The NBA Draft is just a month away, and trade rumors are heating up across the league. Here’s the latest buzz.
Paul George is hopeful that Giannis Antetokounmpo will remain in Milwaukee. As free agency approaches, the key question is whether Giannis will seek deals elsewhere, but both Paul George and Carmelo Anthony expressed on George’s podcast that they believe Giannis will stay put. George noted, "He’s not going anywhere… Giannis built Milwaukee." He emphasized that international players like Giannis tend to remain where they first landed in America, seeing it as a legacy and home. Reports indicate a meeting between Giannis and the Bucks is imminent, with Milwaukee planning to build their roster around him. With Damien Lillard potentially coming off an Achilles injury and if Giannis prioritizes winning, the loyalty to Milwaukee seems strong, and many insiders agree George won’t request a trade anytime soon.
The Dallas Mavericks are searching for a point guard to support their 32-year-old Anthony Davis, looking to fill Kyrie Irving’s role. They are reportedly interested in Jrue Holiday if the Boston Celtics decide to trade him, though his hefty contract is a concern. Lonzo Ball and 40-year-old free agent Chris Paul are also on Dallas’s radar.
Brooklyn Nets hold four first-round picks for the 2025 NBA Draft, including a second high pick at 36 in addition to picks 8, 19, 26, and 27. This wealth of draft capital has sparked speculation that the Nets might package picks and players to move up in the draft. They showed interest in Dylan Harper, encouraged by Harper’s father Ron, a five-time NBA champion. However, San Antonio Spurs are unlikely to trade their picks unless presented with an exceptional offer, and Cameron Johnson is unlikely to be part of a trade. Philadelphia may trade the third pick, and Utah might move the fifth pick, but Brooklyn might keep their eighth pick and use other assets to pursue additional lottery picks in this draft. Either way, the Nets are expected to be very active on draft night.
Both Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving and Clippers’ James Harden are expected to opt out of their final contract years and re-sign with their teams, despite Irving’s ACL injury sidelining him for much of next season. Dallas is reportedly aiming for a three-year, $120 million deal with Irving, similar to previous deals. Harden’s contract talks will be influenced by Irving’s agreement. The Clippers are looking to clear cap space by the time Kawhi Leonard’s contract expires in 2027, possibly a key point in their negotiations.
The Clippers are likely to engage in trades once Harden’s contract situation is settled. They have several players on tradeable contracts, including Bogdan Bogdanovic, Derrick Jones Jr., and Chris Dunn. The Clippers also have 2031 and 2032 draft picks that could be used in trades, though they are cautious about moving these picks.
In the era of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), the NBA draft landscape is shifting. Top 20 picks are still typically destined for the NBA, but many first-round and early second-round players are no longer guaranteed to make the jump immediately. The NBA Draft Combine features players like Calter Knox from Arkansas, Milos Uzan from Houston, and others who have shifted colleges recently.
Fan Take: This flurry of draft movements and contract negotiations highlights how dynamic and strategic the NBA offseason has become. For fans, it means more unpredictability and excitement, with potential blockbuster trades and star player decisions shaping the future of their favorite teams and the league’s competitive balance.
