NBA Rumors, Top Trade Buzz amid 2025 NBA Finals Bracket Before the Draft, Free Agency
The 2024-25 NBA season isn't over quite yet. The Finals kicked off on Thursday, and the underdog Indiana Pacers managed to take a 1-0 lead. The series may have a long way to go, but teams other than Indiana and the Oklahoma City Thunder are already looking ahead to the looming offseason.
Several teams that fell short this season will be looking to make trades to better their positions for next season and/or beyond.
With the Finals underway, the 2025 draft slated for June 25 and free agency less than a month away, now's the perfect time to dive into some of the latest trade buzz.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Could Be First Domino To Drop
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A few big names are likely to enter the trade market this offseason, including Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant and Milwaukee Bucks standout Giannis Antetokounmpo.
While Durant's situation is certainly intriguing, he may have to wait for Antetokounmpo's situation to solidify before becoming the offseason focal point.
"The expectation persists that Durant will ultimately reach the trade market this offseason, but it might not happen until there is clarity on whether Giannis Antetokounmpo will be staying in Milwaukee or seeking a trade of his own," NBA reporter Marc Stein recently wrote in his Substack (h/t Kurt Helin of NBC Sports).
ESPN's Shams Charania reported in early May that Antetokounmpo is "open-minded about exploring whether his best long-term fit is remaining in Milwaukee or playing elsewhere."
Of course, there's no guarantee that Antetokounmpo will try forcing his way out of Milwaukee, and some recent buzz suggests that the Bucks may not actually make him available.
"Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo remains a target, team sources said, but there has been recent uncertainty in the past week on Antetokounmpo’s actual availability," The Athletic's Kelly Iko wrote.
Antetokounmpo and the Bucks may ultimately provide clarity well before free agency begins. If they don't, however, movement on the Durant front may have to wait.
Knicks Had Interest in Durant at Trade Deadline
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Once Antetokounmpo's situation is resolved, Durant should have no shortage of suitors on the trade market. Though he'll turn 37 in September, the 15-time All-Star is still playing at a high level.
Durant averaged an impressive 26.6 points, six rebounds and 4.2 assists over 62 games this past season.
According to Iko, the Suns are being "aggressive" in trying to trade Durant, have made "several calls" to the Houston Rockets and have "gradually lowered their asking price."
According to Charania, Durant is expected to draw a market of "four to six seriously interested teams."
One potential suitor is particularly interesting. The New York Knicks managed to make the Eastern Conference Finals but are going to see a bit of a reset this offseason. They've already fired coach Tom Thibodeau and could look to shake up their roster.
Parting with Karl-Anthony Towns, who disappointed in the postseason, could easily be part of the plan. And there's a chance that New York may try including him in some sort of deal to acquire Durant.
Charania recently reported that the Knicks made an offer at the trade deadline and that there was "mutual interest" between Durant and New York at the time. Obviously, no trade was completed during the season, but if the Knicks are hoping to go all-in on next season, it's a potential deal that will likely be revisited.
'At Least One Team' Interested in Utah's No. 5 Draft Slot
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Trade chatter will inevitably pick up closer to the draft, and we're likely to see multiple moves executed on opening night. What we're unlikely to see is a team make a move up to No. 1 overall to secure Duke product Cooper Flagg.
Barring an unforeseen change, the Dallas Mavericks are unlikely to relinquish the top pick.
"As sources confirmed to ESPN, the Mavericks plan to select Flagg and will not entertain the possibility of trading away the pick for a proven superstar," ESPN's Bobby Marks wrote.
However, other teams near the top could be interested in moving around the draft board, and at least one franchise is reportedly eyeing the Utah Jazz's fifth overall selection.
"According to sources, at least one team in the lottery has already engaged the Jazz in potential trade discussion," The Athletic's Tony Jones wrote.
It's fair to wonder if that unnamed team is trying to test new president of basketball operations Austin Ainge, who hasn't ruled out a move but appears content to use his two first-round picks.
"I'm going to listen to everything," Ainge said, per Jared Koch of SI.com. "I just got into this job, so it's all kind of moving fast, but I believe, by far, the most likely scenario is we draft the picks. But you never know what offers come in. Gotta stay ready."
Expect Ainge to do whatever he can to improve Utah's roster in a hurry. The Jazz had an NBA-worst 17-65 record last season and, despite strong lottery odds, missed out on a top-four pick. Making a bold move to provide a little positivity entering next season would be far from the worst idea.
