Dream and Realistic Trade Targets for Every NBA Team During 2025-26 NBA Season
Trade season never really ends in the NBA. So, even though the 2025-26 season is just a few days old, it's not too early to start speculating about potential deals.
Dozens of players figure to be the subject of rumors and speculation between now and February's deadline. And today's goal is assigning them to some potential suitors.
Below, you'll find targets for each of the league's 30 organizations; one that's realistic and another that's more of a dream.
Atlanta Hawks
1 of 30
Realistic Target: Tre Jones
The Atlanta Hawks are one of the deeper teams in the East, and that includes the backcourt. But right now, it looks like most of the reserve point guard minutes might have to be played by combo guards such as Luke Kennard, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Dyson Daniels. A more traditional backup 1 like Tre Jones would make a lot of sense for Atlanta, and the Hawks have a $13.1 million trade exception to help acquire him.
Dream Target: Giannis Antetokounmpo
If the Milwaukee Bucks' season goes sour and Giannis Antetokounmpo gets a little less subtle about wanting to leave, the Hawks could put together some pretty compelling offers. They can trade multiple firsts and have enough young talent (like Jalen Johnson, Zaccharie Risacher or Daniels) and tradable salary to seriously tempt the Bucks.
Boston Celtics
2 of 30
Realistic Target: Nic Claxton
There was no mystery behind the series of salary-shedding moves made by the Boston Celtics this offseason. And it wouldn't be at all surprising to see them stay relatively shallow and take a gap year in 2025-26. But if they're more competitive than expected, boosting the frontcourt would be in order. An Anfernee Simons-for-Nic Claxton swap would do that, while further trimming money off Boston's books.
Dream Target: Myles Turner
The higher-ceiling version of that move would be Simons for Myles Turner, but that would require a blow-it-up scenario for the Bucks. If they get to the point where trading Giannis is in play, they might also want to get out from under Turner's contract. Simons' expiring deal could be enticing.
Brooklyn Nets
3 of 30
Realistic Target: Anfernee Simons
At the outset of the Brooklyn Nets' rebuild, they should consider themselves a potential dumping ground for undesirable salaries. And, as noted, the Celtics have been in salary-shedding mode for months. If both teams could cook up a deal that incentivizes Brooklyn with a future pick and gives Boston less salary than it's sending out, it could make sense for both sides.
Dream Target: Giannis Antetokounmpo
This is another potential Giannis spot. The superstar reportedly had some interest in moving to New York this summer, but the Knicks couldn't close on a deal. The Nets obviously aren't the Knicks, but they do offer the opportunity to live and work in the Big Apple and have a fair amount of picks and young talent to throw at the Bucks.
Charlotte Hornets
4 of 30
Realistic Target: Clint Capela
The Charlotte Hornets will probably be fine devoting much of their minutes at the 5 to the development of Ryan Kalkbrenner, but if they're better than expected, they may want to beef up that spot in the rotation. The Houston Rockets, meanwhile, have a surplus of size and an affordable veteran center in Clint Capela. His experience as a rim-runner with James Harden could make him a nice fit alongside LaMelo Ball.
Dream Target: Jarrett Allen
And if the Hornets are way better than expectations, they may be able to talk the Cleveland Cavaliers into a roster-balancing trade that would give them Jarrett Allen and move Evan Mobley to the 5 in Cleveland. It would surely take some sweeteners from Charlotte's side, but the Hornets may have enough to get it done.
Chicago Bulls
5 of 30
Realistic Target: Anfernee Simons
The Chicago Bulls are another potential landing spot for Simons. Boston needs a center. And Nikola Vučević (who just turned 35), makes about $7 million less than the Celtics guard. Swapping them helps Boston on two fronts, and Simons is good and young enough for Chicago to take him on without giving up much draft capital.
Dream Target: Jonathan Kuminga
The Bulls could also offer Vučević to the Golden State Warriors for Jonathan Kuminga, who hasn't looked like a part of the team's long-term future for most of his career there. He's bigger and may have a bit more upside than Simons. And though Vučević makes the already old Warriors even older, his shooting and willingness to pass would fit well in Golden State's system.
Cleveland Cavaliers
6 of 30
Realistic Target: Santi Aldama
The Cleveland Cavaliers don't really need to make a trade, but if they do, it seems like it would be to either break up the Donovan Mitchell-Darius Garland pairing or the Evan Mobley-Jarrett Allen one. The latter feels likelier, and if Allen were moved, it would make sense to bring in a forward who'd bump Mobley to the 5. Cleveland already had a juggernaut-like offense in 2024-25, but Aldama's perimeter skills could make it even more dangerous.
