Giannis, Zion, PG-13 on the Move? 30 Trades You Have to See

By Owen Pannell | KZA Sports

As the NBA offseason enters a quiet stretch and the excitement of free agency begins to fade, teams are shifting their focus toward finalizing rosters and addressing lingering weaknesses. While most of the big moves have already been made, there’s still time for front offices to get creative and make meaningful upgrades before the season tips off. In this piece, we’ll explore one realistic trade each team could pursue to improve their situation—whether that means bolstering a playoff push, reshaping a rebuilding effort, or simply fine-tuning the supporting cast.

Atlanta Hawks

Hawks get:

• Dwight Powell

• 2030 2nd-round pick (via PHI)

Mavericks get:

• Vit Krejci

I know, real banger to start off here. Atlanta has had a great offseason so far, and they really don’t need to do anything else. In this trade, they get a little more big man depth, which is helpful because they are relatively thin there with injury-prone guys at the top. They only have to give up their third-string PG, and they also bring in a pick that could be in the low 30s. The Mavs would do this to help with their guard issues.

Boston Celtics

Celtics get:

• Jusuf Nurkić (Utah)

• Jaime Jaquez Jr. (Miami)

• Pelle Larsson (Miami)

• 2026 1st-round pick (Miami)

Heat get:

• Derrick White (Boston)

Jazz get:

• Terry Rozier (Miami)

• 2032 2nd-round pick (Miami)

The Celtics do this to save more money, get an expiring deal in Nurkić, get a valuable young player in Jaime Jaquez, take a flyer on a possible good 3&D wing, and get a first that could very well be a lottery pick. Losing Derrick White hurts, but this is going to be a throwaway season anyway, so they might as well start preparing for the future. The Heat would become contenders in the East with this trade—it’s a high-risk, high-reward deal for Miami. Utah gets a second-round pick for paying $7 million more this year. They’d do that.

Brooklyn Nets

Nets get:

• Obi Toppin

• Jarace Walker

• 2027 lottery-protected 1st-round pick

Pacers get:

• Nic Claxton

With Brooklyn trying to bottom out for next year’s draft, this is a great way to get assets for one of their better players. It’s a no-brainer for them. The Pacers fill the hole Myles Turner left, and they’re not paying too big of a price.

Charlotte Hornets

Hornets get:

• Matisse Thybulle

• 2031 2nd-round pick

Blazers get:

• Grant Williams

The Hornets would do this to get an expiring contract and a tiny bit of draft capital for Grant Williams, who they do not need on their roster. Portland gets better from this, and it seems as if they want to compete for a playoff spot soon.

Chicago Bulls

Bulls get:

• Robert Williams III

• 2028 2nd-round pick

• 2032 2nd-round pick

Trail Blazers get:

• Jalen Smith

Chicago trades a bench big for an expiring contract and a couple of draft assets. They would have three expiring contracts at the center position, which gives them options on how to address the room going forward. The Trail Blazers get a young backup big man for very cheap, an injury-prone center, and two unvaluable picks.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Cavs get:

• 2031 2nd-round pick (own)

Celtics get:

• 2026 2nd-round pick

Cleveland is in the second apron, so it is very hard for them to make any trades. They would do this to get their own future second-round pick back, in case things go wrong and it becomes valuable, while the Celtics are happy to move up five years, even though it will likely be in the 50s in next year’s draft.

Dallas Mavericks

Mavs get:

• Malik Monk

Kings get:

• PJ Washington

• Caleb Martin

Dallas gets a very talented guard who has the potential to average 20 points per game if he gets enough shots, and they give up two wings—positions they are already deep at. The Kings would do this because they need wings, but they have plenty of guard depth.

Denver Nuggets

Nuggets get:

• 2031 top-10 protected 2nd-round pick

Jazz get:

• Zeke Nnaji

Yes, this is a very boring trade, but the Nuggets don’t have anything else to do. The only move they could make is getting off the Zeke Nnaji contract, which the Jazz would take a flyer on for a very low price.

Detroit Pistons

Pistons get:

• Scotty Pippen Jr.

Grizzlies get:

• Marcus Sasser

• 2026 1st-round pick swap

• 2027 2nd-round pick (via MIL)

• 2031 2nd-round pick (via DAL)

This is probably a reach, but the Pistons don’t really have anything they need. However, they could improve their backup PG position. Pippen is a great option for now and the future, and Memphis would want a good haul back—but may be willing to part with him after the recent addition of Ty Jerome.

Golden State Warriors

Warriors get:

• Walker Kessler

Jazz get:

• Moses Moody

• 2028 top-3 protected 1st-round pick

• 2030 2nd-round pick

This would be a home run trade for Golden State, in my opinion. They desperately need a center, and Kessler is arguably the best one on the market right now. They have to give up a few valuable assets, but it’s worth it to improve the team for Steph’s final years. With the recent emergence of Kyle Filipowski, the Jazz don’t need Kessler as much, and for a good offer like this, they would send him out.

