Unexpected NBA Trade Candidates: Zion Williamson, Trae Young, and More

Around a year ago, the NBA witnessed a surprising trade: the Minnesota Timberwolves sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks. This deal, which occurred just before training camp, somewhat obscured its truly shocking nature. In return, the Timberwolves received Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo.

Both teams involved were high-achieving contenders; Minnesota had just reached the Western Conference Finals, and the Knicks were poised for an Eastern Conference Finals appearance before injuries derailed their playoff run against the Indiana Pacers. It`s unusual for even one such top team to trade an All-Star. For two All-Stars, playing the same position, to be swapped? That`s an exceptionally rare event.

While a trade of that exact scale might not occur immediately before this year`s NBA training camp, the unique circumstances that enabled it last season are not present. The Knicks, facing a dire shortage of proven centers due to Isaiah Hartenstein`s free-agency departure and injuries to Mitchell Robinson and Precious Achiuwa, were desperate for a solution. Simultaneously, the Timberwolves sought financial relief from luxury tax implications, making a significant roster change inevitable.

Teams that were in similar financial predicaments earlier this year, like Boston and Phoenix, have already made moves to mitigate potential salary cap issues. Thus, the specific conditions for such a monumental trade are currently absent.

Nevertheless, the NBA is known for its rapid shifts. While specific trades can be shocking, the very concept of an unexpected blockbuster deal is a common occurrence in this league. As training camps begin, we`ll explore several players who could be involved in a surprising trade, echoing last year`s Karl-Anthony Towns shocker.

Our focus here isn`t on the usual suspects. A Lauri Markkanen trade, for instance, wouldn`t be a shock. While Giannis Antetokounmpo might request a move someday, such a situation would typically involve a significant build-up, allowing teams to orchestrate a bidding war for a star of his caliber, as seen with Luka Dončić. Instead, we`re looking at lesser-discussed individuals who, though unlikely to be traded, could become surprisingly plausible candidates as the season unfolds, given their team`s evolving dynamics.

Potential Surprise Trade Candidates

Rudy Gobert

Could Minnesota orchestrate another shocking trade, especially after another Western Conference Finals appearance? Arguably, a Gobert trade now might be even more logical than the Towns deal at the time. When Towns was traded, the Timberwolves had narrowly missed the top seed. Last season, however, they struggled to avoid the Play-In Tournament. Although they lost both Western Conference Finals series in five games, their first three losses to Dallas were by a combined 13 points. This contrasts sharply with Oklahoma City`s dominant wins of 30, 26, and 15 points, indicating a much larger performance gap.

The Timberwolves currently appear further from championship contention than a year prior. Gobert is aging, Nickeil Alexander-Walker has departed, and the Western Conference, particularly the Thunder, has grown significantly stronger. While a complete roster overhaul isn`t necessarily implied, a strategic retooling around their younger talent could be considered. It`s notable that Minnesota recently drafted center Joan Beringer with the No. 17 pick, an unusual move for a team already committing over 56% of its salary cap for the next three seasons to three other big men.

Regarding those other big men, few teams are keen on offering a five-year, $125 million contract to a player not slated for a long-term starting role. It`s difficult to envision Minnesota committing such a sum to Naz Reid as a perpetual reserve. While Reid could theoretically fill a power forward role similar to Julius Randle, and is three years younger than Gobert, at 30, he`s no longer considered `young.` Gobert, meanwhile, remains indispensable to Minnesota`s defense in a way Randle is not on either end of the court.

However, Randle presents a much tougher trade proposition. High-usage scorers with erratic shooting form a challenging market segment. Top-tier players rarely move, while the next tier often finds themselves in limbo. Elite teams avoid them, typically having superior ball-handlers and valuing floor spacing. Rebuilding teams prefer to tank for younger, cheaper talent, dedicating possessions to internal development. Conversely, rim-protectors and rim-runners like Gobert fill a distinct, sought-after role, making them desirable to a broader range of teams.

Consider a scenario where Minnesota starts the season performing well, but not exceptionally. Internally, they`re impressed by Beringer and eager to maximize Reid`s contract by giving him a starting role. Recognizing that another playoff run against teams like the Thunder with the current roster might be unproductive, the logical move could be to trade Gobert for younger assets. This would allow them to prioritize developing talents like Beringer, Rob Dillingham, and Terrance Shannon Jr., with the aim of re-entering championship contention in a year or two. General Manager Tim Connelly has a reputation for bold moves, as evidenced by his initial Gobert trade. If he sees strategic value in a second Gobert deal, he won`t hesitate.

Pascal Siakam

This discussion wouldn`t be happening if Tyrese Haliburton were healthy; in that alternate reality, the Pacers might even be champions. However, in our current reality, Haliburton will miss an entire season. Even upon his return in 2026-27, he might not be at full strength. His complete recovery as their offensive leader is more likely to occur later in that season, or even a full year later, at the start of the 2027-28 campaign.

