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Ranking Top 10 Realistic NBA Trade Targets
The NBA trade market feels like it never really closes, but it definitely has its peak business hours.
And with most of the hoops world operating in offseason mode, we're barreling toward one as we speak.
Since the draft can only grant so many roster wishes, and free agency feels forever short on spenders and star players under this collective bargaining agreement, the trade market looms as a potential savior for so many stuck-in-the-mud shoppers. But what exactly can they hope to acquire this summer?
Well, funny you should ask, since the whole reason we're here is to identify this offseason's top realistic trade markets and rank them based on their perceived desirability and potential impact.
10. Andrew Wiggins, Miami Heat
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Wiggins' name bounced around a good bit during last trade season, and it figures to make another rumor-mill appearance here shortly.
Assuming the 31-year-old picks up his $30.2 million player option, he could immediately become a principal part of Miami's next whale hunt.
He's a touch pricey for a role player, but it feels like money well spent when he's such a rock-solid support piece. He defends across multiple positions. He shines as a play-finisher both going to the basket and launching from long range. He has a bit of bail-out ability when the offensive system is struggling to get going.
Rebuilders and win-later shoppers wouldn't want Wiggins, but anyone eyeing competitiveness next season might. He is someone who can be trusted to execute his role, and that consistency and stability goes a long way.
9. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
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While the Kings couldn't find a Sabonis offer to their liking ahead of the deadline, one can only assume Sacramento is back on the search now. Few teams are in more dire need of a youth movement, and one of the young bright spots on this roster, Maxime Raynaud, is a 7'1" center who probably can't fully blossom until Sabonis is gone.
He won't be the easiest to offload, since his deficiencies are pretty well-documented at this point. He's a mostly inside-the-arc scorer who can't find a comfortable fit on defense since he's neither a paint protector nor a capable perimeter switcher.
All of that said, his strengths are basically bolded and underlined by now, too. He might be the best rebounder in the business (three straight rebounding titles from 2023 to 2025), he's a dynamic post scorer and he reads the floor well enough to serve as a jumbo sized hub in the high post. He won't appeal to everyone, but those interested might be very interested.
8. Tyler Herro, Miami Heat
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There might be some controversial names on this list. This shouldn't be one of them.
That's not to say Herro is definitely leaving the Heat, but Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel recently noted the 26-year-old "thinks" he has played his last game in Miami and might need a scenery change to "be his best self."
That could easily be the case. Extension talks went nowhere last offseason, and it's hard to see things going smoother after he just had such an injury-impacted campaign and they seemingly picked up a suitable replacement in Norman Powell (who needs a new deal now).
Things seemingly running their course with this club shouldn't scare other potential suitors off of Herro, though.
He's over his skis as a primary offensive option, but he could be a high-end second option or a great team's No. 3. His three-ball is pure off the catch or on the move, his in-between game gives him real downhill abilities and he has great feel for a secondary playmaker.
7. Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn Nets
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Back in January, The Athletic's John Hollinger reported hearing from "trusted league sources" that Porter was "a lock to move by the deadline."
That obviously didn't happen, and the Nets might have less incentive to shop him now since they don't control their 2027 first-round pick and therefore have no incentive to tank.
That said, Porter is ready to compete right now, and the rest of Brooklyn's roster is absolutely not. The Nets should still explore the opportunities to sell high on his breakout season, because that route could prove far more profitable than buying high on his next deal (he'll be an unrestricted free agent after this season).
His supersized role in Brooklyn inflated his stats a bit, but he's still a 6'10" shotmaker with more on-ball utility than he was able to show in Denver. Any team in the market for spacing, scoring or both could have serious interest.
6. Anthony Davis, Washington Wizards
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While Davis has yet to suit up for the Wizards, his days in the District might already be numbered. NBA insider Chris Haynes revealed there's "a good chance" Davis gets moved over the offseason, and Jake Fischer reported hearing "that same trade sentiment floating around the league."
Davis, who turned 33 in March, may not love Washington's chances of competing on his timeline. The Wizards, in turn, may not be thrilled at the prospect of covering his next contract—he holds a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28—when they might not be ready to rise before he starts to decline.
