3 Dream Trade Targets for Every NBA Team This Summer
The NBA trade market should be extremely active this summer as teams look to not only add talent but also try to get under the first and second apron tax levels.
Every team will at least begin the offseason exploring deals for their dream trade targets before eventually working their way down to more realistic players.
Dream targets will certainly vary, however, depending on the team's tax status, young talent and future draft picks available to send out.
These are the three ideal (yet realistic) targets all 30 NBA teams should be chasing.
Atlanta Hawks
1 of 30
- Jaylen Brown, F, Boston Celtics
- Jaden McDaniels, F, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Marcus Smart, G, Washington Wizards
It's no secret that the Atlanta Hawks have struggled defensively in the Trae Young era (114.8 rating, 18th overall this past year). If they plan to keep Young, the Hawks will need to address this end of the court in a major way.
If financial stress causes the Celtics to listen to offers on Brown this summer, the Hawks should bite. Pairing the 2024 NBA Finals MVP with Young and Jalen Johnson would create an exciting Big Three in Atlanta. Brown grew up in Marietta, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta.
McDaniels would give the Hawks a premier defensive forward who can stretch the floor and Smart was the 2021-202 Defensive Player of the Year who could help run the offense behind Young.
Boston Celtics
2 of 30
- Financial Relief
- Walker Kessler, C, Utah Jazz
- Mark Williams, C, Charlotte Hornets
Given that Jayson Tatum is expected to miss the majority of next season with a torn Achilles and that new ownership is taking over, the Boston Celtics may be forced to become sellers this offseason.
Boston is currently projected to be $22.7 million over the second apron and will likely have to trade one of Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday or Kristaps Porziņģis in a deal involving a team with cap space to duck under this line.
The Celtics should be looking for young centers on low-cost contracts if Porziņģis is traded, especially with Al Horford set to turn 39 in a few weeks and hitting free agency. Both Kessler and Williams are still on their rookie contracts and would provide rim protection and rebounding.
Brooklyn Nets
3 of 30
- Jonathan Kuminga, F, Golden State Warriors
- Jabari Smith Jr., PF, Houston Rockets
- Rob Dillingham, G, Minnesota Timberwolves
The rebuilding Brooklyn Nets need an influx of young talent at nearly every position and have the cap space ($62 million even with a Cam Thomas cap hold) to take on contracts from financially-strapped teams this summer.
Kuminga is a restricted free agent, so some sort of sign-and-trade to get him to Brooklyn and Cam Johnson to the Warriors makes a lot of sense.
Smith lost his starting job in Houston and should be seeking a new home with a bigger role. Dillingham never had a consistent role during his rookie year in Minnesota and the Wolves may be eager to add more veterans following back-to-back trips to the West Finals.
Charlotte Hornets
4 of 30
- Trey Murphy III, F, New Orleans Pelicans
- Anfernee Simons, G, Portland Trail Blazers
- Walker Kessler, C, Utah Jazz
If the Charlotte Hornets keep LaMelo Ball this summer, they should be looking to add more young talent to a core that also features Brandon Miller and the No. 4 overall pick in the draft.
The Hornets ranked 28th overall in three-point shooting (33.9 percent) and should be thrilled to add a forward like Murphy who averaged 21.2 points last season and owns a lifetime mark of 38.3 percent from deep.
Simons can play either guard position and run the offense when Ball is on the bench or inevitably misses time due to injury. Kessler would give Charlotte a potential franchise center to build around since the Hornets already tried to trade Mark Williams last year.
Chicago Bulls
5 of 30
- Jarrett Allen, C, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Mark Williams, C, Charlotte Hornets
- Daniel Gafford, C, Dallas Mavericks
The Chicago Bulls have core pieces in place at both guard spots and at least one forward position in Josh Giddey, Coby White and Matas Buzelis, yet will see 34-year-old Nikola Vučević enter the final year of his contract.
Chicago should be exploring trades for their next franchise center, one that can anchor a defense that ranked just 19th overall this season (114.8 rating).
Allen is a terrific defender who's the most likely of the Cleveland Cavaliers' Core Four to be traded. Williams, 23, averaged 15.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game in his third season and Gafford should be available following the Mavs' trade for Anthony Davis.
Cleveland Cavaliers
6 of 30
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, F Milwaukee Bucks
- Dorian Finney-Smith, F, Los Angeles Lakers
- Isaiah Stewart, F/C, Detroit Pistons
The Cleveland Cavaliers have one of the best trade chips in all of basketball in Evan Mobley if they want to make a run at pairing Antetokounmpo with Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.
