Latest NBA Trade Rumors on Team Plans as 2026 Draft Approaches

The 2026 NBA offseason is shaping up to be a wild one. The upcoming draft, which will begin on June 23, is loaded with promising young talent. Some intriguing players, including LeBron James, are scheduled to reach the free-agent market. Trades, as always, will also be part of the equation.

And this year's trade market could be headlined by Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.

While the conference finals are ongoing and the offseason proper won't begin for several weeks, there's been no shortage of buzz swirling in the old rumor mill. Here, we'll dive into some of the latest.

Giannis Likely to be Extended or Dealt and Would Bring Massive Trade Haul

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Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis should be viewed as the top prize on this year's trade market, if he becomes available. That's starting to appear far more likely than Antetokounmpo playing next year and declining his player option to become a 2027 free agent.

"One of two things will happen: Either he will be extended, or he'll be traded," Bucks co-owner Wes Edens told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne in March.

Giannis could always play hardball and force his way to 2027 free agency, but teams hoping to sign him outright shouldn't expect that outcome. Franchises that want him will have to trade for him, and things could get pricey.

Shelburne reported in March that the Golden State Warriors offered a package that included four unprotected first-round picks for Antetokounmpo during the regular season. ESPN's Anthony Slater recently suggested that Golden State's offer could be far below the top offer that Milwaukee will receive.

"This is just my read on it: I think they're not first in line, not second or third in line, really, at this point, as far as packages that appeal most to Milwaukee," Slater told 95.7 The Game's Willard and Dibs (h/t Bleacher Report's Julia Stumbaugh).

Slater noted that the Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves made in-season offers that the Bucks seemed to prefer over Golden State's pitch.

Reasonable minds can expect the Warriors, Heat, and Timberwolves to be heavily involved in the Giannis pursuit again this offseason.

Kawhi Leonard Would be 'Neck-and-Neck' with Giannis if Made Available

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Kawhi Leonard

While the Bucks may or may not hit the reset button this summer, the Los Angeles Clippers are already trending toward a younger roster. They traded away James Harden in-season and dealt Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers for what became the fifth overall pick in the draft.

Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley, by the way, recently mocked Illinois guard Keaton Wagler to the Clippers at No. 5.

Could Los Angeles also look to move Kawhi Leonard, who will turn 35 next month? If so, the two-time Finals MVP could challenge Antetokounmpo as the headliner of the 2026 trade market, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype:

"Several executives have put Leonard and Giannis Antetokounmpo neck-and-neck for the best player to try to acquire on the trade market if Leonard indeed becomes available."

Leonard is scheduled to be a free agent in 2027, so any trade would almost certainly come with an ensuing extension. The Clippers may also extend Leonard if they choose to keep him. As Scotto noted, L.A. may then consider flipping the fifth pick for a veteran who could help Leonard and the Clippers win now.

The Clippers' plans, whatever they ultimately are, could be a major factor in the overall NBA offseason.

Teams 'Monitoring' Kyrie Irving Following Jason Kidd Exit

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Kyrie Irving

The Dallas Mavericks appear overly eager to move away from Luka Dončić and the stunning 2025 trade that sent him to the Los Angeles Lakers. Dallas jettisoned Anthony Davis, who was acquired in the trade, during the season. It recently fired head coach Jason Kidd—who may have had a hand in the deal.

ESPN's Shams Charania recently told The Pat McAfee Show that sources believe Kidd "had a level of support" for the Dončić-Davis trade.

According to Charania, teams are now wondering if Kyrie Irving could be next.

"There's multiple contenders around the NBA that are very much monitoring what happens with Kyrie Irving in Dallas," Charania told The Pat McAfee Show.

There's no guarantee that the Mavericks plan to move Irving. However, that feels like a reasonable assumption, given the franchise's obvious plan to move on from Dončić, and really, the Mark Cuban era.

At 34 and coming off a torn ACL, Irving is unlikely to draw as much trade interest as Antetokounmpo and Leonard. However, he'll still be one of the bigger names on the market if made available.