As the summer business cools, teams shift from offseason chatter to potential midseason maneuvering. A number of players have been floated as trade candidates, yet several factors keep them in wait-and-see mode. Injuries, contract uncertainties, and the aim to avoid finishing in the league’s bottom tier with reduced lottery odds all play a role. If you’re considering moving a star, it often makes more sense to let them contribute to wins from October through February rather than bank on a deadline swap.
Wait-and-See Candidates
Jimmy Butler, Warriors
Butler recently returned from a torn ACL injury suffered in January. Golden State hopes he can regain form around the New Year and help push the team into the Western Conference playoff picture. If the Warriors struggle, Butler’s expiring contract, worth $57 million, could make him a target at the deadline.
Anthony Davis, Wizards
Davis is eligible for a contract extension in Washington, but with health concerns—he has played 71 games over the past two seasons—the timing isn’t ideal for a max contract. Talks were delayed until the season starts. If Davis stays healthy and performs at a high level, a max deal could be in play; if not, Washington will assess his value and potential trade interest by January.
Kyrie Irving, Mavericks
Irving has not played since March 2025 due to ACL recovery. Dallas values his veteran presence but could move him for younger assets, potentially a first-round pick, if he shows he’s fully healthy. The plan is to evaluate through January and decide at the deadline.
Zion Williamson, Pelicans
Williamson’s challenge centers on sustaining health for consecutive seasons. He played 62 games last year and has not yet produced 60-plus games in back-to-back seasons. If he can stay healthy and productive (he averaged 21.0 points and 5.7 rebounds in 29.7 minutes per game last season), teams will explore potential trades.
Michael Porter Jr., Nets
Porter’s extension talks appear uncertain. If they stall, Porter could become a focal point for trade discussions. Brooklyn still aims to remain competitive, so keeping him through February remains a reasonable option.
Myles Turner, Bucks
Turner’s situation mirrors Porter’s in urgency. The Bucks want to avoid finishing at the bottom of the league. They’ll likely prioritize development for younger bigs but could explore value for Turner at the February deadline.
Point-Guard and Backcourt Markets
Kyrie Irving, Mavericks
Remaining contract: two years, $82 million with a player option in the second year. The prevailing view is to gauge his value through January and explore a potential deal at the deadline if fitting assets are available.
Dejounte Murray, Pelicans
Remaining contract: two years, $63 million with a player option. Return-to-health from an Achilles injury will shape interest as teams assess his current form for a potential deadline swap.
Jamal Murray, Nuggets
Remaining contract: three years, $161 million. Denver’s finances are tight, which could spur contemplation of a move, though it’s not widely anticipated at the moment.
Mikal Bridges, Knicks
Remaining contract: four years, $150 million. Trading Bridges would free up long-term flexibility, but the Knicks appear set to operate under a luxury-tier framework as they navigate financial constraints.
Shaedon Sharpe, Trail Blazers
Remaining contract: four years, $90 million. A torn meniscus recently sidelined Sharpe, likely removing him from immediate trade talks. If he returns strong, Portland’s guard depth could still fuel rumors.
Jordan Hawkins, Pelicans
Remaining contract: one year, $7 million. Hawkins has struggled to live up to lottery expectations, but at 24, he remains a potential asset, depending on how New Orleans reshapes its guard lineup.
Ty Jerome, Grizzlies
Remaining contract: two years, $19 million with a player option. Jerome’s strong 2023–24 finish could make him appealing to other teams looking for scoring depth, potentially making him a trade target.
Dalton Knecht, Lakers
Remaining contract: two years, $10 million with two team options. Knecht showed promise early but faded in Year 2, leaving him as a contract-friendly option for teams seeking depth.
Jaden Hardy, Lakers
Remaining contract: one year, $6 million. Hardy could be a release candidate if L.A. seeks to clear roster space or recast its guard rotation.