Staying patient with the 23-year-old Defensive Player of the Year is likely what the Cavs will end up doing, although it would be foolish to not at least check the asking price for the two-time MVP.
If the Cavs prefer to keep the core intact and want to add some toughness and defense around the edges, more affordable options are available.
Finney-Smith would be a superb 3-and-D starting power forward if Jarrett Allen is traded and the Cavaliers move Mobley to center.
Stewart is one of the toughest players in the NBA who could start alongside Mobley or serve as a third big in this rotation.
Dallas Mavericks
7 of 30
- Kevin Durant, F, Phoenix Suns
- Derrick White, G, Boston Celtics
- Anfernee Simons, G, Portland Trail Blazers
Landing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft has completely changed the course of the Dallas Mavericks, a team that should select and keep Cooper Flagg while still being aggressive in improving the roster around Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving.
Bringing in Durant as a model for Flagg to be around on a daily basis would be an amazing introduction to the NBA and help push Dallas towards a title in 2026.
White and Simons are both combo guards who would begin the year at point guard while Irving recovers from a torn ACL and then slide to shooting guard when he returns, hopefully in January.
Denver Nuggets
8 of 30
- Dalton Knecht, G/F, Los Angeles Lakers
- Royce O'Neale, F, Phoenix Suns
- Keon Ellis, SG, Sacramento Kings
The Denver Nuggets could try to make a run at another star like Kevin Durant this offseason, although Nikola Jokić seems to prefer that his team fill out its bench instead.
Knecht is the perfect catch-and-shoot option to put on the court next to Jokić, with the Nuggets possibly jumping in as a third team if the Lakers attempt to trade for a new starting center.
O'Neale is a reliable 3-and-D wing who made 40.6 percent of his threes last season and Ellis, 25, nailed 43.3 percent of his 4.0 attempts per game for the Kings in 2024-25.
Detroit Pistons
9 of 30
- Devin Booker, SG, Phoenix Suns
- Jrue Holiday, G, Boston Celtics
- Cam Johnson, F, Brooklyn Nets
Now is the time for the Detroit Pistons to be aggressive, especially with the majority of its roster still on their rookie contracts.
Booker, a Grand Rapids, Michigan native, would jump-start an offense that ranked just 14th this season and create a dynamic backcourt alongside Cade Cunningham. Booker averaged 25.6 points and 7.1 assists this season and is still only 28 despite coming off his 10th year in the league.
Holiday gives Detroit a veteran guard with championship experience while Johnson would help ignite a 3-point attack that ranked in the bottom half in both total makes and efficiency this season.
Golden State Warriors
10 of 30
- Domantas Sabonis, C, Sacramento Kings
- Derrick White, G, Boston Celtics
- Coby White, G, Chicago Bulls
Sabonis would be the perfect third star for the Golden State Warriors, even if it meant trading Draymond Green in order to get him.
The 29-year-old has led the NBA in rebounding for three years in a row, is the league's second-best passing big man after Nikola Jokić and shot 41.7 percent from three this season. Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Sabonis would give head coach Steve Kerr a ton of offensive options.
The asking price for (Derrick) White may be more than the Warriors want to pay, although he's the ideal backcourt mate for Curry to play next to and makes a good defense even better.
(Coby) White will be entering the final year of his contract with the Bulls. If Chicago has any hesitations about paying him major money in the summer of 2026, the Warriors should check on his availability as another offensive option for this team.
Houston Rockets
11 of 30
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, F Milwaukee Bucks
- Devin Booker, SG, Phoenix Suns
- Kevin Durant, F, Phoenix Suns
One of the most interesting teams to watch this summer, the Houston Rockets should be heavily pursuing any and all superstars who may become available.
Few teams can make a better offer for Antetokounmpo, who would become the No. 1 scoring option this franchise desperately needed in the playoffs.
Booker and Durant will be linked to the Rockets since Houston owns the Suns' first-round picks in 2025 and 2027. Both would give the Rockets an offensive alpha that the rest of their young core could play off of.
Indiana Pacers
12 of 30
- Mark Williams, C, Charlotte Hornets
- Jonas Valančiūnas, C, Sacramento Kings
- Nick Richards, C, Phoenix Suns
The Indiana Pacers should be careful not to mess with their depth and chemistry, two factors that have helped them reach the East Finals in back-to-back years. Chasing an All-Star seems both risky and unnecessary at this point.
