NBA trade targets: Best players likely on the block during 2026 offseason

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NBA trade targets: Best players likely on the block during 2026 offseason

Bailey Bassett, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Mon, Apr 13, 2026 ·

11 min read

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NBA trade targets: Best players likely on the block during 2026 offseason appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .

The NBA regular season is over, and many teams are already looking to the offseason and how they will tweak their rosters. In the modern era of basketball, the trade market is of frequent use by all teams, and specifically, stars are dealt more often than ever before. Even after a busy trade deadline , there are still some great players who will likely be traded this offseason. So, who are the best players on the trade block come the 2026 offseason?

10. Jalen Suggs , Orlando Magic , PG

While the Orlando Magic did undergo a mini-winning streak of sorts to end the regular season, for the most part, 2025-26 was yet another disappointing season for the team. The team has long struggled to find consistent enough offense to be viewed as true contenders in the East. That has resulted in back-to-back first-round exits, and not even trading for one of the league's best 3-point shooters in Desmond Bane may prevent history from repeating.

If Orlando suffers another premature postseason exit, which seems likely, they might have to truly shake up the core. Paolo Banchero seems unlikely to get dealt because of his status as a recent number one overall pick and his brand new contract extension. The team shouldn't part with Franz Wagner , either, as that duo is still young and has potential to work out. That means Jalen Suggs may be the odd man out.

For starters, many of Orlando's problems have stemmed from the fact that the team can never seem to get healthy, and Suggs has been one of their most injury-prone players. While he is a great defender, Suggs might not be the ideal fit with Banchero and Wagner because he isn't the best playmaker and creator among guards in the league. Nearly the entire Magic core is under contract for years to come, so perhaps they will run it back next season, but another postseason bust could spark change this summer.

9. Jarrett Allen , Cleveland Cavaliers , C

The Cleveland Cavaliers are another team that might wait and see how they do in the postseason before adding anyone to the trading block. One thing is for sure, though, and that is financials have to be on the team's mind. The team was the only second apron team this year, and as of now, they are one of two teams projected to be above that line again next year. At some point, Cleveland might have to make cost-cutting moves.

They already made a short-term move for James Harden . The all-time great shooting guard will help them push for the NBA Finals next year, but he is older and under team control for less time than Darius Garland , the player he was traded for. It seems unlikely that the Cavaliers will retain him when he hits the open market, either in two offseasons from now or this offseason if he declines his player option.

Jarrett Allen is another player who could be on the move. With Evan Mobley showcasing more ability to play the center position, Allen might be expendable. He is a solid rim protector and play-finisher, but he is the least impactful of their core that includes Mobley, Harden, and Donovan Mitchell .

8. Julius Randle , Minnesota Timberwolves , PF

The Minnesota Timberwolves have made back-to-back Western Conference appearances. President of basketball operations Tim Connelly is also no stranger to making big trades. He traded Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo after the first of those two appearances in the semifinal round.

If Connelly is again feeling frisky, it wouldn't come as that big of a surprise if he looked to flip Randle. The power forward is one of the most polarizing players in basketball. On the one hand, Randle is a multi-time All-Star who has surpassed the 20-point-per-game mark in six of the last eight seasons, including with a 21.1 mark this year. He is a physically imposing player who can bully his way to buckets, but he combines that with some impressive finesse.

However, Randle is streaky as a shooter, and his defense is far from elite. Many fans and commentators have questioned his ability to contribute to winning in the past. Whether that is a fair evaluation or not is a question for another day, but it could certainly lead to his departure this offseason from a trade-happy team.

7. Trey Murphy , New Orleans Pelicans , SF

Trey Murphy has been involved in trade rumors for quite some time now. The New Orleans Pelicans have held onto their two-way wing in the hope that they'd get better, but they simply haven't improved in the standings all that much. Perhaps this is the offseason that the Pelicans finally trade Murphy.

He'd be coveted by a number of teams because he fits in any scheme. Murphy is 6-foot-8, he can hit mid-range or 3-point shots and is an impressive dunker, and he can lock up opponents on defense. Not only were the Pelicans one of the worst teams in the Western Conference this year, but they are without their would-be lottery-bound draft pick because of the trade they made for Derik Queen last year.

Still being in a rebuild, but without a premier draft pick is unideal. Reports suggest the Pelicans would only accept a massive haul for Murphy, but teams that are a piece away from contention just may be willing to give up a lot to bring in a versatile player like the Pelicans forward.

6. Zion Williamson , New Orleans Pelicans, PF

Another member of the Pelicans, Zion Williamson , could be on the trade market this offseason. Williams left Duke with a national player of the year award and a claim to being one of the most highly touted prospects in NBA Draft history . Williamson's freakish athleticism and dunking abilities were truly unprecedented, and he was viewed as a can't-miss draft selection.

