NBA Trade Rumors: No LeBron James Deals, More Peyton Watson & the Big Board

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LeBron James is still driving the NBA trade rumor market.

The NBA trade rumor mill has slowed a bit coming out of the weekend, but a few milestones should help it pick back up. The first is the end of the moratorium, which comes on July 6 (that’s today) and is the official opening of the 2026-27 NBA business season. The second is the start of summer league in Las Vegas this week, which will bring together execs from all over the league and spark some new chatter. And the third is LeBron James’ decision.

James is a free agent, and does not technically affect the trade market. Except that, to this point, he has been a driver of rumors as teams ponder whether they should make trades to entice James to play there. The Warriors’ possible pursuit of an Anthony Davis trade is entirely driven by James rumors more than by real trade talks. The Cavs have been linked to other NBA trade rumors for the same reason.

It should be noted, though, that so far no team has bitten on the idea that it needs to make a trade to improve the roster to entice James. The Sixers got Jaylen Brown in a trade with the Celtics and became a potential James destination–but they would have made that trade either way. If the Warriors hold off on Davis, then James is likely to pick a team based on the current rosters, without a significant addition.

More NBA Trade Rumor Talk

• Speaking of the Cavaliers, they are still in a tough second apron situation that they’re looking to get out of. They have about $180 million in contracts for 10 players, not counting what they’d need to pay James Harden, who has been willing to wait to sign a new deal until the Cavs get their situation sorted. They’ll be up against the $220 million second apron quickly.
  Cleveland is expected to move either Max Strus, who has $16.6 million in expiring money on his deal, or Dennis Schroder, at almost $15 million next season and a partial guarantee ($4.3 million) for next year. There has been more of a market for Strus, because a team like Chicago could absorb him into cap space, then trade him at the deadline. But a key for the Cavs is taking back as little money as possible.
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• There would be a limited market for a Peyton Watson sign-and-trade because Denver would only do the deal if they could take little or no money back and receive a first-round pick. Watson is a restricted free agent, and the Nuggets are very much in control of the situation. It would be a similar setup to what the Lakers did to acquire Walker Kessler, but with less money and less draft capital. One NBA exec called it a “Kessler lite” situation. The Clippers were connected to Watson , but it is unclear how interested they would be.
  It won’t be easy. Much of the push for a sign-and-trade–as was the case with Jalen Duren–is coming from the agent, in this case Rich Paul of Klutch Sports. Duren’s sign-and-trade posturing did not yield results. Kessler’s did, but that was team-driven, where the Lakers badly wanted him. We’ll see if the Clippers or anyone else wants Watson that badly.
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• The Nets are a possible landing spot for Peyton Watson, too, but they’re eager to give their young players–especially Mikel Brown and Egor Demin–some runway this season, and with both Julius Randle and Keon Ellis joining, there might not be room for Watson, who had hamstring issues last year and whose injury history worries a lot of teams.

All right, on to the Big Board, with some updates.

NBA Trade Rumors: Anthony Davis a LeBron James Lure?

We’ve already seen stars like Brown, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard and LaMelo Ball traded. Will there be others?

Kevin Durant, Rockets. (Remaining contract: two years, $90 million, player option.) There has been lingering chatter about Durant heading to the Pistons, which makes some sense in a vacuum. But in the real world, the Pistons don’t have a trade package that could match up with Houston for Durant, and Detroit really does not want to add a 37-year-old veteran who has been a headache pretty much everywhere he has been. Oh, and you would have to pay him $90 million over the next two years at a time when the Pistons are trying to work out a deal for Jalen Duren and have an Ausar Thompson contract extension to work out.

Jamal Murray, Nuggets. (Remaining contract: three years, $160 million.) The Nuggets are certainly up to something, as they try to sort out their roster. But could that include a Murray trade? It makes sense–it could create some room for the Nuggets to retool the supporting cast around Nikola Jokic. But stars are hard to find, which is why Denver probably will choose to make more cosmetic changes elsewhere, perhaps dealing Gordon and/or Cam Johnson.

Anthony Davis, Wizards. (Remaining contract: two years, $121 million, including player option.) The Wizards are in no hurry to trade Davis, and have been telling teams they intend to keep him. They’d be happy to start the season with Davis on board and hope that he bounces back after playing just 20 games last year. The Wiz will either (A) get really competitive really fast or (B) be mediocre and look to deal off Davis, with rehabbed trade value, in February.

Kyrie Irving, Mavericks. (Remaining contract: two years, $81 million.) The Mavericks have yet to give any indication that they are going to move Irving, at least in the short term. The Timberwolves’ move for LaMelo Ball crosses them off the list of Irving suitors, and there would not be many more other teams interested in him.

Jimmy Butler, Warriors. (Remaining contract: one year, $57 million.) The big thing here is this: The Warriors have told Butler he won’t be dealt. Would they break their word to make a blockbuster deal? Doubtful (possible, but doubtful.) Butler has turned up in NBA trade rumors, but he is probably out until Christmas or later as he recovers from January ACL surgery, and there are not many teams looking to add a rehabbing 36-year-old to their mix.