With both Myles Turner and Thomas Bryant hitting unrestricted free agency, the Pacers could use some depth at center.
Williams averaged a double-double for the Hornets this past season. Valančiūnas has become one of the best backup centers in the NBA, and Richards could become available if the Suns move Kevin Durant, Devin Booker or both this summer.
Los Angeles Clippers
13 of 30
- Collin Sexton, G, Utah Jazz
- Jordan Clarkson, G, Utah Jazz
- Keyonte George, PG, Utah Jazz
The Los Angeles Clippers should be placing some calls to Salt Lake City this offseason in an attempt to boost a scoring attack that ranked just 15th overall this year. James Harden can become a free agent and will turn 36 in August, meaning the Clippers would be wise to monitor his minutes assuming the 11-time All-Star returns.
Sexton, Clarkson and George are all on different timelines and bring varying skill sets to the table.
Sexton, 26, averaged 18.4 points this season and actually began his career under Ty Lue with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Clarkson, 32, also played under Lue in Cleveland and George, 21, may be available after being benched by the Jazz halfway through this past season.
Los Angeles Lakers
14 of 30
- Jarrett Allen, C, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Walker Kessler, C, Utah Jazz
- Nic Claxton, C, Brooklyn Nets
It's no secret which position the Los Angeles Lakers will be targeting this offseason.
Finding a starting center is a must, preferably one who can finish off lobs from Luka Dončić and LeBron James while providing some rim protection.
Allen can fill both these needs while mixing in some passing chops. Kessler's 2.4 blocks per game ranked second in the NBA this season, and Claxton should be widely available from a rebuilding Nets team.
Memphis Grizzlies
15 of 30
- Jaylen Brown, G/F, Boston Celtics
- Domantas Sabonis, C, Sacramento Kings
- Jarrett Allen, C, Cleveland Cavaliers
The Memphis Grizzlies tried to acquire Marcus Smart from the Celtics in part due to his leadership ability, although injuries ultimately ruined that plan.
Despite this, the Grizzlies had the right idea and should now pursue a different Celtic, one who's proved he can be the best player on a championship team.
If Brown isn't attainable, Memphis could look into upgrading the center position over Zach Edey. The former Purdue star had a good rookie season, although the Grizzlies should be trying to compete for titles immediately.
Sabonis would be the perfect offensive complement to place next to Jaren Jackson Jr., or adding Jarrett Allen would give the Grizzlies two elite rim protectors anchoring their defense.
Miami Heat
16 of 30
- Kevin Durant, F, Phoenix Suns
- Trae Young, PG, Atlanta Hawks
- Trey Murphy III, F, New Orleans Pelicans
The Miami Heat desperately need some offensive help after getting destroyed by the Cleveland Cavaliers in Round 1 of the playoffs.
Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro remain core pieces, although this franchise needs a new alpha to look up to.
Durant can still be this player, even now at age 36. He averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists and shot a career-high 43.0 percent from three last season.
Miami has the right defensive infrastructure to surround Young with or could turn to Murphy as a cheaper option who can put up 20-plus points a game.
Milwaukee Bucks
17 of 30
- Evan Mobley, F/C, Cleveland Cavaliers
- No. 2 overall pick, San Antonio Spurs
- Alperen Şengün, C, Houston Rockets
If the Milwaukee Bucks make the painful choice to put Giannis Antetokounmpo on the market, there should be a clear wish list of the player or pick they most want in return.
Assuming the No. 1 selection and Cooper Flagg is off the table from the Dallas Mavericks, the Bucks should covet Mobley, the 23-year-old Defensive Player of the Year who averaged 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.6 blocks and shot 37.0 percent from three.
The No. 2 overall pick from San Antonio would be a great starting point for a trade and any deal with the Rockets should involve Şengün, the 22-year-old who just put up 20.9 points, 11.9 rebounds and 5.3 assists in his first career playoff series.
Minnesota Timberwolves
18 of 30
- Kevin Durant, F, Phoenix Suns
- Zion Williamson, PF, New Orleans Pelicans
- Derrick White, G, Boston Celtics
The Minnesota Timberwolves already pursued a trade for Kevin Durant at the deadline, an Olympic teammate and idol of Anthony Edwards. Don't be surprised if the two sides continue their dialogue this summer.
If the Wolves can't get past the Oklahoma City Thunder and need to raise their offensive ceiling, Williamson and Edwards together would be an unstoppable scoring combo when healthy.