Dream Target: Franz Wagner
Moving Garland would be pretty surprising, but his game and the fact that his salary is almost doubles Allen's could open the door to some pretty interesting returns. Would the Orlando Magic think Garland, with his outside shooting and playmaking, is a better fit with Paolo Banchero? For Cleveland, moving Mitchell to the 1 and starting him with Wagner, Mobley and Allen, would certainly improve the defense. This would be a high-risk, high-reward type swap for both teams.
Dallas Mavericks
7 of 30
Realistic Target: Kyle Anderson
The Utah Jazz may be posturing like they're going to keep Lauri Markkanen, but if they eventually relent on that, there could be a fire sale for the rest of their veterans. Heck, even if they don't move Markkanen, it's hard to see a long-term future for players like Kyle Anderson or Kevin Love with the rebuilding Jazz. And while the Dallas Mavericks are waiting for Kyrie Irving's return, they could use a little playmaking boost from Anderson.
Dream Target: LeBron James
The idea of LeBron James joining former teammates Kyrie and Anthony Davis in Dallas surfaced more than once this past summer. And while Dallas would have to stack up a lot of contracts to make a deal, a "Last Dance" style run for those three would be fun. And high-level playoff experience for Cooper Flagg could serve him well in the future.
Denver Nuggets
8 of 30
Realistic Target: A protected second-round pick
Right now, the Denver Nuggets are just about $400,000 above the luxury-tax line, and they have a player making over $8 million who probably won't be in the rotation. If they can find anyone to take Zeke Nnaji's contract off their hands, even for little more than a top-55 protected second-round pick, it'd be worth it. His salary fits under the room mid-level exception, so a team like the Nets could just absorb Nnaji's money.
Dream Target: Ayo Dosunmu
Denver could also duck the tax by swapping Nnaji for a role player who makes less than him, but that would probably require the Nuggets to surrender a pick swap. A combo guard like Ayo Dosunmu might be worth it for the backcourt depth.
Detroit Pistons
9 of 30
Realistic Target: Michael Porter Jr.
At some point this season, the Nets may lean even harder into their rebuild and shop the few veterans currently on the roster. Getting Tobias Harris' expiring contract in exchange for Michael Porter Jr. would save Brooklyn over $30 million in 2026-27 (the Nets would have to take back one smaller Detroit Pistons salary to make the math work). And as we just saw with Malik Beasley last season, being the go-to floor spacer for Cade Cunningham can lead to a ton of threes. MPJ would fit that role well.
Dream Target: Lauri Markkanen
The higher upside version of that play is Lauri Markkanen, who hasn't been as consistent a three-point shooter as Porter but finishes above the rim far more often.
Golden State Warriors
10 of 30
Realistic Target: Klay Thompson
If the Golden State Warriors coaching staff is just out on the idea of Jonathan Kuminga (and last season suggests it might be), swapping him for a helpful veteran would make sense. And a Splash Brothers, especially one that includes the duo playing with Jimmy Butler, could be a blast. The age difference in the key players here might even get Golden State a pick out of this one.
Dream Target: Lauri Markkanen
The math on this one is tough, but Markkanen could provide the shooting Thompson would, while also being a much better rebounder and above-the-rim finisher. Depth would also be an issue (barring the inclusion of Draymond Green or Butler, Golden State would have to include four players), but pairing Stephen Curry with the Finn could give the Warriors a nightmarishly good offense.
Houston Rockets
11 of 30
Realistic Target: Kris Dunn
Following Fred VanVleet's season-ending injury, the Houston Rockets are poised to try a "point guard by committee" approach with Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson, Alperen Şengün and whatever playmaking the rest of the roster can provide. If that proves to be a problem for the offense, they may go after someone with a little more traditional point guard experience, and Kris Dunn has averaged 6.2 assists per 75 possessions over his last four seasons. If the Rockets want to avoid Tari Eason's upcoming free agency (a result of failing to reach a rookie extension with him), his contract alone could get a deal done.
Dream Target: Derrick White
Things would have to be going horribly for Boston, and other moves would have to have them within a $1 million of the luxury-tax line, but Houston could use VanVleet's contract (and one other minimum deal) to help the Celtics save a little more money in a Derrick White trade. That's an awful lot of dominoes that would have to fall for this one to happen.
