Perhaps it’s too early in the season for teams to make changes to their roster, but that doesn’t make it too early for us to speculate!
We’re less than a month into the 2025-26 season, and it’s clear that some teams will need to make moves before the trade deadline. Some needs are more pressing than others, and there are certainly some teams that shouldn’t feel pressured to make a deal at this point. Still, here are some deals that are beneficial for both (or all three) teams to make.
NBA Trades We Want to See Happen This Season
Deandre Ayton’s Impact Prompts Lakers To Weigh on Elite Rim Protector From Nets
Deandre Ayton has been a solid center option for the Lakers early on this year. Ayton is more dynamic offensively than Nic Claxton, but Claxton is better defensively, and he’s at his best with elite offensive playmakers to set him up.
Ayton is on an expiring deal, but even if he sticks around, the Lakers need more center options than Jaxson Hayes alongside him. Claxton’s production has dipped over the last two seasons, but if he can get back to producing how he did during the 2022-23 season, he can help the Lakers become genuine contenders.
For the Nets, they get to take a swing at Dalton Knecht and add more draft capital. Jarred Vanderbilt is a high-level defender, and Maxi Kleber is a solid veteran. Claxton isn’t a player that they have to move, but they should be able to get some value out of him. Brooklyn needs to add as much young talent as possible, even if it means waiting for the picks to be conveyed.
Plus, this gives them a chance to get a larger look at Day’Ron Sharpe, Noah Clowney, and Danny Wolf while simultaneously improving their chances of getting a top pick next summer.
Los Angeles Lakers receive: Nic Claxton
Brooklyn Nets receive: Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt, Maxi Kleber, 2030 pick swap, 2031 first-round pick (protected 1-4)
Ja Morant Blockbuster Trade Scenario Reshapes Kings, Grizzlies, and Bucks
Frustrations are boiling over in Memphis, and while a Ja Morant trade doesn’t seem imminent, we can speculate. The Grizzlies acquire a few veterans to help them stay competitive, if they choose to, plus an upside swing in Devin Carter. The draft compensation is tough to predict, and it doesn’t feel like enough for a player of Morant’s caliber. It could easily be more picks from the Kings to make this happen.
The Kings add a star point guard who can replace what they lost when they traded De’Aaron Fox. They’re giving up draft capital to make it happen, but not as much as what it should cost to get a player like Morant. They trade DeMar DeRozan while he’s still productive and give up Carter, who can use a fresh start, and Dennis Schröder, who Morant will replace as a starter. A starting lineup of Morant, Malik Monk, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis is intriguing.
Milwaukee is here to help facilitate things, but this is a great return for them. DeRozan and Santi Aldama will help them be more competitive right now, and GG Jackson II is a fun upside swing for them. Jackson hasn’t been able to stick in the rotation in Memphis, and a fresh start on a team that lacks young talent is a great opportunity for him.
Sacramento Kings receive: Ja Morant, Gary Harris
Memphis Grizzlies receive: Kyle Kuzma, Bobby Portis, Devin Carter, Dennis Schröder, 2026 unprotected first-round pick (SAC), 2027 pick swap (SAC)
Milwaukee Bucks receive: DeMar DeRozan, Santi Aldama, GG Jackson II
Bold Jaden Ivey Trade Concept Gives Timberwolves a High-Upside Backcourt Upgrade
Jaden Ivey hasn’t played for Detroit yet this season after he underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee just before the season started. They had success without him last year, and while they don’t need to move him, Donte DiVincenzo can fill in as an immediate starter. He’s more dynamic than Duncan Robinson is, and they add some draft capital back. Perhaps they could end up getting a first-round pick instead of the seconds, but DiVincenzo’s value may not be that far off from Ivey’s.
For Minnesota, the price isn’t terribly high to add a former top-five pick that hasn’t panned out yet but still holds plenty of upside. Ivey still has All-Star upside, and he would get the chance to be a primary ball handler for the Timberwolves, which is when he has been at his best in Detroit.
Detroit Pistons receive: Donte DiVincenzo, 2027 second-round pick (via CLE), 2029 second-round pick
Minnesota Timberwolves receive: Jaden Ivey
Proposed Deal Sends Anthony Black to Heat While Orlando Adds Needed Shooting
Anthony Black is currently stuck behind Jalen Suggs and Desmond Bane in the backcourt, and a fresh start would give him an opportunity to cash in on the potential that made the Magic take him with the No. 6 pick in 2023. Black would fit in well with the Heat and help continue their tradition of being elite on defense. He’d also have a better chance to earn a starting spot over Davion Mitchell than he does over Suggs.
