Another NBA season, another round of trade drama brewing. With Kevin Durant already shipped to Houston in a seven-team blockbuster, the question isn’t if another star will demand out – it’s who pulls the trigger first.
The league’s power dynamics have changed. Stars don’t wait for free agency anymore. They force moves when they want them. And right now, at least five big names are sending up smoke signals that should have general managers losing sleep.
Giannis Could Finally Leave Milwaukee After Lillard’s Injury
First, let’s start with the big one. Giannis Antetokounmpo hasn’t asked for a trade yet, but the situation in Milwaukee looks bleaker by the day. Damian Lillard tore his Achilles and might miss the entire 2025-26 season.
The Bucks only have four players from last year’s playoff roster under contract. They can’t trade first-round picks because they already shipped them out.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that while Giannis hasn’t requested a trade, teams are “monitoring the situation closely.” The Warriors have wanted him for years – Stephen Curry and Giannis constantly praise each other and pick each other in All-Star drafts.
The Nets fell to the 9th pick in the lottery but still dream of landing him. Even the Spurs, with Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox, could make a great pitch.
Devin Booker Signed an Extension But Remains Trade-Eligible
Phoenix just gave Devin Booker a two-year, $145 million extension through 2029-30. Sounds like stability, right? Not so fast. Booker becomes trade-eligible on January 10, 2026 – perfectly timed for next season’s trade deadline on February 6.
The Suns already traded Durant and might buy out Bradley Beal. Owner Mat Ishbia keeps saying Booker’s untouchable, but actions speak louder. They’re clearly building for the future, while Booker, who’s averaged 25+ points for nine straight years, wants to win now.
The betting sphere has noticed these dynamics as well. Betting sites that use USDT bring some of the best odds on player movement, letting you wager with crypto for faster payouts and lower fees. Such sites have live betting on trades, team futures, and player props – and all with the stability of dollar-pegged USDT or other cryptos such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Lauri Markkanen Says He Loves Utah, But the Jazz Need to Tank
Markkanen keeps saying the right things. “I love being in Utah,” he told reporters in April. Problem is, Utah needs to lose games to keep their top-8 protected pick next year, and Markkanen’s too good for that.
The 28-year-old makes $46 million annually after shooting just 34% from three last season. Zach Lowe said Markkanen “probably doesn’t want to spend the next few years on bad Jazz teams” and questioned if he’ll still be there in a year.
LeBron James Faces His First Season as a Second Option
LeBron picked up his $52.6 million option, but his agent Rich Paul’s comments about “evaluating what’s best for LeBron” raised eyebrows. The Lakers acquired Luka Dončić and are building around him long-term. For the first time ever, LeBron isn’t the franchise’s primary focus.
Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst reported that “a few teams” have already inquired about LeBron’s availability. The Cavaliers make the most sense for a third homecoming, though their salary cap situation complicates things. Dallas showed interest but only in a buyout scenario.
The biggest obstacle is the $52.6 million salary. Few contenders can match it without gutting their roster. LeBron’s no-trade clause gives him complete control, but at 40, does he really want to spend his final seasons as a supporting player?
Domantas Sabonis Wants Answers After De’Aaron Fox Trade
Sabonis led the NBA with 13.9 rebounds per game and hasn’t requested a trade. But after Sacramento dealt De’Aaron Fox to San Antonio, The Athletic reported Sabonis would “seek clarity” about the team’s direction.
The Kings missed the playoffs two straight years. They’re building around Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, who turns 36 in August. Sabonis has three years and $140 million left on his deal – great value for teams needing an All-Star center.
League sources told ClutchPoints the Kings aren’t shopping Sabonis, but that’s what teams always say until they make a deal. Portland, Brooklyn, and even Atlanta have kicked the tires. If Sacramento struggles early, Sabonis might force the issue.
