Nine players who have appeared in the NBA All-Star Game were traded between opening night and Thursday’s trade deadline, and we’re not just talking about one-time flukes here. Luka Doncic, Anthony Davis, De’Aaron Fox, Zach LaVine, Khris Middleton, Brandon Ingram, Jimmy Butler, Andrew Wiggins, and D’Angelo Russell have all moved in the past month or so. Common sense would dictate that the league would want to take a breather after the most active deadline in its history.
But come on, this is the NBA we’re talking about here. Player movement leads to more player movement. Chaos invites chaos. The ripple effects of the 2025 deadline will be felt for years to come and should lead to a similarly explosive offseason once the dust settles on the upcoming playoffs.
Inevitably, more stars will be moved. Who’s coming next? Here are the five next All-Stars who could pop up on the trade block.
The first real rumblings of a Kevin Durant trade came early in the 2024 offseason. At the time, I wrote that Phoenix’s championship odds had already dropped so low that a trade was worthwhile. The Suns shut the door quickly. Team owner Mat Ishbia said publicly in June, and then again in November, that Phoenix planned to keep Durant and try to make a go of it with a slightly tweaked version of the roster that got swept out of the first round a year ago.
The Hawks started the season strong, reaching the semifinals of the In-Season Tournament in Las Vegas. However, things took a turn for the worse when Jalen Johnson was ruled out for the rest of the year due to injury. The team has struggled, with a 1-9 record in their last 10 games, leading to speculation about Trae Young’s future with the team. The recent trades made by the Hawks, cutting costs and limiting their paths to improvement, hint at a potential departure for Young. This could have consequences, especially concerning draft picks owed to the Spurs. On the other hand, the Pelicans made a significant move by trading Brandon Ingram to Toronto, signaling a potential shift in their roster around Zion Williamson. The decision to keep or trade Williamson is a tough one for the Pelicans, as it could have long-lasting implications for the franchise. Despite the uncertainty, it is clear that Williamson’s talent will attract significant offers from other teams.
Only one team can lift the trophy each year, and taking risks is necessary to achieve that. The reward is obtaining a proven talent that most teams in the league rarely have the opportunity to acquire. Teams like the Hornets, Pacers, or Kings seldom have the chance to acquire a player like Williamson. One of them will likely take a chance and attempt to rejuvenate his career if the Pelicans give them the opportunity. After another disappointing season, now might be the time for them to do so.
Is Randle still considered a star? His value has certainly diminished over the past year. An injury ended his last season before the playoffs. The Knicks did not offer him a contract extension when he was eligible, and then traded him to Minnesota, where he has struggled to find his place. Today, few would label him as an All-Star, even though he has made three All-Star teams and two All-NBA teams this decade. At just 30 years old, he remains a recognizable player.
However, Randle comes with a hefty salary. If he were still performing at an All-Star level, Minnesota would have no issue with him picking up his $30 million player option. But since he isn’t, concerns arise, especially with key reserves Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Naz Reid set to become unrestricted free agents this offseason. Unless Minnesota is willing to pay a significant tax bill for another year, they will need to find a way to offload Randle’s contract.
Possibly, they will do so in a strategic manner. Reports suggest that Minnesota made a late attempt to acquire Kevin Durant before the deadline, showcasing their willingness to explore significant trades. General manager Tim Connelly is unlikely to simply dump Randle; instead, he will seek to extract value from a player who doesn’t quite fit their team.
This situation could create an opportunity for another team, possibly one with lower aspirations than Minnesota. While Randle may not be a core player on a championship team due to his limitations as a shooter and defender, he can still contribute to winning around 40-45 games, as he did for the Knicks multiple times. If a team is looking to stay competitive and draw fans, Randle could be the right fit.
Bucks fans may be tired of hearing this, but Antetokounmpo has been a hot topic for years. He often puts pressure on the team to improve before considering other options. The Bucks have made significant moves to accommodate him, such as acquiring Jrue Holiday and attempting to land Damian Lillard.
While the results have not been as successful recently, there is still time for the Bucks to turn things around. Maybe they will have a deep playoff run this season, or perhaps they will make another major move in the offseason. However, their long-term prospects are challenging, especially after the Middleton-Kuzma trade that received mixed reviews.
As it stands, the Bucks lack versatility and defense on the wing, and with Antetokounmpo occasionally playing as a backup center, they may need to make further adjustments to their roster. Brook Lopez’s impending free agency also poses a challenge, as they do not have a long-term replacement for him at center.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are facing a crucial moment in their pursuit of an NBA championship. While Damian Lillard is delivering an All-Star performance, his age and expensive contract are significant factors that could impact the team’s future flexibility. With the Bucks’ current roster situation, this season may be their best opportunity to contend for a title in the short term.
As Antetokounmpo approaches 30 and continues to play a physically demanding style of basketball, he must start considering his long-term goals and where he can best achieve them. The emergence of young talents like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama with teams like the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder adds to the urgency of making strategic decisions sooner rather than later.
If the Bucks fall short in the playoffs or fail to make significant improvements in the offseason, the pressure on Antetokounmpo to make a decision about his future will only intensify. Whether he stays in Milwaukee or explores other options, the time for a definitive choice seems to be on the horizon.
The upcoming offseason will be crucial for the Bucks and Antetokounmpo in shaping their championship aspirations. It remains to be seen whether they can make the necessary moves to solidify their position as contenders in the league.