NBA Trade Rumors: LeBron James Impact, Zion Williamson Interest & the Big Board

Things have slowed on the NBA trade rumor mill, but only because we’re still waiting on you-know-who. We’re expecting a small flurry of activity after that, but we’re not holding our breath at this point.

While you’re tired of the pace being taken by LeBron James to make a decision on where he will play next season–and presumably another season after that, some around the league are very much on pins and needles. One assistant coach in the Eastern Conference says that James’ decision probably will swing how the conference hierarchy pans out, or at least how that hierarchy stacks up to open the season.

Indeed, it can be argued that the top four teams in the East from last season took steps backward this summer, albeit of different severity. The Celtics lost the most by trading Jaylen Brown, but did add Mitchell Robinson and Paul George. The Cavaliers lost defensive wing Dean Wade, the Knicks lost Robinson and the Pistons lost Tobias Harris.

Below them, other teams are on the rise. The No. 5 seed Raptors should get Kawhi Leonard (TBD), the No. 6 seed Hawks got Lu Dort, the No. 7 seed Sixers got Brown and the No. 10 seed Heat got Giannis Antetokounmpo. The bottom-feeder Pacers should be back in contention, too.

If James goes to the Heat, Cavaliers or Sixers, the balance of the conference shifts with him. “You’ve got eight or nine teams that can win the East, but you put LeBron James n any of those teams? They’re the immediate favorite, they have to be,” the coach said.

And for what it’s worth, pointing out that he has no inside information and is looking at it from the outside, the coach said the Heat “make the most sense and have the best role” for James.

NBA Trade Rumors: Zion Williamson a Candidate?

It probably won’t happen this summer, and there are already enough trade rumors floating about around the New Orleans Pelicans, but it’s worth keeping an eye on forward Zion Williamson as a trade candidate. One reason New Orleans has been quiet on the trade market despite ample interest in Trey Murphy and Herb Jones is that there is a sense the team wants to see what it has when healthy, which was never the case last year, and to see what impact new coach Jamahl Mosley has on the roster.

But we’ve already seen that a frontcourt of Derik Queen and Williamson just does not work–they were rated the worst two-man combination on the team, with a net of minus-11.3 points.  The Pelicans gave up the No. 8 pick in this year’s draft to get Queen in 2025, and are committed to him. Williamson’s contract has two years remaining on it for $87 million, and after playing 62 games last season, if he can stay on the court early this year, he will be a name to watch at the February trade deadline.

Jonathan Kuminga Still an NBA Trade Rumor Subject

We’re in the second summer of a Jonathan Kuminga free-agent saga and as it stands, a sign-and-trade from Atlanta is the only way that Kuminga can get something more than mid-level exception money. The Hawks have Kuminga’s rights, but they did not pick up his team option this summer and after trading for Lu Dort, appear to have zero interest in bringing back Kuminga. But they have little interest in a sign-and-trade, either, unless there is draft capital involved.

Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reports that the Bucks are still a potential sign-and-trade destination for Kuminga, but the problem remains: Milwaukee would need to find a third team to take back Kyle Kuzma or whatever the team wants to send out for Kuminga, because Atlanta has no desire to take on new players.  The Bucks would then have to give up draft capital to entice the Hawks and the third team to make the move. Milwaukee wouldn’t give up a first-round pick for Kuminga, and has only two second-rounders available in the next seven drafts.

It’s not impossible, but a Kuminga sign-and-trade is going to be a challenge.

GettyLeBron James

NBA Trade Rumors: Stars Who Could Be Dealt

Trades happen in August. They happen in September. Just because the market has slowed, we’re not giving up on the possibility of more blockbusters …

Zion Williamson, Pelicans. (Remaining contract: two years, $87 million.) We’re not expecting Williamson to be moved by the end of the summer, but if he stays on the floor early in the year, New Orleans has plenty of incentive to find a new spot for him. A frontcourt of Derik Queen and Williamson makes little sense.

