Believe it or not, the 2022-23 NBA season is almost over as the playoffs are nearing. Time is flying, and we already have an idea of which teams have separated themselves from the others in the league. We also know the best players in the league and the talent they are currently playing with. Of course, the NBA has become a league where star players need to be surrounded by tons of talent, and that is why general managers are always looking to make deals and improve rosters. In fact, ten NBA star players are most likely to be moved this summer, with the playoff results playing a big role.
In a league of players that not only encourages movement but values it the most, the rosters of NBA teams could look very different in just a few months. There are a lot of players that could be traded this summer, but only the 10 best players will be discussed. A mix of All-Stars, valuable role players and other big-name athletes will be on the trading block as soon as this summer. If not on the trading block, some star players are free agents and will be looking for a max contract or a new destination to showcase their talents. Without further ado, here are the ten NBA stars who will change teams this summer.
Derrick Rose
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The Most Realistic Destination: Chicago Bulls
Derrick Rose needs to go back home because he has a team option for over $15 million next year that likely won’t be picked up. The New York Knicks want to clear space for a chance to make big moves (Karl-Anthony Towns perhaps), and Rose’s $15 million salary isn’t needed. With the point guard a free agent, a chance to return to Chicago to see out his career is the best move for him. This season, at 34 years old, Rose is posting 5.6 PPG and 1.7 APG in only 12.5 MPG.
The point guard has struggled with health his entire career, but he could be rejuvenated when he goes back to the franchise that made him a superstar player and the youngest MVP of all time. Derrick Rose is 34 years old and nearing the end of his career, so a move back to Chicago would be the ultimate feel-good story in the league. The former superstar can add veteran experience and also sell some seats whether the Bulls completely rebuild or continue trying to sneak into the playoffs.
Russell Westbrook
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The Most Realistic Destination: Miami Heat
Nobody knows what will happen to the Los Angeles Clippers at any given moment. They could pull off shocking wins at one point and then go on losing streaks in an embarrassing fashion. Russell Westbrook is a free agent following this season, meaning there could be massive roster changes coming in the offseason. Regardless of how they perform on a game-to-game basis, the Clippers have two superstars, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George, and want to win around them as soon as possible. Remember, both stars could leave the team, as that depends on the Clippers’ cap situation.
Despite being the favorite for the 6th Man of the Year award before his trade to Utah, Westbrook might not want to return back to Los Angeles due to hard feelings over the past year and a half. Most importantly, Miami will be willing to pay Westbrook the most amount of money as a free agent because the franchise will feel they can make the point guard return to his best alongside elite two-way players, including Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. If any franchise can reign in Russ, it is the Miami Heat.
Draymond Green
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The Most Realistic Destination: Los Angeles Lakers
Things are looking up for the Lakers because the cap might rise to $134 million next year, meaning the Los Angeles Lakers can legitimately add Draymond Green and one other star to their roster that already features LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Draymond Green is still one of the best defensive players and leaders in the NBA, even if he isn’t a max player anymore. Draymond will first need to take a pay cut and accept he is not an All-Star player in terms of impact or production anymore. His impact will be there defensively, but a pay cut will be necessary because he is almost irrelevant at scoring the ball.
Draymond can realistically take a pay cut and accept a 2-3 year deal with the Lakers. It seems that Draymond is a player the Lakers want because Anthony Davis, who is always a direct extension of LeBron James, would be up for this partnership. At the same time, Green is close friends with LeBron and will realize that they would be a great partnership together in terms of two-way play and championship experience. With a pay cut taken, the Lakers can create space for Draymond Green to accept a reasonable pay cut to help go for his 5th NBA championship. Of course, the Lakers have enough space for one more star player, and it is LeBron’s former teammate, Kyrie Irving.
Ben Simmons
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The Most Realistic Destination: Utah Jazz
Ben Simmons has had the worst season of his career, especially since he is healthy enough to be on the basketball court. When on the court, the Australian star has been a shell of himself as mental issues have prevented the former All-Star from becoming a dominant player. Remember, this was the same player that was supposed to be the second coming of LeBron James in terms of being a physical specimen with all-around skills. He might be one of the biggest disappointments in NBA history.
Simmons is posting 6.9 PPG, 6.3 RPG, and 6.1 APG while shooting only 43.9% from the free-throw line and still not having any semblance of an outside jumper. How could a 6’10” point guard with fantastic handles and basketball IQ not be able to practice shooting? There is something mentally wrong with Simmons, but he is still only 26 years old and will be a gamble any rebuilding team will take since the player could face another exile as the Nets are done with him. In comes the Utah Jazz, who will be willing to move on from any pieces to add Simmons to a roster core of Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler, and Collin Sexton. Hopefully, Simmons can return to All-Star status in a new destination because the potential is there.
DeMar DeRozan
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The Most Realistic Destination: Charlotte Hornets
DeMar DeRozan is one of the most consistent scorers in the NBA and can be very impactful as long as he isn’t the best player on the team. DeMar is best suited as a second or third option for a championship team that isn’t the Chicago Bulls. Teams that need his services will need a consistent 20 PPG scorer to diversify their offense. Luckily, a few teams come to mind since Chicago might need to rebuild as they need picks and young players, and the Bulls might need to keep an open mind about trading their best player.
