Even in the dog days of summer, the NBA has managed to keep itself in national conversation, largely thanks to the intense speculation around this offseason’s trade market.
There have been a couple of big dominos to fall with the likes of Bradley Beal and John Collins getting dealt already, but rumor has it the trades will likely keep on coming.
In fact, there are still 10 big names out there that could find themselves in new cities by the time the season kicks off this fall.
Tyler Herro
After much speculation that the Heat’s young scorer could be included in a package to bring Damian Lillard to South Beach, a second team has been thrown into the mix, after Herro posted a picture working out with the Nets embattled point guard, Ben Simmons.
Of course, that (along with Simmons actually playing basketball next year) is far from a foregone conclusion, but it is look more and more likely that Herro is on a new team by the time the season starts.
Julius Randle
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
Julius Randle has been one of the most polarizing stars in the league for years now. Some fans love him, others think him to be a cancer.
The Knicks fanbase has gone back and forth during his time in New York, but after another tough postseason, it looks like the tide of public opinion (as well as the front office’s) may have officially turned and the Knicks might look to deal him elsewhere.
Tobias Harris
Now, that the 76ers have endured the bulk of the horrendous contract they gave Tobias Harris, his deal is set to expire at the end of the year and he may actually be tradeable again.
Harris was extremely overpaid, yes, but not a bad player by any stretch—and he could be a great fifth or sixth option for a team looking for a shot in the arm to get over the hump this year.
Zach Lavine
Lavine may not be super easy to trade, as he still has four years of max money left on his contract and a rather tumultuous medical past, but he has really emerged as a true star in Chicago and with four years of control—a team that is a star away from contention might want to roll the dice on his questionable medicals.
Deandre Ayton
Deandre Ayton has seemingly been the odd man out ever since Phoenix drafted him—and now that the deal for Bradley Beal has depleted an already shallow roster, they may look to finally part ways with the big man in hopes they can add some much-needed depth to support their star-studded lineup.
Collin Sexton
After spending just one year out in Utah, it looks like the former 8th overall pick in the ’18 Draft could find himself on his third team already.
With three years of control left on his deal, teams like the Clippers or Bucks have been rumored to have interest in the dynamic, but at times, erratic, point guard.
Mikal Bridges
The Nets are very much a franchise in flux and they would be wise to pull the plug and start over, so to speak, by dealing Mikal Bridges, who did them a huge favor by reportedly doubling his trade value with his performance after Brooklyn acquired him in the Durant deal.
Damian Lillard
After years of preaching loyalty, it now seems like a foregone conclusion that Damian Lillard and the Portland Trailblazers will finally be going their separate ways.
Dame has made it clear he wants to be sent to Miami, but Portland has not publicly agreed to acquiesce to his wishes. Whether it is Miami or elsewhere, expect Lillard to get moved sooner rather than later.
DeMar DeRozan
DeMar DeRozan turns 34 next year, but the man can still score the basketball. Now that the illusion of contention seems to have faded out of the Windy City entirely, look for the Bulls to deal the ageing star and his expiring contract to a contender in need of another player, who can create his own shot.
Paul George
The Paul George and Kawhi Leonard experiment has been a failure thus far in LA—and now that both players are eligible for extensions, the rumors are really starting to heat up that the Clippers have seen enough and will look to make moves.
Given the choice, they’d probably extend Leonard over George, so it could make sense for the Clippers brass to sell George off for parts to try and make one last push with Kawhi as the centerpiece.