Kevin Durant, Rockets. (Remaining contract: two years, $90 million, player option.) There does not seem to be a market for Durant, who is 37 and has $90 million over two years on his contract. Rumors of Pistons interest has faded as the focus there is on re-signing Jalen Duren. Maybe a Durant deal comes back up after that gets done? It’s a longshot.

Jamal Murray, Nuggets. (Remaining contract: three years, $160 million.) The Nuggets are on track to operate over the second apron, which is not a place any team–especially a Kroenke team–likes to operate. Dealing Murray could shave some money off the cap but he was an All-Star last year and dumping him might be too much to ask of the Nuggets.

Anthony Davis, Wizards. (Remaining contract: two years, $121 million, including player option.) Davis has been the subject of much speculation this offseason, but around the league, there isn’t a sense he is going to be dealt. The Wizards would like to get Davis on the floor and see if he can help them compete for a playoff spot. If not, he could be dealt by the February trade deadline. Hopes among Golden State fans that Davis would be part of a LeBron James package have faded.

Jimmy Butler, Warriors. (Remaining contract: one year, $57 million.) It just does not appear that the Warriors are looking to move Butler. He’s the team’s main path to adding another star, as he is probably out until Christmas or later as he recovers from January ACL surgery. There are not many teams looking to add a rehabbing 36-year-old to their mix, and the Warriors are not likely to find a player who is better than Butler when healthy.

Evan Mobley, Cavaliers. (Remaining contract: four years, $223 million.) We’re not taking Mobley off the list just yet. If LeBron James goes to Cleveland, Mobley could be nudged back into the NBA trade-rumor arena because the roster is far too expensive and the guy who will most likely suffer is Mobley. Cleveland could take back a good haul for him.

NBA Trade Rumors: 25(ish) and Under

It’s hard to bring in a young star–or even a young potential star–on the trade market. But there could be some wrangling for these guys, the 25-and-under (OK, 26 for Trey Murphy) crowd.

Moses Moody, Warriors. (Remaining contract: two years, $26 million.) Moody him self said he is “curious” about what will happen to him on the trade market if James comes to Golden State. He has developed into a valuable piece for Golden State, but a nasty knee injury could keep him out for most of next season.

Jalen Duren, Pistons. (Remaining contract: restricted free agent.) Sign-and-trade options for Duren are all but extinguished–were the Pistons ever really weighing a deal with the Kings for Domantas Sabonis? The Pistons have made moves to be able to give Duren more money, and that’s the likely way this all plays out.

Trey Murphy, Pelicans. (Remaining contract: three years, $88 million.) Murphy is a favorite in NBA trade rumors, but there are questions on how serious New Orleans would be about trading him. One exec says it will take a Desmond Bane-style offer (four first-round picks) to pry him from New Orleans, though that price has dropped a bit. Still, there’s been no movement yet.

Peyton Watson, Nuggets. (Remaining contract: restricted free agent.) The long restricted free-agent slog is on for Watson, and the Nuggets have surprised many by not being aggressive in moving players to create some breathing room to keep Watson. The sign-and-trade market reportedly includes the Clippers, Hawks and Bucks, but there is not much yet that would attract the Nuggets’ attention on a deal.

Nikola Jovic, Heat. (Remaining contract: four years, $62 million.) There is trepidation about trading for Jovic, who is certainly available and is still only 23 years old. But the remaining contract is a hefty bite for teams to take.

GettyNikola Jovic #5 of the Miami Heat

NBA Trade Rumors: Eastern Conference Targets

Whatever happens with LeBron James will have an NBA trade rumor ripple effect, and the East could feel it most.

Michael Porter Jr., Nets. (Remaining contract: one year, $40 million, partial guarantee.) Porter is in the final year of his deal and wants an extension that starts at about what he is making now. The Nets likely won’t go that high, and if no middle ground is found, we are in for another heap of trade talk. Even if Porter is extended, he could be a trade candidate by next February’s deadline.