The Charlotte Hornets need a scorer alongside LaMelo Ball, and DeRozan gives them that. In order to compete in the Eastern Conference next year, the Hornets need a star to help LaMelo Ball compete on a roster devoid of star power. Thanks to their putrid 22-48 record this season, Charlotte will be in the lottery this season and will be in the mix for a top draft pick this summer. With a top young player coming on board and LaMelo Ball healthy, DeRozan can make them a playoff team again.
Chris Paul
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The Most Realistic Destination: New Orleans Pelicans
Chris Paul is one of the greatest players in the history of New Orleans. What he did for the franchise was special, because he single-handedly made them relevant in the Western Conference. For years, the New Orleans Hornets were a tough team to beat, with the point guard making All-Star Teams and also making a case for the MVP award. The Phoenix Suns tried to trade Paul before the trade deadline, and if the team doesn’t make the Western Conference Finals, at least he could finally be moved.
The New Orleans Pelicans need superstar point guard Chris Paul to help their franchise. He is one of the 5 best point guards in the NBA when healthy and made his 12th All-Star Team last year. Paul is exactly what the Pelicans need in terms of playmaking and on-floor leadership. Zion Williamson can learn from one of the best, Brandon Ingram can continue his growth as an All-Star, and Willie Green can get an extension of him on the court. With Paul, the Pelicans can compete for a top-3 or top-4 seed in an open West because CP3 is an immediate upgrade over any guard they have, including CJ McCollum, who could be used in a trade package.
Bradley Beal
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The Most Realistic Destination: Boston Celtics
Bradley Beal has surprisingly been dedicated to the Washington Wizards in recent years, but that could be changing as the player might have placed his ultimatum clear to the franchise. To be fair to the player, Beal is too good to be on a team that can’t even make the playoffs, as he is the only player that can actually be an All-Star on the roster when healthy. The days of Beal making the playoffs consistently with John Wall are long gone, and the Wizards might want to make changes.
The best destinations for Beal should be with title contenders. The team ahead of the pack has to be the Boston Celtics, as the shooting guard is close friends with Jayson Tatum and can form a Big Three with Jaylen Brown in the mix. If the Celtics do not win it all this year, the team could bring Beal on board at the expense of Marcus Smart, Robert Williams III, and some draft compensation. The Celtics better make the NBA Finals or risk changing up their core for the long term.
Karl-Anthony Towns
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The Most Realistic Destination: New York Knicks
In almost any circumstance, a player with Karl-Anthony Towns’ skill would be completely untouchable as a big man with guard skills. But the Minnesota Timberwolves are not looking too great and are struggling to convince anyone that they are legitimate title contenders, even with the addition of Rudy Gobert. Towns is the main guy on the team, and he is always a candidate to make the All-Star Team over the past few seasons. Of course, he has dealt with injury issues this year and missed his chance.
At the same time, the New York Knicks want to add a big name as soon as possible because they are in the mix in the East without a true superstar talent. Julius Randle made the All-Star Team, and Jalen Brunson almost made it, but neither has the potential nor talent of Towns. If the Knicks can get creative and offer a trade package for the 3-time All-Star, they could be on the map with a potential team that can compete for a top-4 spot every season. The Knicks want a superstar, and Karl-Anthony Towns can be the savior if a blockbuster trade package is put together.
Kyrie Irving
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The Most Realistic Destination: Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are looking forward to the rest of the season and next year because the addition of D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt could motivate the return of the best two-way duo in the league in LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Of course, Russell Westbrook is finally gone. Luckily, the Lakers are in a great position, salary-cap-wise, because their roster could be fully clear and ready for new stars. Other than Draymond Green, the next one is Kyrie Irving, a player the franchise was in the mix for but failed to acquire him.
This summer, the Lakers can manage to acquire one of the best offensive players in the NBA. Kyrie, LeBron, and Davis would ravage defenses with their size and skill, and the reunion of Irving and The King would be a media story to follow all year. Remember, D’Angelo Russell is an unrestricted free agent after this season, and the Lakers can clear the deck for a chance to acquire superstar Kyrie Irving. With Irving joining a dynamic duo in Los Angeles, the Lakers could be the title favorites coming out of the Western Conference.
James Harden
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The Most Realistic Destination: Houston Rockets
James Harden to the Houston Rockets is a massive possibility. After all, reports have been coming out about the shooting guard going “back home” to the place where he became a superstar and one of the greatest offensive players of all time. The Rockets made a massive decision to bring Harden over from Oklahoma City and pay him, and it worked out in their favor because he became one of the franchise’s greatest players behind Hakeem Olajuwon and Moses Malone. Harden won an MVP in Houston, three scoring titles, and almost made the NBA Finals in 2018.
If the reports are true that there is a 70% chance Harden signs with the Rockets, the player could be in the mix for a max contract. Houston is on board with only $60 million in salary cap space in 2024, as the team is full of youngsters and spare parts. They might pay Harden at least $35-$40 million over 2-3 years to bring back some legitimacy lost over the past few years, hopefully, draft Victor Wembanyama or Scott Henderson at the least, and get back to relevancy. With a potential superteam that could be in the making, Houston might NOT have a problem with Harden coming back to town.
Source: fadeawayworld
