The NBA offseason is always an exciting time for basketball fans, as it’s a time when players can potentially switch teams and shake up the league’s power dynamics. This year, there are rumors swirling around about some of the top 30 players in the league potentially making moves to new teams. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at 15 of these players and explore the potential impact their moves could have on the league.
Of course, not all of these players will end up switching teams, but the rumors and speculation are always fun to follow. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into each player’s situation and explore the potential impact their moves could have on the league. We are seeing player movement more than ever before, and loyalty to a specific franchise is hardly the norm because trade requests and looking for greener pastures are what NBA stars entertain. Without further ado, it is time to take a look at 15 players who will likely be on different teams in the next two years.
To set the scene for the mass changes coming to different teams, it is time to take a look at the top 30 players in the NBA in order based on this season by taking into account skills, impact, and all-around contribution to their teams.
The Top 30 Best NBA Players In Order
30. Draymond Green
29. Bradley Beal
28. Zach LaVine
27. Jalen Brunson
26. DeMar DeRozan
25. Karl-Anthony Towns
24. Pascal Siakam
23. Domantas Sabonis
22. Trae Young
21. Jaylen Brown
20. Julius Randle
19. De’Aaron Fox
18. Kyrie Irving
17. Devin Booker
16. Ja Morant
15. Donovan Mitchell
14. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
13. Damian Lillard
12. James Harden
11. Kawhi Leonard
10. Anthony Davis
9. Jimmy Butler
8. Stephen Curry
7. Kevin Durant
6. Luka Doncic
5. LeBron James
4. Jayson Tatum
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo
2. Joel Embiid
1. Nikola Jokic
With the top 30 players in the NBA listed in order, it is time to go deeper and discover how 15 of them will likely be on different teams in the near future. The era of loyalty is officially over and we will have to get used to the fact that player movement is here to stay whether we like it or not.
15 NBA Stars That Could Change Teams In The Next Two Years
15. Draymond Green
There can be an argument that Draymond Green is no longer a top-30 player in the NBA right now, but considering his status as a four-time NBA champion and his experience, many top teams would love to acquire him. Green is currently a key player for the Golden State Warriors, but his contract will expire in 2024, barring the player option he has. This means that he will soon become a free agent and will have the option to sign with any team that offers him a contract.
If the Warriors continue to struggle and fail to compete for a championship following the departure of Bob Meyers, Green may be more inclined to seek out a team that has a better chance of winning a championship. Draymond’s punch was also a pivotal role in perhaps making him unwanted by Golden State’s brass, and the player himself might want to seek out different teams, including the Detroit Pistons, who might throw money at the four-time NBA champion.
14. Zach LaVine
Zach LaVine is currently playing for a Chicago Bulls team that has struggled to make it to the playoffs let alone get out of the first round. If the Bulls continue to underperform and fail to build a competitive team around Zach LaVine, he may become frustrated and seek out other opportunities. Not to mention, there may be other teams in the league that are interested in acquiring him and are willing to offer him a more attractive contract or a better chance at winning a championship.
Another factor to consider is LaVine’s age. He will be 29 years old at some point next season, which is typically around the time when NBA players start to consider their long-term career goals and the legacy they want to leave behind. At the same time, the Chicago Bulls might be looking to change their roster’s core because Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan have not led the team to realistic contention in the Eastern Conference.
13. Bradley Beal
To give him credit for loyalty, Bradley Beal has been with the Washington Wizards for his entire career thus far, no matter how bad the team has been around him in recent years. As a result, he may be looking for a change of scenery or a chance to compete for a championship. Additionally, the Wizards have struggled in recent years and may not be able to offer Beal the same level of success as other teams.
Another factor to consider is Beal’s contract situation. He is currently signed through the 2025-26 season, but he might have re-signed just to secure a max deal and his future financially. If Beal declines the option, he will become an unrestricted free agent and will have the opportunity to sign with any team he chooses. Expect title-contending teams to go after Beal, including the Boston Celtics, who could acquire him in a blockbuster package.
12. DeMar DeRozan
There are several factors that could potentially lead to DeMar DeRozan switching teams in the summer of 2023 or 2024. No doubt, DeMar has a strong desire to win a championship. DeRozan has been a consistent performer throughout his career but has yet to win a championship or even make a Finals appearance. If he feels that he cannot achieve this goal with his current team, he may look to join a team that has a better chance of winning a title. The Bulls finished with a 40-42 record which is good for 10th in the East, and the player might be wasting his time trying to win alongside Zach LaVine.
Additionally, DeRozan may be looking for a change of scenery. After spending several years with the Toronto Raptors and then the Bulls, he may be looking for a new challenge and a new environment. DeRozan is turning 34 years old in just a few months, and that means the end is in sight for the talented scorer and 6-time All-Star. Teams needing scorers and a veteran presence might be looking to offer young players and picks for a chance to nab him from Chicago.