Grant Williams, Hornets. (Remaining contract: one year, $15 million.) The Hornets are not quite done with their roster, and Williams’ expiring deal has some value. He can still be a worthy big man off the bench.

Royce O’Neale, Hornets. (Remaining contract: two years, $21 million,) The Hornets would not be able to trade O’Neale with anyone else yet, so they could wait on a deal. But the team has gotten calls about moving him on after he’s come over from the Suns.

Jarrett Allen, Cavaliers. (Remaining contract: three years, $90 million.) As with Mobley, if the Cavs entice LeBron James to Cleveland, Allen could be trade bait. It’s more likely that Allen gets traded than Mobley, and the Cavaliers could get some relief and a contributor. Allen is a standard offensive center but is a valued rim-runner who can protect the paint.

Max Strus, Cavaliers. (Remaining contract: one year, $16 million.) The Cavs are trying hard to fit everything under the second apron, and that likely means moving off Strus, if they can find a taker. He would be sacrificed to get LeBron James in, and could be moved either way.

Dennis Schroder, Cavaliers. (Remaining contract: one year, $14.6 million.) Schroder has played for 11 teams in the NBA so far, and the Cavs would be open to making it 12 as they seek to duck the second apron and still stay in the contending picture.

Myles Turner, Bucks. (Remaining contract: three years, $80 million.) Two things may well both be true on Turner–the Bucks are not shopping him because they want some veterans on hand, and there is no interest in him from other teams because of his contract.

NBA Trade Rumors: Western Conference Targets

Jake LaRavia, Lakers. (Remaining contract: one year, $6 million.) Hustles, plays every game, but inconsistent. His contract makes him an attractive piece, though.

Herb Jones, Pelicans. (Remaining contract: four years, $82 million, including player option.) Jones is a popular name on the market, but the Pelicans are said to want two first-round picks, and with Jones having struggled with injuries and his 3-point shot in the past two seasons, that’s probably too steep. His remaining contract scares off potential suitors, too.

Derrick Jones Jr., Clippers. (Remaining contract: one year, $10 million.) Jones is a defensive ace still, and his expiring contract gives the Clippers some wiggle room to move him. They’re caught in the Aspiration pause, however.

Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves. (Remaining contract: two years, $74 million, including player option.) The Wolves, according to a report in The Athletic, were offered Jaylen Brown with the Celtics wanting Rudy Gobert, plus picks, as part of a trade package. The Wolves turned that down, though there still has been interest in Gobert, who is up for an extension.

Keldon Johnson, Spurs. (Remaining contract: one year, $17.5 million.) The reigning Sixth Man of the Year is heading into the final season of his contract, and San Antonio is likely to phase out his minutes in favor of younger players. He is still a valued leader on the team, but he could be a chip worth cashing in if the Spurs can land a first-round pick.

Domantas Sabonis, Kings. (Remaining contract: two years, $93 million.) Sabonis has had some nibbles, but no bites. There was a rumor that the Hornets were planning to trade for him, but that proved fruitless. Then there was the Jalen Duren sign-and-trade with the Pistons, which was far-fetched from the beginning. This one might have to wait until the season gets going.

Jrue Holiday, Blazers. (Remaining contract: two years, $72 million, with player option.) Certainly, something has to give in Portland with the arrival of Morant. Holiday is not getting any younger, but he has value around the NBA.

Zach LaVine, Kings. (Remaining contract: one year, $49 million.) LaVine picked up the player option worth $49 million. There was some hope that he could be waived, but after the Kings let DeMar DeRozan go, they’ll keep LaVine on the books and hope they can find a place to dump him.

Aaron Gordon, Nuggets. (Remaining contract: three years, $110 million.) Gordon has struggled to stay healthy, but is still a valued connective piece when he plays. He needs to be a No. 3/4 option on a good team, and teams aren’t falling over themselves to cough up assets for that, and the Nuggets have not pushed hard for a trade.

