TheNBA season is coming to an end and, as per usual, it didn’t disappoint. We witnessed some incredible things happening, from the reigning champions Los Angeles Lakers losing in the first round, to the overpowered Brooklyn Nets getting sent home.
Next season should be as good as this one, if not better, as most teams are already working around the clock to try and improve their roster for what’s to come. We can be sure that there will be plenty of action behind closed doors in the next couple of weeks.
That means that a lot of players are going to take their talents elsewhere for next season. From Ben Simmons to Kristaps Porzingis, here are the players that every team should look to trade.
NBA Rumors: A Trade Candidate From Every Team
+ Atlanta Hawks – Cam Reddish
Cam Reddish has been solid but he’s also been injury prone and an inconsistent shooter. He’s got the upside to interest a rebuilding team, and the Hawks have shown that they’re capable of competing right now.
+ Boston Celtics – Marcus Smart
Marcus Smart has gotten into some of his teammates’ faces multiple times and the Celtics are looking to make several moves this offseason. He may have overstayedhis welcome in the locker room and his top-notch defense should bring an interesting return.
+ Brooklyn Nets – DeAndre Jordan
While no longer a top-tier rim protector – or even a starter – DeAndre Jordan’s deal could still help a team trying to get some salary off their books. They need to get another scorer off the bench or a 3-and-D kind of guy.
+ Chicago Bulls – Coby White
Lauri Markkanen would be the obvious choice but he’s set to hit free agency. Coby White has upside as a shooting guard but the Bulls clearly need a starting playmaker more than anything. He’s on a team-friendly deal and is a lottery pick that should have nice value.
+ Cleveland Cavaliers – Collin Sexton
The Cavaliers havedoubts regarding their backcourt’s ability to coexist, thinking it could turn out to be a Damian Lillard – CJ McCollum kind of situation. Collin Sexton has made great strides as a scorer but Darius Garland is expected to be their franchise player.
+ Dallas Mavericks – Kristaps Porzingis
Moving Kristaps Porzingis’s mammoth contract will be tricky but there should be plenty of teams willing to take a risk on the talented 7’2” Latvian. He’s not enjoying his role and the Mavericks aren’t getting… any kind of production from him.
+ Denver Nuggets – Will Barton
The Nuggets were one Jamal Murray injury away from being a championship contender this season and I expect them to be even better next year if he can return to his old form. But they need to add a couple of pieces off the bench, meaning they have to part ways with Will Barton.
+ Detroit Pistons – Jerami Grant
Ok, let’s pull the plug right now before it’s too late. Jerami Grant is good now, the Pistons aren’t and won’t be for a while. They have nice, young pieces to build around, but they need to move Grant before it turns into a Josh Smith, Andre Drummond, Blake Griffin kind of situation.
+ Golden State Warriors – James Wiseman
While it’s not easy to trade a rookie center injured for the season, James Wiseman has the upside to be worth the risk. The Warriors are in win-now mode and Wiseman is the only player under their control with some upside and trade value, so they need him to lure another star.
+ Houston Rockets – Eric Gordon
While the Rockets should prioritize moving on from John Wall and his massive contract, that’s going to be easier said than done. Eric Gordon, on the other hand, could be a valuable asset for a championship contender looking to add a ball-handling guard with range.
+ Indiana Pacers – Myles Turner
Myles Turner is one of the best defenders in the league but he just can’t stay healthy. He can do a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor but his fit next to Domantas Sabonis is questionable at best. The Pacers should get a nice return for him.
+ Los Angeles Clippers – Serge Ibaka
Kawhi Leonard isn’t going to like this but Serge Ibaka needs to go. He’s barely played this season and isn’t getting any younger and the Clippers need to make the most of their title window while they can.
+ Los Angeles Lakers – Kyle Kuzma
Kyle Kuzma is what he is at this point. He’s not going to get better. If anything, he can get worse. The Lakers didn’t move him when his value was at an all-time high but they could still use him to get some rotation players for their championship core.
