The 2025 NBA season was already historic regarding player movement, with blockbuster trades that left fans speechless. Luka Dončić heading to the Los Angeles Lakers in a February 2 stunner, followed closely by the Miami Heat shipping Jimmy Butler III to the Golden State Warriors just four days later, were the kinds of trades fans usually only dream about.
Yet, despite these jaw-dropping moves, league executives warn fans that they haven’t seen anything yet.
The 2025 Offseason Will Be Full of Trades
According to numerous front office sources, this summer could be the most chaotic trade period the league has seen in years.
Multiple executives have told reporters that a flurry of trades is not only expected but imminent. These reports have been echoed and detailed on NBA Insider Marc Stein’s “Substack,” where he highlights the growing buzz from inside front offices across the league.
“It’s gonna be a crazy summer. There’s going to be a lot of movement,” said one Western Conference executive, whereas one team’s salary cap strategist added, “Trades are going to be the marquee aspect because there’s a number of high-level players [available] and there aren’t really any marquee free agents.”
Adding more fuel to the fire, NBA insider Brian Windhorst made a telling appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show”, strongly hinting that this offseason will be significant regarding player movement.
“I would say blockbuster watch. And I’ll say for two reasons. One, you know we are in an era where the salary cap has gone up very little in the last couple of years, so we got a log jam with salaries. It’s gonna go up a lot in the next couple of years but there’s a little bit of log jam with salaries. Salary growth has outpaced cap growth…”
“Not only that, but a whole bunch of teams went all in over the last three or four years and were disappointed. So those teams are trying to retrofit. There’s financial pressures with the new rules forcing parity, and you’ve got some star players who may wanna move,” said Windhorst during the show.
The longtime ESPN insider told us to buckle up for what should be a wild #NBA offseason:#NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/mk0GZ1WI9C
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) May 28, 2025
The Trades With the Most Possibilities This Offseason
Right now, two potential trade situations are dominating headlines: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant.
Starting with Antetokounmpo, the “Greek Freak” put up monster numbers in the playoffs — 33.0 points and 15.4 rebounds per game — yet even that wasn’t enough to save the Milwaukee Bucks from a first-round defeat to the Indiana Pacers in just five games.
The early exit reportedly left Antetokounmpo frustrated. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the two-time MVP is “open-minded” about whether his long-term future remains in Milwaukee or lies elsewhere. He will be having a vital team meeting regarding his future this week.
While Antetokounmpo is under a hefty contract of approximately $54 million next season and $58 million the year after, with a $60 million player option in 2027–28, some teams are still keeping a close eye.
One such franchise is the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets are expected to have more than $50 million in cap space this summer, and with their aggressive approach to acquiring stars, they’re seen as a potential suitor if the Bucks explore a trade.
Meanwhile, the situation in Phoenix is just as intriguing. Despite assembling a high-powered trio of Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, the Suns failed to make the playoffs, finishing with a disappointing 36-46 record.
Durant, who is 36 years old, still showed elite production, averaging 26.6 points and six rebounds this season. But with Beal holding a rare no-trade clause and Booker considered untouchable for now, KD naturally becomes the odd man out.
That said, Insider Stein had reported that the Suns may prefer to find a mutual resolution with Durant rather than dealing him outright, suggesting Phoenix could still try to make it work.
“Look, I think there’s really nothing new at this point. The consistent word on this has been that the Suns and Team Durant are going to work together on a possible resolution, if that is indeed the direction they’re going to go,” said Stein during his appearance on the “PHNX Suns Podcast”.
And the trade talks don’t stop there. Just days ago, insider Dave McMenamin revealed that Lakers GM Rob Pelinka had targeted Atlanta Hawks big man Onyeka Okongwu before the trade deadline, which was on Feb. 6. Okongwu, who is in his first year of a four-year, $61.98 million contract, impressed this season with averages of 13.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 0.9 blocks, and 0.9 steals per game.
The Lakers’ lack of rim protection was brutally exposed in their first-round playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Pelinka’s interest in Okongwu may resurface this summer as he looks to strengthen the frontcourt.
Beyond the headline names like Antetokounmpo and Durant, a growing list of other stars and key contributors is also mentioned in offseason trade chatter.
According to various league insiders, players such as Trae Young, Joel Embiid, LaMelo Ball, Lauri Markkanen, Austin Reaves, Cam Johnson, Anthony Davis, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Jalen Green, and Zion Williamson have all been linked to potential moves.
If the whispers around the league are true, the 2025 offseason will be one for the history books.
