NBA Exec Reportedly Expects 4-5 Trades During 1st Round of 2025 Draft amid Rumors

Basketball fans could witness "a flurry of trades" throughout the first round of the 2025 NBA draft, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer.

Fischer spoke to one official from a Western Conference team who projected "at least four or five" deals.

Fischer provided a little more context.

"I believe much of the anticipated trade activity will be board-dependent," he wrote. "I've never seen this much uncertainty in a draft order after Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper have for so long been regarded as locks with the top two selections … especially given the prevailing consensus that this is a pretty strong draft class overall."

Rutgers star Ace Bailey might be the first big wild card.

Long thought to be one of the top players in the board, Bailey has raised some eyebrows by canceling workouts and reportedly desiring a very clear "pathway to stardom both with minutes and opportunities."

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman projected Bailey to land sixth overall to the Washington Wizards, adding that "there are still NBA people who'll be surprised if Ace Bailey slips to No. 6." Maybe a team outside of the top 10 senses an opportunity and makes an aggressive play for the 6'8" forward.

The sense this could be a busy draft also reflects how rookie contracts are an even bigger asset from a team-building perspective.

Look no further than the Boston Celtics to see the impact the collective bargaining agreement is having on even contending teams. Only two years removed from winning a title, the Celtics have lined up trades sending out guard Jrue Holiday and center Kristaps Porziņģis.

If a general manager can manage to find a reliable starter or even a sixth man in this year's draft, then that's a massive cost savings.

That calculus might be at the forefront for some of the trades that could materialize Wednesday night.