NBA Trade Rumors: The Young Crowd

It’s hard to bring in a young star–or even a young potential star–on the trade market. But there could be some wrangling for these guys, the 25-and-under crowd.

Moses Moody, Warriors. (Remaining contract: two years, $26 million.) Moody has developed into a valuable piece for Golden State, but a nasty knee injury could keep him out for most of next season. The Warriors are short on time, so could move Moody to make room for LeBron James or Rui Hachimura.

Jalen Duren, Pistons. (Remaining contract: Restricted free agent.) The more time passes without news on Duren, the more obvious it becomes that the Pistons are planning to wait him out. That’s how things usually go in restricted free agency–the Walker Kessler situation was the exception–and the Pistons expect to eventually work out a deal that satisfies both sides.

Trey Murphy, Pelicans. (Remaining contract: three years, $88 million.) Though he is a favorite in NBA trade rumors, there are questions on how serious New Orleans would be about trading Murphy. One exec says it will take a Desmond Bane-style offer (four picks and a player) to pry him from New Orleans. The Pels are not getting that much, but there is still a very strong market for Murphy if they want to make that plunge.

Evan Mobley, Cavaliers. (Remaining contract: four years, $223 million.) The Cavs say they’re running it back with the same core as last year, which is baffling. Cleveland could get a nice haul for Mobley, who has shown star potential and has a max contract, but whose growth has plateaued with this team. The Cavs are not a real contender, and the roster is far too expensive.

Franz Wagner, Magic. (Remaining contract: four years, $184 million.) The NBA trade rumor mill has not circles around Orlando much, but the Magic could be up to something. It’s not likely to be a star trade, but eventually, the team may decide either Wagenr or Paolo Banchero should go.

Zion Williamson, Pelicans. (Remaining contract: two years, $87 million.) Williamson averaged 21.0 points in 62 games, and New Orleans will be tempted to keep him on board because of it–or, just as likely, they’ll be tempted to sell high.

Eastern Conference Targets: Derrick White Next?

Max Strus, Cavaliers. (Remaining contract: one year, $16 million). The Cavs are trying hard to fit everything under the second apron, and that likely means moving off Strus, if they can find a taker. He would be sacrificed to get LeBron James in.

Jarrett Allen, Cavaliers. (Remaining contract: three years, $90 million.) If the Cavs want to make a move to entice LeBron James to Cleveland, Allen could be the bait. It’s more likely that Allen gets traded than Evan Mobley, and the Cavaliers could get a star in return. Allen is a standard offensive center but is a valued rim-runner who can protect the paint.

Myles Turner, Bucks. (Remaining contract: three years, $80 million.) Milwaukee has little incentive to keep Turner, but reports suggest they are not shopping him–yet. The Bucks might be willing to start the season with Turner and flip him at the deadline, but the right offer probably lands him elsewhere. The Bucks have more to gain by playing young bigs Dieng and Kel’El Ware significant minutes so he could keep popping up in NBA trade rumors.

Michael Porter Jr., Nets. (Remaining contract: one year, $40 million, partial guarantee.) Rumors have started cropping up about Porter Jr., but the Nets have not gotten the kind of draft-asset offers they’d hoped for. New draft rules mean the Nets will want to be competitive next season, so Porter could stick around and be dealt at the February deadline.

Derrick White, Celtics. (Remaining contract: three years, $98 million.) The Celtics were not as disappointed in White and his terrible shooting season (39.4% from the field) as the rest of us, so it is doubtful they will move him in the end. But after the Brown trade, the door is at least open.

NBA Trade Rumor Mill: Western Conference Targets

Domantas Sabonis, Kings. (Remaining contract: two years, $93 million.) Strong chance he is dealt, but the Kings need to find a team that can take on his remaining money as he comes off knee surgery. Hornets and Pistons rumors have so far been fruitless.

Jrue Holiday, Blazers. (Remaining contract: two years, $72 million, with player option.) Certainly, something has to give in Portland with the arrival of Morant. Holiday is not getting any younger, but he has value around the NBA.

Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves. (Remaining contract: two years, $74 million, including player option.) It’s already been a busy summer for the Timberwolves, and Gobert is due a contract extension this year. They’re not eager to give him one. That leaves open the possibility the Wolves could shuffle him out and seek to bring in younger pieces for the frontcourt.

Zach LaVine, Kings. (Remaining contract: one year, $49 million.) LaVine picked up the player option worth $49 million. Does his expiring contract become easier to dump?

Aaron Gordon, Nuggets. (Remaining contract: three years, $110 million.) Gordon has struggled to stay healthy, but is still a valued connective piece when he plays. He needs to be a No. 3/4 option on a good team, and teams aren’t falling over themselves to cough up assets for that.

Daniel Gafford, Mavericks. (Remaining contract: 3 years, $54 million.) Gafford will be 28 in October, and with the Mavs focused on getting younger, moving him along has been one of the team’s top options. The concern is whether the guy the Mavs want to be their stalwart center–Dereck Lively II–can stay healthy. Lively has played 98 games in three seasons.

