5 Teams Most Likely to Make 2026 NBA Draft Night Trades
Despite the NBA seemingly doing all it can to make it harder to pull off blockbuster trades (through the introduction of strict penalties for going over the new salary cap "aprons"), millions of fans still love transaction season as much as the games themselves.
One of the biggest nights for trades every year is draft night.
Big moves are never guaranteed, but you better believe every front office is at least exploring possibilities.
Below are five teams most likely to actually get something done.
5. Washington Wizards
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Trading the first overall pick is rare, but the Washington Wizards are in the uniquely strong position of landing that pick in a draft with three (maybe even four) worthy candidates.
Even if they move down a spot or two, they can still land a franchise-level cornerstone to add to Trae Young and Anthony Davis.
Of course, the same logic could prevent the Utah Jazz or Memphis Grizzlies from surrendering much to move into Washington's spot. But if the Jazz, for example, are itching to keep AJ Dybantsa in Utah (where he played for BYU), Washington may be able to extract one extra asset from them by moving that top pick.
4. Golden State Warriors
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There may not be a ton of value in the Golden State Warriors' No. 11 pick, but they've tried the "two timelines" approach for years. That has led to present—and possibly future—mediocrity.
Now, Stephen Curry is 38. And it's hard to imagine many more seasons playing at the level he did in 2025-26 (when he averaged 26.6 points, 4.7 assists and 4.4 threes). He's more than earned the front office's best effort to give him one last real shot at a title.
And simply using that 11th pick to take a rookie doesn't qualify as that.
If the Warriors can pair it with future picks and maybe the expiring salary of Jimmy Butler (who'll miss most, if not all of next season) to add a win-now player for Curry's twilight, they should jump on the opportunity.
3. Dallas Mavericks
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With Cooper Flagg averaging 21.0 points and making a late-season surge to secure Rookie of the Year, the Dallas Mavericks clearly have their longterm face of the franchise.
Now, they have an opportunity to add more young talent who can grow alongside him. Of course, that could mean simply staying at No. 9 and hoping to nail that mid-lottery pick, but they have several veterans that a few teams ahead of them could be interested in.
Could the Sacramento Kings or Brooklyn Nets be coaxed into thinking Kyrie Irving could be a shortcut to competitiveness? Especially with the league's new anti-tanking measures in place?
Kyrie and that ninth pick could help Dallas move up a few spots and land a guard who complements Flagg for years to come.
2. Los Angeles Clippers
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After Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson likely come off the board with the first four picks, the draft will shift to a handful of guards.
And while it rarely makes sense to draft for need over "best player available," the Los Angeles Clippers did just trade for 26-year-old Darius Garland.
That means some team jonesing for Darius Acuff, Kingston Flemings or Brayden Burries may be willing to give L.A. real assets for its No. 5 pick.
And the Clippers might still be able to take their top wing available in the later part of the lottery.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
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General manager Sam Presti has been relatively conservative over the last couple years, but there may be a perfect storm for a trade this summer.
First of all, the Oklahoma City Thunder came up short in their title defense, which could generate at least a hint of desperation, even if that is not something Presti is known for. They also have two picks in the top 17 and already have 15 contracts on the books for 2026-27.
Many of those players are on team options, so the Thunder could decline several and potentially find minutes for two incoming rookies. But the likelier scenario is that OKC moves one or both picks to either move up in the draft or add another win-now role player to help Shai Gilgeous-Alexander secure a second championship.
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