The most exciting aspect of the NBA offseason is finding which stars could be on new teams. And if insiders are to be believed, this one could feature the most stars going to new homes in NBA history, whether via trade or free agency.
ESPN’s NBA Insider Shams Charania recently revealed that there will be plenty of frenzy this offseason, signifying that many players could be on the table this summer.
Plenty of Stars Could Be on the Move
During his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Charania reported that there will be plenty of moves this offseason, which could signify that many stars will be traded this summer.
“This is the most I think anticipation team executives have had over an offseason,” Charania said. “…I think this offseason might be the most craziest ever… You have the parity in the league; it’s so thin right now.
“You could win a championship or you might be falling into the lottery. And I think the ability to go out there and improve your team and get there to the championship level, I think that’s on the minds of everyone around the league.”
Shams is predicting that this offseason might be the craziest in NBA history
“This is the most I think anticipation team executives have had over an offseason…I think this offseason might be the most craziest ever.”
(@PatMcAfeeShow / @ClutchPoints)
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 27, 2025
Well, Charania’s words can not be more true. The signs of a wild offseason have already shown up with the earth-shattering trade of Luka Dončić back in February. The league is also looking much more balanced and wide open. Whoever wins the Finals this season among the Thunder, Timberwolves, Knicks, and Pacers will be the seventh different champion in seven years.
Stars That Could Be Traded This Offseason
It seems that there is no limit to the quantity or quality of stars that could be on the move this summer. For whatever reason, the state of the NBA looks like it is about to be turned on its head. Players might leave because the makeup of their current team just isn’t cutting it or because they simply want to go in a new direction.
Some players rumored to be interested in a move include Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, Trae Young, Joel Embiid, LaMelo Ball, Lauri Markkanen, Austin Reaves, Cam Johnson, Anthony Davis, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Jalen Green, Zion Williamson, Stephon Castle, Paul George, Anfernee Simons, Jonathan Kuminga, Mark Williams, Dalton Knecht, Daniel Gafford, Marcus Smart, and RJ Barrett.
Diving into specifics, many believe Antetokounmpo’s time with the Bucks might be over, as their third consecutive first-round exit could prompt him to ask out. Durant’s situation with the Suns isn’t much better, as it’s widely expected that they’ll part ways after badly falling short of expectations. With or without Jayson Tatum’s Achilles tear, the Celtics are planning to make some major changes, which could mean Brown, Porzingis, White, and Holiday could be elsewhere next season.
There’s no telling what will happen with Embiid, Ball, Young, and Markkanen, but they are some of the league’s established stars in situations with not great directions, which has prompted other teams to check on them. Besides the stars, other role players like Johnson, Smart, Gafford, and Barrett are key players that teams may talk themselves into.
Another factor that will impact the trading season is the number of teams that want to avoid the NBA’s tax aprons while maintaining their current level of contention. They may trade some of their players, but they still want good ones back so that they can remain at the level they were this season.
Stars That Could Join New Teams in Free Agency
For all the players that could be traded this offseason, many players could join new teams in free agency. There won’t be much money being thrown around this offseason, but that may not stop the players from signing on a contender for a cheap contract to vie for a bigger deal in 2026.
Some of those players include LeBron James, James Harden, Myles Turner, Naz Reid, Julius Randle, Kyrie Irving, Malik Beasley, Josh Giddey, Fred VanVleet, Jonathan Kuminga, Brook Lopez, John Collins, Quentin Grimes, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Chris Paul, Santi Aldama, Al Horford, Dorian Finney-Smith, Ty Jerome, Cam Thomas, Kelly Oubre Jr., Clint Capela, Caris LeVert, Russell Westbrook, Tyus Jones, Guerschon Yabusele, Amir Coffey, Bobby Portis, Khris Middleton, and Jaxson Hayes.
Because there isn’t much available this offseason, players like James, Irving, Harden, and Randle, are likely to stay. However, the question will be if their teams work out extensions with them. Other players with player options like Middleton, Reid, and Collins will probably opt in too, but the question will be whether or not they’ll be on their respective teams come next season.
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Other notable free agents like Turner, an unrestricted free agent, and VanVleet, who has a team option, will likely stay. It’s a matter if their respective teams will meet their price. Kuminga, Giddey, and Grimes are the offseason’s most notable free agents. Because of the limited money itself, it’s hard to see Giddey and Grimes going anywhere. Kuminga’s a different story because the inputs indicate the Warriors may part ways.
Despite the limited money, old veterans like Paul, Horford, and Lopez could be swayed to leave their teams if their contract offers are rich enough. Other quality veterans like LeVert, Beasley, and Capela might take low offers in the hopes of playing for a richer one in 2026. In short, this could be one topsy-turvy offseason with many developments, indeed.