This timeline largely suits most of the Pacers` roster, including Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Bennedict Mathurin, Obi Toppin, Ben Sheppard, and Jarace Walker, who are all in their mid-20s and have time to develop. The situation is less ideal for 31-year-old Pascal Siakam. While he`s been an excellent shooter in Indiana, his jumper was previously a concern in Toronto and could become an issue again without Haliburton`s playmaking. Furthermore, defensive capabilities typically decline with age, particularly for larger players who require significant mobility like Siakam.

Financial considerations also play a role. The Pacers reportedly let Myles Turner leave in free agency, ostensibly due to his contract demands. While it`s unclear if this stemmed from a reluctance to commit long-term to an older big man or a mandate from ownership to avoid the luxury tax, Indiana is known as one of the NBA`s most fiscally conservative teams. Paying Siakam a maximum contract seemed justified for a Finals contender. However, considering the typical NBA aging curve, his peak performance year is likely now, and without Haliburton, the team can`t fully capitalize on it. By the time Haliburton returns, Siakam may have transitioned past his co-star role, yet he will still be earning a max salary for the remaining three years of his contract.

Before Haliburton`s injury, the Pacers discreetly reacquired their own 2026 first-round pick. While not a team known for tanking, this situation presents a unique opportunity. If they anticipate being strong contenders for several years once Haliburton is back, this might be their final genuine chance to acquire a significant, cost-controlled asset high in the draft. Trading Siakam could yield valuable returns; as shown in the 2025 playoffs, he remains highly impactful for teams with healthy point guards. Siakam`s championship window is immediate, whereas Indiana`s is several years down the line. Such a fundamental misalignment frequently precipitates major trades.

Derrick White

Trading Jaylen Brown would be challenging, particularly mid-season. Relocating a $53.1 million cap figure outside the offseason`s expanded roster rules typically requires receiving a comparable contract in return. Furthermore, such a move would likely be too disruptive for Jayson Tatum, especially upon his return in a year.

Expecting the franchise player to lead a rebuilding team without a co-star would be both unrealistic and somewhat unfair. Moreover, the number of teams capable of accommodating Brown`s contract is surprisingly limited, as few rosters possess $50 million in easily tradable salary. There are also legitimate concerns about how Brown`s game would adapt to a more conventional offensive system, differing from the ideal environment fostered by Brad Stevens and Joe Mazzulla in Boston.

Conversely, most of the challenges associated with a potential Brown trade vanish when considering Derrick White. Earning roughly half of Brown`s salary, White presents a more feasible salary match and seamlessly fits into virtually any team structure. His low-maintenance skill set includes high-level shooting, elite off-ball defense, strong on-ball defense, and reliable secondary shot-creation. He can be seen as a higher-usage Fred VanVleet with more drives to the paint. While some teams might prefer Brown, more teams would likely be interested in White, which drives up trade value. This explains how players like Gobert and Mikal Bridges, not traditional stars, can command multiple first-round picks; players who fit seamlessly into any roster are inherently easier to trade than those requiring very specific circumstances to excel.

White`s situation bears some resemblance to Siakam`s. At 31, his trade value is likely at its peak. There`s a potential misalignment: by the time the Celtics might undertake a full roster reset, he could be past his prime. Trading him now could enable a `gap-year` rebuild, acquiring assets that Boston could develop into future high-caliber players. With Brown turning 30 at the start of the 2026-27 season and Tatum recovering from a torn Achilles, Boston urgently needs to inject youth to remain a consistent championship contender. The substantial offers from healthy, win-now teams that are bound to emerge during the season could strongly entice Boston to make such a deal.

Zion Williamson

Currently, Zion Williamson appears largely untradable. His history of conditioning and health issues, coupled with the ongoing legal challenges that emerged in May, likely render him a difficult asset for most NBA teams. However, trade dynamics can shift rapidly. Consider Zach LaVine: though he didn`t face Williamson`s off-court concerns, the Bulls struggled to trade him throughout the 2024 offseason. Yet, after a few strong months of play, they successfully moved him for value. Similarly, while it went overlooked during the Pelicans` underwhelming season conclusion, Williamson delivered spectacular performances in January, February, and March last season. Another string of impressive months could certainly pique a team`s interest.

The Pelicans` roster construction doesn`t suggest a long-term commitment to Williamson. It`s difficult to envision compatibility between him and 2025 lottery pick Derik Queen, as both are ball-handling power forwards with defensive weaknesses and conditioning concerns. New Orleans also drafted Jeremiah Fears, another high-usage ball-handler lacking a consistent jumper, and their primary free-agent acquisition, Kevon Looney, is another non-shooter. While one could argue the Pelicans are simply failing to build effectively around Williamson, their front office`s track record doesn`t exactly inspire confidence. It seems more probable they are planning for a future without Williamson.

From a purely basketball perspective, there`s significant reason for optimism about Williamson`s future, especially if he moves beyond New Orleans. While player maturity isn`t guaranteed, it often emerges in talented young players who face early career setbacks. A more supportive organization could greatly benefit Williamson, who seems to be showing increased dedication to his conditioning and fitness.

