The NBA trade season is in full swing, with the Warriors acquiring Dennis Schröder and the Pacers trading for Thomas Bryant last week. For fantasy basketball managers, it’s time to follow the rumor mill and observe potential moves that could dramatically shake up value charts and waiver wires. Here’s a look at players who could be on the move and their potential impact on fantasy basketball.
Jimmy Butler – SF/PF, Miami Heat
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The situation: The Heat are reportedly open to trade calls for Butler. He’s 35 and comes with a high price tag, but remains a gamechanger on both ends. With a player option for next season, Butler could opt for free agency this summer, leaving the Heat with nothing in return.
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Why a transaction makes sense: Miami doesn’t seem willing to offer him an extension, so it makes sense to offload him for assets now to continue to compete and build around younger players like Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro.
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Fantasy impact: Butler is coming off one of his best statistical performances ever: 35 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists with 5 shares in a loss to the Pistons on Monday night. I don’t think he’ll be traded, but if he is, the Warriors make sense given their win-now timeline, plus whatever draft capital or young players the Heat could bring in in return. Herro would benefit, but Butler’s fantasy value would likely take a hit if he was dealt to a contender.
Brandon Ingram – SG/SF/PF, New Orleans Pelicans
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The situation: Expiring contract, often injured, and the Pelicans are one of the worst teams in the NBA.
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Why a transaction makes sense: New Orleans has been unwilling to offer Ingram an extension that meets his expectations, so trading him for assets before he enters free agency is a wise move. The problem? His market has not existed since the summer. Getting new representation may help things along, but time will tell.
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Fantasy impact: Ingram is out indefinitely with an ankle injury, so we already know what to expect if he gets treatment: Higher usage and shot volume for Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, Brandon Boston Jr. and Dejounte Murray. Boston Jr. is the main option available for waivers that may be worth putting away.
Zach LaVine – SG/SF Chicago Bulls
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The situation: LaVine’s heavy contract has soured his trade market. It doesn’t help that the Bulls are stuck in neutral as a mediocre playoff team leaning towards a rebuild.
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Why a transaction makes sense: He is underrated and has been around for a few seasons. Chicago needs emergency capital and younger assets. Moving LaVine could jump-start the rebuild.
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Fantasy impact: A Bulls team without LaVine would give Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu a significant boost. Ayo should be included in all leagues due to his recent production and the chance to earn a bigger workload if LaVine is traded.
Nikola Vučević – PF/C, Chicago Bulls
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The situation: The veterans center has a reasonable contract and turns back the clock. Vučević provides value in the first round, averaging 21.1 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists with efficient shooting.
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Why a transaction makes sense: Um, sales high?! He is one of the most marketable assets on a struggling roster and several teams need a reliable big man.
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Fantasy impact: The asking price in the first round is likely rich, but the Warriors, Pistons and Pelicans could upgrade their frontcourt. It’s too early to put away PF/C Jalen Smith, but be prepared if the rumors surface.
Cameron Johnson – SF/PF, Brooklyn Nets
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The situation: The sharpshooting wing has been efficient, putting up 18.5 points per game on outrageous shooting.
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Why a transaction makes sense: Brooklyn is heading into a rebuild and could cash in on Johnson’s value for future draft picks.
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Fantasy impact: Johnson has been a sell-high for a while, but he’s rumored to be the next Brooklyn Net to be traded. Fantasy basketball managers need to deal him before it actually happens. He was exceptional this year, but a move to another team will impact his role, and he may not have the role or utility to sustain this level of production.
Jonathan Kuminga – SF/PF, Golden State Warriors
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The situation: Kuminga will switch to limited freedom next year. Entering the starting lineup is essentially an audition for whether he will be in the Warriors’ long-term plans or a possible trade piece.
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Why a transaction makes sense: Golden State is in win-now mode as Steph Curry ages, and if the Warriors won’t commit, it’s time to cash in and find another star to extend their championship run.
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Fantasy impact: A move to a rebuilding team could see Kuminga’s minutes and usage skyrocket, although that seems unlikely at this point given the names associated with the Warriors. Still, the Brooklyn Nets would be a great landing spot for opportunity and development.
CJ McCollum – PG/SG, New Orleans Pelicans
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The situation: The Pelicans should be sellers, and McCollum is a proven scorer and veteran leader stuck with a losing team. His contract worth $30 million per year comes off the books at the end of the 2025-26 season.
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Why a trade makes sense: With New Orleans leaning toward a rebuild, transferring McCollum’s $30 million-plus contract to a team in need of experience and depth could yield valuable draft picks or younger assets.
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Fantasy Impact: I want to see McCollum go to Orlando to provide a more effective and consistent scoring push off the bench. Right now, Mo Wagner is the Magic’s main reserve. It’s a better real-life move than fantasy. I expect Jordan Hawkins to get more minutes if McCollum is moved.
Clint Capela-C, Atlanta Hawks
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The situation: Capela has an expiring $22 million contract, making him a valuable defensive asset for contenders.
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Why a transaction makes sense: Rumor has it he’s been on the trade block for years, and they’ve already extended Onyeka Okongwu. The Hawks don’t have to move him, but if they don’t, he could walk free this summer for nothing.
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Fantasy impact: The Value of Okongwu and Larry Nance Jr. will rise if Capela moves to another team, but I hesitate to say the Hawks are ready to move on. He continues to be a reliable and consistent rim protection center. Then again, there are a handful of teams that need a big man.
Jerami Grant – SF/PF, Portland Trailblazers
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The situation: Grant has a lofty four-year contract that could scare teams, but his efficient scoring and defense keep him attractive to contenders.
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Why a transaction makes sense: Portland is going nowhere fast and has a lot of young players waiting in the wings to get Grant on a contender.
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Fantasy impact: Grant’s eventual departure would improve the fantasy value of Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara.
Collin Sexton – PG/SG, Utah Jazz
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The situation: Sexton is a talented scorer, but isn’t in Utah’s long-term plans.
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Why a transaction makes sense: The Jazz are developing a young core where Sexton can be expendable for draft capital or another piece.
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Fantasy impact: Sexton on a guard-starved team (e.g. Denver) could serve well as a high-use reserve. Sexton’s fantasy value isn’t particularly high in Utah, and I don’t expect that to change unless he’s sent to a team where he can be more of a playmaker than an off-ball scorer. Keyonte George and Brice Sensabaugh would benefit from trading Sexton.