A divorce could be best for both parties, and win-now clubs with shaky options on the interior should be ready to make that happen. Davis obviously has his fair share of injury risk, but he's an impact defender who spits out 20-10 efforts in his sleep. If he's upright, he's a game-changer.
5. Aaron Gordon, Denver Nuggets
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The Nuggets will do what they can to keep Gordon around. It may not be enough. Denver's roster has grown top-heavy and cost-prohibitive. A (painful) sacrifice of the versatile swingman might wind up being the best hope for balancing things out.
The Nuggets would need "quite an offer" to let him go, per ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel, but they could elicit that kind of interest. Gordon is the kind of super high-impact support piece that almost feels foundational. He's one of the most versatile defenders in the league, and he's a dynamic play-finisher who can make smart, simple, connective passes.
Just about any kind of roster would be better with Gordon on it. Denver's included. But with the Nuggets lacking flexibility and needing depth and Gordon being set to start his three-year, $103.6 million extension next season, the door could be ajar for someone to tempt this front office with a Godfather offer.
4. Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans
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The Pelicans might want to hang onto Murphy, but there are realistic reasons to think he should be available. They aren't remotely competitive (117 losses over the past two seasons), and he should be nearing his prime—which, by the way, may see him peak as a star role player and not an actual star.
The question here is whether New Orleans will set a realistic asking price. Back at the deadline, that wasn't happening. When the Golden State Warriors came calling, for instance, the Pelicans reportedly sought out "at least three unprotected picks," per ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel.
Teams probably aren't paying that, but they could (and should) be willing to pay a premium for the athletic 6'8" shotmaker and versatile stopper. Since he'd fit with both win-now shoppers and win-soon ascenders, he could have a vast market of suitors.
3. Alperen Şengün, Houston Rockets
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Rockets fans will probably push back at the classification of Şengün as a realistic trade target. Their lead executives might do the same.
Şengün is a 23-year-old who just earned his second consecutive All-Star selection. He might be the best big man offensive hub not named Nikola Jokić.
Houston surely isn't pushing Şengün out the door, but if it wants to shake things up—always a possibility after such a listless playoff showing—he's probably the key to make something big happen. If the Rockets, say, want to enter the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, Şengün is the trade chip "people talk about," according to The Athletic's Sam Amick.
If there's a blockbuster trade involving Houston this summer, Şengün seems likely to be involved. His age and size-skill combo give him obvious appeal, but his defensive deficiencies and shaky shooting efficiency are strikes against him.
2. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
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It doesn't take a huge leap in logic to wonder whether L.A.'s draft lottery luck might convince this club to lean further into the future-focused shift that started at the trade deadline. If the Clippers think they can find a franchise centerpiece at No. 5, they could be ready and willing to move on from Leonard, the 34-year-old currently filling that role and approaching his final season under contract.
"Them getting the No. 5 pick in the draft is the piece of information they've been waiting for," a West executive told ESPN's Brian Windhorst. "At the very least, you'd expect them to have some fresh conversations to assess his [trade] value."
By the way, an East executive said in that same article they "might" prefer Leonard to our top-ranked trade target, but he's a clear second here for a couple of reasons. First, he has a lengthy injury history, so there's a constant night-to-night worry with his availability. Second, for as good as he is in his specific roles, he doesn't necessarily elevate his team the way our No. 1 choice does.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
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Is Antetokounmpo still a "name your price" type of trade asset? It feels like the market will let us know soon, since the Bucks are reportedly "open for business on trade calls and offers" for the two-time MVP, per ESPN's Shams Charania.
Antetokounmpo's trade value almost assuredly isn't at an all-time high; values don't typically climb with age for 30-somethings, let alone ones who are encountering availability issues. Not to mention, there's contract uncertainty to account for as well with his current pact featured only one more guaranteed season.
That said, that value should be the highest on the market. A healthy Antetokounmpo remains a reasonable response in the best player on the planet debate. He can control entire contests on both ends of the floor and maintains an elite blend of tools and talents.
Teams who aren't in the championship chase but want to be can convince themselves they're just one him away from joining the party, and they just might be right. He is a truly transformational talent; there aren't many in the entire league, and none of the others appear remotely available.
