NBA Swing: Five Stars Most Likely to be Traded Next Season

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While trade rumors are nothing new in the NBA, the league has been flipped upside down in the last few months. The new collective bargaining agreement has made it tougher for organizations to keep their rosters together while multiple teams are dealing with significant injuries to their rosters. For the following five players, the 2025-26 season could see these players moved for one reason or another.

Trae Young

After seven seasons and plenty of rumors surrounding him and the Atlanta Hawks, it feels like a trade might finally be on the horizon. Last season, Young would average 24.2 PPG, a league-leading 11.6 APG, and 3.1 RPG across 76 games. Despite a strong year from Young, the Hawks would lose in the play-in tournament once again. The Hawks would have one of the better offseasons in the NBA, trading for Kristaps Porzingis and signing Nickiel Alexander-Walker. With the Eastern Conference being at its weakest in years, there is some hope for the Hawks, but rumors are lurking about Young’s future.

With recent reports noting that the Hawks and Young are not expected to talk about an extension this summer, many think Young’s time in Atlanta is rapidly nearing its end. Entering the fourth year of his five-year, $215 million deal, Young’s contract would be a harder contract to move and acquire, but Young could be the missing piece for several contenders. Young has been linked to several teams, including the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic, as possible trade destinations.

Anfernee Simons

Despite being traded from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Boston Celtics earlier in the season as part of the Jrue Holiday trade, there’s already speculation that the team could move on from the young guard. Last season, Simons averaged 19.3 PPG, 4.8 APG, and 2.7 RPG in 70 games with the Blazers. Now with Boston, there are questions about his fit with the team.

Entering the last year of his four-year, $100 million deal, Boston may be better off flipping Simons instead of letting him go next summer for nothing. With recent reports indicating that the Celtics plan to start Peyton Pritchard and have Simons come off the bench at the beginning of the 2025-26 season, it is clear that Simons is a rental for the Celtics. While many expect Boston to take a year off as they will be missing Jayson Tatum for most of, if not the entire year, trading Simons for anything that can help once Tatum returns may be their best option.

Giannis Antetokunmpo

At this point, every team in the league is watching to see what the future holds for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks’ offseason has been one of the more confusing in the NBA. The Bucks would shock everyone by waiving Damian Lillard and signing Myles Turner. With the Bucks’ roster outside of Giannis being one of the more disappointing in the league, the team cannot go far without him. One injury to Giannis would turn the Bucks from a contender in a very weak Eastern Conference to a play-in team.

While teammate Bobby Portis has tried to shut down any rumors regarding a Giannis trade, the media believes Giannis could request a trade during the 2025-26 season. If the Bucks have a similar start to their 2-8 start last season, it would not be a surprise if Giannis requests a trade. It would be expected that nearly every team would be interested in trading for the Greek Freak. Over the last season, multiple teams have been interested in Giannis, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, and more.

Domantas Sabonis

Following his trade from the Indiana Pacers to the Sacramento Kings, the future was looking bright for Domantas Sabonis. Last season would be an up-and-down year for Sabonis with the team being shaken up by the firing of head coach Mike Brown and the trade of De’Aaron Fox that brought back Zach LaVine. Despite the hectic season, Sabonis would average 19.1 PPG, a career-high 13.1 RPG, and 6.0 APG in 70 games.

While reports have said Sabonis has not requested a trade and the Kings are still committed to him, the future is quite bleak for Sacramento. The team did not look the same following the Fox trade, with the trio of Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, and Zach LaVine not working well together. While Lavine’s contract is the hardest of the three to move, and DeRozan is not expected to bring back a strong return if he’s traded, Sabonis would be the best option to trade. An All-Star level player every season, Sabonis would bring back a strong return and give a team a potential championship-level player.

Paul George

After his worst season since his sophomore year, Paul George is likely to be on the move in the future. George would average 16.2 PPG, 5.3 RPG, and 4.3 APG in just 41 games. George would miss half the season due to numerous injuries and would be shut down in early March. With Joel Embiid missing much of the season as well, there are concerns about his future. While there were rumblings of a potential Paul George trade before the 2025 NBA draft, the most recent news about Embiid could sway the Sixers to move on from PG.

With recent reports saying Embiid is struggling to get back on the court following several surgeries, the Sixers may have to make a shocking move as Embiid could be nearing medical retirement. Of Embiid and George, George would be the more likely to be on the move first. The biggest hurdle for Philadelphia would be its contract. His four-year, $211 million deal has been dubbed one of the worst contracts in the league, given his play. Entering just the second year of the deal, very few teams could take on a contract of his size. Given the unknown future of the Sixers, moving on from George may be a necessary move to protect their immediate future.