The 2024-25 NBA season is nearing a close, as we await the winner of the NBA Finals matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers. The other 28 teams have already turned their attention to the offseason.
On one side of the negotiating table, a few teams are in desperate need of a reset and could be in the market to sell. On the other side are teams looking to contend for the playoffs — or even a championship — and are missing something to get over the hump. There have been some big names floating around, but who could be on the move — and where?
Here are five blockbuster trades that could shake up the NBA landscape as we know it.
Top 5 Blockbuster Trades the NBA Needs
5. Jarrett Allen to the Lakers
Lakers receive: C Jarrett Allen, 2025 second-round pick swap
Cavaliers receive: F Rui Hachimura, G/F Dalton Knecht, 2025 second-round pick swap, 2026 first-round pick
REPORT: The Cavs are now “more willing” to entertain trades for Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland, per @ChrisFedor.
“I think the two untouchables are Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley. And like I have been getting the sense that like the Cavs would be more willing to entertain and… pic.twitter.com/OAexCNGugJ
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 29, 2025
After an early playoff exit, the Los Angeles Lakers head into the offseason facing major roster questions, particularly in the frontcourt. After backing out of a trade for Hornets center Mark Williams at the deadline, Los Angeles struggled to find stability in the paint. Jaxson Hayes had moments, but his inconsistency forced head coach J.J. Redick to lean on smaller lineups.
While LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and Rui Hachimura offer size on the wing, the team was missing a true interior anchor on both ends of the floor. That weakness reared its ugly head in the playoff series loss to the Timberwolves.
That’s why Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen should be near the top of the Lakers’ trade target list. Allen was an integral piece of Cleveland’s top-10 defense in 2024 (111.8 defensive rating), finishing 10th in individual defensive rating (108.1) and eighth in defensive win shares (4.0), per Basketball Reference.
Though his block numbers were down, he remains one of the league’s most reliable rim protectors and brings the kind of physical presence LA lacked.
Offensively, Allen took a step forward as well, averaging 13.5 points per game on a career-best 70.6% shooting. For a Lakers team that needs interior toughness, efficient finishing, and defensive stability, the Cavs’ All-Star would be an ideal fit.
It may be difficult to imagine Cleveland parting ways with a player who was a major part of the team’s success. The Cavaliers finished as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, and despite an early playoff exit, they are in a great position to contend for a title in 2025.
Allen also signed a three-year, $91 million extension last July, which suggests the Cavs want him as part of their future. But as we learned with Dončić this season, anyone can be made available for the right price.
For the Cavaliers to consider such a deal, any talks would likely have to start with either Austin Reaves or Rui Hachimura. Given the makeup of Cleveland’s roster, Hachimura is a more logical starting point to help offset the loss of frontcourt depth. The Lakers also tried to move rookie Dalton Knecht once, so they may trade him this offseason.
Throw in some draft compensation, and Los Angeles could have a deal that piques the interest of the Cavs’ front office.
4. Lauri Markkanen to the Pistons
Pistons receive: F Lauri Markkanen, G Isaiah Collier
Jazz receive: F Tobias Harris, F Simone Fontecchio, G Marcus Sasser, 2025 second-round pick, 2026 first-round pick
The 2024-25 season marked a stunning turnaround for the Detroit Pistons, who far exceeded expectations and became one of the best stories in the NBA. After posting five straight seasons with 23 wins or fewer, the Pistons surged to a 44-38 finish, the franchise’s best record since 2015.
First-year Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff played a massive role in the team’s resurgence. He stabilized the rotation, emphasized defensive intensity, and helped establish a winning culture in Detroit. Under his leadership, the Pistons emerged as one of the league’s toughest teams, and Bickerstaff earned strong consideration for Coach of the Year.
Cade Cunningham was another driving force for success, taking the leap forward many hoped for in his fourth season. He averaged 26.1 points, 9.1 assists, and 6.1 rebounds with a 46.9% field-goal percentage and 35.6% 3-point percentage — earning his first All-Star and All-NBA nods.