Wings and Perimeter Defenders
Moses Moody, Warriors
Remaining contract: two years, $26 million. Moody is expected to be ready for the season start and may remain with Golden State, but there is ongoing speculation about a potential summertime move.
Trey Murphy, Pelicans
Remaining contract: three years, $88 million. Murphy is frequently mentioned in trade chatter, though New Orleans has been slow to commit to any deal.
Saddiq Bey, Pelicans
Remaining contract: one year, $6.5 million. Bey bounced back with a solid season after an ACL injury, averaging 17.7 points on improved shooting splits. He’s viewed as a capable wing option off the bench.
Patrick Williams, Bulls
Remaining contract: three years, $54 million. Williams’ sizable contract and recent front-office changes complicate trade prospects, though he remains a potential piece in any broader roster shuffle.
Michael Porter Jr., Nets
Remaining contract: one year, $40 million with partial guarantee. If extension talks stall, Porter could enter the trade market as teams assess his fit on longer-term plans.
Derrick Jones Jr., Clippers
Remaining contract: one year, $10 million. Jones brings defensive value, and his expiring deal gives the Clippers flexibility, though current plans may limit immediate movement.
Kyle Kuzma, Bucks
Remaining contract: one year, $20 million. Kuzma’s expiring deal could attract interest in sign-and-trade scenarios, potentially involving players like Peyton Watson, Bennedict Mathurin, or Jonathan Kuminga, if a broader roster overhaul unfolds.
De’Anthony Hunter, Kings
Remaining contract: one year, $25 million. Hunter’s value as an expiring contract could attract interest as teams look to balance short-term needs with long-term flexibility.
Royce O’Neale, Hornets
Remaining contract: two years, $21 million. O’Neale’s value as a two-way wing makes him appealing, though Charlotte would still consider timing and fit before initiating a trade.
Jake LaRavia, Lakers
Remaining contract: one year, $6 million. LaRavia’s hustle and versatility keep him on the radar as a trade chip to shape the roster.
Herb Jones, Pelicans
Remaining contract: four years, $82 million with a player option. Jones draws considerable interest, but injuries and shooting consistency have cooled some potential deals, making multi-pick packages more likely for teams pursuing him.
Cam Johnson, Nuggets
Remaining contract: one year, $23 million. Johnson’s value remains solid due to experience and expiring status, though Denver’s roster decisions could keep him in place until the deadline.
P.J. Washington, Mavericks
Remaining contract: four years, $90 million. Washington’s aging trajectory and shooting variability complicate trade discussions, with teams seeking first-round compensation despite the sizable deal.
Big Men and Center-Forward Moves
Jalen Smith, Bulls
Remaining contract: one year, $9 million. Teams seeking backup center depth could pursue Smith, potentially for younger assets from Chicago.
Nikola Jovic, Heat
Remaining contract: four years, $62 million. Jovic remains a young, high-potential asset, but the cost of his contract makes teams think twice about taking him on.
Grant Williams, Hornets
Remaining contract: one year, $15 million. Williams’ expiring deal provides value, offering versatility as a big off the bench.
Zeke Nnaji, Nuggets
Remaining contract: four years, $32 million. Moving Nnaji could help the Nuggets reduce payroll and clear a path for other moves, with Charlotte among possible landing spots.
Jarred Vanderbilt, Lakers
Remaining contract: two years, $26 million. Vanderbilt’s contract and fit continue to drive speculation about a potential season-long or midseason trade.
Aaron Gordon, Nuggets
Remaining contract: three years, $110 million. Depending on how other roster decisions unfold, Gordon could be part of a move, though his injury history complicates any negotiations.
Daniel Gafford, Mavericks
Remaining contract: three years, $54 million. Gafford is a candidate to be moved as Dallas looks to balance youth and experience, with a potential return of a first-round pick in some scenarios.
Note: This overview reflects ongoing chatter around potential trades and is meant to capture the landscape of speculative discussions. The actual market will depend on team performance, health, and the evolving balance of contracts and roster needs as the season progresses.
