The NBA offseason has begun, and in less than two weeks, the league will engage in another frenzy of rookie deals, max contract extensions, and free agency signings.
And transactions, of course.
Which candidates for the crown will draw the most attention? Who will be dealt the biggest superstar? Which young team will make the necessary connection?
Our NBA Insiders have been hard at work in the ESPN Trade Machine, identifying five trades that they would want to see. These trades include Brooklyn acquiring a previous All-Star, two starting guards leaving Chicago, and a significant upheaval in New Orleans.
Knicks trade a center to Memphis
Luke Kennard to the New York Knicks
Potential first-round selection
The Grizzlies have Jaren Jackson Jr., an All-Star type big man, but they should be looking to add a potent offensive-rebounding presence after dealing away both Xavier Tillman Sr. and Steven Adams in the previous season.
When considering the last three seasons (2020–23) in which Memphis made it to the postseason, the team’s offensive rebounding percentage rankings were fourth, first, and sixth. The numerous “Kobe assists” the Grizzlies get after star player Ja Morant misses shots demonstrate their regular ability to force opponents to pay for swarming him as he drives.
That’s where the 26-year-old Robinson comes in. He ranked second in the league for offensive rebounding percentage in 2021-22 and first in 2022-23. He would have finished second again this past season if he had enough playing time to qualify. Robinson is a highly physical player, known for his lob threats and putbacks, and is a tough defender who deters opponents from driving into the paint. The main concern with Robinson is his durability, but Jackson’s ability to play center could alleviate some of the pressure on him.
Robinson’s average salary of $14.3 million is manageable, but the Knicks might consider trading him to free up funds for Isaiah Hartenstein, who performed well as a rebounder, defender, and passer while Robinson was limited to 37 games this season due to ankle issues.
Kennard, 27, has a similar salary to Robinson. As a two-time league leader in 3-point percentage, he could improve the Knicks’ bench spacing. To incentivize the Knicks further, the Grizzlies could include a future first-round pick in the trade.
Cavaliers land another All-Star
Brandon Ingram Daniels, Dyson
The New Orleans Pelicans acquire: Max Strus and Jarrett Allen.
Even though this is primarily a talent trade, both teams stand to gain financially and strategically from this possible agreement.
As his contract with the Pelicans approaches its last year, 26-year-old Ingram is expected to sign a four-year extension worth up to $208 million. If Ingram and his team refuse to accept less than $50 million annually, New Orleans may consider making a trade.
Ingram is one of 10 players to average at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in each of the past three seasons. He earned his only All-Star appearance with the Pelicans in 2020, the same year he was named the league’s Most Improved Player. Despite the efforts to pair Ingram with Zion Williamson over the past five years, New Orleans might be ready to move on. Ingram would offer the Cavaliers a strong wing presence alongside Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley.
For Cleveland, this trade would break up the Mobley-Allen frontcourt pairing and shift Mobley to the center position full-time. It could also indicate a potential end to Darius Garland’s tenure with the Cavaliers if they decide to allocate significant funds to Ingram, Mitchell (presumably with a lucrative extension), and the extension-eligible Mobley.
Dyson Daniels, a 6-foot-8 defensive-minded guard who turned 21 in March, would give the Cavaliers a versatile ball handler who could play alongside Mitchell or lead the second unit. Although Daniels has struggled with his three-point shooting (31.2% on 1.8 attempts per game over two seasons), he provides substantial value on the defensive end.
By dealing Ingram and Daniels, the Pelicans free up space under the luxury tax, potentially improving their chances of re-signing forward Naji Marshall in free agency.
Allen, an All-Star in 2022, will serve as the defensive cornerstone for coach Willie Green’s defense, which ranked sixth in defensive rating (111.9) this season. However, the team could benefit from a more versatile defender than Jonas Valanciunas. Strus, who is in the second year of a four-year, $63 million contract, started every game he played this season but might fit well as a sixth man in New Orleans.
The Pelicans’ starting lineup would include Williamson, Allen, Herb Jones, CJ McCollum, and it would allow Trey Murphy III to replace Ingram, with Strus bolstering the bench.
Ingram could be a valuable asset for the Cavaliers, providing a reliable option to create his own shot and occasionally stepping in as the lead ball handler to give Mitchell a break.
Jazz make a win-now move
Zach LaVine to Utah Jazz
Alex Caruso
For the Chicago Bulls: Jordan Clarkson
John Collins, protected by lottery, first-round pick in 2025 (via Cleveland)
Although a LaVine deal to the Jazz does not fit the definition of a rebuilding team, Danny Ainge, the president of basketball operations for the Jazz, stated publicly that the franchise is now open for business to improve.
“I believe that finding one or two players is our goal, and we’re prepared to go,” Ainge stated to reporters in April. “We’re ready to go big-game hunting, and that hasn’t happened in the last two years.”
