10 top trade candidates ahead of the NBA trade deadline & their best landing spots

The 2025 NBA trade deadline falls on Feb. 6. It is the final chance for teams to reinforce their rosters, aside from the front offices that are still able to pick up players in the buyout market.

The current CBA restricts what tax-paying teams can do in the trade market. Some franchises are unable to aggregate salaries or take back more than they send out.

It’s likely to be a quieter trade deadline than most years as a result, but there are still some impactful players available.

For this exercise, we are steering clear of the high-profile feud between Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat as he looks to force his way to the Phoenix Suns. It’s a stalemate.

Zion Williamson

Despite the injury, conditioning, and off-court issues, it doesn’t take much for teams to talk themselves into Zion Williamson. He’s scored 28 or more points in five of his 12 games this season.

The prospect of Williamson next to Victor Wembanyama is tantalizing. A complex contract means the San Antonio Spurs would have flexibility to move on from Williamson if it didn’t work out, too. Keldon Johnson and Zach Collins’ salaries would get the deal done.

Currently +750 to make the postseason at DraftKings, San Antonio’s odds would launch towards +300 if they landed Zion.

Other potential destinations: Hornets, Raptors, Warriors

Zach LaVine

The Chicago Bulls have found it hard to move on from Zach LaVine. Teams should be interested before the 2025 deadline, however, with LaVine averaging an ultra-efficient 24 points per game.

LaVine could be included in a multi-team deal that sends Jimmy Butler to Phoenix. It’s tricky for competitive teams to get enough salary together to make a deal work for his $43.5 million.

An all-in move from the Los Angeles Lakers is LaVine’s best hope of leaving the Windy City. A pact around Gabe Vincent, Rui Hachimura, and Jarred Vanderbilt would work with salary filler.

It doesn’t address the Lakers’ perimeter defense, though, so they would still be far from a title contender.

Other potential destinations: Bucks, 76ers, Warriors, Nuggets

Cam Johnson

Of the 10 players featured, Cam Johnson is the most likely to be traded. Shooting over 41% from three on 7.6 attempts per game, Johnson is a man in demand with two more seasons of team control.

The Brooklyn Nets are in a full rebuild and will be aiming to get multiple firsts for the former Phoenix Sun.

It won’t be easy to get more than one first given how pick-strapped the top teams are. Brookly could go for the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2031 first-round pick, however, which has major upside.

Milwaukee would get Johnson and Ziaire Williams to reinforce their wings. The Bucks are +1100 to make the Finals as it stands  –  their chances would be much better with Johnson and Williams than with this version of Kris Middleton.

Other potential destinations: Kings, Warriors, Cavaliers, Lakers

Lonzo Ball

The second of three Chicago Bulls on this list, Lonzo Ball has is on a $21.3 million expiring contract. The Bulls are reportedly open to trading Ball for second-round picks.

Back after missing two full seasons with injury, it’s unclear what Ball’s future in the NBA looks like, but the Los Angeles Lakers are apparently one team willing to take a chance.

Los Angeles desperately needs a point-of-attack defender. Rui Hachimura and a salary filler could get a trade done with a future second. It’s a risk, but acquiring Lonzo would make the Lakers a much more appealing bet at +205 to win the Pacific Division.

Other potential destinations: Clippers, Warriors, Magic, Pistons, Timberwolves, Heat

Brandon Ingram

There hasn’t been a taker for Brandon Ingram for several months. It’s unlikely that changes before the trade deadline with Ingram having played 18 games this season. He’s currently out with an ankle injury.

Maybe, just maybe, a front office takes a chance, though. Ingram is shooting over 39% on a career-high 6.4 3-point attempts per game. He’s a good playmaker and has the length to be a decent defender.

Could his salary be used in a three-way Jimmy Butler deal? Maybe he ends up on the Heat alongside Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, and Kel’el Ware. The Heat’s +410 price to win the Southeast Division would be a lot more interesting.

Other potential destinations: Timberwolves, Bucks, Grizzlies

Kyle Kuzma

All three of the former Lakers included in the Anthony Davis trade could be on the move before the trade deadline.

Kuzma hasn’t had a good year on the historically bad Washington Wizards. He’s under contract for two more seasons at around $20 million. The trade buzz isn’t at the same level as other seasons.

Teams with matching salary should still look at Kuzma. He scored 21.7 points per game with five boards and four assists over the last two seasons.

Could the Wiz help the Minnesota Timberwolves end the painful-for-everyone Julius Randle experience? Kuzma and Johnny Davis works salary-wise. It might be a worthwhile dice roll to see if Kuzma’s performance improves on a contender, even if it doesn’t impact Minnesota’s +5000 title odds at FanDuel.

Other potential destinations: Spurs, Kings

Nikola Vučević

The Golden State Warriors were a rumored landing spot for Nikola Vučević before the deadline. Having fallen out of contention for a top-six spot, it looks like the Dubs will not be buyers.

It’s unlikely the Lakers make a move for Vučević, despite Anthony Davis’ desire to play at the four.

Teams can target Vučević defensively. He needs a defensive system to compensate for his weaknesses, so his team can benefit from his diverse offensive skillset on the offensive end (including shooting 39.8% from three).

Could the Dallas Mavericks look to add another frontcourt option alongside Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II? It’s a longshot, but it’s achievable with a four-player package, including Maxi Kleber and Donte Exum.

Robert Williams III

Robert Williams III has played 58 games since the start of the 2022/23 season. Any trade for the Portland Trail Blazers center is a health gamble. Portland is motivated to move Williams, though, with a frontcourt logjam between Deandre Ayton, Donovan Clingan, and Doup Reath.

The Denver Nuggets need to improve their frontcourt depth. Swapping Zeke Nnaji and Dario Šarić for Williams would be a considerable upgrade and make a massive difference in the crucial minutes when Nikola Jokić rests.

Denver is currently +1500 to win the Finals at DraftKings. This is an under-the-radar move which would make that a great bet.

Other potential destinations: Pacers, Spurs, Kings

Jordan Clarkson

In the depths of a rebuild and looking to give themselves the best possible shot at Cooper Flagg, the Utah Jazz are among a few definite sellers at the trade deadline.

Despite being under contract for $14,285,714 next season, Jordan Clarkson should be available. The Orlando Magic (-1.6 bench net rating) or Detroit Pistons (too dependent on Cade Cunningham for shot creation) are potential landing spots for Clarkson.

An additional scoring guard would help either team. For Orlando, it would make the +114 on over 45.5 wins much more appealing.

Other potential destinations: Timberwolves, 76ers

CJ McCollum

Under contract for $30,666,666 in 2025/26, CJ McCollum is overpaid and a difficult fit on the trade market. McCollum is a poor defender and overtasked as the lead ball handler on a good team.

His best fit is next to a big wing who can lead the offense. With Jaden Ivey out for the year, the Pistons could be a landing spot for McCollum, who need some scoring punch next to Cade Cunningham. The former Blazer is scoring 22 points per game this season.

Detroit is currently -118 to make the playoffs. Down in 23^rd in offensive rating, the Pistons could send Simone Fontecchio, Tim Hardaway Jr., and a future second-round pick to the Pels to complete the deal. Adding McCollum would reduce their flexibility this offseason, but it would enhance their playoff probability.