Ranking NBA players most likely to be traded before the deadline

For a certain caliber of NBA superstar, the trade rumors often don’t stop once they start. Not in previous generations of the league and certainly not in the current climate, in which what comes out of an NBA trade machine often resonates more than what comes out of an NBA game.

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is feeling the effect this season, partly through his own doing and lack of clarity. He’s twice had to address reports about his uncertain future with the team ‒ once during the preseason and again earlier this week as he recovers from a calf injury. It’s why the two-time former NBA MVP leads the list of players most likely to be traded – and the most sought-after player – before the league’s deadline arrives on Feb. 5.

But Antetokounmpo is not the only big name who might be on the trading block in the weeks and months ahead, with expiring contracts to be dealt and disappointing teams trying to rebuild. Here’s a breakdown of notable NBA players with the best chance to be traded by the deadline, as well as some trade rumors to watch:

NBA players most likely to be traded by deadline

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Trade rumors about Antetokounmpo haven’t stopped even while he’s on the shelf. The Bucks were scuffling before he got hurt and and haven’t gotten better without him. Antetokounmpo insisted he has not spoken to team officials about wanting a trade since this season began, but also didn’t rule out the possibility his agent may have done so. If Antetokounmpo comes back and the Bucks aren’t competing to be in the top-six of the Eastern Conference standings around the trade deadline, both sides could decide it’s the right time to make a move.

Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks have a dilemma with Davis if they’re looking to rebuild around Cooper Flagg in the aftermath of firing former General Manager Nico Harrison. Davis is still one of the NBA’s best big men when he plays, and the Mavericks’ recent uptick coincides with his season debut. But durability concerns linger for the 32-year-old, who is set to make more than $58 million next season and has a player option for more than $62 million in 2027-28. That complicates Davis’ status at the trade deadline because his value has decreased since he was dealt by the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Luka Doncic last February. Are the Mavericks willing to sell low?

Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

Young recently returned to action after missing 22 games due to injury, while the Hawks blossomed behind new star Jalen Johnson. If the team loses its momentum with Young back in the lineup, speculation will ramp up about his future as the trade deadline approaches. Young has a player option on his contract for next season, which means he could become a free agent. The more complicated question for Atlanta (and potential suitors) is whether he’s still worth paying like a No. 1 option long term.

DeMar DeRozan, Sacramento Kings

The Kings are a mess with an expensive roster of players that don’t fit well together. Just about the entire lineup could be available at the trade deadline this year, with Zack Lavine, Domantas Sabonis, Malik Monk and Keon Ellis among the other options prominently mentioned in rumors. But DeRozan might be the easiest to trade because his contract is only partially guaranteed next year, and he’s making less than $25 million this season unlike Lavine and Sabonis. The 36-year-old is averaging more than 18 points per game and tied his season high with 33 points in the Kings’ 134-133 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Dec. 18.

Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors

It’d probably be best for everyone involved if Kuminga and the Warriors figured out how to resolve their increasingly awkward relationship by the NBA’s trade deadline. Kuminga has been in-and-out of Golden State’s rotation this season due to decisions made by coach Steve Kerr or mysterious injuries, leading to continued speculation about Kuminga’s desire to remain with the team. The 23-year-old ended an offseason stalemate by agreeing to a 2-year deal with the Warriors as a restricted free agent, but it doesn’t appear he ever really wanted to return to Golden State.

Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

Paul is still technically on the Clippers despite being sent home by the team earlier this month. There are indications Paul would like to continue playing somewhere else this season, and outside Los Angeles if necessary, after previously announcing this would be his last season. He signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Clippers this offseason and would be an easy throw-in if the team elects to make a major trade in response to its poor start to the 2025-26 campaign. NBA commissioner Adam Silver said at the NBA Cup he would ‘love’ to see Paul find a new team to close his final season.

NBA trade rumors: Players to watch

Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies

Though Morant’s name is mentioned frequently in NBA trade gossip, his injury issues and significant contract make a deal more challenging in the near term. Even if the Grizzlies were looking to trade Morant – the team insists they’re not, though it has a better record without him than with him through Dec. 18 – he needs to be healthy for a deal to occur at the trade deadline, which isn’t a given according to recent history. Memphis will have a hard time getting much in return for Morant in the next two months with his stock so low and two more years left on his max rookie extension. If Morant is traded, it’s more likely to happen after this season ends.

LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets

Morant’s situation in Memphis has some parallels for Ball, as rookie Kon Knueppel emerges as an intriguing new option for the Hornets. Unless Ball is included in a trade for Young or Morant, his max rookie extension and the potential he could still blossom in Charlotte alongside Knueppel and Brandon Miller likely outweighs what the team would get in return right now given Ball’s max contract, recent injury history and reputation for lackadaisical play at times.

Lauri Markannen, Utah Jazz

Markannen has quietly been one of the best players in the NBA during the opening two months of the 2025-26 season, even as the Jazz appear destined for the draft lottery again. He could change the complexion of the postseason race if he were to land on the right contender, and that comes with a steep price. Utah General Manager Danny Ainge has never been eager to deal, and there’s no rush with Markannen in the first season of a new 4-year contract worth nearly $196 million.