Ranking the Top 10 NBA Stars Likely to Be Traded in Summer 2025

10) Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

The 2023 NBA MVP hasn't been rumored much in regards to a trade, but he does have a player option looming at the end of the 2025-26 season. Like many on this list, Joel Embiid's health has been a concern, and if the 76ers believe that it will affect the rest of his deal beyond next season, they could look to trade him. He's only played 58 games since he won his MVP award, forcing head coach Nick Nurse to play French Olympic standout Guerschon Yabusele more than expected. That, along with Tyrese Maxey becoming a legitimate No. 1 option, the team could look to build around him moving forward without Embiid.

1) Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Top 5 Landing Spots for Giannis Antetokounmpo

Arguably the best player rumored to be traded this offseason, Giannis Antetokounmpo, 30, has been with Milwaukee since he was 19 and has risen in the ranks to become the franchise leader in win shares. While there's no evidence from him that he wants to leave the Bucks, the direction of the franchise might indicate he could be on his way out. Since winning the NBA title in 2021, the Bucks have gone through five different head coaches. Furthermore, Milwaukee has failed to make the Eastern Conference Finals, and Antetokounmpo has averaged 29.9 points per game or higher in that span.

2) Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns

Top 5 NBA Landing Spots for Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant is reportedly seeking a trade out of Phoenix after missing the 2025 NBA Playoffs and the subsequent firing of head coach Mike Budenholzer after one season. His top three destinations include Houston, Miami, and San Antonio, according to league sources. However, other teams could make a move for the future Hall-of-Famer, as long as he shows interest in joining their squad. The 36-year-old Durant averaged 26.2 points per game in 2024-25 and will be a free agent after the 2025-26 season, indicating that a move from a Suns team that has struggled both on the court and with an inflated payroll.

3) Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta will likely offer Trae Young a max extension this offseason, with him set to potentially be a free agent after 2026 if he declines his player option. He has been linked to trades earlier in his career, but has been an incredible catalyst for the Hawks since being drafted and traded to Atlanta by Dallas. If he were to be made available, he'd be a hot commodity as a clear top option, despite a cap hit of nearly $50 million. He led the NBA in assists per game last year with 11.2, but the team has missed the playoffs each of the previous two years, which could lead the franchise in a new direction.

4) Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans

Zion Williamson is on track to make nearly $40 million next season in New Orleans, which seems committed to keeping him as the face of the franchise, and it's doubtful the Pelicans make a move with the 2019 first-overall pick this offseason. However, for a player who has missed 268 regular-season games across his first six years in the NBA, a change of scenery could be beneficial for both sides, especially with Williamson recently being named in a lawsuit. The Brooklyn Nets have been linked as a potential suitor, but it seems that a larger sample size with Williamson on the court and playing healthy is needed for talks to pick up across the league.

5) Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz

Rumors swirled around a potential trade featuring Lauri Markkanen last season, and it never happened, with injuries almost certainly playing a factor. The rebuilding Utah Jazz don't have much to build around beyond the Finnish big man, even after landing the fifth overall pick in the draft. Star power is tough to come by in Salt Lake City, and without a top-four pick during their rebuild, moving Markkanen might be able to bring in some pieces to accelerate said rebuild. Plus, with Markkanen under contract until 2029, suitors will not be hard to find.

6) Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

Boston has two supermax players on its payroll, and of the two, it doesn't seem like Jayson Tatum is likely to be moved out of town. Jaylen Brown and Tatum would account for over half of the Celtics' luxury tax threshold. That being said, Brown would attract plenty of teams willing to send a haul Boston's way, if he ends up on the trading block, as it seems like everyone but Tatum could be, as the team may look to shed payroll. The 2024 NBA Finals MVP can seemingly take games over when needed, as evidenced by his performance last season, when Tatum was out with an injury. He averaged over 20 points per game in each of the previous six seasons. He recently underwent surgery for a torn meniscus, which should have him ready for the start of the season. 

7) Deandre Ayton, Portland Trail Blazers

A couple of factors could see Deandre Ayton being shipped out of Portland: his production has dropped since being traded from Phoenix, and it seems the Blazers have found their center of the future in 2024 seventh-overall pick Donovan Clingan. Now, with three NBA-caliber centers on the roster for this season (including Robert Williams), it seems like Ayton is the odd one out, especially with his high cap hit of over $35 million. The Lakers appear to be the best fit rumored for Ayton, who is yet to break out after being selected first overall in 2018.

8) Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies

Just a few years ago, the Memphis Grizzlies were the next big thing in the NBA, with Ja Morant famously saying in an interview, "I'm fine in the West." However, he's been involved in a slew of off-court incidents that have overshadowed his basketball career in some capacity. Considering that his points-per-game averages since his last all-star appearance in 2023 have been dropping consistently, and the recent trade of Desmond Bane, he is seemingly less untouchable than when he made that statement. He projects to remain the Grizzlies' number one option moving forward, and reaffirmed his commitment to Memphis by writing "ima be in dat 901" on X.

9) Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings

Domantas Sabonis looked like he was going to be the leader of a powerhouse Sacramento Kings team for years to come after two consecutive top-10 MVP and All-NBA Third Team appearances. Since then, there have been many questions around the team after the mid-season dismissal of head coach Mike Brown and the team missing the playoffs for a second-consecutive season. There's a chance that the franchise might change directions and ship off its star center, who led the league in rebounding each of the last three seasons. The Kings' struggles seemingly overshadowed his success, and while it would be a difficult trade to make for new general manager Scott Perry, there would be many teams lining up for a chance to add the 28-year-old big man.

10) Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

The 2023 NBA MVP hasn't been rumored much in regards to a trade, but he does have a player option looming at the end of the 2025-26 season. Like many on this list, Joel Embiid's health has been a concern, and if the 76ers believe that it will affect the rest of his deal beyond next season, they could look to trade him. He's only played 58 games since he won his MVP award, forcing head coach Nick Nurse to play French Olympic standout Guerschon Yabusele more than expected. That, along with Tyrese Maxey becoming a legitimate No. 1 option, the team could look to build around him moving forward without Embiid.