Ranking the Juiciest 2025 NBA Offseason Storylines After Surprising Desmond Bane Trade
All but two NBA teams are in offseason mode, and that means there are several storylines to keep an eye on.
The first domino has fallen, and it was a surprise. The Memphis Grizzlies sent Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for Kenatvious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony and FOUR unprotected first-round picks as well as one lightly protected pick swap.
There are more moves coming. We know that at least one future Hall of Famer will be on the move. Many teams will be looking to add pieces. One of those teams is looking to shed a few to save some money.
Expect it to be a heavy trade market, as there is limited cap space for free agents. Brooklyn and Charlotte have the most cap space, but not many free agents are looking to head there.
Overall, this offseason can provide some fireworks even before the draft.
Here is a rankings from least juicy to juiciest offseason storyline.
7. The Unexpected "Wild Card"
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The trend over the last few offseasons has been to expect a wild-card move that shocks everyone.
Two years ago, it was the Dame trade. Last year, it was the KAT trade. It could happen right before training camp once it feels the dust has settled, or it could happen at the draft.
It could be that either the San Antonio Spurs or Houston Rockets decide to swing for the fences, whether it's for Durant or someone else. If the Oklahoma City Thunder do not win the title this year, they could look to cash in some of their assets for another piece.
The Magic made a big move in dealing for Bane, but they may not be done. The acquisition of is a win-now move, and with the East looking weaker next season, they may try to bolster their team.
On the other hand, the Grizzlies are sending Bane out in exchange for two rotation players and a substantial draft haul. Could this be the start of a rebuild, or is this just a retooling? Jaren Jackson Jr is in the last year of his deal, and this might open the opportunity for a team to try to pry him away.
Utah just hired Austin Ainge as team president, and he said at his introductory press conference that the Jazz will not be tanking. That might suggest Lauri Markkanen is staying put, but don't count out the Jazz from making a play for some star power.
With a new front office in New Orleans, the Pelicans can become an intriguing player in the offseason, with Trey Murphy III heating up around the NBA.
The point is that there is always something unexpected; the Memphis-Orlando trade is a prime example. There will be another wild card this offseason.
6. Will Giannis Finally Demand a Trade?
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Ah, it would not be an NBA offseason if we did not at least entertain whether Giannis Antetokounmpo will demand a trade. Not long after being eliminated by the Indiana Pacers, it seemed more of a possibility.
Shams Charania of ESPN reported that Giannis was open to fits outside of the Bucks. It was clear that his frustration with being knocked out of the first round for the third year in a row was weighing on him.
Those rumors have all but died, with Giannis commenting, "The Finals are different; I hope to be back soon with the Bucks." The hopes of several teams were dashed with that comment as it appears there is no Giannis trade demand coming, for now.
But how the Bucks handle free agency could change his mind. Should Giannis actually demand a trade, this moves up to the juiciest offseason storyline.
5. What Does Philly Do with the No. 3 Pick?
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Straddling two timelines has not been effective for many teams over the years. The Golden State Warriors come to mind when thinking about that. The Philadelphia 76ers roster features young players like Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain, who have a ton of promise. They have also invested a significant amount of cap space in Paul George and Joel Embiid.
The reward for a nightmare season in Philadelphia was the third pick in this year's draft. That opens up a host of options for the 76ers. The challenge for them is deciding what route to go to build out this roster.
The simplest option is for the Sixers to keep the pick and add another young talent. The other option is for the team to decide to trade down for future assets and/or a player who can help it immediately.
The decision will have both short-term and long-term ramifications for Philadelphia.
4. How Will Boston Cut Costs?
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The Boston Celtics' season ended in the worst way possible. They lost in the second round of the playoffs, and to add insult to injury, Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles tendon, putting them behind the curve for next season.
Whether Boston won the title or not this season, it was always assumed changes were coming. The C's were a second-apron team with an estimated tax bill of $52.5 million; they were always going to shed salary.
