The NBA playoffs are well underway as some teams are separating themselves from others because title contenders are building their contention on talented players and team chemistry. However, the way the playoffs go will determine the outcome for a lot of players around the league. There could be different outcomes for players who are not even in the playoffs as well, and there will be some massive roster changes around the NBA. Not to mention, the NBA has become a league where star players need to be surrounded by tons of talent, and that is why general managers are always looking to make deals and improve rosters.
In a modern NBA that not only encourages movement but values it the most, the rosters of NBA teams could look very different in just a few months. There are a lot of players that could be traded this summer, but it is time to focus on the 10 most likely players to move on from their teams. A mix of All-Stars, valuable role players, and other big-name players will be on the trading block as soon as this summer. Whether motivated by money, a different role, or a specific location, these 10 players will likely wear new uniforms next year. Without further ado, here are the 10 NBA players who will leave their teams this summer.
Honorable Mentions
Grant Williams
2022-23 Season Statistics: 8.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Grant Williams is one of the best backup forwards in the game because he can nail the three (39.5% in the 2022-23 season) and defends multiple positions without making a fuss. Williams has been a key player for the Boston Celtics in recent years as the team tries to compete for the NBA title, and it is expected the team will try to retain him.
However, William could be looking for the most money possible in the market, and the Boston Celtics might not be able to give him that. The current Celtics forward is only 24 years old and wants as much money as possible to solidify his financial future, so he could leave if it means earning $10 million or more at a minimum over a multi-year deal.
Naz Reid
2022-23 Season Statistics: 11.5 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.8 BPG
Naz Reid had a breakout season this year in terms of his scoring and minutes, and the big man will command respect in the market this summer. Reid is only 23 years old, yet he plays like a veteran with the way he competes on both ends and wants to win games desperately. Expect the center to receive some nice offers for long-term deals.
Reid is surprisingly a decent three-point shooter, as he shot 34.6% from deep this season and will likely continue to improve that figure as he gets more experience. The center will be a wanted commodity as some teams want a hustle-first center that can shoot the three as well, so a three or four-year deal could be in the works.
Kelly Oubre Jr
2022-23 Season Statistics: 20.3 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.1 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Kelly Oubre Jr is a talented prospect because he has great size at 6’7” and 203 lbs and the versatility to do many things on the court, including shooting, rebounding, and running on the break. The Charlotte Hornets finished with only 27 wins this season, so changes could be coming to the team.
One of them is Kelly Oubre Jr, who will want a new team to showcase his talents for and also earn big money. At 27 years old, the former No. 15 overall pick could be looking for a chance to play elsewhere and also go after most likely his final big-money contract with four or five years as the goal for him.
10. Derrick Rose
2022-23 Season Statistics: 5.6 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.3 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Derrick Rose needs to go back home to Chicago because he has a team option for over $15 million next year that likely won’t be picked up. The New York Knicks want to clear space for a chance to make big moves, and Rose’s $15 million salary isn’t needed. With the point guard a free agent, a chance to return to Chicago to see out his career is the best move for him.
This season, at 34 years old, Rose posted 5.6 PPG and 1.7 APG in only 12.5 MPG, which shows how he probably does not have a chance to back up Jalen Brunson in New York. The point guard has struggled with health his entire career, but he could be rejuvenated when he goes back to the franchise that made him a superstar player and the youngest MVP of all time. With the guard nearing the end of his career, Rose could see out his NBA run with the Chicago Bulls in an exciting feel-good story.
9. Seth Curry
2022-23 Season Statistics: 9.2 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Seth Curry did not exactly have a great season because his numbers were forgettable, and the impact on the Brooklyn Nets was as well. The Nets made the playoffs thanks to Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving winning enough games for them, and Curry was a deep-range threat that was not required as much.
However, Seth has a career 43.5% clip from deep, so he will always be willing to let it fly when surrounded by other players. The guard is an unrestricted free agent, which means he will go for the maximum amount of money paired with the biggest role. Let’s see how free agency shapes up for one of the game’s best shooters.
8. Dennis Schroder
2022-23 Season Statistics: 12.6 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 4.5 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Dennis Schroder will likely want to remain a Los Angeles Lakers player after having some big-time performances in the postseason, including a clutch shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the play-in tournament. Not to mention, Schroder has built chemistry with LeBron James and Anthony Davis over two stints with the franchise.
Dennis is incredibly fast with the ball and is a capable scorer and playmaker, whether he starts or comes off the bench. The point guard might have rejected a big money deal from the Lakers a few years ago, but it is likely Dennis will go after the most money available. At 29 years old, Schroder wants big money and deserves it.
7. Austin Reaves
2022-23 Season Statistics: 13.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.4 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Who would have imagined that Austin Reaves would become an untouchable player for the iconic Los Angeles Lakers franchise that is being led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis? However, Reaves has become a consistent shot-maker and playmaker as he continues to improve his all-around game.