With Mike Conley Jr. well past his prime and Rob Dillingham not ready to be a consistent rotation piece, White would bridge the gap between both players, giving the Wolves a two-way star point guard next to Edwards.
New Orleans Pelicans
19 of 30
- Cam Johnson, F, Brooklyn Nets
- Anfernee Simons, G, Portland Trail Blazers
- Jarrett Allen, C, Cleveland Cavaliers
Three-point shooting was a major issue for the New Orleans Pelicans last season as the team ranked 24th in efficiency (34.7 percent) and 27th in made threes per game (12.0).
Johnson would help bolster these numbers after making 2.8 a game on 39.0 percent shooting for the Nets. Simons also helps solve this problem while being able to run the offense with Dejounte Murray projected to miss the first few months of the season with a torn Achilles.
If the Pelicans want to make a playoff push and don't think second-year center Yves Missi is ready, Allen is a high-level starter who'd be an immediate upgrade.
New York Knicks
20 of 30
- Keon Ellis, SG, Sacramento Kings
- Julian Champagnie, F, San Antonio Spurs
- Keyonte George, PG, Utah Jazz
It's probably safe to assume the New York Knicks will keep their core together next season, meaning no All-Star trade targets here. Instead, the Knicks should be looking to improve their depth by finding rotation players on budget-friendly contracts.
Ellis has a $2.3 million team option for next season and averaged 8.3 points on 43.3 percent shooting from deep for the Kings in 2024-25.
Champagnie is owed just $6 million over the next two years and would give New York a reliable forward to help spell OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges. George is still on his rookie deal with the Jazz and could be a solid pass-first backup point guard behind Jalen Brunson.
Oklahoma City Thunder
21 of 30
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, F, Milwaukee Bucks
- Zion Williamson, PF, New Orleans Pelicans
- Domantas Sabonis, C, Sacramento Kings
Anything less than a championship this season will be a disappointment for the Oklahoma City Thunder. If they win the title, don't expect any big moves this summer. Should they fall short, all options could be on the table given their treasure trove of draft picks and young talent.
Antetokounmpo is the big prize here, one that would likely cost the Thunder Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren or both. The idea of pairing the two-time MVP with the league's most recent most valuable player in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is tempting, though.
Williamson's price point may not be all that high with Joe Dumars taking over the front office in New Orleans, especially given his durability issues. OKC should at least check on his price.
Sabonis would be a supercharged version of Isaiah Hartenstein next to Holmgren in the frontcourt, someone who rebounds at a high level, is a terrific passer and can score from all three levels.
Orlando Magic
22 of 30
- Trae Young, PG, Atlanta Hawks
- LaMelo Ball, PG, Charlotte Hornets
- Darius Garland, PG, Cleveland Cavaliers
If the Orlando Magic don't come away with a proven point guard this summer, the offseason will have been a failure. A 27th-ranked offense desperately needs a playmaker in the backcourt to set the table for the rest of this talented roster.
Young's scoring and playmaking combined with Orlando's elite defense is the perfect match. Young led the NBA with 11.6 assists per game last season to go along with his 24.2 points.
Ball is the bigger option at 6'7" and is three years younger than the Hawks' floor general, although injury concerns will have to be considered. Garland is perhaps the safest choice of the three, an All-Star in 2025 who should be monitored in case the Cavs shake up their core.
Philadelphia 76ers
23 of 30
- Jaylen Brown, F, Boston Celtics
- Cam Johnson, F, Brooklyn Nets
- Dalton Knecht, G/F, Los Angeles Lakers
Talk of the Philadelphia 76ers potentially swapping the No. 3 overall pick and Paul George for Kevin Durant or Lauri Markkanen would be foolish.
If the Sixers could land Brown instead, though, Philly should pull the trigger. Such a move would likely have George rerouted to a third team, assuming the Celtics would want to clear salary by moving Brown.
If the Sixers want to keep the No. 3 selection (probably the smart choice), they should be looking to add shooting to a core that ranked 27th in three-point accuracy this past season (34.1 percent).
Johnson is a natural fit at power forward between Joel Embiid and Paul George while Knecht has a bright future as a catch-and-shoot wing.
Phoenix Suns
24 of 30
- Paul George, G/F, Philadelphia 76ers
- Jaden McDaniels, F, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Jabari Smith Jr., F, Houston Rockets
Before the Phoenix Suns trade Kevin Durant this summer, the franchise should make a call to the 76ers and see if they'd agree to a Bradley Beal-George swap. Both contracts are atrocious, although George would make for a far better fit than Beal on a Suns team between Devin Booker and Durant.