11. Jaylen Brown
Should the Boston Celtics commit almost $300 million to Jaylen Brown? The 2-time All-Star is currently signed with the Boston Celtics through the 2023-2024 season, but he will become an unrestricted free agent after that. If the Celtics are not able to offer him a contract that he feels is fair, he may choose to explore other options. Of course, the desire to not stay in Jayson Tatum’s shadow might force him to embark on a new challenge elsewhere.
Jaylen’s putrid Game 7 performance against the Miami Heat at TD Garden has left a sour taste in everybody’s mouths because committing eight turnovers and failing to make up for Tatum’s injury let the team down. Brown is still only 26 years old and has a ton of room to improve even more, but the Celtics might decide not to commit an insane amount of money to him and instead look to build the team in a different way. Jayson Tatum is untouchable, but that doesn’t mean that Jaylen Brown is.
10. Karl-Anthony Towns
Karl-Anthony Towns is a highly talented basketball player who has been playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves since 2015. However, there have been rumors circulating that he may switch teams in the summer of 2023 or 2024. The big man might seem unnerved by the situation in Minnesota because the fit alongside Rudy Gobert didn’t work out because the Timberwolves did not make it out of the first round of the playoffs.
The Timberwolves have struggled in recent years and have not made the playoffs since 2018 before finally breaking through as a play-in team this season. Towns is currently under contract with the Timberwolves until 2026 on a max deal, but he may be looking for a different team that gives him a better-supporting cast. While he is a talented player, he cannot win games on his own, and Anthony Edwards is a few years away from being a star. The Boston Celtics might want a way to improve their big-man play, and Towns could be the answer for the long term and short term.
9. Pascal Siakam
Pascal Siakam is a legitimate star in the NBA, thanks to his versatility and athleticism on the court. While he has spent his entire career thus far with the Toronto Raptors, there are several factors that could lead to him switching teams in the summer of 2023 or 2024. The All-Star forward’s contract with the Raptors is set to expire in 2024, which means that he will become a free agent, and the franchise could be losing their best player for nothing. This could be a major factor in his decision to switch teams, as he may be looking for a new challenge or a long-term deal.
Additionally, the Raptors have undergone significant changes in recent years, with the departure of key players like Kawhi Leonard and the departure of head coach Nick Nurse. While the team has remained competitive, there may be concerns about the direction of the franchise and whether it can continue to contend for championships in the future. Scottie Barnes, at only 21 years old, could be the franchise cornerstone, and the Raptors could cash in on a 29-year-old Pascal Siakam to shift their roster around.
8. James Harden
James Harden is still one of the most impactful guards in the NBA, known for his scoring ability and playmaking skills. He has been a key player for the Houston Rockets and the Philadelphia 76ers this year, but there have been rumors that he is looking to return back to Houston to see out the rest of his career. The possibilities of The Beard going back to Houston are extremely high, and the Rockets might be looking to start building a winning team, finally, instead of tanking after losing the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes.
Harden wants to guarantee another long-term deal worth max money or anything close to it, especially because the player gave a discount to the Philadelphia 76ers in order to beef up the roster with the likes of De’Anthony Melton and Danuel House. It didn’t work out, as the 76ers lost in the second round, so the player doesn’t want to miss out on any more dollars. With a chance to go home and earn max money, Harden is most likely not returning to Philly next season.
7. Trae Young
Trae Young is a talented point guard who has been making waves in the NBA on the offensive end of the floor since his debut in 2018. He is known for his incredible shooting ability and his ability to create plays for his teammates. Despite his young age of 24 years old, he has already established himself as one of the best point guards in the league, and many teams are likely to be interested in acquiring him in the future. Young has not won enough in Atlanta, losing to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs, and he might be looking for a new team to compete for a title.
Not to mention, rumors of the Atlanta Hawks not being happy with Young have been increasing over the season. Young’s attitude and lack of leadership might have been rubbing people the wrong way, and whether that is true or not, there is no smoke without fire. The offensive star has made two All-Star Teams already and puts up over 26 PPG and 10 APG this season. Expect title-contending teams such as the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers to pursue Young because an upgrade in point guard play could be the way forward for those franchises.
6. Kyrie Irving
The Lakers could be looking forward to happier times since they have arguably one of the best two-way duos in the league in LeBron James and Anthony Davis. As great as the likes of Russell Westbrook and D’Angelo Russell have been at times, neither are All-Stars or as offensively dominant as Kyrie Irving. Kyrie, LeBron, and Davis would ravage defenses with their size and skill, and the reunion of Irving and The King would be a media story to follow all year.
