2026 NBA Offseason Trade Ideas We Can't Stop Thinking About

The 2026 NBA playoffs haven't even tipped off, but several fanbases are already looking to 2026-27.

And "next season" always comes with the promise of a little roster turnover. That might even include some trades.

This summer, there could be some huge names potentially on the market.

With Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ja Morant, Domantas Sabonis and maybe even Karl-Anthony Towns ready to fill the rumor mill, we could be in line for new situations.

Looking ahead, we have some banger trades lined up for each of them.

Domantas Sabonis to the Raptors

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Toronto Raptors get: Domantas Sabonis and Devin Carter

Indiana Pacers get: RJ Barrett, Jakob Poeltl and a top-three protected 2031 first-round pick

"Domantas Sabonis to the Toronto Raptors" was a possibility floating around the NBA ether for weeks before the trade deadline, but it obviously didn't materialize as an actual trade.

Assuming the Raptors suffer an early playoff exit (if the postseason started today, they'd be the sixth seed), they may want to revisit this possibility.

And while there's some sentimental value in Canadian RJ Barrett playing for the league's lone team in Canada, his game brings an awful lot of overlap with Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram.

Now, Sabonis presents some of the same potential problems. He does a lot of his damage inside the paint (like Barnes and Ingram) and likes to operate with the ball in his hands (again, like Barnes and Ingram).

But he's also a dominant rebounder and one of the best passing bigs in the league. Darko Rajaković has the offensive creativity to take advantage of that wealth of playmaking.

For the Sacramento Kings, this deal returns a longterm contract attached to Jakob Poeltl. That's not something they should be after, but it comes with a smaller annual salary than Sabonis' and should be movable again before it expires in 2030.

The Barrett contract is easier to take on. It expires after next season, giving Sacramento a little flexibility.

But ultimately, this move is about getting a pick for Sabonis. His trade value has taken some serious hits over the last year or so, and if anyone is willing to surrender a first for him, Sacramento will have to seriously consider it, even if it means giving up a young(ish) player like Devin Carter.

Karl-Anthony Towns to the Mavericks

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Dallas Mavericks get: Karl-Anthony Towns

New York Knicks get: P.J. Washington, Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford, a top-five protected 2030 first-round pick and a top-two protected 2032 first-round pick

This one will only start to feel possible if the New York Knicks quickly flame out in the playoffs. But if you've paid much attention to that team this season, you've likely noticed that rough patches are often accompanied by fan or online discontent with Karl-Anthony Towns.

That obviously doesn't have to mean that the front office has the same sentiments after losses, but if it could restock its asset trove a bit while getting multiple role players who'd fit alongside Jalen Brunson, it might be worth it.

Daniel Gafford's rim-running and finishing would make him a good pick-and-roll partner with Brunson. P.J. Washington's length and defense would make him a nice fit in mostly positionless forward rotations with Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby. And Klay Thompson can still provide some floor spacing off the bench.

For the Dallas Mavericks, it's hard to imagine a much better-fitting center alongside Cooper Flagg than KAT.

Flagg is the future of that team (and possibly the league), and that future is bound to include lots of point forward possessions. With his own outside shot being pretty shaky right now, having a 5 who can shoot next to him will go a long way toward opening up the paint.

Pick-and-pops between Flagg and Towns could be a nightmare to defend. And while KAT isn't much of a defensive anchor, Flagg has a chance to be one of the league's better weakside shot blockers and rim protectors.

Ja Morant to the Heat

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Miami Heat get: Ja Morant

Memphis Grizzlies get: Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell

Memphis Grizzlies fans may still be expecting a pick or two for Ja Morant, but it's hard to imagine his current trade value being better than Trae Young's was when the Atlanta Hawks dealt him.

At this point, given his robust history of injuries and suspensions, as well as his continued struggles as a jump shooter, the rebuilding Grizzlies should just be happy to be getting out of Morant's contract without taking on too much longterm money.

Andrew Wiggins' and Davion Mitchell's deals both expire after next season, and Memphis will be able to keep building around Cedric Coward and Zach Edey after this deal.

So why would the Miami Heat take on the risk?

Well, for one thing, they're obviously not giving up much star power here. Wiggins and Mitchell have both been helpful this season, but they're not foundational talents. Morant, when he's right, can be.

And if there's an organization in the league that would be right to have confidence in its ability to rehab a great talent, it's Miami.

If they were able to do just that, a trio with Morant, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro is certainly more interesting than the current core.

Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Magic

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Orlando Magic get: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks get: Paolo Banchero, Jonathan Isaac, Anthony Black and first-round pick swaps in 2031 and 2032

The prospect of a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade has hung over the Milwaukee Bucks for years. And if he doesn't sign an extension this summer, they almost certainly have to move him.

Milwaukee, which is one of the worst teams in the NBA and has already burned through most of its assets trying to appease its star, simply cannot afford another season of "will they or won't they" like 2025-26.

Once the organization accepts that reality, in spite of Giannis' age and injury history, it should still get plenty of competitive offers. And one of them could be coming from one of this season's most disappointing teams.

The Orlando Magic are a surprise leader in the clubhouse for Antetokounmpo's next-team odds, and they can send young talent and draft picks to the Bucks.

Obviously, the headliner here is Paolo Banchero. And plenty of Magic fans will be hesitant to give him up, but we're now in a fourth straight year with him being one of the league's least efficient shooters. The Magic have had a worse point differential when he's on the floor in each of his four campaigns. And it's abundantly clear that he and Orlando's best player, Franz Wagner, just aren't a great fit.

He still has potential (career averages of 22.4 points and 4.8 assists for a 23-year-old at his size is intriguing), but the chances of him producing as much value as Giannis over the next couple years are low.

Barring a leap from Wagner as an outside shooter, he and Antetokounmpo would face similar questions in terms of fit, but this is a raw talent upgrade.

It's certainly not without risk, though. Antetokounmpo may not be any happier in Orlando than he's been in Milwaukee, and his current deal expires in 2028 (assuming he picks up his player option). If he plays a year or two and leaves, giving up multiple picks, a young All-Star in Banchero and high-upside guard in Anthony Black will look terrible in hindsight.

But last summer's Desmond Bane trade put Orlando firmly in win-now mode, and it's just not doing that with the current group (at least not enough).

With the right coach (a subject for another day), a trio with Giannis, Franz and Bane could force its way onto the title contenders' tier.