With the NBA playoffs beginning in just about two weeks, that becomes the focus for the contenders. However, for other teams, the offseason cannot get here fast enough.
As we saw with the Luka Doncic trade, anybody can be traded in the NBA, and we could see some All-Star-level movement this offseason. Here are the three NBA stars who could be on the move in the offseason.
3) Kevin Durant
Durant being in a new uniform is basically a foregone conclusion at this point, barring an absolute miracle in the Valley of the Sun. The sun has been setting on Phoenix’s season since the calendar turned to 2025, but it looks like it will officially set next week when the Suns miss the play-in tournament. They haven’t been able to gain any ground on the Dallas Mavericks, who have endured a tumultuous second half of the year.
Durant was almost traded at the deadline to the Golden State Warriors, but he vetoed the deal because he didn’t want to change teams midseason. He may say he doesn’t regret it, but you can’t help but think he is.
He is still an All-NBA caliber player, as he is averaging about 27 points per game, six rebounds, and four assists on 53 percent shooting and 43 percent from three-point range. He will be entering his 19th season next year, but any team that gets him is getting a star.
2) Trae Young
Young has made it clear that he wants to win and with the Hawks in the middle of a weird reset/rebuild, he may not want to be a part of that. Atlanta traded Bogdan Bogdanovic and De’Andre Hunter at the trade deadline for almost nothing, signaling they are now ready to win now.
He leads the NBA in assists per game and total assists and is inside the top 20 in three-point makes. He has not averaged lower than eight assists per game in a season for his career. He is one of the best shot-creating playmakers in the NBA.
Young is eligible for an extension this summer, and his price only goes up if he makes All-NBA. Does Atlanta want to pay him max money when they need to be in the business of acquiring assets and rebuilding?
They have likely already reached their ceiling with Young as the lead option, and given the fact that they are likely headed towards the play-in and another first-round exit, we might see Young request a trade.
1) Ja Morant
Life comes at you fast in the NBA. In 2022, Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies were seen as the league’s up and coming young team that would contend for the next decade. Now, that bright future has never looked gloomier, especially after firing Taylor Jenkins last week.
Morant has been in the news more for his injuries and off-court antics than he has for his play on the court. He has not looked like the same player, and this season was supposed to be his revenge year, but he is having his worst year since his second season.
Part of that has been Memphis changing its offense to using more motion and free-flowing ball movement and less pick-and-roll. Morant has reportedly hated the new offensive changes and sometimes looks disinterested on the court.
The Grizzlies were the second seed in February and have completely collapsed down the stretch. They may have to go through the play-in to make the playoffs. General manager Zach Kleiman has shown that he isn’t afraid to make a big move.
While he said he would never trade Morant, what if Memphis flames out in the first round or gets eliminated in the play-in? Will Morant request a trade? Will Kleiman entertain offers? Keep an eye on the Grizzlies this summer.