Even if the Jazz manage to sign Alex Caruso, the issue remains if LaVine has a significant impact for Utah.
Despite a six-year streak of at least 19 points per game, LaVine is owed $138 million over the next three seasons. Following surgery on his right foot in February, he missed the rest of the 2023–24 regular season.
As one of the best wing defenders in the league, Caruso was named to the first team of the All-Defensive team in 2023 and the second team in 2024. He placed first in deflections, sixth in steals, and fifteenth in total charges taken by the end of the season. Although his contract is about to expire, Utah has the option to extend it before he becomes a free agent.
The Jazz are taking on an additional $10 million this season, but because they have salary cap space, the contracts do not need to match.
Although breaking up LaVine’s contract costs the Bulls Caruso, it balances their roster by addressing two positional needs and provides Chicago with both immediate and future financial flexibility. Additionally, the Bulls will acquire a top-14 protected first-round pick from Cleveland in 2025.
Collins’ addition bolsters a frontcourt that currently only has Nikola Vucevic under contract for next season. For the seventh consecutive season, Collins has averaged double-digit points and at least 6.5 rebounds. He is owed $26.6 million each of the next two years.
Clarkson averaged 17 points last season with Utah but had a career-low 29.5% shooting from three-point range. He has two years remaining on his contract, with $14.1 million and $14.3 million owed respectively.
Brooklyn lands its point guard of the future
The Brooklyn Nets acquire: Damian Garland
Georges Niang
Get for the Cleveland Cavaliers: Cameron Johnson
Dennis Schroder
2025 first-round selection (via Phoenix or, less likely, a Brooklyn/Houston trade)
2029 first-round selection (via Dallas/Phoenix if less)
This summer, if Donovan Mitchell signs an extension, a trade for Garland seems likely. Cleveland has to surround Mitchell with better shooting and defense, as well as big men Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Introducing Johnson, a 39% career 3-point shooter who would also add size to the Cavaliers starting five on the perimeter.
Instead of starting the 6-1 Garland alongside the 6-3 Mitchell and 6-5 Max Strus, Cleveland would make Mitchell their smallest starter with the 6-8 Johnson, who is better suited to defend bigger wings than Strus.
Johnson’s contract is favorable, averaging less than $22 million over the next three seasons, whereas Garland’s contract escalates to $45 million by 2027-28. Trading Niang, who was on the fringes of the Cavaliers’ playoff rotation, for Schroder as a backup point guard in the final year of his contract also saves enough to give Cleveland access to their non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
Though the 2025 first-round pick may have limited upside due to Brooklyn’s swap with the Houston Rockets, adding a first-rounder would replace the one the Cavaliers sent to the Jazz for Mitchell, giving them more flexibility for future trades involving draft picks.
The Nets are making a calculated bet that Garland will return to his All-Star form from the 2021-22 season, especially since Cleveland added Mitchell as another star in the backcourt. At just 24 years old, Garland would significantly improve one of the NBA’s weakest point guard rotations last season, with Schroder stepping in after the deadline trade that sent Spencer Dinwiddie away.
With Brooklyn not having full control of its first-round pick until 2028, remaining in the lottery doesn’t benefit them much. Garland’s ability to create plays, combined with Mikal Bridges taking on a secondary offensive role, could propel the Nets back into contention for the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.
Sacramento acquires a playmaking big
Gets for the Sacramento Kings: Kyle Kuzma
Kevin Huerter Harrison Barnes Future first-round pick (protected by lottery) is acquired by the Washington Wizards.
With the No. 2 pick, Michael Winger and Will Dawkins will have their largest draft pick as Washington begins its second year of rebuilding. Additionally, Washington has the No. 26 selection.
The Wizards, who suffered through 67 losses last season, aren’t expecting their upcoming draft pick to immediately transform them into playoff contenders. Therefore, Washington should entertain offers for veteran scorer Kuzma to accumulate as many assets as possible.
In the summer of 2021, there was momentum between the Kings and Lakers for a trade that would have sent Kuzma to Sacramento in exchange for Buddy Hield, before the Lakers shifted focus to Russell Westbrook and ultimately traded Kuzma to Washington.
Kuzma could bolster the Kings after a season plagued by injuries where they failed to advance beyond the play-in stage. His playoff experience from his tenure with the Lakers makes him a valuable addition, potentially benefiting De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis with his scoring prowess. Last season, Kuzma posted career highs of 22.2 points, 4.2 assists, and 6.6 rebounds per game.
Huerter, a versatile guard who turns 26 in August and played college basketball at Maryland, gives Washington a young two-way player, although his season ended early due to a torn left labrum. Barnes, aged 32, brings veteran leadership and experience.
Both players have two years remaining on their contracts, presenting Washington with opportunities to potentially trade them for additional draft picks or assets. Kuzma, on the other hand, is signed for three more years under his current four-year, $90 million deal.