Every season after Dec. 15, most of the contracts around the league become eligible to be moved, kick-starting serious trade discussions. Last season didn't feature any major trades until the Luka Doncic bombshell hit in February, but more minor trades including Dennis Schroder and Dorian Finney-Smith happened shortly after that December date
The 2025-26 season may not have a trade quite as stunning as Doncic going to the Lakers, but there is a good chance that a superstar will be moved. There is already a ton of smoke around Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis and others.
Some of those names are more likely than others to actually switch teams. Here are the top nine superstars who could get moved, ranked from most to least likely, along with probable landing spots for each of them.
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NBA trade rumors 2025: Players most likely to be traded
1. Anthony Davis, Mavericks
Most likely destinations: Pistons, Hawks, Bulls, Raptors
The Mavericks are open to exploring the trade market for Davis, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. That makes sense given they are a team with Play-In aspirations at best and need to retool around Rookie of the Year candidate Cooper Flagg.
The Mavs have a very narrow window to tank. This will be the last year that they control their own pick until 2031. Davis won't be around the next time that the team is in championship contention. And given that he's turning 33 in March, his trade value will only continue to drop.
The Bulls have had internal conversations about adding Davis, per ESPN's Jamal Collier. They have seven expiring contracts on their roster, headlined by Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu. Dallas could use either on their guard-starved roster, and they have multiple first-round picks to throw in as well.
The Hawks could also use big man depth at a buy-low price. Kristaps Porzingis' ongoing health issues and expiring $30.7 million contract could be the basis for a deal, along with draft equity and some young prospects to help Dallas' rebuild.
The Raptors are looking to upgrade their center depth. Jakob Poeltl's back issues have reduced his effectiveness, and they have started to cool from their hot start to the year.
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Most likely destinations: Knicks, Heat, Hawks, Pistons, Rockets, Spurs
It's still not clear if the Bucks will try to move Giannis or try to add pieces around him in order to convince him to stay. The latter could be a possibility, according to The Stein Line's Jake Fischer and The Athletic's Eric Nehm. The problem with that approach is that Milwaukee doesn't have enough to bring in anyone good enough to significantly improve their middling team.
The Bucks have been a first-round exit over their past three seasons. They're going to have to move Giannis sooner or later. Rather than digging a deeper hole, they could have a come-to-Jesus moment before this year's trade deadline and move him while his value is still at its highest.
The Knicks have had discussions with the Bucks over the offseason and appear to be Giannis' preferred destination, but they'd have to pull apart a team that just won the NBA Cup and looks like a strong favorite to make the Finals in order to acquire him. They also can't offer close to the best package.
The Hawks might make the most sense. Breakout star Jalen Johnson is from Wisconsin, and Atlanta controls the Pelicans' pick with great odds at becoming No. 1 in this upcoming draft. They seem reticent to part with either of those assets though.
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3. Domantas Sabonis, Kings
Most likely destinations: Raptors, Bulls
The Kings have been one of the most disappointing teams in the league. It's clear that their roster doesn't fit together at all. Sabonis' role in particular has changed drastically from when he was making All-Star games. He needs a new team where his passing and screening can be more optimized. He's been frustrated with the changes, according to HoopsHype's Mike Scotto. And most of the Kings' roster is available, according to Fisher.
The Bulls have been linked to Sabonis in the past. After starting the year out hot, Nikola Vucevic has seen his role diminish. Chicago needs an upgrade from the 35-year-old, who is on an expiring deal.
The Raptors similarly could use an upgrade from Poeltl, which has them linked to both Sabonis and AD.
4. Lauri Markkanen, Jazz
Most likely destinations: Pistons, Grizzlies, Spurs
The Jazz have publicly rebuffed the idea that they would move Markkanen, but at some point it just doesn't make sense to hold onto the resurgent star. The Jazz are well below.500 in an ultra-competitive West, and they are unlikely to compete throughout the remaining four years left on his deal.