Indiana Pacers
12 of 30
Realistic Target: Kelly Olynyk
The Indiana Pacers have some decent options to replace Myles Turner at the 5 in Jay Huff and Isaiah Jackson. And even if they don't quite live up to expectations, Tyrese Haliburton being out all year could keep the front office patient through 2025-26. But if they're in the hunt for another playoff experience, a veteran center who can pass and shoot, like Kelly Olynyk, would make a lot of sense.
Dream Target: Daniel Gafford
A more ambitious target of the idea above, Daniel Gafford might only become available if Dallas comes to the realization that AD is a 5. If that happens, it could be tough to distribute all the minutes Davis, Gafford and Dereck Lively deserve. And Indiana could help clear that logjam.
Los Angeles Clippers
13 of 30
Realistic Target: DeMar DeRozan
The Los Angeles Clippers already have one of the deepest, most talented benches in the league, but they also have enough small to midsized contracts to go after someone like DeMar DeRozan (in the event the Sacramento Kings realize they need a fresh start). As a super sixth man, DeRozan could wreak havoc on reserve defenders.
Dream Target: Jonathan Kuminga
Some of those same movable contracts (like Bogdan Bogdanović and Kris Dunn) could also be aggregated to go after more of an upside play like Kuminga. Alongside a table-setter like James Harden, we might see a whole different level of finishing from the young Warriors forward.
Los Angeles Lakers
14 of 30
Realistic Target: Miles Bridges
The old rumors of the Los Angeles Lakers' interest in Jerami Grant never made much sense (because Rui Hachimura is probably better right now), but that is a position that could use a jolt. And L.A. may have enough movable contracts (along with a draft pick) to get a forward like Miles Bridges without necessarily giving up Hachimura.
Dream Target: Lauri Markkanen
But if the Lakers are going to use draft picks, they should put together all they can to chase Lauri Markkanen. His shooting and finishing around the rim would pair perfectly with Luka Dončić's playmaking. And those two would form a championship-caliber duo to lead this team beyond the LeBron James era.
Memphis Grizzlies
15 of 30
Realistic Target: Corey Kispert
Following the Desmond Bane trade, the Memphis Grizzlies could use a little shooting and depth on the wings. And the rebuilding Washington Wizards could be willing to part with 26-year-old Corey Kispert for an intriguing younger player.
Dream Target: Trey Murphy III
Or, the Grizzlies could put a little more salary and some of those picks from the Bane trade on the table for a borderline star like Trey Murphy III. In lineups with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., Murphy's three-point shooting and above-the-rim finishing could fill some gaps. The New Orleans Pelicans' campaign would probably have to go sideways for Murphy to even be available, but we've seen it from that team before.
Miami Heat
16 of 30
Realistic Target: CJ McCollum
Even with Norman Powell joining the Miami Heat this season, they could still use a little more offensive punch. And CJ McCollum has been a metronome of 20-point-per-game scoring and near-40-percent three-point shooting for a decade. The rebuilding Washington Wizards, of course, don't have a huge need for a 34-year-old combo guard on an expiring contract.
Dream Target: Zion Williamson
There's more risk involved here, given Zion Williamson's injury history, but there's obviously much more potential reward too. Zion, with Erik Spoelstra's coaching and the Heat's institutional stability, could become the megastar he looked poised to be early in his career.
Milwaukee Bucks
17 of 30
Realistic Target: Collin Sexton
The loss of Damian Lillard to a ruptured Achilles (and an eventual waive-and-stretch of his contract) has left the Milwaukee Bucks thin in the backcourt. And while Collin Sexton isn't a traditional point guard, he plays with a ton of effort on both ends and would take a little ball-handling pressure off of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Dream Target: Hawks Core Pieces
If the Bucks are eventually forced to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Hawks are the potential suitor that could maybe offer the most intriguing package. Draft picks (Atlanta owns one that used to belong to Milwaukee), Jalen Johnson and a couple of the young players (like Dyson Daniels or Zaccharie Risacher) would give Milwaukee a heck of a starting point for its rebuild. But this one is in the "dream" section for a reason. As phenomenal as Giannis is, the Hawks might be hesitant to give up a godfather offer with so much of their young talent.
Minnesota Timberwolves
18 of 30
Realistic Target: Dennis Schröder
If the Sacramento Kings' season goes haywire early, they may look to move some of their veterans. And though Dennis Schröder may not be the ideal fix for the Minnesota Timberwolves' lack of point guard depth, he's coming off a EuroBasket MVP and is six years younger than Mike Conley.