Reaves will likely attract a contract of between $60 and 70 million, so if the Lakers don’t offer anything close to that, the undrafted gem could be on his way out. Lakers fans are upset over losing Alex Caruso due to monetary reasons, and they don’t want to have to accept losing Reaves because the franchise won’t pay him.
6. Christian Wood
2022-23 Season Statistics: 16.6 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.4 SPG, 1.1 BPG
The Dallas Mavericks are a mess right now because there are question marks on their star players and also the head coach. Either way, Christian Wood is one of the best players on the team and has not been able to affect the win column by any means. The big man is having a solid season by averaging 15.5 PPG and 11.0 RPG, but he has a ways to go to uncover what he can really do in starter minutes with a new team.
The Mavericks might want to pay Kyrie Irving to stay with Luka Doncic long-term and could cash in on Wood for picks and young players because the big man could start becoming bothered by his lack of minutes and respect. The slender 6’10” scorer could be a valuable addition to the Los Angeles Clippers or Golden State Warriors, as both teams need size and a threat in the paint. The Mavericks might see prioritizing Kyrie above everything else, and that could mean Wood is finished in Dallas.
5. Dillon Brooks
2022-23 Season Statistics: 14.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.6 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Dillon Brooks has become a consistent perimeter defender over the past few years, but his shooting does come and go. Being an irritant has worked for players such as Patrick Beverley, so perhaps Brooks wants to be known in the same light. He competes on defense, plays off-the-ball most of the time, and certainly hustles for loose balls and gets under opponents’ skins.
However, Brooks’ future in Memphis is in doubt. The fact that the Grizzlies went 3-1 down to the Los Angeles Lakers (no thanks to Brooks’ shooting) means the team could be looking for changes next year. The swingman plays hard on defense, but he might not be able to improve much more without the right pieces around him. The writing could be on the wall for Dillon Brooks as a Memphis Grizzlies player.
4. Draymond Green
2022-23 Season Statistics: 8.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 6.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG
Four-time NBA champion Draymond Green is still one of the best defensive players and leaders in the NBA, even if he isn’t a max player anymore. Draymond will first need to take a pay cut and accept he is not an All-Star player in terms of impact or production if he wants to make it to a title contender. His impact will always be there defensively, but a pay cut will be necessary because he is almost irrelevant at scoring the ball, and contenders will want more.
Whether the Warriors decide to keep Draymond Green or not greatly depends on their playoff outcome this year because a disastrous first-round exit at the hands of the Sacramento Kings would be too devastating. Golden State has paid Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole instead of Draymond Green, and that could be a sign that the four-time champion will be shipped off to greener pastures.
3. Russell Westbrook
2022-23 Season Statistics: 15.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 7.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.5 BPG
The former MVP of the league is getting his respect after a year and a half of slander. Russell Westbrook is a free agent following this season, meaning there could be massive roster changes coming in the offseason. Regardless of how they perform on a game-to-game basis, the Clippers have two superstars in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, and they want to win around them as soon as possible. Remember, both stars could leave the team, as that depends on the Clippers’ cap situation.
Despite being the favorite for the 6th Man of the Year award at one point in the season and having a spectacular postseason, Westbrook might not want to return back to Los Angeles if he isn’t paid enough. A team like the Miami Heat probably needs a replacement for the aging, and declining Kyle Lowry, and a big three with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo could spell the end of Westbrook in Los Angeles.
2. DeMar DeRozan
2022-23 Season Statistics: 24.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 5.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG
DeMar DeRozan is one of the most consistent scorers in the NBA and can be very impactful on a team that has more than one star. DeMar is best suited as a second or third option for a championship team, and unfortunately, that isn’t the case in Chicago right now. The Bulls will want to blow it up, most likely after missing the playoffs, and DeMar could be on his way to a new team.
Teams that need his services will need a consistent 20 PPG scorer to diversify their offense. Luckily, a few teams come to mind since Chicago might need to rebuild as they need picks and young players, and the Bulls might need to keep an open mind about trading their best player. Expect teams such as the Charlotte Hornets to go after DeMar to quickly rebuild and start gunning for the playoffs.
1. James Harden
2022-23 Season Statistics: 21.0 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 10.7 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.5 BPG
James Harden to the Houston Rockets is a massive possibility. After all, reports have been coming out about the shooting guard going to the place where he became a league MVP. The Houston Rockets made a massive decision to bring Ime Udoka as the head coach to start building a championship mindset and that could encourage Harden to truly come back once and for all.
If the reports are true that there is a 70% chance Harden signs with the Rockets, the player could be in the mix for a max contract. Houston is on board with only $60 million in salary cap space in 2024, as the team is full of youngsters and spare parts. Especially if the Philadelphia 76ers don’t make the NBA Finals and the Rockets end up with Victor Wembanyama, Harden would be very happy with the situation in Houston.