The Tatum injury could change the calculus. Kristaps Porzingis and/or Jrue Holiday were likely on their way out before the injury. Now, the Celtics might look to be more aggressive, knowing that next season is looking like a gap year. That could mean moving Derrick White or Jaylen Brown.
To be clear, that is hypothetical; a team may offer the Celtics a Godfather-like deal for one of those players. With the C's not contending for a title, it might be something they consider to set up the next few seasons.
Even Porzingis or Holiday could change a team's trajectory. Especially Holiday, who is still considered one of the best and most versatile defenders.
Either way, the Celtics can make this offseason way more interesting if they decide to dig themselves out of the apron more than expected.
3. The Looming Kevin Durant Trade
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It is all but a foregone conclusion that the Phoenix Suns will trade Kevin Durant this offseason, if not before the NBA draft. Several teams are rumored to be interested in trading for the 37-year-old star. San Antonio, Miami, Minnesota and Houston all have reported interest in adding Durant.
With one year left on Durant's contract, he will have a say in where he lands. Whoever trades for him can sign him to an extension similar to what Jimmy Butler got when he was traded to Golden State.
Young teams like the Spurs and Rockets could be willing to make the move, trying to jump a level or two in the tough Western Conference. Both teams could provide some young talent as well as draft compensation.
The Wolves were interested in trading for Durant at the deadline and could try to make a deal this offseason. The conference finalist might be hard-pressed to put a package together for Durant.
Durant has been Miami's white whale. The Heat tried to reel in Durant when they traded Butler to Golden State, and now they are back in the race this offseason. Adding Durant to the core of Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro in a weak Eastern Conference might be enough to get the Heat into the playoffs, bypassing the play-in.
It was recently reported that Durant does have a few preferred destinations. ESPN's Shams Charania tweeted that Durant would be willing to sign long-term with San Antonio, Houston or Miami should they trade for him.
2. Who Will the Lakers Get?
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The Los Angeles Lakers made waves at the trade deadline by acquiring Luka Doncic. Now comes the time to build a roster around him. The holes were evident during the playoffs. Doncic works best with a vertical spacer in the pick-and-roll. A bonus would be if that player can also protect the rim.
So, the big question is, who do they get, and what does it cost them?
The Lakers have moveable contracts like those of Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber. A young prospect like Dalton Knecht would be a nice piece for a team to pick up. He was traded to Charlotte in the Mark Williams trade, which was later rescinded by the Lakers. Los Angeles can also include its 2031 first-round pick if it needs to add draft compensation.
If the Lakers want to get wild, they can start dangling Austin Reaves in trade discussions. He would be a coveted player on the market, and with a player option for the 2026-27 season, it might be tough for Los Angeles to keep him beyond the 2025-26 season. This would be a good opportunity to sell high on Reaves and add some more pieces around Doncic and an aging LeBron James.
Who the Lakers get to play with Doncic and James is a major storyline for the offseason.
1. New York Drama
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One would have thought that after making their first conference finals in 25 years, the New York Knicks might have a calm offseason. That's not understanding who the Knicks are.
Three days after being eliminated by the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals in six games, the Knicks fired their coach, Tom Thibodeau. The coaching search has already taken some wild turns, such as New York asking for permission to speak to several current head coaches. As of this writing, all of the requests have been denied, so the search continues.
The real question is, will that be the only change?
Not long after the Knicks were rumored to be interested in trading for Durant, it was reported that they were no longer interested. That does not mean there will be no roster changes.
Many of the trade rumors surround Karl-Anthony Towns, who only arrived last season. If he is not traded for Durant in fake trade packages, it is for Giannis Antetokounmpo or some other star. There is no clear sign of whether the Knicks are interested in trading Towns, but there is plenty of smoke.
Firing Thibs could be just the beginning of a very busy season for the Knicks, who are coming off their most successful campaign in 25 years.
Mo Dakhil spent six years with the Los Angeles Clippers and two years with the San Antonio Spurs as a video coordinator, as well as three years with the Australian men's national team. Follow him on X, @MoDakhil_NBA.