Houston Rockets

Rockets get:

• 2029 1st-round pick (via NYK)

• 2032 1st-round pick (via DEN)

Nets get:

• 2027 swap rights (BRK-HOU)

This is a win-win trade. The Nets do this so they can control their own destiny and tank in the 2026–27 season, while the Rockets get two extremely valuable first-rounders.

Indiana Pacers

Pacers get:

• Nick Richards

• Ryan Dunn

Suns get:

• Obi Toppin

Here, the Pacers would get a much-needed center and a very promising young wing defender, while also clearing up space for Jarace Walker to grow in what will likely be a throwaway season. The Suns get a position of need for not too expensive a price—this would be a great trade for both sides.

LA Clippers

Clippers get:

• 2028 2nd-round pick

Thunder get:

• 2031 2nd-round pick

The Clippers have no 2028 draft picks currently, and the Thunder currently have four. So OKC sends the Clippers their 2nd-rounder in 2028, and LA sends the Thunder their 2031 2nd-rounder to help spread out OKC’s draft capital.

LA Lakers

Lakers get:

• Walker Kessler

Jazz get:

• Dalton Knecht

• 2031 1st-round pick

We’ve got the second trade scenario for Walker Kessler here, but it’s a great option for the Lakers. Yes, they just signed Deandre Ayton, but Kessler is a much better player, and this is a great opportunity for LA. The Jazz get a very valuable pick and a good young player in Knecht—even though he has been terrible in the Summer League.

Memphis Grizzlies

Grizzlies get:

• DeMar DeRozan

• Terence Davis

Kings get:

• Brandon Clarke

• John Konchar

• Vince Williams Jr.

• 2026 1st-round pick

If the Grizzlies want to go all in on this core, this is a good trade for them. They definitely become a playoff team in my eyes with this, and they hardly give up any future assets, with the 2026 first likely being in the late teens or early 20s. The Kings realistically need to start tearing it down, and this is a good place to start—getting some solid assets for a 35-year-old.

Miami Heat

Heat get:

• Coby White

Bulls get:

• Nikola Jović

• 2029 1st-round pick

Miami always wants to go all in, and getting a good, young PG to pair with Herro and Adebayo would be great. The price is pretty steep, but if they want to win this year, it’s worth it. The Bulls would get a very valuable pick and a valuable young player in return for a PG they’re fine parting ways with—especially if they re-sign Josh Giddey.

Milwaukee Bucks

Bucks get:

• Malik Monk

Kings get:

• Kyle Kuzma

• Tyler Smith

• 2031 1st-round pick

In one final move to try and win with Giannis, the Bucks get a very nice guard who can help take the load off Giannis offensively. They are happy to get rid of Kuzma, Smith hasn’t been anything so far, and they are willing to send out their valuable 2031 first for a better chance at a championship. We’ve had multiple Kings trades so far, and this is the second one for Monk—but they get a great first-rounder in this trade, and they would do that.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Timberwolves get:

• CJ McCollum

Wizards get:

• Rudy Gobert

• 2028 1st-round pick swap

• 2032 1st-round pick swap

• 2026 2nd-round pick (via DEN or GS)

This is sort of crazy, but it makes sense when you think about it. Minnesota desperately needs a secondary ball handler—especially in the playoffs—and CJ McCollum is perfect for that. He is also an expiring contract, which is very valuable in today’s NBA. They get off Gobert’s massive contract, and they have Naz Reid to replace him. The Wizards get solid draft assets for taking on Gobert’s deal, but if Gobert can help Alex Sarr reach his defensive potential, that would be great for Washington.

New Orleans Pelicans

Pelicans get:

• Miles Bridges

• Tidjane Salaun

• 2027 1st-round pick

• 2027 top-2 protected 1st-round pick (via DAL)

• 2030 1st-round pick

• 2031 2nd-round pick (via MIL)

Hornets get:

• Zion Williamson

This would be a MASSIVE trade. From the Pelicans’ side of things, they realize Zion is not a good long-term piece for them, and they need to try again. They get good assets for him and a solid win-now player to try and make a surprise playoff appearance this year (they do not own swaps on their pick). The Hornets do this to pair an electric high-flyer with LaMelo Ball, which would make for an absolutely insane highlight duo. The problem is they are both extremely injury-prone. However, they see that the East is open and want to try to make a win-now push with their good young core.

