Five Blockbuster Trades That Should Happen In The 2025 NBA Off-Season

As the playoffs near their finale, it is almost time for the off-season, but which players could be on the move?

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As teams battle it out in the NBA playoffs, next to follow is the off-season – signings, trades, and drama that can change the completion of the league’s landscape. But with 2025 being the year of the underdogs – the Indiana Pacers finding their way to the NBA Finals.

Several big teams struggle, with some big exits in the first and second rounds of the playoffs. From Giannis Antetokounmpo to Kevin Durant. Several mammoth-sized moves could happen this summer.

And below, here are five blockbuster trades that should happen in the NBA this summer.

Kevin Durant To The Houston Rockets

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Phoenix Suns Receive: Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr, No. 10 pick in 2025, 2026 first-round pick via WAS, 2027 first-round pick via HOU.

Houston Rockets Receive: Kevin Durant

Washington Wizards Receive: Ryan Dunn, No. 29 pick in 2025.

As the NBA playoffs continue to be played, the biggest early rumour and talked-about move is the possibility of Kevin Durant taking off a Suns jersey and putting on the red of the Houston Rockets. A former player in Texas, Durant would feel at home instantly in Houston, and by joining up with a talented young core of Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson – the future looks very bright under Ime Udoka.

However, after a first-round exit in the 2025 playoffs, despite finishing as the 2nd seed in the West, Houston will be looking for their final piece in the off-season and play before making a push toward the NBA finals – Kevin Durant could be that player.

An experienced veteran. A superstar. A generational scorer. And most of all, an NBA champion. Durant complements this Rockets’ team in several ways, partnering the defense of Thompson and Dillion Brooks to be the team’s main scorer, and also providing a calm presence with a young and hungry Udoka side.

On the other hand, as the ‘Big Three’ experiment has not worked, the Phoenix Suns need to go into rebuild mode. As it stands, Devin Booker continues to look comfortable in Phoenix and could potentially go on to be a Suns lifer – he is exactly, who they need to build around in Orange.

(Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images).

But to rebuild you need to bring in young guys, Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr would be a great start to this. After slightly underwhelming as a Rocket, Green gets a fresh start in Phoenix, alongside Booker in the Suns backcourt, while Smith Jr could play an increased role and develop into a fantastic player.

Nevertheless, the main problem in Phoenix is their lack of draft picks, and what is perfect for them, is that Houston currently owns their 2027 first-round pick – making it a key part of a Durant trade. However, Washington also owns their first-round pick in 2026, meaning Phoenix would have to reach out and involve a third team. Despite an impressive defensive rookie season, Ryan Dunn could be enough to persuade the Wizards to hand over the first-round pick in what could be a win-win for both teams.

Therefore, within this trade, the Rockets get a superstar and what they will hope is the missing piece for a shot at the NBA Finals, while the Suns can begin their rebuild, with some talented young players and picks.

Zion Williamson To The Detroit Pistons

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New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Jaden Ivey, Isiah Stewart, 2028 1st (Top 5 Protected), 2027 second-round pick, 2029 second-round pick.

Detroit Pistons Receive: Zion Williamson.

It is hard to summarise Zion Williamson’s time as a Pelican. One of the most hyped prospects coming out of college since Lebron James, and an expected immediate superstar in the NBA. However, while he is a ‘star’ in New Orleans and a two-time all-star, Williamson has not quite lived up to his early potential.

Injuries have been the main protagonist in the power-forward’s career, ruling him out of large spells, and preventing the Pelicans from having a chance for a spot in the playoffs, without their star.

After another season of promise ruined with injuries for Zion, the Pelicans finished as the 14th seed in the Western Conference, and maybe now is the time for a change of scenery for Zion and a fresh start for Williamson. One team that could be a potential landing spot for the 24-year-old is in Detroit.

After a fantastic season that saw the Pistons back in playoff contention, Cade Cunningham is going to need some talented reinforcements and help. Following a number of positive draft picks, the future always looked bright in Detroit – it was only a matter of time, and the backcourt of Cunningham and Jaden Ivey always seemed to be one for the future.

But now as Cunningham has developed into a superstar, Ivey is yet to plan in a playoff after missing out due to injury. While the duo have not been a disappointment, the opportunity to trade for someone like Zion might just tempt the Pistons. The Pelicans get physicality in the center spot, adding Isiah Stewart, and gaining the talented Ivey to partner with Dejounte Murray, when he is healthy, in the backcourt.

For Zion and Detroit, this is a fantastic trade, adding a much-needed elite interior scorer who can become a franchise cornerstone alongside Cade Cunningham, and with the East, seemingly wide open due to the struggles of the Boston Celtics – the Piston could become a real force. By wearing Piston blue, the former Duke forward also gains himself a better chance to compete in the playoffs and the later stages of the NBA, in the games that he was originally supposed to compete in.

LaMelo Ball To The Los Angeles Clippers

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Los Angeles Clippers Receive: LaMelo Ball.