His on-court production has never been in doubt. The concerns revolve around his off-court dedication and conduct. Eventually, a team will likely convince itself it can `fix` him if the Pelicans reach their breaking point.

Assorted Point Guards

Recalling the challenges of trading Julius Randle, similar difficulties often apply to most point guards who are below All-NBA caliber and aren`t elite shooters or defenders. A select group of primary ball-handlers, such as Stephen Curry, Luka Dončić, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and a tier below them, like Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, and Cade Cunningham, are deemed unimpeachable. Their offensive impact is so profound that teams will go to great lengths to acquire them, overlooking any flaws due to their overwhelming strengths. When such a player becomes available, nearly any team in the league can justify pursuing them.

However, stepping down a level, we find players who still produce significant numbers but don`t quite match the top tiers. These players possess discernible flaws. Teams with superior ball-handlers wouldn`t trade for this next tier, as it would mean taking the ball away from a better player. Contending teams, typically already well-constructed, risk disrupting their established balance by adding a ball-dominant player from this group. Even younger teams often steer clear, preferring to draft a similar player rather than trading for one already on a sizable contract, given that the supply of point guards often exceeds demand.

These are essentially players who require an offense to be built around them, yet they might not elevate a team to championship contention. The NBA currently features several such point guards who, to varying degrees, could be considered trade candidates. The primary challenge is that recent history indicates their teams are unlikely to receive sufficient value to justify moving them. Below is a selection of these players:

• Trae Young: The Hawks have previously explored trading Trae Young but encountered limited interest. As he enters a contract year, the absence of a max extension suggests Atlanta`s hesitance. While Young might play well enough in a now better-suited roster to eventually earn a max deal, this contractual uncertainty will fuel trade speculation. Atlanta`s main hurdle is generating significant interest in a guard who struggles off-ball and is a notable defensive liability. Any acquiring team would need to commit to building its offense around him, a role most teams already have filled with a preferred player.
• Ja Morant: The Grizzlies find themselves in an uncertain position. While the Desmond Bane trade provided too much value to pass up, it placed Memphis firmly in Play-In Tournament contention. If Ja Morant still displayed his 2022 All-NBA form, they would likely use those assets to bolster the roster around him. However, with accumulating injuries and off-court incidents, his long-term role is less clear. His high-risk, acrobatic playing style raises concerns that he may have peaked early. Even if he recaptures his previous form, his shooting and defensive deficiencies persist. A robust market for such a player is unlikely, as contending teams are generally unwilling to have their star players defer to his ball-dominant style, especially given his apparent resistance to the more balanced offense Memphis attempted last year.
• De`Aaron Fox: Last season, the Spurs were an ideal destination for a guard of this caliber, successfully acquiring De`Aaron Fox, who expressed a desire to join them. This seemed like a win until they secured Dylan Harper in the lottery. Now, San Antonio has three guards—Harper, Fox, and Stephon Castle—vying for two long-term roster spots. Inevitably, one will be moved within the next two or three years as the Spurs solidify their core. Many suggested trading Fox preemptively this offseason to focus on youth. However, such a move would be politically complicated. Fox made a commitment to a Spurs team not known for star recruitment, and trading him immediately could deter other players from considering San Antonio. Furthermore, alienating a powerful agent like Rich Paul is ill-advised. For now, the Spurs must allow this situation to unfold, but the eventual departure of one of these guards will remain a prominent storyline.
• Tyler Herro: Herro is injured and expected to miss the start of the season. For the first time since 2018, the Heat face a season without a clear direction, lacking a Jimmy Butler-type leader, an obvious franchise player, or immediate avenues to acquire one, unlike their past. While tolerating a few .500 seasons might justify keeping the current core, including the relatively young Herro and Bam Adebayo, the Damian Lillard trade saga revealed Herro`s limited trade value league-wide. However, given Miami`s uninspiring play late last season, a plausible argument for tanking exists. With Adebayo being too central to the team`s culture to move, Herro emerges as the most likely trade candidate.

Other players broadly fit this category, such as Darius Garland if the Cavaliers underperform in the playoffs again, or LaMelo Ball if the Hornets remain without clear leadership. Yet, teams often discover that trading such players doesn`t yield a substantial return. Small, offense-focused guards who aren`t consistent All-NBA selections are not exceedingly rare, and their prevalence prevents them from fetching the larger trade packages that more versatile wings command. Consider Mikal Bridges: one could argue he`s less impactful than any player listed here, yet no team would question his fit. This adaptability is precisely why Desmond Bane commanded such a significant trade package—he`s a superior defender to anyone discussed in this section and far less ball-dominant. Teams like the Magic prioritize players who complement their existing stars, such as Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, rather than those who would demand significant offensive control, like a Garland or a Young.

In conclusion, any of these players are plausible candidates for a surprising trade, driven by both market trends and their star power. If substantial offers were readily available, some would likely have been moved already. Should such an offer materialize, however, it would undoubtedly constitute a blockbuster surprise.