roster and add a point guard who can make sense of this roster.
If Murray aces his recovery from a torn Achilles, he could be that player. He can get others involved without dominating the basketball, has been a quantity-plus-quality shooter in the past and is capable of holding his own defensively when not overworked on the offensive end.
Ball could be another interesting option, and not just for the fact that he'd help move the Kings closer to becoming Bulls West. His history with Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan matters, though, as Ball has proved he can help bring the best out of them and an offensive-minded big (Nikola Vučević before, would be Domantas Sabonis now).
Sacramento should also be poking around for perimeter shooting. Reuniting with Hield could be one option worth exploring. His three-ball is as streaky as ever, but his good nights still run hotter than most.
San Antonio Spurs
27 of 30
- Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
- Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Goga Bitadze, Orlando Magic
Since the Spurs didn't have to exhaust their asset collection to land De'Aaron Fox, they have enough assets left over for another round of star-searching.
However, their level of aggression could be dampened by the loss of Victor Wembanyama and the fact that this young nucleus seems unlikely to get its first postseason test now.
Still, if San Antonio could sniff out a discounted deal for a star, that might make sense. It's at least worth a phone call to see what it would take to land Williamson. He has already flashed All-NBA ability, and he'd be even better positioned in San Antonio thanks to Wembanyama's shooting and shot-blocking (not to mention Fox's transition attacks).
The Spurs could also consider splurging on a young player with keeper potential who may not have a star ceiling. McDaniels may never have the deepest offensive bag, but his defensive malleability and spot-up shooting should always be easy fits.
If San Antonio opts for subtle, role-specific upgrades, it could use a backup big like Bitadze, who could also handle starter minutes if Wembanyama isn't ready to go by the start of next season.
Toronto Raptors
28 of 30
- Jalen Smith, Chicago Bulls
- Kyle Anderson, Miami Heat
- Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers
The Raptors are heavily committed to their core despite seeing no real tangible results from it yet. Clearly, the hope is those results will come to fruition sooner than later, and there might be enough ascending talent to make it work.
Toronto will probably only be on the lookout for role players, and it should explore options for a backup big with Chris Boucher entering free agency. Smith offers a similar mix of length and shot-making. Anderson, on the other hand, would give the team another versatile defender and additional playmaking.
The Raptors should also have a clear priority on perimeter shooting, since Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and Brandon Ingram all generally operate inside the arc. The Lakers already showed their willingness to part with Knecht once, and Toronto should see if this first-year sharpshooter remains gettable.
Utah Jazz
29 of 30
- Moses Moody, Golden State Warriors
- Patrick Williams, Chicago Bulls
- Draft picks
Utah's intentions are tricky to pin down. The Jazz are obviously tanking at the moment, but with 27-year-old Lauri Markkanen just starting a five-year, $238 million pact, they may not plan on cellar-dwelling for long.
They figure to seek out some degree of win-now (or win-soon) talent, although the size and scope of their splurge may depend on the pedigree and readiness of whichever prospects they pluck from this summer's draft. A cost-effective role player like Moody feels about right, although there could be interest in a plateaued prospect like Williams if the price is right.
Finally, while Utah is well stocked with draft picks, rebuilders can never have too many. As long as Markkanen is fine with it, the Jazz would be wise to see what the market might bear for the likes of Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton and John Collins.
Washington Wizards
30 of 30
- Draft picks
- Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets
- Jarace Walker, Indiana Pacers
While the Wizards are more than a half-decade removed from their last winning record, their rebuilding project is relatively new. Their lack of blue-chip prospects reflects as much.
Nothing figures to fuel this overhaul more than their own draft picks, but they should still be scouring for more. If teams want to part with picks for any of Khris Middleton, Marcus Smart or Richaun Holmes, Washington should gladly let them. There's a case to be made for at least fielding offers for Jordan Poole and Corey Kispert, too.
The Wizards should also be eyeballing young players from win-now attempts who might be getting antsy about their development. Sheppard could be a steal for someone if Houston is ready to accelerate, and Walker might be expendable if Indiana hands Myles Turner a pricey pact in free agency and wants to immediately contend.
