A wild NBA offseason has ran its course for the most part. The summer was filled with superstars swapping uniforms as other impact players found new homes via trade or free agency.

Cleveland answered one of the offseason’s looming questions this week when the Cavaliers completed a sign-and-trade for Nuggets wing Peyton Watson, then signed James Harden to a new contract the following day. Denver’s financial situation made it difficult to retain Watson, which led the franchise to send its home-grown talent elsewhere and acquire assets and stop the bleeding on a growing luxury tax bill (for now, at least).

The Cavs traded Dennis Schröder last week, which gave the team more wiggle room to chase Watson and re-sign Harden. In Cleveland’s salary-shedding efforts, Max Strus was likely on the outs to further support the chase for Watson. Strus landed with the Clippers as part of a five-team trade that landed Watson in Cleveland.

McKeone: The Cavs Are All-In for a Championship. The Thrill Could Be Disastrous.

The two were a couple of the biggest names left as trade candidates as the offseason nears its conclusion. A few other players remain out there, though, as potential trade or buyout candidates ahead of the new 2026–27 season. An unexpected trade—no matter how big or small—close to the season’s tip is commonplace for the NBA. With some time left for teams around the league to improve their rosters, here are five players who could still be on the move this offseason:

Klay Thompson, G, Dallas Mavericks

• Remaining contract: One year, $17.5 million
• 2025–26 season stats: 11.7 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 1.4 APG, 39.3 FG%, 38.3 3P%, 76.6 FT% (69 games)
• Potential suitors: Heat, Timberwolves, Lakers

It’s no secret the 36-year-old Klay Thompson doesn’t fit the Mavericks’ plans any longer. And he likely wants to go chase another title in the twilight of his career, too. The issue is that Dallas may not be able to find a trade for Thompson and a team willing and able to take on his $17.5 million salary. That leads to a potential buyout where the veteran shooter could go where he pleases. The Heat are the most logical destination, as Miami needs depth after it gave up nearly all of its young players to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Thompson isn’t the player he once was, but he’s still a high-level three-point shooter that endless teams could use. He’s been mostly healthy since prolonged injury absences from 2019 through early '22, too. Two years ago, he signed with a Dallas team that was fresh off a trip to the NBA Finals. The thought was that he could aid another title push alongside Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving but, as we know, everything changed since then.

Cam Johnson, F, Denver Nuggets

• Remaining contract: One year, $23.1 million
• 2025–26 season stats: 12.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.4 APG, 48.0 FG%, 43.0 3P%, 83.9 FT% (54 games)
• Potential suitors: Pacers, Celtics, Timberwolves

Cam Johnson makes this list solely because of the team he plays for. The Nuggets are currently the only team over the dreaded second apron with essentially the same roster compared to last season. Beyond the restrictions that come with the second apron, Denver faces a massive luxury tax bill. Losing Peyton Watson helped decrease the tax bill, but the Nuggets will likely look to get under the second apron as soon as possible.

Moving Johnson is the drastic option. Denver could get under the second apron by trading players like Tyus Jones or Marvin Bagley III once they become trade eligible in December. However, the Watson trade left the Nuggets with two open roster spots which they can only fill with veteran minimum contracts. Since Johnson’s contract is an expiring deal for a considerable dollar amount, moving that money would allow for more wiggle room to improve the roster. A Johnson trade is less likely with Watson gone, but Denver won’t be able to move Christian Braun’s contract and potentially even Aaron Gordon’s. An opposing team would be doing Denver a favor by helping it get under the second apron, but Johnson’s size and shooting ability remains useful for any contender.

Scoot Henderson, G, Trail Blazers

• Remaining contract: One year, $13.6 million (rookie contract)
• 2025–26 season stats: 14.2 PPG, 3.7 APG, 2.7 RPG, 41.8 FG%, 35.2 3P%, 84.0 FT% (30 games due to hamstring tear)
• Potential suitors: Heat, Mavericks, Wizards, Pistons

Scoot Henderson is perhaps a surprise candidate on this list, but there’s a logjam in Portland’s backcourt with Damian Lillard’s return and the trade for Ja Morant. Could Henderson, the No. 3 pick in the 2023 draft, be a casualty of that? The Trail Blazers would likely prefer moving off Jrue Holiday’s remaining $72 million over the next two seasons. However, with Henderson possibly headed for restricted free agency next summer, the franchise could look to get assets for the young guard before that point.