New York Knicks

Knicks get:

• Jalen Wilson

Nets get:

• Pacôme Dadiet

• 2026 2nd-round pick (via ORL, DET, or MIL)

• 2028 top-45 protected 2nd-round pick (via BOS)

Dadiet looked awful last season. The Knicks swap him for a solid bench player in Jalen Wilson, while the Nets can give Dadiet some playing time and see if he can develop—and snag some draft assets in the process.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Thunder get:

• 2031 2nd-round pick (via LAL)

• 2032 2nd-round pick swap

Nets get:

• Ousmane Dieng

This trade would open up a roster spot for the Thunder, where they could sign Brooks Barnhizer or Branden Carlson to a full-time contract—or even sign a free agent (like Russell Westbrook). The Nets pay a very cheap price for a former lottery pick who still has a lot of potential.

Orlando Magic

Magic get:

• Matisse Thybulle

• Kris Murray

• 2027 2nd-round pick (CHA owns swap rights)

Trail Blazers get:

• Jonathan Isaac

The Magic are quickly becoming one of the most expensive teams in the NBA, so in this trade, they get rid of a decently sized contract and pick up a good 3&D wing on an expiring deal, along with a couple other small assets. The Trail Blazers improve their defense for cheap and get forward depth where they are thin.

Philadelphia 76ers

76ers get:

• Andrew Wiggins

• Terry Rozier

Heat get:

• Paul George

• Jared McCain

• 2027 1st-round pick

Philly gets off the terrible Paul George contract and brings in a good wing to replace him and an expiring deal. It is expensive, though—giving up very talented second-year player Jared McCain and a 2027 first-rounder. The Heat do this in hopes that PG will find himself again, and they get two great assets for the future.

Phoenix Suns

Suns get:

• Vit Krejci

• 2030 top-40 protected 2nd-round pick

Hawks get:

• Nick Richards

The Suns get a decent backup PG for their third-string center, and the Hawks get center depth to prepare for the injuries that will inevitably come. Win-win.

Portland Trail Blazers

Trail Blazers get:

• Tyler Smith

Bucks get:

• Duop Reath

• 2027 2nd-round pick (CHA owns right to swap)

The Blazers have a bunch of 2027 seconds, so they use one to take a flyer on a guy who could possibly contribute in a couple years. The Bucks get a low-minutes backup big who could be of some use, and a second-round pick—which they have few of.

Sacramento Kings

Kings get:

• Julian Phillips

Bulls get:

• Terence Davis

• 2026 2nd-round pick (via CHA)

Sacramento gets a wing—which they need depth at—and the Bulls get a draft pick in the upcoming draft. Simple but effective trade.

San Antonio Spurs

Spurs get:

• Giannis Antetokounmpo

Bucks get:

• Stephon Castle

• Harrison Barnes

• Keldon Johnson

• 2026 1st-round pick swap rights (ATL-SAS)

• 2027 1st-round pick (via ATL)

• 2029 1st-round pick

• 2030 1st-round pick swap rights (DAL-MIN)

• 2032 1st-round pick

• 2026 2nd-round pick (via UTA)

• 2029 2nd-round pick (via LAC)

• 2030 2nd-round pick (via CLE)

Why not? If the Spurs got Giannis, they could very well be on the same level as OKC on top of the NBA, and they have the assets to make it happen. The Bucks don’t want to trade Giannis, but if they got this offer it would be VERY hard to refuse. This is very unlikely to happen (this summer at least), but it’s not impossible—and would be a win for both sides.

Toronto Raptors

Raptors get:

• GG Jackson

Grizzlies get:

• Ochai Agbaji

The very rare 1-for-1 trade. The Raptors have a bunch of young guards on their bench, so they are happy to trade one for a young wing with potential. The Grizzlies do this because Agbaji is far more of a win-now player than Jackson, and they are in win-now mode.

Utah Jazz

Jazz get:

• Paul George

• Jared McCain

• 2027 1st-round pick

• 2028 1st-round pick (via LAC)

• 2031 1st-round pick

76ers get:

• Lauri Markkanen

Yes, I could have used this for the 76ers trade. However, this is sort of a perfect scenario for Utah, so I’m using it for their trade. If they could get three firsts and a great young player for trading Lauri and taking PG’s terrible contract, that’s a huge win. The 76ers would want to give less, but this isn’t impossible. Getting Markkanen is a great idea for them—they would just likely want to only send out two firsts or keep McCain.

Washington Wizards

Wizards get:

• Nick Richards

• Oso Ighodaro

• 2029 2nd-round pick

Suns get:

• Corey Kispert

Washington would do this since they have a plethora of wings, and Kispert is getting older. They get a solid backup center (yes, I’ve put Nick Richards in so many trades) and a decent young player. The Suns would be happy to get a good shooter in Kispert, so they wouldn’t mind paying this price.

From blockbuster deals to subtle roster tweaks, these 30 trades give every NBA team a fresh direction—whether it's chasing a title, rebuilding for the future, or just shaking things up. While most of these moves are hypothetical, they’re all grounded in strategy, need, and a bit of chaos. One thing’s for sure: if even a few of these deals went down, the league would never look the same.

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