Last month, ESPN’s Shams Charania appeared on the Pat McAfee Show and made some striking predictions about the 2025 NBA offseason. He called it “the craziest offseason ever,” surpassing notable past years such as 2010, 2016, and 2019, which were marked by big moves involving stars like LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Unlike those earlier years, 2025’s offseason is unique because there is very little cap space available across the league, with only the Brooklyn Nets expected to have significant salary cap flexibility. This scarcity is forcing teams to be creative, focusing more on trading established players rather than relying heavily on free agency, as most star players are locked into contract extensions.
Charania predicts a wave of major trades involving top stars, including potential moves for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant, creating what could be the wildest trading period in NBA history. Teams will be struggling under tight financial constraints, trying to maneuver salary caps while aiming to avoid the looming dominance of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Below is a categorized list of the 100 most likely trade candidates this season, based on their 2025-26 salaries, with players grouped into 11 tiers depending on their role, contract situation, and potential trade value. It’s important to note that this list excludes free agents but includes players expected to pick up contract options to avoid free agency.
Tier 1 includes the biggest stars who could be traded, such as Kevin Durant, whose trade was nearly completed last season but fell through because he didn’t want to return to Golden State. Giannis Antetokounmpo tops the list as possibly the best player available and could lead to historic trade discussions if moved. Other stars listed include Jalen Brown, Lauri Markkanen, Trae Young, Ja Morant, Zion Williamson, and Desmond Bane.
Tier 2 focuses on players with large contracts that their teams might want to offload, like Damian Lillard and Jerami Grant. Tier 3 spotlights players who might only be trade options tied to a Giannis deal, such as Jimmy Butler, Pascal Siakam, and Tyler Herro. Tier 4 highlights players whose status depends on new front offices or changing team strategies, including Trey Murphy and Malik Monk.
Veteran players on rebuilding teams appear in Tier 5, including CJ McCollum and Anfernee Simons, who could aid contenders but are on less competitive teams. Tier 6 features players with big deals who don’t fit their current team plans, like Bradley Beal and Deandre Ayton. Tier 7 covers players whose trades might help teams avoid luxury tax penalties and balance long-term finances, such as Jrue Holiday and Julius Randle.
Tier 8 consists of players who may be traded only if teams seek immediate improvements to bolster their chances, including Karl-Anthony Towns and Paul George. Younger talent on rookie contracts with appeal for rebuilding teams is found in Tier 9, like Jabari Smith and Bennedict Mathurin. Tiers 10 and 11 include players with expiring or multi-year contracts who could be used primarily as salary matches in trade deals.
Overall, the 2025 NBA offseason promises to be a historic period of player movement, driven largely by financial constraints and the strategic push by teams to reform around a new generation of stars. Fans should prepare for potentially shocking trades and a reshaping of team power dynamics league-wide.
Fan Take: This unprecedented offseason signals a major shift in how teams build and compete, highlighting the decreasing influence of free agency and the growing importance of strategic trades. Basketball fans can expect a thrilling and unpredictable period that could redefine the league’s landscape for years to come.