With Cunningham as the franchise cornerstone and complementary young pieces like Jalen Duren, Jaden Ivey, and Ausar Thompson in place, the Pistons could be a move or two away from true contention in the East. If Detroit adds another All-Star caliber player to the mix, it could become a legitimate threat.
Lauri Markkanen makes sense for a few reasons, including the fact that the Utah Jazz are in a full rebuild. Utah lost more than 60 games for the first time in franchise history this season. They could be interested in flipping Markkanen for some combination of high-upside players and draft capital.
Markkanen dealt with a lingering lower back injury in 2024, limiting him to just 47 games. He continued to flex his scoring ability when on the floor, averaging 19.0 points on the year. However, his efficiency dipped, shooting 42.3% from the field and 34.6% from deep. The situation in Detroit is drastically different from Utah, so a change of scenery could help Markkanen regain form.
To make a deep playoff run, the Pistons need to add more offensive firepower after scoring 115.1 points per 100 possessions (16th in the NBA), according to Cleaning the Glass. If they can retain Malik Beasley, who will be a free agent this summer, Markkanen would give them two legitimate floor spacers. Detroit would likely have to go heavier on draft capital to protect most of its young core, but this is a move that would elevate the squad heading into next season.
3. Trae Young to the Magic
Magic receive: G Trae Young, G Vit Krejčí
Hawks receive: G Jalen Suggs, G Cole Anthony, C Goga Bitadze, 2025 first-round pick (No. 25), 2027 first-round pick
The Orlando Magic took a slight step back this season, finishing at 41-41 after posting a 47-35 record in 2023. They still reached the playoffs for the second straight season but suffered another early exit. For this team to take the next step, head coach Jamahl Mosley, general manager Anthony Parker, and the front office will need to make adjustments and improvements.
The Magic boast a strong young core, featuring Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs. Banchero suffered an oblique injury early in the year and missed significant time, but he played well after returning, averaging 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. Wagner posted career highs in points (24.2), rebounds (5.7), assists (4.7), and steals (1.3). A quad injury ended Suggs’ season, but he was having a career year before going down.
Orlando was an elite defensive team this season, finishing with the NBA’s second-best defensive rating (109.1), according to NBA Advanced Stats. However, the Magic weren’t nearly as efficient on offense. Their 110.4 offensive rating ranked 26th in the NBA. They also posted a 51.4% effective field-goal percentage (29th).
This was a poor shooting team, especially from behind the arc. They shot just 32.2% from deep (30th), a decline from the 35.6% they shot in 2023. Banchero, Suggs, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Jonathan Isaac all regressed in that department.
Injecting the lineup with some scoring and shooting juice could go a long way toward turning the offense around, and Trae Young could be the missing piece. Orlando lacks a floor general who can run the show and create. Young averaged a double-double for the third straight season, with a career-high 11.6 assists per game. He’s also made 35% of his 3-point attempts in his career despite being a volume shooter.
Though Young is a liability on defense, the Magic have a strong defensive foundation. Young’s playmaking, shot creation, and confidence in the clutch could help this young team make a deep playoff run.
Considering the Magic and Hawks were so close in the standings this season (Orlando won just one more game than Atlanta), it’s difficult to imagine Atlanta not asking for Suggs as part of the trade package. Though he has a bright future ahead, moving off Suggs’ $35 million salary could help ease Orlando’s pockets with Young’s hefty contract and Banchero soon to be getting paid.
2. Kevin Durant to the Rockets
Rockets receive: F Kevin Durant
Suns receive: 2025 first-round pick (No. 10), G Fred VanVleet, C Jock Landale
The Rockets, Spurs and Timberwolves — three teams interested in Kevin Durant — have 1st-round picks that would be included in a trade:
Houston: No. 10San Antonio: No. 14Minnesota: No. 17
The Suns will likely end up with multiple picks in the 2025 draft, once Durant is dealt. pic.twitter.com/Uc3Ht3LrXd
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 4, 2025
Kevin Durant is expected to be one of the hottest commodities on the NBA trade market this summer. The 2024-25 season was a massive disappointment for the Phoenix Suns, who finished 10 games below .500 despite having an All-Star trio of Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal.
