With the 2026 NBA trade deadline approaching, the league is once again bracing for seismic movement. This year’s storyline centers on frustrated stars, players who have worn out their welcome, and front offices recalibrating their identities. Here are the major names likely to be moved—and how their departure could reshape the NBA landscape.
Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies) – The Grizzlies franchise superstar has finally worn out his welcome and there are reports that the team is actively shopping him. Morant has been disgruntled throughout the season. Couple that with his injuries, league suspensions and shenanigans and you have a perfect recipe for a blockbuster trade. His trade value has plummeted in the past few years given his history but Memphis is likely to get picks and young players. This reshapes Memphis’ trajectory from a fringe contender to rebuild mode.
Jonathan Kuminga (Golden State Warriors) – Kuminga has formally requested a trade after signing a $46.8 million two-year contract in the offseason. He hasn’t played in 13 straight games since mid-December and has severely strained his relationship with Golden State. While the Warriors have a team option on the second year of his contract, it is likely he will be traded now. Several teams, including Sacramento, Lakers and Dallas, have expressed strong interest. Moving Kuminga signals the Warriors’ full pivot away from their youth experiment to maximize the closing years of Stephen Curry’s career. The right return could revive Golden State’s playoff hopes—or deepen a decline years in the making as the team runs out of assets.
Michael Porter Jr. (Brooklyn Nets) – The Nets are drowning in another miserable season and appear ready to unload Porter, who is having a borderline All-Star season. The Nets have a glut of young talent and they will prioritize long-term, low-cost pieces instead of hanging on to Porter’s contract which pays him roughly $40 million this season and the next. A Porter trade would give a contender a high-level scoring forward, while Brooklyn dives into another frustrating rebuild. Look for the Nets to hold out as much as possible with the hope of getting a good deal for Porter. If there is none to be had, Porter will stay with the Nets as a future trade asset.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) – The Bucks say they have no intention of trading Giannis while the two-time MVP has declared that he would never ask for a trade. This should be the end of this discussion. However, the Bucks have been bending over for their superstar, hostaging their future to get players to help Giannis. This has resulted in a team that is unbalanced with no hope for the near future. The Bucks may just pull the trigger to stop years of bad trades to keep their superstar happy. The Bucks should trade him away to set itself up for the future.
Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings) – The Kings are likely to tear down their team given their terrible performance, Sabonis has the highest value and is reportedly available. At 11-30, the Kings have no upside and holding on to Sabonis’ contract, which pays him an average of $46 million until the 2027-2028 season, makes no sense. Look for the Kings to trade him now while his value is still high to get back picks and young players.
raffyrledesma@yahoo.com