NBA Trade Preview for 2024-25 Season, With Ingram and Kuzma among 10 Most Likely Candidates to be Traded during 2024-25 campaign

Karl-Anthony Towns’ move from Minnesota to the Knicks for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo may already have been this season’s marquee trade – two contenders exchanging big men and a key rotation player is sure to set records, though likely won’t be the final move made this offseason. But don’t count out other deals either: Karl’s transfer won’t be forgotten any time soon! However, former All-Star Jae Crowder is often seen more as a floor raiser rather than someone teams look for when building contenders. Concerns surrounding Ingram stem from his last year of contract and his desire for an extension or max contract next summer worth $208M in total; teams don’t wish to fund such extensions or contracts. Add in that no team wants to pay Ingram as a floor raiser in a season where being near the top of draft will pay dividends, and his market quickly dried up. After Paul George chose Philadelphia over Sacramento Golden State or Cleveland as potential suitors. But this market quickly died down again once George signed with Philly. All three trends went in different directions.The market may turn around, as teams’ self-evaluations shift when games commence and injuries happen – Ingram could find himself with new options available on the open market again. The Pelicans may not find the center they desire in trades, but there should be viable options available to them. Zach LaVine has been open for trade for at least 18 months; nothing seems likely to alter that situation anytime soon. LaVine, a former All-Star and an elite isolation scorer who averaged 19.5 points a game last season and shot 38.2% from 3-point range overall is one reason no teams are interested. His contract remains until 2023 for $138 Million — this contract makes LaVine pricey when considered with taxes being deducted at source. Due to his injury history, he only played 25 games last season but managed to do so in four of his 10 NBA campaigns – playing 65 or more contests each time! Russell was traded after he averaged 14.2 points a game on 38.4% shooting during the playoffs – reminding everybody why they wanted him in the first place! Russell has proven his worth as a veteran point guard who can run an efficient offense with an attractive $18.7 million expiring contract that can easily be traded away. His name will no doubt surface during trade talks; whether an offer that suits the Lakers becomes available is another matter altogether.THE BROOKLYN NETSThe next three players on this list all hail from Brooklyn. After trading away Mikal Bridges, the Nets are all-in on tanking; everyone on their roster is available but Bojan Bogdanovic stands out among them. Bojan Bogdanovic came over from New York as part of Bridges deal to Brooklyn for one season only and played six minutes per game until getting traded back out later that season. He’s a 6-foot-7 wing who shoots 39.4% from 3-point range – two qualities many teams seek in players like this. However, before being traded away he needs to demonstrate that wrist surgery doesn’t impact his game as heavily and prove that he still possesses all his offensive firepower. Expect his name to emerge in trade rumors as the season progresses.Dorian Finney-SmithIt may come as a shock that Finney-Smith still remains with the Nets; there was considerable talk earlier this season that they might part ways with him. Attracting plenty of interest was 31-year-old high-level defensive wing who averaged 8. 5 points and 4.7 rebounds in Brooklyn last season, where she played. Cameron Johnson surfaced in trade discussions over the summer as well, yet no deal could be made. Wing defense remains a top priority throughout the NBA; especially as teams battle it out to differentiate themselves in an overcrowded West or make inroads into an open East division. Expect someone else to step forward to broker an agreement for Johnson; his 6’8″ wingspan easily fills that need as an effective wing defender who shoots 39.2% from three point range – as do other front offices! Cameron Johnson remains highly sought-after among front offices looking to distinguish themselves — although when that deal cannot be completed expect some teams will step forward to broker one as quickly as possible! Cameron Johnson remains highly sought-after by other front offices looking for help against an opponent’s in an increasingly congested West while looking East; with that in mind some team likely taking action and finalising some kind of deal! Cameron Johnson continues as one coveted Nets player among other front offices looking at trying separate themselves against an opponents with 39.2% 3-point shooting career stats! He makes plug-and-play quality 3-point shooters while being an effective 3-point shooter while shooting 39.2% from beyond 3-point territory! He may well get traded off. Johnson also boasts playoff experience, reaching the NBA Finals with Phoenix Suns in 2021. Brooklyn knows other teams covet him, which keeps his price elevated. However, if a team needs shooting and help on the wing — for instance, Cleveland started off slow after returning its four-man core featuring two bigs but questions on the wings — expect deals to get done. If betting one Nets player to get traded this offseason is Johnson; otherwise watch out for Kyle Kuzma from Washington (a team in much the same boat as Brooklyn when it comes to tanking veterans off). Kuzma has been mentioned several times during trade rumors since February’s trade deadline without anything materializing — which should make him very happy indeed! He turned down an opportunity to trade to Dallas last season, likely opting to play an increased role with Washington instead of returning to a contending team (such as when he won a championship ring with Los Angeles in 2020). Would that change this season? Kuzma averaged 22.2 points and 6.6 rebounds a game last season; his 3-point shooting (33.6%) fell in line with his career average at 33.6%; however, Kuzma isn’t known as being great defensively (minus-1). Kuzma can provide solid depth at forward spot on an attractive contract – earning $23.5 million this season before his salary declines over three seasons (to reach just under $20 Million by 2026-27). Teams like that contract, as it makes him highly tradeable if teams ever need to sell him off again. Jonas ValanciunasA big-bodied floor-spacing center could come in handy on multiple teams (such as New Orleans where he left). He averaged 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds a game and has played in at least 74 games each of his previous three seasons, providing consistency across his output. Valanciunas also enjoys an attractive contract that pays him $9 Million this season and $20.4 Million over three seasons combined, which will prove especially advantageous should the Wizards decide to sell him off as part of any deal they strike for new talent. His name may even come up when considering potential trade options or purchases by rival teams. Valanciunas cannot negotiate until after Dec. 15, as he signed a new contract in the summer. Bruce Brown: An integral component in Denver’s championship run took money last season in Indiana but never seemed quite at ease there. Brown was recently traded to Toronto; however, with Scottie Barnes leading them into rebuilding mode they will likely listen to trade offers for Brown if any come their way – plenty of general managers saw his impactful work in Denver and would love a guy like that on their bench! Brown boasts solid defensive capabilities in transition and secondary shot creation – qualities which fit easily into any contender’s bench. Brown is making $23 Million this season as part of the final year of his contract, so teams would not take on long-term money from trading him this season. I think Brown stands a better chance than anyone on this list of being traded before this summer ends than anyone else on it does being dealt. But let me suggest one other name on here who might get traded: Jarami Grant of Trail Blazers could also make for an intriguing trade candidate; at 30 years old Grant no longer fits within their rebuild plan timeline. He’s an ideal two-way wing who possesses exceptional 3-point shooting skills (40.2% in Portland over his last two seasons) while providing size and scoring; averaging an impressive 21 point per game on average last season. Grant follows Kuzma in that he sought out a larger offensive role on an inferior team rather than be an extra option on contenders, though playoff teams calling on Grant may expect him to resemble what he did for Denver more closely than previously anticipated. Due to both salary and injury history concerns, trading can prove tricky with Grant. He still has four years and $132.4 million left on his contract (the fourth being player option), although he has only played more than 63 games each of the last four seasons. There may still be interest, though; many teams need help at wideout.