Five Early Season Trade Candidates

The 2025–26 NBA season is barely underway, but that doesn’t stop trade speculation from already heating up as teams look to fine-tune their roster or juggle their finances. Some teams are realizing their offseason moves may not have worked as planned, while others feel they are a piece away from contending for a playoff berth or even better, a title run. And then there are the few who give the impression they have already hit the reset button. Although very early in the season, here are five players whose names will likely appear in trade conversations until the February deadline.

The 28-year-old All-Star has gone on record that he enjoys playing in Utah and wants to stay; however, he is on a rebuilding team that doesn’t really need him. Over the past three seasons, Markkanen has averaged 23 points and 7.7 rebounds, while shooting 38% from three-point territory. Teams like Golden State and Detroit have been linked to trades with the Jazz in an effort to bolster their playoff-worthy rosters.

He just arrived in the Alamo last February as part of a massive three-team deal. Despite career averages of 21.5 points, 6.1 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.4 steals, the 27-year-old point guard could find himself on the move again. While the sample size of his chemistry with Victor Wembanyama has been limited to just 17 games, the Spurs may be able to get better value and younger pieces that fit their timeline. With last season’s Rookie of the Year, Stephon Castle, and this year’s second pick, Dylan Harper, able to man the backcourt, moving Fox for a young big man would be more helpful in the long run. 

During his six seasons in Chicago, Vucevic has averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds, playing in 331 games for a team that has seemingly been spinning its wheels when it comes to which direction it wants to go. At 34 years of age, in his 15th season and on an expiring $21.5 million contract, moving Vucevic to a contending team (such as the Lakers) in need of a big man who can stretch the floor seems like a no-brainer.

Speaking of the Lakers, Kessler’s name has been attached to trade rumors linking him to LA for quite some time. Regardless of where he ends up, the Jazz have been asking for multiple first round picks and a young player in return. Set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season, Utah may want to reconsider its asking price and cash in on receiving something in return rather than risk losing leverage in negotiations. While he is limited offensively, Kessler can provide a team with a double double effort and elite rim protection on a nightly basis.

The Golden State Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga were at a contractual standoff for over 90 days, ultimately agreeing on a 2 year / $48.5 million deal that had a team option for the second season. Since being drafted by the Warriors with the 7th pick in 2021, many thought the talented combo forward was a building block for the team’s future; however, he hasn’t always been treated as such. At just 23 years of age, Kuminga is still young and developing and would benefit from a larger role on a younger team, providing the Warriors with a win now piece in return to make the most of veteran trio Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler’s final years.