Dream Target: Joel Embiid
If the Philadelphia 76ers ever decided to try to get out from under Joel Embiid's contract and injury history, the Timberwolves are a team that might be able to justify the risk. There's no guarantee Embiid would suddenly become more durable in Minnesota, but pairing him with Anthony Edwards might give Minnesota the league's next Shaq and Kobe.
New Orleans Pelicans
19 of 30
Realistic Target: Jonathan Kuminga
The New Orleans Pelicans are a potential Kuminga team that might even be able to extract some picks from the Warriors as part of a deal. Right now, Trey Murphy III would almost certainly have more trade value. And if New Orleans has another underwhelming season, adding to the stash of draft assets might make sense.
Dream Target: Derrick White
On the other hand, if New Orleans is exceeding expectations, it might be an interesting destination for some of Boston's money. The Pelicans could help the Celtics get closer to that luxury-tax line, while also adding a win-now guard who would make life easier for Zion.
New York Knicks
20 of 30
Realistic Target: Kris Dunn
If the New York Knicks want a little more defense and veteran know-how from their backup point guard, Kris Dunn would be an interesting target. And with the depth of the Clippers' bench potentially making it harder for Dunn to get regular minutes there, he might be gettable if a prospect such as Pacôme Dadiet went back.
Dream Target: Giannis Antetokounmpo
The biggest story of training camp may have been the reported mutual interest between Giannis and the Knicks. Now, if Milwaukee did make its superstar available, several teams could bury New York's best offer (it already spent most of its assets in the Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns trades), but Antetokounmpo making it clear he wouldn't sign long-term with anyone but the Knicks could close the gap. New York could also expand the deal to a three-teamer and hope someone else would give it picks for KAT (which would then be rerouted to Milwaukee). Either way, Antetokounmpo ending up with the Knicks feels like a long shot. But there's enough smoke here to make the mention.
Oklahoma City Thunder
21 of 30
Realistic Target: Lauri Markkanen
It should be noted at the outset that the Oklahoma City Thunder don't need a trade. In fact, they're less in need of a deal than any other team in the league. But if they wanted to put Isaiah Hartenstein's salary with another contract and a boatload of picks, they could beat just about any offer for Lauri Markkanen.
Dream Target: Giannis Antetokounmpo
The analysis here is about the same as above, only it would almost certainly take more picks to pry Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks than it would to get Markkanen from the Utah Jazz (depending on how the season is going for the respective teams).
Orlando Magic
22 of 30
Realistic Target: Malik Monk
If the Sacramento Kings realize their mishmash of talent doesn't really equal a competent NBA team, heat-check guard Malik Monk could become available. And though he had a down year from three in 2024-25, he gets them up in decent volume and shot 37.2 percent from deep over the four years prior to last season. Swapping him for Jonathan Isaac (and one other smaller deal) would give the Kings a little more flexibility. Isaac's deal is fully non-guaranteed after 2026-27.
Dream Target: Trae Young
Multiple dominoes would have to fall for this to have the remotest chance of happening. The Hawks would have to perform at a level below where their considerable expectations have them. The Orlando Magic's struggles on offense would have to persist into this campaign. But under those very specific conditions, a swap of Trae Young for Jalen Suggs and a couple of Orlando's intriguing young players could make some sense.
Philadelphia 76ers
23 of 30
Realistic Target: Tari Eason
The Houston Rockets may not be eager to trade Tari Eason, but their failure to come to an agreement on a rookie-scale extension may open the door a bit, and the Philadelphia 76ers have a pretty clear need at the 4. With enough draft capital, the Sixers might be able to pry Eason loose.
Dream Target: P.J. Washington
This is even more of a stretch, but the arrival of Cooper Flagg and Anthony Davis' insistence that he's a power forward has created a bit of a logjam inside. Philadelphia might be able to loosen it a bit with an offer for P.J. Washington, who could instantly slide into the Sixers' starting 4 spot.
Phoenix Suns
24 of 30
Realistic Target: Jonathan Kuminga
The Phoenix Suns reportedly went after Kuminga this summer, and they're still a logical potential landing spot between now and February. Offers that included Royce O'Neale may not have seemed that intriguing during free agency, but a title chase could breed a little desperation in the Warriors.
Dream Target: LeBron James
LeBron James and/or his camp have been sort of passive-aggressively signaling some level of discontent since his agent, Rich Paul, hinted he might be looking for a better shot at a championship in a June statement to ESPN's Shams Charania. If, as Luka Dončić assumes his role as the face of the franchise, that discontent grows a bit louder, Mat Ishbia seems like the kind of owner who might jump at the chance to put LeBron in his team's jersey.