+ Memphis Grizzlies – Jonas Valanciunas
Don’t call me crazy but the Grizzlies should move on from Jonas Valanciunas. He was great in the regular season and a liability in the playoffs. But more than that, he takes minutes away from young studs like Brandon Clarke or Xavier Tillman.
+ Miami Heat – Goran Dragic
Goran Dragic is a solid player that could help multiple teams but he’s constantly getting hurt. The Miami Heat need players that can actually stay on the court and they need to find another star to play alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
+ Milwaukee Bucks – Donte DiVincenzo
The Bucks were pretty close to trading Donte DiVincenzo away in the summer and they should try to do the same this season. It’s not that he’s not a good and valuable asset, it’s just that they need more shooting next to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday.
+ Minnesota Timberwolves – Jarrett Culver
As a former top-5 pick, Jarrett Culver should still have some trade value. His development has stalled and he’s failed to stay on the court for most of his young career. The Timberwolves have a promising core and he could bring in some veterans in return.
+ New Orleans Pelicans – Steven Adams
It wasn’t a surprise to see that the Zion Williamson– Steven Adams frontcourt experiment failed. They’re both strong but neither can shoot, and Adams can’t even move outside of the paint. The Pelicans need to put more shooters around their franchise player.
+ New York Knicks – Frank Ntilikina
Frank Ntilikina was pretty much out of the Knicks’ rotation for most of the season, either due to injury or poor performances. But he’s still a great defender on a team-friendly contractthat could help them land some expiring deals.
+ Oklahoma City Thunder – Kemba Walker
There’s no reason why the Thunder should even entertain the thought of keeping Kemba Walker. They can’t take the ball away from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ‘s or Theo Maledon’s hands, and Kemba should look forward to playing for a playoff team.
+ Orlando Magic – Terrence Ross
The Magic finally embraced a full rebuild and gave away Nikola Vucevic, Evan Fournier, and Aaron Gordon. Now, there’s no reason why they should give Terrence Ross playing time over RJ Hampton, Cole Anthony, or Markelle Fultz.
+ Philadelphia 76ers – Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons is one of the best defenders and playmakers in the league but he proved that he’s unplayable in the playoffs. Until he gets out of his own head and develops a somewhat efficient shot, he’s not what the Sixers need.
+ Phoenix Suns – Dario Saric
Dario Saric is a solid player and a Swiss-army kind of guy. He’s the jack of all trades. But the Suns need a backup big man that can lock down the paint when Ayton isn’t around. Otherwise, they should keep him.
+ Portland Trail Blazers – CJ McCollum
The Damian Lillard – CJ McCollum experiment failed. The ISO-heavy offense ran by the Blazers isn’t going anywhere in the playoffs. They need to do better for Lillard, and that means that McCollum is their most moveable asset right now.
+ Sacramento Kings – Marvin Bagley III
It’s time the Kings admit they made a mistake with Marvin Bagley III and try to move on from him. They have something special going on with that De’Aaron Fox – Tyrese Haliburton backcourt but are getting nothing from the former 2nd overall pick – or coach Luke Walton.
+ San Antonio Spurs – DeMarre Carroll
Half of the Spurs roster is going to enter free agency in the summer. They need to embrace a rebuild and let DeMar DeRozan and Rudy Gay walk away. They should do the same with DeMarre Carroll and try and get a couple of second-round picks in return.
+ Toronto Raptors – Aron Baynes
The Raptors were a disappointing team this season and Aron Baynes was unplayable. They found a gem in Chris Boucher and he should be the team’s starting center going forward. Also, if they start to struggle again, they could consider moving Pascal Siakam.
+ Utah Jazz – Derrick Favors
Derrick Favors is on a reasonable deal so they could decide to hold on to him but he’s got a player option after next season. The Jazz need a versatile defender that can guard the perimeter when Rudy Gobert is off the floor, and Favors isn’t that kind of guy.
+ Washington Wizards – Chandler Hutchinson
Chandler Hutchinson has failed to prove that he’s worthy of a roster spot. He’s a streaky shooter at best and doesn’t have much upside, so the Wizards should try and flip him for a second-round pick at least.