PJ Washington, Mavericks. (Remaining contract: 4 years, $90 million.) Like Gafford, Washington is aging out of the Mavericks’ timeline, as he turns 28 this summer. He’s a stretch 4 who plays good defense, but his shooting has been suspect–he made just 32.5% of his 3s last year. Washington’s extension kicks in this year, though, so he might be a better trade target down the line.

Klay Thompson, Mavericks. (Remaining contract: one year, $17 million.) Another aging Mav! Thompson does not fit Dallas’s timeline, and if the Mavs can get anything–youth, a few second-rounders–for him, they will. He’s still a 38% 3-point shooter.

Cam Johnson, Nuggets. (Remaining contract: one year, $23 million.) Johnson has been a disaster in Denver, and he has been a prominent feature on the NBA trade rumor mill for years now. He still has enough of a reputation around the league to warrant trade interest, but a report from The Stein Line suggests the Nuggets are not going that route … yet.

GettyKlay Thompson #31 of the Dallas Mavericks

What’s Been Done: NBA’s Blockbusters

The NBA has had a busy summer, interspersed with some controversy. Here’s what’s happened so far …

Celtics-Sixers Trade

Jaylen Brown, Celtics. (Remaining contract: three years, $183 million.) The Celtics set out to find a package of four first-round picks or a young superstar, but came away with about half that. A 2028 first-round pick that could convert to a swap, Philly’s 2031 unprotected first-rounder, and two second-round picks.

Paul George, Sixers. (Remaining contract: two years, $110 million, including player option). George has been healthy for just 78 games over the last two seasons, and the Celtics could look to trade him off, either in the short-term or the longer term.

Hornets-Timberwolves Trade

LaMelo Ball, Hornets. (Remaining contract: three years, $131 million.) TRADED to Timberwolves. Ball will connect with Anthony Edwards in Minnesota as the team tries to give the offense a strong No. 2 scoring option without moving off of Jaden McDaniels. The Hornets will get Naz Reid and a first-round pick in 2033, plus three swaps and three second-round picks. This deal was folded into the Wolves’ Julius Randle-Nets trade.

Naz Reid, Timberwolves. (Remaining contract: three years, $103 million). TRADED to Hornets. The Wolves did not want to trade Reid, of course, and now are faced with a severe weakness in the frontcourt. But they feel the cost of replacing him was outweighed by the Ball opportunity. Again, this deal was folded into the Wolves’ Julius Randle-Nets trade.

Heat-Bucks Trade

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks. (Remaining contract: two years, $120 million.) TRADED to Heat. The deal is done, and Antetokounmpo is off to Miami. Bobby Portis also is going to Miami. Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis go to Milwaukee. Bucks get the 13th pick in the draft and future first-rounders, in 2031 and 2033, plus a future pick swap and a second-round pick.

Bobby Portis, Bucks. (Remaining contract: two years, $30 million, including player option.) TRADED to Heat. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis are going to Miami. Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis go to Milwaukee. Bucks get the 13th pick in the draft and future first-rounders, in 2031 and 2033, plus a future pick swap and a second-round pick.

Tyler Herro, Heat. (Remaining contract: one year, $33 million.) TRADED to Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis are going to Miami. Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis go to Milwaukee. Bucks get the 13th pick in the draft and future first-rounders, in 2031 and 2033, plus a future pick swap and a second-round pick. But the Bucks could still seek to move Herro before the trade becomes official.

Grizzlies-Blazers trade

Ja Morant, Grizzlies. (Remaining contract: two years, $86 million.) TRADED to Blazers. Portland took the gamble on Morant, sending out Jerami  Grant and Kris Murray, finally giving some closure to the Grizz.

Timberwolves-Nets-Bulls Trade

Julius Randle, Timberwolves. (Remaining contract: two years, $69 million including player option.) TRADED to Nets. Randle is heading to the Nets after a miserable playoff performance sent up subtle shots from teammates and wide calls to ship out Randle. The Wolves did so, and used the resulting flexibility to re-sign Dosunmu and acquire LaMelo Ball.

Nic Claxton, Nets. (Remaining contract: two years, $42 million.) TRADED to Bulls. The Bulls gave up next to nothing as the Nets were looking to simply clear Claxton off their books. Chicago is hoping for a bounce back now that he is out of Brooklyn.

Pistons-Grizzlies Trade

Isaiah Stewart, Pistons. (Remaining contract: two years, $30 million, including team option.) TRADED to Grizzlies. Stewart was traded on Wednesday night for three second-round picks, a move that gives the Pistons flexibility in free agency and adds another tough, young big to the Grizzlies roster.

Pistons-Thunder Trade

Isaiah Joe, Thunder. (Remaining contract: Two years, $22.6 million, including team option.) TRADED to Pistons. Joe was dealt to the Pistons in a salary dump as Oklahoma City wrestles with cutting payroll while still maintaining status as a Finals contender. Joe averaged 11.1 points and made 42.3% of his 3s last year.

Suns-Hornets Trade

Miles Bridges, Hornets. (Remaining contract: One year, $22 million) TRADED to Suns. The interest in Bridges was limited because of his 2022 domestic abuse case, but the Suns decided they could stomach that history. The Hornets are sending the Suns a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick for Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale and a 2033 first-rounder.