Portland Trail Blazers
25 of 30
Realistic Target: Kyle Kuzma
The Bucks proved desperate enough to waive-and-stretch Damian Lillard's contract to facilitate a decent, though unspectacular, upgrade from Brook Lopez to Myles Turner. If that desperation persists into the season, they could unload one of their negative-value contracts and a young(ish) wing in Andre Jackson Jr. for Jerami Grant (another unspectacular upgrade).
Dream Target: Lauri Markkanen
If the Blazers are a little better than expected, they could speed their rebuild up even more (the Jrue Holiday signing already suggested their willingness to do so) and offer Grant's salary and a prospect like Scoot Henderson for Lauri Markkanen. A forward/wing trio of Toumani Camara, Deni Avdija and Markkanen would boast an intriguing mix of size, shooting and defensive versatility.
Sacramento Kings
26 of 30
Realistic Target: Anfernee Simons
The Sacramento Kings represent another opportunity for the Celtics to potentially shed some more short-term salary, though some of the players who could go back are under contract for longer than Simons. The front office might still think it's worth it if it helps duck the luxury tax this year, and it thinks someone like DeMar DeRozan or Malik Monk could have some value in a subsequent trade.
Dream Target: Jonathan Kuminga
The Kings were one of the teams pretty consistently connected to Jonathan Kuminga during his protracted free agency. And if his role with the Warriors remains the source of contention that it was in 2024-25, Sacramento may want to revisit the potential forward pairing with him and Keegan Murray.
San Antonio Spurs
27 of 30
Realistic Target: Lauri Markkanen
The San Antonio Spurs could compete for a playoff spot without any drastic moves this season, but they could also justify a big swing. Victor Wembanyama is ready to compete for a title now, and swapping a couple less experienced players and a pick or two for Lauri Markkanen would help him get there.
Dream Target: Giannis Antetokounmpo
San Antonio could get even more ambitious and offer the Markkanen package (with a little extra juice) to the Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo. He and Wemby could combine to be potentially the most physically imposing frontcourt in league history. And their games would complement each other pretty well too, with Wemby's perimeter skills creating space inside for Giannis, and Giannis' slashing dragging defenders away from Wemby.
Toronto Raptors
28 of 30
Realistic Target: Terry Rozier
There's a world in which the games of RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram mesh a bit better than expected and the Toronto Raptors compete for a top-six seed in the East, but the lack of outside shooting from those three could make them clash. And in that case, they may look to convert Barrett or Ingram into a little financial flexibility (in the form of Terry Rozier's expiring deal) and a pick or two.
Dream Target: Joel Embiid
If the Sixers season goes as disastrously as 2024-25 did, Philadelphia might look to unload Embiid's contract. With his injury history, a deal that runs through 2028-29 could be disastrous, but Toronto is devoid of superstar power and might be willing to take the risk. Picks would almost certainly be involved, but Ingram and Jakob Poeltl for Embiid and Kyle Lowry works under the collective bargaining agreement.
Utah Jazz
29 of 30
Realistic Target: Ron Holland
If the Utah Jazz eventually trade Lauri Markkanen, you have to think they'll want some combination of salary filler, young talent and picks. And the Pistons, who can check all three of those boxes in an offer, are one of the most obvious potential Markkanen suitors. Ron Holland fits the young-talent billing and would combine with Ace Bailey to make an intriguing forward combo for Utah.
Dream Target: Stephon Castle or Dylan Harper
The Spurs make a ton of sense for Markkanen, too. His no-frills, high-efficiency finishing would complement Victor Wembanyama's game perfectly. But he may have to play for a few months like he did in his first two seasons with the Jazz to get San Antonio to part with either of Stephon Castle or Dylan Harper. After a 2024-25 in which he played 47 games and shot 34.6 percent from deep, Markkanen's trade value could use some rehabbing.
Washington Wizards
30 of 30
Realistic Target: Jalen Green
Imagine the Suns' season goes haywire in a hurry and the front office wants to open up some future cap flexibility. In that case, the Washington Wizards are exactly the kind of team that should be looking to take on longer-term, potentially bad contracts in exchange for one of their expiring deals (CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton). And in the case of 23-year-old Jalen Green, there might even be a little upside to uncover still.
Dream Target: LaMelo Ball
The Wizards have a trove of picks and young players, but it's hard to point to a single prospect with legitimate superstar upside. If the Hornets appear to be spinning their wheels once again, they might entertain an offer of McCollum or Middleton, one or two of those young Wizards and a few picks for LaMelo Ball.
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