The 2025 NBA offseason is shaping up to be another wild one. Fresh off what many called the craziest trade deadline in league history, this summer feels like the sequel fans have been waiting for. Several front offices are under pressure to make a splash after early playoff exits, while other stars appear destined for a change of scenery after continued underachievement.
The current CBA adds an extra layer of intrigue. Teams like the Boston Celtics are incentivized to shed salary, especially with Jayson Tatum sidelined. Others are running into hard caps and financial constraints that limit flexibility.
Even ESPN’s Shams Charania is building hype.
“This is the most anticipation team executives have had over an offseason. I think this might be the craziest we’ve ever seen,” he said recently. “We just came off a trade deadline that I think was the craziest of all-time. This offseason might be even bigger.”
Big trades are coming. Some could completely reshape the league and have a major impact on next season’s futures markets.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Coming off his seventh straight First Team All-NBA selection, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future is uncertain. Reports suggest he is evaluating his options after Milwaukee’s third consecutive first-round exit.
Any trade involving Giannis would shift the balance of power. A team like San Antonio could instantly become a top-two favorite in the Western Conference if they pair him with Victor Wembanyama. Houston has the young players and picks to make a compelling offer, and adding Giannis would give them a true number one option.
Milwaukee would fall out of the title picture without him and enter a full rebuild. A deal moving their franchise cornerstone puts them alongside teams like the Wizards and Hornets in the Eastern Conference hierarchy.
Austin Reaves
The Lakers somehow kept Austin Reaves in the Luka Dončić trade, but his name is still likely to surface in future talks. While Los Angeles has enough salary and picks to make a deal without him, opposing GMs will push for Reaves to be included.
Trading him might actually help the Lakers. Offensively, he overlaps with LeBron and Dončić, and defensively, that trio leaves holes. A deal that brings in a true big man could balance the roster and shorten the Lakers’ title odds.
It is not going to land Rob Pelinka a superstar, but a smart move involving Reaves could be a win for both sides if the fit is right.
Jarrett Allen
Cleveland’s 64-win season ended with a disappointing second-round exit. Injuries played a role, but the lack of offensive versatility was glaring.
Jarrett Allen remains a valuable piece. His rim protection, rebounding, and pick-and-roll finishing make him an ideal fit on multiple rosters. Teams running two-big lineups or lacking interior defense will be interested.
If the Cavs want to improve their spacing and wing depth, Allen could be the player moved. A trade to Golden State or the Lakers would boost those teams’ title odds while giving Cleveland more flexibility around Donovan Mitchell.
Jrue Holiday
The Celtics are likely to move at least one high-salary player this offseason. Jrue Holiday is owed over 100 million dollars over the next three seasons and may be the cleanest way to reduce payroll.
Under the current CBA, his deal is tough to carry for a team already over the second tax apron. His value as a third or fourth option does not match the price tag, and it may be hard to get equal value in return without gutting depth.
A team like Detroit or San Antonio could view him as a culture setter and backcourt stabilizer. Boston might also look to retain him and move someone else, but Holiday will be one of the names to watch closely.
Jaylen Brown
If Boston opts to go bigger, Jaylen Brown and his 236 million dollar contract over the next four years could be moved. It would require significant matching salary, but Finals MVP in 2024 is a shot-creator who can carry a playoff offense.
Houston needs a true number one option. Detroit could see him as the perfect complement to Cade Cunningham. The Eastern Conference is soft at the top, and a Brown-led Pistons team might jump into the top three.
Miami could get involved too, sending out Terry Rozier, Andrew Wiggins, and picks. A trio of Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and Jaylen Brown could have Conference Finals potential.
Zion Williamson
Zion Williamson is one of the most interesting buy-low trade targets on the market. His contract is non-guaranteed beyond this season and includes weight clause provisions that give teams some protection.
He is unlikely to end up with a contender like the Knicks or Thunder, but he could shift the outlook for a mid-tier team. The Kings, Grizzlies, or Pistons could all benefit from taking a swing on his upside.
He may not be the league-shifting player many expected on draft night, but a healthy Zion still moves the needle.
Kevin Durant
The Kevin Durant trade has not paid off for the Phoenix Suns. Pairing him with Bradley Beal and Devin Booker created one of the least balanced rosters in the league. With Beal’s no-trade clause in the way, Durant becomes the logical trade chip.
His relationship with new head coach Mike Budenholzer is reportedly rocky. At 37, he needs to be in a situation where he is not carrying a heavy regular-season load.
A move to Miami or Detroit would make those teams immediate Eastern Conference contenders. A trade to Houston or San Antonio would create new power dynamics in the West.
Ja Morant
Publicly, Memphis is committed to Ja Morant. Behind closed doors, the story could be different. He has played just 59 games over the last two seasons and missed the playoffs due to another injury.
The Marcus Smart experiment did not work out. Head coach Taylor Jenkins was fired. The Grizzlies are armed with picks and movable contracts if they decide to reshape the roster.
A Ja-for-Giannis framework is a stretch, but if Memphis wants to break out of the middle tier, moving Morant might be their boldest path forward.
Jalen Green
If Houston makes a move for Giannis, Jalen Green will likely be part of the package. His contract lines up perfectly and allows the Rockets to match salary without tearing apart their depth.
Green has not developed as expected. He is still electric with the ball and capable of hot scoring nights, but his playoff performances were inconsistent, and he may project better as a sixth man long-term.
Houston could use Green’s salary to target a more reliable star, even if it is not Giannis. That kind of move would boost their title hopes and solidify their rotation.
Darius Garland
If Cleveland decides to shake things up even more, Darius Garland could be the next to go. Garland has been a solid fit next to Donovan Mitchell, but moving him could allow the Cavs to shift more responsibility to their star scorer and reallocate resources elsewhere.
Garland is a clean fit for multiple playoff hopefuls. The Magic need a point guard who can shoot and create. The Rockets and Timberwolves could both use his skill set.
Any trade involving Garland would require a creative, multi-team structure, but the reward could be significant. A new environment and more touches might elevate his game even further.
The trade rumor mill is only just beginning to heat up, and any one of these moves could reshape the NBA’s power structure overnight. Whether it is a blockbuster involving Giannis or a quieter deal that boosts a contender’s depth, the ripple effects will be felt across futures markets and playoff predictions alike. With so many teams on the edge of contention and the CBA pressuring front offices to act, this offseason could be one of the most consequential in recent memory.
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