Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?
The NBA trade deadline isn’t until Thursday afternoon, but there have already been enough fireworks this past weekend to account for an entire trade season.
The Mavericks’ stunning decision to swap Luka Dončić for Anthony Davis early Sunday morning was quickly followed by the Spurs acquiring De’Aaron Fox from the Kings in a three-team trade with the Bulls.
With a few days before Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET deadline, here are some notable names who could be in a new uniform by the end of the week:
Jimmy Butler, Heat
Contract: $49 million this season, $52 million player option for 2025–2026 season
Butler was expected to be the biggest name potentially moved at the deadline until Dončić and Davis leap-frogged him. The 35-year-old prefers to be traded to the Suns, but the team would need to do significant gymnastics to get a trade done, including getting Bradley Beal to waive his no-trade clause. The Warriors were also tied to Butler, but on Sunday night, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that Butler indicated he’s “unwilling” to sign an extension with the team, which ended trade talks between the two sides.
The Heat have suspended Butler through the deadline for “intentionally withholding services,” which could impact his free agency should a suspension for that reason extend beyond 30 days. The two sides could be at a crossroads if Butler isn’t moved by Thursday.
Nikola Vučević, Bulls
Contract: $20 million this season, $21 million for 2025–2026 season
The Bulls’ decision to trade Zach LaVine on Sunday as part of the Fox trade initiated something that many thought the team should have done years ago: a rebuild. In the NBA, contention or tanking is preferred to middling and the Bulls were directionless the past few seasons before deciding to trade LaVine. Could Vučević be the next Bulls star to head out of town?
His contract is very team-friendly at $20 million this season, with just a slight increase next season. Vučević, 34, is averaging 19.9 points and 10.4 rebounds per game on 55% shooting. He’s also shooting 40% from three-point range. Can the Bulls get another significant contract off their books before Friday?
Cam Johnson, Nets
Contract: $22.5 million this season, $20.5 million for 2025–2026 season, $22.5 million for 2026–2027 season
For weeks Johnson has been talked about as the most likely player to be dealt by Thursday and that’s before the Fox trade talk started and the Dončić stunner. The Nets are tanking and looking to make their first lottery selection since 2011, while Johnson is having a career year as the talent around him continues to thin. He’s averaging 19.4 points and 2.9 assists per game while shooting 49% from the field, all career bests. Known for his marksmanship, he’s also shooting nearly 42% from three.
Before the weekend trades, Johnson had been linked to the Kings, Warriors, Lakers, and Thunder, among other teams. The Kings are likely out after acquiring LaVine, whose contract is nearly double Johnson’s, unless they have more moves to create the space for him. The Warriors could pivot to Johnson after ending talks with Butler, while the Lakers need a center to replace Davis, which likely drops Johnson on their list of priorities. The Nets are seeking two first-round picks for Johnson—and the weekend’s trades could have helped the Nets get their ask, with other options off the board for interested teams.
Robert Williams III, Blazers
Contract: $12.4 million this season, $13.2 million for 2025–2026 season
The Blazers have a big man problem that will likely need to be addressed by Thursday. The team has three young centers in Williams (27), Deandre Ayton (26), and rookie Donovan Clingan (20). It’s hard for all three to coexist or develop together. Williams is injury-riddled and played just six games last season, but when healthy he is a defensive anchor for a team. His nickname is “Time Lord” because of his shot-blocking precision.
Williams is currently battling a hand injury and has played just 17 games this season, but could be a difference-maker in the playoffs if he can stay healthy. His $12.4 million contract means teams wouldn’t have to give up much to make the money work, making his health worth the risk in a trade. The Lakers were reportedly interested in Williams before trading for Dončić and are in great need of a center. The question is whether they have enough assets to still get him.
Bruce Brown, Raptors
Contract: $23 million this season
Brown is probably the least-known name on this list, but he is a player all teams need simply because he is a winner. He has played center despite being 6-foot-4, is a great defender, and does all the little things teams need, as evidenced by his role on the Nuggets’ 2023 championship.
He’s on an expiring contract, which makes him an attractive rental option for a team and is an interesting test case in terms of his return in a trade. He has a team-friendly deal and is moldable to any system, but perhaps doesn’t have any elite niche aside from doing the dirty work on teams, which makes it tough to gauge a reasonable offer for him.
Download the FOS App
The business of sports, in your pocket.
Scan the QR code to get the app now.
