Zion Williamson, Draymond Green's Top Trade Landing Spots After 2026 NBA Draft
The first round of the 2026 NBA draft is over, but the offseason player movement may just be getting started.
While free agency generates plenty of offseason attention, there are also some notable trade candidates ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. In fact, there has at least been speculation about Zion Williamson and even Draymond Green potentially being moved if the New Orleans Pelicans and Golden State Warriors decide to be aggressive this offseason.
With that as the backdrop, here is a look at some possible landing spots for both frontcourt players if either is traded in a headline move before next season.
Zion Williamson
1 of 2
Brooklyn Nets
Chicago Bulls
Phoenix Suns
Williamson has never quite fully lived up to expectations since he was the No. 1 overall pick of the 2019 NBA draft in part because of injury concerns, but he played 62 games last season and is still someone who can post a double-double or 25-plus points a night.
The Brooklyn Nets need one of those players after winning just 20 games last season and have some of the most cap space available in the league this summer. With that cap space, the Pelicans wouldn't have to worry as much about matching salaries in a possible trade.
What's more, Brooklyn doesn't control its own 2027 first-round draft pick. With no incentive to tank, it could be aggressive and pursue a player such as Williamson this offseason.
Elsewhere, the Phoenix Suns have been aggressive in governor Mat Ishbia's tenure and need another go-to option alongside Devin Booker if they are going to be factors in the Western Conference after reaching the playoffs last season.
Booker and Williamson could work in pick-and-rolls together and put plenty of pressure on opposing defenses.
As for the Chicago Bulls, they are starting a new era with head coach Tiago Splitter. While they have some promising players in Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson, they also appear to be missing a player with the potential to be the face of a franchise for a contender.
That could change with a trade for Williamson, and his presence would make life easier for some of the young building blocks because of the defensive attention he draws.
While it may not be a perfect fit alongside Wilson, he could provide some veteran mentorship and another scoring option for a team looking to turn the corner.
Draymond Green
2 of 2
Detroit Pistons
San Antonio Spurs
Los Angeles Lakers
Green will turn 37 years old next season, isn't much of an offensive threat and is not the peak performer he was when helping lead the Warriors to four championships.
But he is also a four-time champion, proven defender and someone who could provide veteran leadership with 169 playoff games on his resume. That could make him an enticing option for a young championship contender that needs some of that veteran leadership to perhaps take the next step in the playoffs.
Enter the Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs.
San Antonio reached the NBA Finals but lacked poise in crunch time against the New York Knicks and blew double-digit leads in four of the five games. One of those games saw San Antonio blow a 29-point advantage, which proved critical as the Knicks lifted the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
Having someone like Green, who has been on that stage so many times, could have made the difference. His defensive versatility would also allow Victor Wembanyama to roam more on that side of the floor, which could lead to even more blocks.
As for the Pistons, they finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference but lost in the second round of the playoffs. Cade Cunningham needs some help, and Green is someone who can handle the ball as a point-forward and facilitate when the guard is playing off the ball.
There is also the Michigan connection, as Green is from the state and played collegiately at Michigan State.
If he doesn't go to a team like the Pistons or Spurs that needs veteran leadership, he could join a team in win-now mode that isn't as worried about the future. Assuming 41-year-old LeBron James is back with the Los Angeles Lakers, that would be the Purple and Gold.
With Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves (assuming he is back) and James, the Lakers wouldn't need Green to be a scorer and could instead rely on him to play solid defense and contribute on the boards.