The Suns are also the league’s most expensive team. The team fired head coach Mike Budenholzer after just one season and replaced him with Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott, and more drastic changes could be on the horizon.
Booker and Durant are the two assets who could garner significant trade value. Booker has been a franchise cornerstone for the past decade, so it’s unlikely Phoenix will move on from him. Durant has been with the Suns since they acquired him during the 2022-23 season, but they likely don’t owe as much loyalty to the 36-year-old, who’s made a few stops in his NBA career.
Even though Durant will turn 37 before the new season tips off, he’s still playing at a high level and is one of the best the game has to offer. The 11-time All-NBA selection and former MVP averaged 26.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks over 62 games while shooting 52.7% from the field and 43% from deep. One of the most complete pure scorers to ever pick up a basketball, Durant has never averaged fewer than 21 points in 17 NBA seasons.
Durant has just one year left on his contract in Phoenix, and he’ll likely have plenty of say in where he ends up if the team trades him. The Houston Rockets are a prime destination for the superstar forward. Ime Udoka’s squad enjoyed a breakout 2024 campaign, posting their best record since 2018 and proving that the franchise is ready to return to relevance.
After spending several years near the bottom of the Western Conference, Houston has rapidly reversed course. Now, they have a roster full of talent and one of the league’s most promising young cores. Durant comes with championship experience, and he knows what it’s like to be a building block on a young team, looking back on his days with the Thunder.
The Rockets’ front office should want to land Durant without sacrificing much of their young nucleus. Amen Thompson should be untouchable after emerging as a two-way threat and arguably the team’s most valuable asset. It’s also unlikely they move on from rising big man Alperen Şengün, but everyone else could be fair game.
However, Durant has leverage over the Suns because they paid a high price to acquire him from the Nets, and that would work in Houston’s favor.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Spurs
Spurs receive: F Giannis Antetokounmpo, G Pat Connaughton
Bucks receive: G Devin Vassell, F Keldon Johnson, F Harrison Barnes, two 2025 first-round picks (No. 2, No. 14)
If we’re talking about shaking up the league this offseason, any move involving Giannis Antetokounmpo would do exactly that. Antetokounmpo is widely regarded as a top-three player in the NBA right now, and his impact is felt on both ends of the floor, on every single possession. The nine-time All-NBA selection, two-time MVP, and NBA champion is now 30 years old and at an interesting stage of his career.
After spending the first 12 seasons of his career with the Milwaukee Bucks, Antetokounmpo must decide what’s more important: loyalty or winning?
The Bucks had championship aspirations heading into the 2024 season, but fell short of those expectations. While still competitive, they struggled against the top teams in the Eastern Conference (0-10 record vs. Cavaliers, Knicks, and Celtics in the regular season).
Despite adding Damian Lillard, this team is not ready to win a championship as currently constructed. Antetokounmpo hasn’t requested a trade, but he could, and just about every other team would be trying to move mountains to acquire him.
While several landing spots make sense, the San Antonio Spurs might be the most intriguing. The most obvious reason would be to pair Antetokounmpo with last season’s Rookie of the Year, Victor Wembanyama. This would create an unstoppable duo of international stars who are both rare physical specimens. Not to mention, Wembanyama is a top-15 NBA player in his own right.
The Spurs might not be a winning team at the moment, but they have a strong foundation in place and would instantly climb the ranks in the Western Conference with the addition of Antetokounmpo.
San Antonio also has a wealth of assets, which could pique the interest of the Bucks front office. This team features a young core that includes Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, De’Aaron Fox, and Devin Vassell. They also own the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft and 36 future draft picks over the next seven years — the most in the NBA.