If Philly says no and a Durant trade is inevitable, the Suns should be eyeing young forwards with two-way upside on long-term contracts.
McDaniels, 24, is one of the NBA's premier wing defenders who's under contract for the next four seasons at around 15 percent of the projected cap. Smith, 22, can be extended this summer and should be a must-have for the Suns if Durant is traded to Houston.
Portland Trail Blazers
25 of 30
- Zion Williamson, F, New Orleans Pelicans
- Jonathan Kuminga, F, Golden State Warriors
- Michael Porter Jr., F, Denver Nuggets
The Portland Trail Blazers could be a sneaky star destination this offseason considering the franchise was recently put up for sale.
Few players are capable of creating the buzz Williamson can, as the 24-year-old averaged 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game last season. Durability will continue to be an issue, but even a healthy start to the year could help attract buyers.
Kuminga is a sign-and-trade option from the Warriors who can also inject some life into games with his athleticism. Porter, 26, could be available if the Nuggets decide to shake up their core.
Sacramento Kings
26 of 30
- Derrick White, G, Boston Celtics
- Jrue Holiday, G, Boston Celtics
- Marcus Smart, G, Washington Wizards
The Sacramento Kings need to improve defensively (115.3 rating, 22nd overall) and could use another ball-handler after trading De'Aaron Fox at the deadline.
White is the real dream target here, coming off a season where he averaged a career-high 16.4 points to go along with 4.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.
Holiday could wind up being a salary dump by the Celtics to try to dodge the second apron, and Smart should be available from a rebuilding Wizards team.
San Antonio Spurs
27 of 30
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, F Milwaukee Bucks
- Lauri Markkanen, PF, Utah Jazz
- Cam Johnson, F, Brooklyn Nets
If the San Antonio Spurs are willing to part with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, the opportunity to pair Antetokounmpo in the frontcourt with Victor Wembanyama would create a huge star combo that can dominate on both ends.
A core of Wembanyama, Antetokounmpo, De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle would begin competing for championships as early as next season and could have a 5-to-7 year window given everyone's collective ages.
Markkanen would give the Spurs another 7-footer who can space the floor, and Johnson provides a similar skill set at a lower salary number.
Toronto Raptors
28 of 30
- Onyeka Okongwu, C, Atlanta Hawks
- Mark Williams, C, Charlotte Hornets
- Dalton Knecht, G/F, Los Angeles Lakers
The Toronto Raptors appear to have their new-look core mostly in place, especially after trading for and extending Brandon Ingram before the deadline.
Current starting center Jakob Poeltl will turn 30 before the start of the season, however, and may no longer fit this core's timeline.
Both Okongwu (24) and Williams (23) would give Toronto young centers to build around while Knecht would help improve an offense that ranked just 29th overall in made threes per game (11.8).
Utah Jazz
29 of 30
- Reed Sheppard, G, Houston Rockets
- Jabari Smith Jr., PF, Houston Rockets
- Jeremy Sochan, PF, San Antonio Spurs
The Utah Jazz have compiled a fair amount of young talent the past few years, yet little of it has proved to be worthy of a consistent role moving forward.
The Jazz should continue to trade off veterans while attempting to collect more potential franchise cornerstones.
Sheppard only averaged 4.4 points in his 12.6 minutes a game as a rookie, yet still carries a ton of potential as the No. 3 overall pick in last summer's draft.
Smith is also a former No. 3 pick in need of a bigger role and Sochan lost his starting job in San Antonio this past season. Both could use a fresh start on a team in need of their scoring, defense and passing.
Washington Wizards
30 of 30
- Jaden McDaniels, F, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Keyonte George, PG, Utah Jazz
- Tari Eason, F, Houston Rockets
The Washington Wizards ranked dead last in offense and 28th overall in defense a season ago, meaning the team should be eyeing young talent who can help out on both sides of the ball.
McDaniels is versatile enough to play either forward position and can defend most guards. George could be on the market after losing his starting job with the Utah Jazz last year and Eason put up 15.1 points and 6.8 rebounds on 52.4 percent shooting in his 16 starts.
With a disappointing fall to No. 6 overall in the draft lottery, the Wizards' dream target list will ultimately be decided based on who they select with their latest lottery pick.
.png?w=480)