Charlotte Hornets receive: No. 30 pick in 2025, 2026 1st via CHI (Lottery Protected), Tre Jones.

Chicago Bulls receive: Bogdan Bogdanovic

LaMelo Ball. Another player whose time is hard to access. Drafted by the Charlotte Hornets and immediately became the franchise cornerstone for the Hornets. A superstar, but he is yet to play in the playoffs, and a recurring issue of injuries and time spent out is halting the development of the point guard. As we near the off-season, the Hornets have reportedly only named Brandon Miller as an ‘untouchable’ and it feels like now could be the time for LaMelo to leave.

A three-team trade, after a brilliant season, the Los Angeles Clippers further strengthen by adding a playmaking guard in Ball – joining James Harden and Kawhi Leonard in LA to attempt to come out of the West. While, already a young team, Charlotte get even younger, acquiring two first-round picks, gaining a lottery-protected pick, and involving the Chicago Bulls, who take Bogdan Bogdanovic in this trade.

(Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images).

For the Hornets, this trade is simple - they might currently believe that, if healthy, they are an outside contender for the playoffs next season. However, they need to decide whether Ball is the superstar that they need to build around – whether his injury record is too much of a concern - despite his talent.

In Charlotte, you manoeuvre and continue to build around Miller and Mark Williams – Nick Smith Jr moving up to become the team’s starting point guard. Tidjane Salaaun also has a large area of growth, a top ten pick in last year’s draft, the Hornets, without LaMelo, need to buy into his experiment and help him to become a consistent shooter.

No matter the decision in Charlotte on LaMelo Ball, there is plenty of potential on the roster of the Hornets, but under Charles Lee, an up-and-coming coach, they need to find the formula to stop being one of the consistent worst teams in the NBA.

Daniel Gafford To The Los Angeles Lakers

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Lakers Get: Daniel Gafford, Max Christie, Oliver-Maxence Prosper, & a 2030 second-round pick.

Mavericks Get: Austin Reaves & Gabe Vincent.

Following their finals appearance in 2024, the world of the Dallas Mavericks has been nothing short of chaotic. Trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers, gaining Anthony Davis, losing Kyrie Irving to injury, and then being awarded the rights to the first pick in the draft to be able to select Cooper Flagg.

However, one of the players on their roster who seems set to be on the move in the summer is Daniel Gafford. One the final year of his deal and a moveable piece as the Mavs may choose to fully back Derrick Lively in the center spot. Gafford provides rebounding, shot-blocking, and physical defense at the five spots - that would be perfect for any team looking for a big.

That team is the Los Angeles Lakers. Now led by Doncic, the Lakers almost have everything desired in terms of scoring the basketball, with the point guard alongside Lebron James. However, after a disappointing early exit in the playoffs, the Lakers are expected to be aggressive in the off-season to find their missing piece, and that is likely to be a player in the five spot.

Gafford perfectly fits what the Lakers need, offering physical defending and boards while also a lob threat, due to formerly playing with Doncic in Dallas, the center will share chemistry with the guard, offering a threatening and extra lob threat with Lebron. Alongside Gafford in this trade, Max Christie and Oliver-Maxence Prosper also join Gafford in LA, with the Lakers adding some younger depth and a second-round pick for 2030.

On the other hand, the Mavs add another impressive piece, alongside Cooper Flagg in Austin Reaves. A top scorer in the league, someone who can create his own buckets and a complimentary piece that can aid the superstars in Dallas. The quality of Reaves has shone brightly throughout the season under the Hollywood light, offering the third option with Doncic and James, but by Dallas acquiring the guard, they continue to look like a strong team that could contend in the West.

Also adding Gabe Vincent, the Mavs gain some needed depth in the guard room while Irving remains out. Between the two teams, this could be another mutually beneficial deal.

Anfernee Simons To The Orlando Magic

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Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Cole Anthony, Jonathon Isaac, 2027 second-round pick.

Orlando Magic Receive: Anfernee Simons

The final potential trade to look at is Anfernee Simons moving to the Orland Magic. A primary ball-handler is a must for the Magic as they look for a facilitator and guard to partner with their star wing duo of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.

Simons is the name for the Magic, the 6’ 3” guard being a name that might be available in the summer. Already boasting upcoming guards with strong potential, Portland may go all in for the backcourt duo of Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe next season, prioritising the development of Henderson as the leader of their offense.

Within the trade, the Trail Blazers gain what they lose – a backup point guard. Cole Anthony would come into Portland, becoming the team’s sixth man, providing defense and scoring off the bench, which he showed in abundance in the first round of the playoffs this year. Additionally, Jonathon Isaac is included in this mock trade, adding further defensive upside to this Trail Blazers team, slotting in as the second apron’s power forward, moving and playing with Toumani Camara.

On the flip side, the Magic get their guard, and with a potential starting-five of Simons, Caldwell-Pope, Wagner, Banchero, and Carter Jr – the Magic will look to utilise the misfortune of the Boston Celtics and dominate a currently weak Eastern Conference.