With so little cap room available around the NBA this year and most top free agents expected to remain with their current teams, executives across the league are projecting a significant amount of activity on the trade market during the upcoming offseason, writes Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link).
“It’s gonna be a crazy summer,” one Western Conference exec told Fischer. “There’s going to be a lot of movement.”
“Trades are going to be the marquee aspect because there’s a number of high-level players (available) and there aren’t really any marquee free agents,” another team’s salary cap strategist said.
Kevin Durant is among the biggest names expected to be available via trade this summer, and it’s possible two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo could join him on the trade block if the Bucks forward decides he wants to seek a change of scenery.
Here are a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- ESPN’s Kevin Pelton has shared his top 25 NBA free agents for the summer of 2025. Kings guard Keon Ellis is perhaps the most surprising entry near the top of Pelton’s list (he’s at No. 10), though Sacramento holds a minimum-salary team option on the guard, so he’ll likely only become a restricted free agent if the team has a very good idea of what it will take to lock him up long-term.
- Keith Smith of Spotrac takes a closer look at the top shooting guards in free agency this offseason, with Malik Beasley, Quentin Grimes (restricted), and Nickeil Alexander-Walker leading the way. We took our own deep dive into the 2025 free agent market for shooting guards in a Front Office article earlier this month.
- While we’ve heard plenty about in recent weeks about the tax- and apron-related challenges facing teams like the Celtics, every team in the league will have difficult financial decisions to make this summer. Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report identifies the biggest decision facing each team, such as whether the Pacers will go into tax territory, how much the Hawks should pay Dyson Daniels on an extension, and whether the Heat will extend Tyler Herro.
- Owen Phillips of The F5 digs into the ballots submitted by the NBA’s award voters this season, evaluating which media members made the most and least unique choices, while also considering whether “groupthink” has become an issue.
- Shawn Kemp, the former SuperSonics forward and six-time NBA All-Star who played in the league from 1989-2003, has pleaded guilty to a second-degree assault charge for shooting at two men inside a vehicle in a Washington state mall parking lot, per The Associated Press. Prosecuting attorneys having recommended that Kemp be sentenced to nine months in jail — that hearing will take place in August.
Group hug while leaving a glow of unfounded intellectual superiority is a better description
“groupthink” more like a group all getting paid off by the same people
I’m still furious these corrupt losers went “KD joined GSW? No MVP for Steph no matter what happens then! Wahh the Warriors cant win everything!!! Wahh…” Pouting, petty. The Lakers and Celtics had like 5 all-stars a year for 3 decades and they all won MVPs. Just these corrupt, pathetic, modern day voters being absolutely useless. Steph Curry has always deserved more awards than he has, but does not have them because of these idiot voters acting like Steph wasn’t getting triple teamed, leaving KD unmanned and wide open. Gross.
Loose framework, obviously other lesser pieces or teams are to be added to even everything out:
Lakers get: Draymond Green, AJ Green
Suns get: Jimmy Butler, another piece (player/2nd rd pick)
Bucks get: Austin Reaves, Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Jaxson Hayes, Gabe Vincent, whoever else + many draft picks
Warriors get: Giannis and KD, other pieces to match salary
what you’ve described there is a Frankenstein’s monster of a warriors team that wouldn’t make it out of the play-in due to a total lack of depth
I am guessing he had a few drinks when making up that trade. Davey thinks only old all stars win trophies.
@arc89 nope, but Steph+Giannis+KD will.
The guy is a Warriors FankenStein …….
Doesn’t understand reality or the game.
Warriors actually have a shot next year with right additions.
He is obsessed with KD and Giannis.
Davey J ‘s Frankentstein Trade Idea
Phoenix Suns: Hold my beer
Warriors have been as loyal to Draymond as they have to steph. Plus him and Steph are literally built for each other. Unless they got a Luka type gift I don’t think he’s ever moved.
I have seen enough of Draymond verbally slurping Lebron in public to know it’s probably his #1 wish to play with him. Either Lebron going to the Warriors or Dray going to LA. I think Lebron likely will stay and build up the Lakers over requesting a trade to the Warriors.
I disagree about only Steph and Dray working together, Lebron and Steph are basically used the same offensively, with Steph often favoring more 3’s, but they both have a similar offensive role. I think Dray Luka Lebron plus a point guard and a center would be a top 4 team, plus Draymond counters Luka’s poor defense.
A comedian
Talk basketball or shut up
My predictions
Wolves can sign one FA only
Naz Reid
Alexander-Walker
76ers can sign one FA only
Quentin Grimes
Yabusele
Both teams are right on tax line before signing FAs.
Salary cap 2025-26
Pistons ($24.6 million)
Pelicans ($21.6 million).
My prediction ——
TWolves will trade for KD ……. using Randle expiring contract and picks.
I agree with article. I expect trades next yr more than FA signings. I also expect a few major trades starting at draft. Spurs, Rockets, TWolves, Bucks, Suns, Mavs, Celtics, Warriors, Knicks, Kings, Sixers could all be involved in trades. Spurs. Sixers, Rockets with picks 2, 3. and 10. Need players now. Not a 19 yr old with upside. I think it starts there …….
Can’t get anything by NBA FO’s. Give them 5 years of the same, and they’ll notice when the 6th is coming down the road.