NBA Swing: Four Stars Most Likely to be Traded by the Deadline

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With the 2024-25 NBA season only a couple of weeks deep, the rumor mill is already in full swing. Some stars have already been in the rumor mill going back to previous seasons, while some are finding themselves in the rumor mill due to their play and their team’s play this season. Even though numerous stars have found themselves in the rumor mill this season, the following four players are the most likely of those players to find a new home this season.

Jimmy Butler

The Miami Heat have been off to a rough start this season. Currently 3-4, the Heat are not looking like the team they were last season. One of the biggest things looming over the Heat is the Jimmy Butler situation. Many believe the 2024-25 will be the 35-year-old’s last season in Miami as he and the team were not able to come to an agreement on an extension this offseason. Despite averaging the same rebounds and having a small uptick in assists per game, Butler has taken a small step back with his scoring. Going back to the summer, Butler has been linked to several teams including the Brooklyn Nets, Houston Rockets, and Golden State Warriors. With the Heat unlikely to re-sign Butler next summer, trading him would be the right thing for both parties.

Zach Lavine

Having been in trade rumors for years, it feels like the 2024-25 NBA season will be the season where Zach Lavine finally gets traded. After a 2023-24 season that only saw him play 25 games and look uninterested, Lavine has had a hot start in his first six games this season. Currently averaging 22.7 PPG and 5.2 RPG, Lavine is looking similar to his All-Star seasons. Having benefitted from the return of Lonzo Ball and another strong distributor in Josh Giddey, Lavine has been able to thrive from three. While his contract is seen as one of the worst contracts in the league, several teams have suffered misfortunes that may make Lavine’s contract more palatable in their eyes. Teams like the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets have stars that are missing significant time. Teams like the Los Angeles Lakers continue to be in Lavine trade rumors. If Lavine continues playing at the level he’s started at this season, he and the Bulls may finally get the separation the two parties have been looking at for over a season.

Jonathan Kuminga

Since being drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 2021, Jonathan Kuminga has had a very up-and-down start to his NBA career. Kuminga would see limited time in his first couple of seasons before publicly criticizing Warriors head coach Steve Kerr for his lack of playing time. He would eventually get more playing time and would be seen as a solid player but would not be seen as the right player to put next to superstar Stephen Curry in hopes of winning another championship. Over the summer, Kuminga would be one of the main players dangled by the Warriors in potential trade packages for Paul George and Lauri Markkanen. Before the season started, Kuminga would be just one of a few notable players from the 2021 draft class to not receive rookie extensions, making him a restricted free agent next summer. Early into the season and working to prove he’s worthy of a big decision, Kuminga was moved to the bench, something that will only create more tension between him and the Warriors. With several teams reportedly having interest in Kuminga, including the Brooklyn Nets, the Warriors would be smart to trade Kuminga before potentially losing him for nothing. With Golden State being rumored to make a big trade this season, Kuminga would more than likely be involved in that trade.

Jerami Grant

In the Summer of 2023, Jerami Grant would sign a 5-year, $160 million contract with the Portland Trailblazers. Grant would immediately become a highly-paid player on a team that was heading into a rebuild with Damian Lillard requesting a trade and eventually getting that trade. Grant would average 21.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, and 2.8 APG while Portland would near the bottom of the standings in the Western Conference. This season, the Blazers are in the hunt for Cooper Flagg in the 2025 draft, with Grant being a player who could prevent that as a winning player. Set to make $29 million this season with the contract going all the way up to $36 million in the 2027-28 season, Grant’s contract will become more palatable. He has been linked to teams including the Los Angeles Lakers as a potential landing spot. For Portland, moving on from Grant would help ensure they are in the running for Cooper Flagg come the NBA draft lottery.