Irving has been an untrustworthy figure in the NBA in recent years because of his lack of focus on the game. The point guard still has the best handles in the world and is coming off a season posting 27.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 5.5 APG on 49.4% FG, 37.9% 3-PT FG, and 90.5% FT. As easily a top-20 player in the world when healthy, Irving could be on his way to joining the Lakers and reuniting with LeBron James to give The King one more shot to win it all.
5. Damian Lillard
Many were upset for Damian Lillard in the fact that he did not get a chance to play with Victor Wembanyama in Portland, as the Trail Blazers ended up with the No. 3 overall pick instead of the No. 1 overall pick. Not to mention, it is likely that the Portland Trail Blazers fail to make an impact in the Western Conference next year because the No. 3 overall pick won’t be enough to give Damian Lillard a legitimate star to play with. After a season of disappointment and failed loyalty, Lillard could be looking for a way to join a new team at the end of next year.
One of the teams that could be interested is the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs could barge in, selling Lillard on a chance to play with the best big man he has played with. The trade package would include Keldon Johnson, a 2025 First-Round Pick, and a 2026 First-Round Pick for Damian Lillard. Even if the Spurs don’t go after him, other teams, including the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers, could offer everything for a chance to create a superteam. No doubt, Lillard needs a way out of Portland after another season of disappointment.
4. Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis is easily a top-12 player in the game when healthy, but the issue is that the big man is hardly available. He cannot stay healthy for any significant amount of time, leaving the Lakers consistently shorthanded. Without Davis leading the Lakers in scoring as he did during the 2020 season, the team has little to no chance to compete. Los Angeles also wants to go all-in for a chance to win with LeBron James next year, and if that means moving Davis for another elite player such as Damian Lillard, it must be done. Even if Davis isn’t moved next year, he could be moved in the following season.
LeBron James might have one more season left next year, and that means following next season if James doesn’t retire now, the Lakers need to focus on their future and a 32-year-old Anthony Davis does not fit into the plans. Moving the big man following James’ retirement could be the best way for the Lakers to rebuild quickly and effectively. Unless the Lakers find a way to add another star by next year without trading Davis, the big man’s time in Los Angeles could be numbered.
3. Kawhi Leonard
Could a shock deal for Kawhi Leonard be in the works? The potential for the New Orleans Pelicans to go after the two-time Finals MVP is strongly there because a chance to give Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum a go-to player could see the rise of the team in the future. Even if Leonard isn’t traded, the player could be looking for a chance to play elsewhere. The Clippers have been the most disappointing team in recent years because of the fact Leonard (and Paul George) have been unable to stay healthy.
If Los Angeles fails to get back on track next year, the superstar duo of Leonard and George could be broken up. The Clippers, led by Steve Ballmer, can’t afford to keep wasting years because they have done everything to build a contender. Even when Leonard and George were up 3-1 against the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2020 playoffs, they failed to close the deal. Leonard will likely be on a new team over the next two seasons because his contract expires following the 2023-24 season with a player option the following year.
2. Luka Doncic
Could a 4-time All-Star with superstar impact like Luka Doncic request a trade out of Dallas? The Mavericks are doing their best to build a contender around him, giving him the likes of Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie in recent seasons before trading for former NBA champion Kyrie Irving last year. The Irving experiment was a disaster as the Mavericks failed to make the play-in tournament following a Western Conference Finals berth the previous season. If Doncic suffers through another frustrating season sharing responsibilities with Irving, the Slovenian could be on his way out.
Luka is far too talented to be dealing with Kyrie’s drama or the average players around him, and as he approaches 25 years old, the excuse of being too young is no longer valid. There will be expectations on Luka and the player needs to start winning games consistently to prevent unwanted attention. Doncic has a long way to go before he is considered one of the all-time greats, so a move elsewhere could be in the cards if the Mavericks fail to keep Kyrie Irving or if the team doesn’t win with the All-Star duo.
1. LeBron James
We had breaking news recently about the fact that LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, might decide to pack it up and call it quits on his legendary career. The King struggled to lead the Lakers past the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals this year, and the grind of another season could be too much for James. One reason why LeBron might not be on the Lakers next year is due to retirement because the man is 38 years old and counting. Of course, there is also the potential for The King to request a trade from Los Angeles.
His son, Bronny James, is declaring for the NBA in next year’s draft. That means LeBron will be fascinated with the prospect of playing with his own son on the same NBA team, in a move that will create history. The King might even decide to retire next year before coming back a year later to go for his elusive fifth NBA championship. No matter the situation, James is definitely older, and he might not be a part of the Lakers organization for much longer despite the fact that he is certainly one of the best players in the world, and there can’t be more than four or five players better than him at this point.