Daniel Gafford, Mavericks. (Remaining contract: 3 years, $54 million.) Gafford will be 28 in October, and with the Mavs focused on getting younger, moving him along has been one of the team’s top options. The concern is whether the guy the Mavs want to be their stalwart center–Dereck Lively II–can stay healthy. Lively has played 98 games in three seasons.

PJ Washington, Mavericks. (Remaining contract: 4 years, $90 million.) Like Gafford, Washington is aging out of the Mavericks’ timeline, as he turns 28 this summer. He’s a stretch 4 who plays good defense, but his shooting has been suspect–he made just 32.5% of his 3s last year. Washington’s extension kicks in this year, though, so he might be a better trade target down the line.

Klay Thompson, Mavericks. (Remaining contract: one year, $17 million.) Another aging Mav! Thompson does not fit Dallas’s timeline, and if the Mavs can get anything–youth, a few second-rounders–for him, they will. He’s still a 38% 3-point shooter. The addition of Tarik Biberovic is more incentive to move Thompson.

Cam Johnson, Nuggets. (Remaining contract: one year, $23 million.) Johnson has been a disaster in Denver, and he has been a prominent feature on the NBA trade rumor mill for years now. He still has enough of a reputation around the league to warrant trade interest, but a report from The Stein Line suggests the Nuggets are not going that route … yet.

GettyPJ Washington of the Dallas Mavericks.

What’s Been Done: NBA’s Big Deals

The NBA trade rumor mill has had a busy summer, interspersed with some controversy. Here are the top rumors that sprouted into actual trades …

Celtics-Sixers Trade

Boston’s controversial decision to move Brown as he neared an extension on a supermax contract set off a round of second apron discussion in the NBA.

Celtics get: Paul George, a 2028 first-round pick that could convert to a swap, Philly’s 2031 unprotected first-rounder, and two second-round picks.

Sixers get: Jaylen Brown.

Heat-Bucks Trade

The deal that kicked off the summer was the one most expected to be expanded, but wound up staying a two-teamer. The Bucks are banking on this being enough for a rebuild, and the Heat are hoping this precedes a LeBron James return.

Bucks get: Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis go to Milwaukee. Also Bucks got the 13th pick in the draft (Nate Ament) and future first-rounders, in 2031 and 2033, plus a future pick swap and a second-round pick.

Heat get: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis.

Hornets-Timberwolves-Nets-Bulls Trade

The Wolves combined their two major transactions, taking a chance on bringing in LaMelo Ball and getting off the contract of Julius Randle.

Timberwolves get: LaMelo Ball, Josh Green, No. 33 pick (Isaiah Evans).

Hornets get: Naz Reid, Mouhamadou Gueye, rights to Matteo Spagnolo, Minnesota’s first-round pick in 2033, second round picks in 2029, 2032 and 2033, plus three swaps, also from Minnesota.

Nets get: Julius Randle, No. 28 pick (Joshua Jefferson).

Bulls get: Nic Claxton

Grizzlies-Blazers trade

Memphis finally moves on from Ja Morant, and was able to do so by taking on Jerami Grant’s contract–but did not have to include outgoing draft capital.

Grizzlies get: Jerami Grant and Kris Murray.

Suns-Hornets Trade

The Hornets had been looking for a taker for Bridges, whose past domestic violence charges scared off many teams. But Charlotte attached draft capital and the Suns took him in.

Suns get: Miles Bridges, 2029 first-round pick, 2027 second-round pick.

Hornets get: Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, 2033 first-round pick.

Hawks-Thunder-Mavericks Trade

The Thunder jettisoned Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins for second-round picks early in July, and got all the way under the second apron by moving Lu Dort later in a three-team deal that saw former No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher dealt, too.

Hawks get: Lu Dort, Ryan Nembhard.

Thunder get: Three second-round picks.

Mavericks get: Zaccharie Risacher.

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