2025 NBA Offseason Trade Predictions: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Devin Booker, More
No star NBA player should feel safe this summer following the Luka Dončić trade that is still sending shockwaves throughout the Association.
This offseason could feature a lot of player movement as well. A number of All-Stars are currently sitting in unsettled situations.
Where will players like Ja Morant, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo and others end up this summer? It's time to make some predictions.
Kevin Durant to the Miami Heat
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Kevin Durant is coming off another monster season (26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.2 blocks, 43.0 percent from three), yet he's entering the final year of his contract.
The Suns have to do something to move past a disappointing 36-46 season in which they paid over $350 million in roster and luxury-tax costs. Trading Durant is perhaps the easiest way to shake things up.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs all had interest in Durant at the trade deadline before Phoenix decided to keep the 15-time All-Star.
The Rockets and Spurs have the assets to go after Durant, but both should be prioritizing younger stars to grow with their cores. Durant will turn 37 in September.
New York is low on draft picks after the Mikal Bridges deal and shouldn't be in a hurry to shake up what's become a strong starting five led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
That leaves the Timberwolves and Heat as the most likely destinations, although one should be far more desperate than the other.
With Minnesota still alive in the playoffs and Miami swept out in the first round, the Heat should already be placing calls to new Suns general manager Brian Gregory about acquiring Durant.
Prediction: Durant is traded to the Heat
Ja Morant Stays With The Grizzlies... For Now
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There's an argument to be made to keep this Memphis Grizzlies core together, and perhaps an even better one to split them up.
Winning 48 games and finishing with the sixth-best net rating in the NBA (plus-4.7) is a positive sign. New head coach Tuomas Iisalo might help unlock the best versions of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane.
However, this offseason is also an opportunity for Memphis to check on the value of Morant, a two-time All-Star who should just be entering his prime at age 25. Durability issues have plagued Morant throughout his career, and Memphis was only mildly better (plus-2.6 swing rating) with him on the floor this season.
Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman emphatically said after the trade deadline that the team would not deal Morant, although that was months before a coaching change and a first-round sweep in the playoffs. It would be irresponsible for Memphis not to even take calls on Morant.
The Orlando Magic desperately need a point guard and have a collection of draft picks and young talent. The Miami Heat should be on the hunt for a star, and the Sacramento Kings are down an All-Star point guard after trading away De'Aaron Fox at the deadline.
Morant shouldn't be untouchable, but his value isn't at its peak after a drop in scoring and assists this season. Expect the Grizzlies to keep Morant for now and see how he performs for a full year under Iisalo.
Prediction: Morant stays with the Grizzlies
Zion Williamson to the Detroit Pistons
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Zion Williamson may be the most polarizing player to hit the trade market this summer.
Former New Orleans Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin continually shot down Williamson trade talk. However, Griffin has been relieved of his duties, with Joe Dumars now taking over a Pelicans team coming off a miserable 21-61 season.
The Pelicans can no longer stand to be held hostage by Williamson's unavailability. Getting 24.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks per game is great, but not when it only happens 30 times per season. Williamson constantly shuffling in and out of the lineup will continue to take a toll on this organization.
Dumars should immediately be taking calls from any team that's willing to take a gamble on Williamson's talent and upside. This could include the Detroit Pistons, who are led by former Pelicans general manager Trajan Langdon and need more scoring punch alongside Cade Cunningham. The Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers or any other franchise in need of a spark could be a potential home as well.
Among those potential destinations, Detroit makes the most sense. The franchise that Dumars starred with for 14 years and later ran the front office for another 14 would be an ideal trade partner. No other front office leader knows Williamson as well as Langdon, either.
New Orleans needs a fresh start. The Pistons need another star. It's time Williamson got a change of scenery.
Prediction: Williamson is traded to the Pistons
Devin Booker Stays With Phoenix Suns
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Kevin Durant is likely to leave the Phoenix Suns this offseason. Will Devin Booker go with him?
The four-time All-Star is coming off a season in which he averaged 25.6 points, 7.1 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game. He's heading onito the second year of a $220 million max extension that runs through 2028.
For now, team owner Mat Ishbia is shooting down all Booker trade talk.
"Never happen," Ishbia said via ESPN's Tim McMahon. "It's silly. So here's what I'll tell you: I have Devin Booker in the prime. In order to win an NBA championship, you got to have a superstar. You got to have a great player."
Ishbia has a chance to put his money (literally) where his mouth is this summer when Booker will be eligible to sign a two-year, $149.8 million extension. That would bring Booker's total deal to $320.9 million over the next five years, pushing him past Jayson Tatum ($315 million) for the most guaranteed money remaining on an active contract.
If Booker did sign that extension, that would keep him out of all trade talks for the time being as the Suns focus on finding a Durant deal instead.
Prediction: Booker stays with the Suns
Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Houston Rockets
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Giannis Antetokounmpo has given the Milwaukee Bucks an amazing 12 seasons, culminating in nine All-Star trips and an unforgettable championship in 2021.
With that said, it's time for both sides to part ways.
The Bucks are stuck in the mud with Damian Lillard likely to miss most or all of next season with a torn Achilles. Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr. are set to become free agents this offseason, and Bobby Portis can join them by declining his player option. Milwaukee doesn't have young talent that's good enough to break through and help carry the load.
Trading Antetokounmpo is the painful but correct choice.
Milwaukee can get a franchise-changing haul for the two-time MVP while he still has multiple years remaining on his contract, including a potential top pick in a talented 2025 draft class.
Every team should want Antetokounmpo, although only a few stand out as having enough assets to go get him. The Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets are at the top of this list given their draft picks and young talent.
The Thunder may not want to make such a roster-altering move after winning 68 games, while the Spurs could choose to stand pat for a year and see what a core of Victor Wembanyama, De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Jeremy Sochan and their 2025 lottery pick can do. That leaves the Rockets, who are in desperate need of a superstar and No. 1 scoring option.
The Rockets have a lottery pick this year via the Phoenix Suns and also own the Suns' unprotected first-rounder in 2027. Putting those in an offer with some of the young talent on the roster would make for a massive offer and get Antetokounmpo to a place where he can compete for championships.
Prediction: Antetokounmpo is traded to the Rockets
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