Unfortunately, Williamson hasn't lived up to the expectations, as his NBA career has been a complete rollercoaster. Williamson has averaged 23.8 points per game over his career, proving he can be a force on the offensive side of the court. However, his defense has lacked, and more worrisome, the former number one pick has struggled to stay on the court throughout his career. Williamson has been constantly hurt, and it has led to the Pelicans continuously underwhelming.

At some point, New Orleans just might give up on the Williamson experience. The bad news for the Pelicans is that his trade value likely wouldn't match the talent that he is. After all, there is the potential in there somewhere to be a perennial All-Star. Interested teams would likely be hesitant to give much value for a player who is so often sidelined, but maybe somebody will take the gamble under the impression that they are getting great value for a star-level player.

5. Ja Morant , Memphis Grizzlies , PG

Ja Morant has been involved in trade rumors for quite some time now, and it is surprising that he is still on the Memphis Grizzlies' roster, while Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. have already been traded over the last year. Morant established himself as a rising star early in his career, even becoming a player who looked like he could become the face of the league.

It has been a rocky road in recent years, though. Morant has regularly been surrounded by drama. That includes multiple suspensions and frequent injury issues. At the start of the 2025-26 season, the point guard was called out by his coach, which Morant didn't take kindly to, and the incident seemingly proved that the relationship between Memphis and Morant may never be mended.

Plus, streaky shooting and a lack of defense have led some to question if Morant can even play a winning brand of basketball. This has culminated in Morant being arguably the most likely superstar to be traded this offseason, especially considering the Grizzlies have already started a rebuild. It isn't all bad with Morant, though. Interested teams would get a still-young player with multiple All-Star nods to his name and some of the most explosive vertical leaping ability the league has ever seen.

4. Michael Porter Jr. , Brooklyn Nets , SF

Last offseason, the Denver Nuggets traded Michael Porter Jr. and a first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for Cam Johnson . It was a brilliant trade for Brooklyn, as they added draft capital and took on a player with a higher ceiling. With the ultimate green light, Porter improved his reputation as a player. The 3-point marksman averaged a career-high 24.2 points per game as the top option.

Now the Nets know they have someone who can operate as their go-to scorer for years to come. However, they aren't finished with a big rebuild either. If the Nets decide that Porter doesn't fit their timeline, they can flip him again this offseason because his trade value is even greater than it was last year.

At 6-foot-10 with a high release and a money shot from deep, Porter is a player who can fit with any team in the league. A number of contenders would certainly be willing to give up a haul of draft picks for his services. The Nets drafted five players in the first round last year, so they just might desire draft capital more than the scoring prowess that Porter offers right now.

3. Bam Adebayo , Miami Heat , C

An incredible 83-point performance won't save Bam Adebayo from trade rumors this offseason. In fact, it might only increase them. The second-highest scoring performance in NBA history proved that the Miami Heat center is more talented than his reputation would insinuate. On top of the scoring pop that he showed in that game, though, it is well-known that Adebayo has some impressive playmaking knack for a big man and the ability to swat shots away at the rim.

The Heat have been pretty mediocre since Jimmy Butler 's departure, though. There is a world where either they look to hit the reset button or where Adebayo demands a trade to a contender. Adebayo is one of the most versatile centers in the NBA, so he could fit just about anywhere in the league.

Even a trade to a non-contender could be on the table, considering the NBA saw teams like the Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards trade for superstars this season. On a team closer to the bottom of the standings, Adebayo could put up monster scoring nights with more regularity.

2. Kawhi Leonard , Los Angeles Clippers , SF

It is hard to predict what the future holds for Kawhi Leonard . A player who has long struggled with injuries, Leonard was healthy more often than not this past season, and he ended up having one of the best years of his career. He is a postseason go-to scorer and one of the best defenders in league history.

However, his Los Angeles Clippers running mates, Paul George and James Harden , have already been traded away. Leonard has verbalized in the past that Los Angeles is his home and where he wants to play, though. The Clippers have been getting younger, but they might want to start a true rebuild at some point.

It isn't clear if the NBA would even allow a Leonard trade as of now. A salary cap circumvention investigation involving the Clippers, Leonard, and a company called Aspiration has yet to be resolved. There are a lot of ifs involving Leonard and a potential trade right now. If he or the Clippers want to move on, and if his investigation is solved, and if teams are willing to take a gamble on such an injury-prone star, then Leonard would certainly be one of the best players on the trading block.

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo , Milwaukee Bucks , PF

It is actually quite amazing that Giannis Antetokounmpo hasn't already been traded. He has implied a desire to be traded time after time, while always trying to save face and prove his loyalty to the Milwaukee Bucks right after. It is clear that the former MVP has a fractured relationship with the team that he has spent his entire career with, though.

The Bucks haven't been able to build a championship roster around the best player in their franchise's history ever since the team won it all in 2021. The strained relationship between the star and the team was enhanced when the two couldn't agree on Antetokounmpo's health to end the season.

With the Bucks out of the playoff picture and the team having already moved on from Doc Rivers , this offseason seems like the time that Antetokounmpo will finally be shipped out. If that turns out to be the case, he will become one of the best players ever moved through the trade market.

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