A Henderson deal would make Portland’s commitment to veteran guards even greater, but with Deni Avdija’s breakout and on-ball ability, something has to give. Henderson didn’t play until February last season after he suffered a hamstring tear in an offseason workout. He was good when available, but he might not fit in Portland’s long-term plans even when Lillard and Holiday retire or head elsewhere. Avdija needs an extension, Donovan Clingan eventually has to get paid and Shaedon Sharpe and Toumani Camara are already on the books through 2029–30 for over $20 million apiece. A Henderson deal would net the best return, perhaps additional size and shooting plus some draft capital. If Portland doesn’t see him as part of its future, a trade is best for both sides.

Anthony Davis, C, Washington Wizards

• Remaining contract: Two years, $121.2 million (player option in 2027–28)
• 2025–26 season stats: 20.4 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 2.8 APG, 50.6 FG%, 27.0 3P%, 72.8 FT% (20 games due to calf and hand injuries)
• Potential suitors: Warriors, Rockets, Nets, Hornets

Anthony Davis is the one big fish still out there that teams could chase. A trade partner would just need to be able to stomach the enormous amount left on his current contract. Davis has yet to make his Wizards debut after the Mavericks dealt him to Washington at last season’s deadline. The Wizards sent out two first-round picks—albeit not great picks—and a trio of second-rounders to get Davis. That brings an assumption that Washington wanted to use Davis, but what if the franchise has a change of heart after the lottery luck which landed AJ Dybantsa?

Davis could work next to third-year big man Alex Sarr in an intriguing lineup of the two bigs, plus Trae Young, Dybantsa and Kyshawn George. Khris Middleton, who was sent to Dallas in the Davis trade, was brought back over the offseason on an affordable three-year contract. The Wizards likely want to at least try the Davis experiment, but there’s a world where a team like Golden State gets desperate enough to improve the roster and offers a package general manager Will Dawkins can’t turn down. One or multiple future Warriors first-round picks that could come when the franchise potentially bottoms out post-Steph Curry is enticing. Davis is eligible for an extension, which will presumedly remain unresolved for some time when you consider his injury troubles.

With Dybantsa in the mix and Sarr’s continued development, an AD trade makes sense should Washington not see the star big man as part of its plans for the long haul.

De’Andre Hunter, F, Sacramento Kings

• Remaining contract: One year, $24.9 million
• 2025–26 season stats: 13.7 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.0 APG, 41.5 FG%, 30.5 3P%, 86.7 FT% (45 games)
• Potential suitors: Magic, Trail Blazers, Bulls

While Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis may be on the outs in Sacramento (more on those two momentarily), I’m eyeing De’Andre Hunter as a potential trade candidate with the Kings. He arrived at the trade deadline from Cleveland and played just two games for Sacramento before his season ended prematurely due to a detached retina. The Cavaliers got Schröder and Keon Ellis in the deal as the Kings took on the seventh-year wing. Considering Hunter barely played after the trade, the Kings could use his large expiring salary to get an experienced guard to put alongside Darius Acuff Jr. Borderline playoff teams who need wing depth could be interested in Hunter, who enters into a contract year and will look to prove he’s worthy of a decent new deal next summer.

Honorable mentions: The dilemmas in Sacramento and New Orleans

Let’s stay in Sacramento for a moment. The Kings should be interested in moving off LaVine and/or Sabonis, but as both are making at least $45 million next season, it will be difficult to find a trade partner. Early in the offseason, a sign-and-trade that sends Detroit All-Star big man Jalen Duren to the Kings with Sabonis headed to the Pistons was rumored. Sacramento should jump all over that if contract talks get even messier between Duren and Detroit, but the Pistons hold all the leverage since he’s a restricted free agent and it’s unlikely they will give up a critical piece that easily.

It’s a similar situation for LaVine; a trade makes sense, but the Kings would have to find a team that’s able to make his $49 million salary work. LaVine is on an expiring contract, which makes him more likely to be traded, but it’s still difficult to find a trade partner who can make his salary work this late in the offseason.

With the state of the Pelicans, trading Trey Murphy III or Herb Jones and collecting as many assets as possible certainly makes sense. However, the front office of Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver has been reluctant to make moves since they traded for Derik Queen in the 2025 draft. I’m not convinced New Orleans makes any considerable trade. Maybe that changes at the trade deadline if the Pelicans are bottom dwellers once again. If that’s the case, perhaps it’s finally time to trade Zion Williamson. He’ll make $42.2 million in the upcoming season and his contract is non-guaranteed for 2027–28.

Until New Orleans proves otherwise, though, we’ll assume the franchise will try to make it work with what it has. Even if that’s a questionable train of thought.

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