The Magic won’t get an upside piece back, but Simone Fontecchio would be a strong addition. He has seen his minutes dwindle in Miami recently, but he started the year off hot. Orlando has been one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the league for the last few seasons; adding a floor spacer of Fontecchio’s caliber will open up more driving lanes for Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero.
Miami Heat receives: Anthony Black
Orlando Magic receive: Simone Fontecchio, 2029 first-round pick (protected 1-4)
Lauri Markkanen Blockbuster Pushes Pistons Into Contention With Win-Now Upgrade
Detroit has a chance to make some noise in the playoffs this season. Taking a swing on Lauri Markkanen, even if it requires them to dip into their draft capital, is a move that will push them to the next level. Markkanen is back to playing like an All-Star, and he’ll make things easier on offense for Cade Cunningham. If they make this trade and the aforementioned deal for DiVincenzo, their starting lineup could be Cunningham, DiVincenzo, Ausar Thompson, Markkanen, and Jalen Duren, which will make the Pistons lethal on both ends of the floor.
In previous seasons, the Jazz waited too long to move Markkanen. He had a rough 2024-25 season, which brought his trade value down. He has bounced back to start this season, but this team isn’t ready to push for the playoffs. Tobias Harris and Duncan Robinson are solid veterans, but the draft picks are really what they’re after. Moving Markkanen now opens up developmental minutes for Taylor Hendricks, Kyle Filipowski, and Ace Bailey, which will pay off in the future.
Detroit Pistons receive: Lauri Markkanen
Utah Jazz receive: Tobias Harris, Duncan Robinson, 2026 unprotected first-round pick, 2027 pick swap, 2028 unprotected first-round pick
Grayson Allen Trade Concept Gives Mavericks Elite Shooting, While Suns Add Future Assets
Phoenix isn’t ready to be a playoff team, so capitalizing on Grayson Allen’s start to the year is a smart move for them. Getting an upside piece in Hardy and recouping future draft capital will help them turn things around.
The Mavs recently demoted Klay Thompson to a bench role, and they could use a different elite shooter to fill that void. Insert Allen, who has gotten off to a scorching hot start this year. As a team, Dallas has averaged 9.6 3-pointers per game.
A new Suns franchise record in 3PM ✅
A new career-high ✅Grayson Allen (42 PTS, 10 3PM) shot LIGHTS OUT from deep in Phoenix’s victory tonight! pic.twitter.com/YK9xZiH1W6
— NBA (@NBA) November 11, 2025
Allen is averaging 4.2 on his own this year and just hit 10 in one game, which could allow the Suns to get more for him in a deal. He won’t fix their offense, but he’ll provide spacing to make things easier for Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg until Kyrie Irving is available.
Dallas Mavericks receive: Grayson Allen
Phoenix Suns receive: Caleb Martin, Jaden Hardy, 2030 second-round pick (via PHI), 2032 second-round pick
Pacers Solidify Future Center Spot With Goga Bitadze, While Magic Add Needed Floor Spacing
This move for Indiana isn’t about this season; it’s about figuring out the center position for next year, when Tyrese Haliburton is back. Goga Bitadze was drafted by the Pacers in 2019 and will return to them, this time as a starter. He had an effective run as a starter for the Magic last season, but he has been stuck behind Wendell Carter Jr. this year. Bitadze has the upside to be a really effective center option for Indiana on both ends of the floor next season.
Bitadze has been a backup for Orlando, which is the same role Jay Huff would fill. He’s a better floor spacer than Bitadze, which will help the Magic out on offense. Ben Sheppard would help with that as well. This isn’t a home run move for Orlando, but the addition of Desmond Bane hasn’t been enough to create better spacing. Adding two more options should create even more space, which will benefit all three of the Magic’s stars.
Indiana Pacers receive: Goga Bitadze
Orlando Magic receive: Ben Sheppard, Jay Huff
Yeaaaah i don’t know about these trades man. Bucks getting way too much for Kuzma and Portis, Pistons probably value Ivey more than that, not sure why the Mavs would go after Allen, or the Pacers would trade for Goga.