Markkanen has done a ton of losing. He's been a good soldier, but at age 28 he's entering his prime and could be the missing piece on a number of contending teams. The best fit for him is the Pistons, who could use more 3-point shooting and an upgrade from Tobias Harris. Detroit has up to four picks that they could move, along with a flurry of young promising players.
The Spurs would also be a fun scenario for Markkanen. Harrison Barnes has played well as a placeholder at power forward, but he's not a starter on a championship team any more. The combination of Markkanen and Victor Wembanyama would give that team incredible frontcourt size and shooting. San Antonio likewise has four firsts that they could use to make a big move.
5. Coby White, Bulls
Most likely destinations: Timberwolves, Pistons, Warriors
White is on an expiring contract, which makes him a candidate to get moved if the Bulls decide that he would be too expensive to re-sign. He's a good 3-point shooter and improved facilitator that could help jump-start several offenses. Chicago has fielded trade interest in their shooting guard, according to The Stein Line's Marc Stein.
White has already been linked to the Wolves by several reports, including from the Sun Times' Joe Cowley. Those talks don't appear to be very advanced, but the pairing does make sense. He could also inject some offense into a good Pistons team who could hide his defensive limitations, or perhaps be used as part of a Jonathan Kuminga trade with the Warriors.
6. Ja Morant, Grizzlies
Most likely destinations: Kings, Timberwolves, Pelicans, Heat
When Morant was looking like a top 10 player, the Grizzlies were more willing to put up with the off-court distractions and propensity to getting injured. He's far from that guy this year. His athleticism looks like it is starting to wane, and he's been the most inefficient high-volume shooter in the league by a mile. Memphis is expected to explore the trade market for him, per ESPN's Tim Bontemps.
They might not find much out there for him. It's been speculated he has negative trade value, according to one Eastern Conference executive who spoke to ESPN's Tim McMahon and Bobby Marks.
Some desperate teams might still buy low on the star and hope that he returns to his previous level. He's been linked to the Heat by Fischer despite hating the isolation-heavy offensive system that Erik Spoelstra is currently using.
The Wolves have also performed due diligence on Morant, per Scotto. Mike Conley has rapidly declined and Rob Dillingham hasn't looked ready for big minutes. Minnesota badly needs better point guard play and could take a swing at one of the distressed assets out there.
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7. Zion Williamson, Pelicans
Most likely destinations: Bulls, Kings, Hornets
The Pelicans are very far from competing. The one thing that they do have going for them is that rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen look worth building around.
Where does that leave Zion Williamson, whose shaky 3-point shooting makes him a tough pairing with Queen? His inability to stay on the floor has led to him having "next to no value" in the trade market, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst. But it only takes one team to change that.
The Bulls, Kings, and Hornets all need to find a franchise-level star. Williamson has been that at times when he hasn't been injured. They have the expiring contracts and assets to get a deal done. Williamson's non-guaranteed contract also makes him a low-risk addition for any team that is interested.
8. LaMelo Ball, Hornets
Most likely destinations: Raptors, Blazers, Mavericks
Ball is in that same camp as Morant and Young where his contract, lack of availability, and defensive issues may preclude the Hornets from getting a great return for him. Yahoo's Kelly Iko has reported that Ball is open for a trade, although Ball quickly refuted that idea.
The Raptors looked into Ball over the summer, per Scotto. The 24-year-old is still young enough that he would also fit into rebuilds in Portland and Dallas.
9. Trae Young, Hawks
Most likely destinations: Kings, Blazers, Raptors, Magic, Mavericks
The Hawks haven't been able to come to terms on the maximum extension that Young is seeking. They've also looked capable without him during the early portion of the year, leading to speculation that he could be traded.
There might not be a huge market out there for him. He has a player option for $48.9M that he is expected to opt out of, making whoever trades for him on the hook for a huge next contract. And his defensive issues make him a player that isn't the easiest to fit on any given roster.
There are some teams that are in desperate need of a point guard though, and Young is one of the best passers in the league. He could help teams like the Blazers, Raptors, Magic, and Mavericks improve their offenses immediately.
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