The NBA offseason is always ripe with speculation and blockbuster trade rumors. Teams are constantly looking to reshape their rosters and set themselves up for future success, often putting star players at the center of potential trades. This year is no different, with high-profile names circulating through the rumor mill as franchises evaluate their strategies. However, not every rumor leads to a trade, and sometimes the biggest names stay right where they are.
Despite the swirling speculation, certain stars appear increasingly likely to remain with their current teams. Whether it’s due to loyalty, contract complexities, or team strategies to build around their talents, these players might not be going anywhere. Here are five NBA stars who, despite all the offseason buzz, may not get traded after all in the 2024 offseason.
1. Trae Young
Despite persistent trade rumors, it appears that Trae Young might remain with the Atlanta Hawks for the upcoming season. Young has been a cornerstone for the Hawks, averaging 25.7 points, 10.8 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game during the 2023-24 season. His offensive prowess and playmaking abilities make him indispensable to the team’s strategy.
The Hawks finished the 2023-24 season with a disappointing record of 36-46, which led to their early exit in the Play-In tournament. This outcome has fueled speculation about potential roster changes to better complement Young’s skills and improve overall team performance.
A significant development this offseason was the trade of Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans. In return, the Hawks received Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr., and two future first-round picks. This move signals the Hawks’ intention to retool their roster around Young but also indicates a strategic shift towards building a more balanced team.
The trade market for Young has been surprisingly “chilly,” with teams like the Spurs and Lakers showing limited interest due to the high asking price and their own strategic interests. The Spurs, despite needing a long-term floor leader to pair with Victor Wembanyama, have not actively pursued Young, preferring to hold onto their valuable picks and assets. Similarly, the Lakers have been hesitant due to their depleted asset pool and the high valuation placed on Young by the Hawks.
Additionally, the Hawks won the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery and selected Zaccharie Risacher, a promising young player who could significantly impact their future plans. The combination of Risacher and Young could create a formidable duo, but it also raises questions about the team’s immediate competitiveness versus a longer-term rebuild strategy.
Young’s decision to switch representation from Klutch Sports to Creative Artists Agency (CAA) indicates a strategic approach to his career and future with the Hawks. This move could impact his negotiations and decisions, potentially reinforcing his commitment to staying in Atlanta and leading the team.
While the Hawks are not actively seeking to trade Young, their current strategy involves exploring all options to improve the team’s competitiveness. If the Hawks struggle to progress, trade discussions involving Young might resurface during the season. For now, the team appears committed to building around their star player, aiming to improve their roster and performance for the upcoming season.
2. Lauri Markkanen
Amidst the swirl of trade rumors, Lauri Markkanen seems likely to stay with the Utah Jazz for the upcoming season. Markkanen had an impressive 2023-24 season, averaging 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. His stellar performance has made him a highly sought-after player this offseason, attracting interest from teams like the Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, and San Antonio Spurs.
The Jazz, however, have maintained a high asking price for Markkanen. Reports indicate that Utah demanded a substantial package from the Warriors, including four future first-round picks and three pick swaps. This high price reflects Markkanen’s value as a versatile forward who is entering the final year of his contract, making him an expiring asset.
Markkanen’s contract situation further complicates potential trade scenarios. He is on an $18 million expiring contract and becomes eligible for a renegotiation and extension on August 6. If he signs an extension, he would be ineligible to be traded for six months, limiting Utah’s flexibility. This has led to speculation that the Jazz might prefer to keep him, at least until the trade deadline, to maximize their leverage.
Utah’s stance has been consistent: they are not actively looking to trade Markkanen but are willing to listen to offers. This approach allows them to explore all options while maintaining the potential to build around their star forward. Markkanen’s performance and contract value make him a critical asset, and the Jazz seem inclined to either secure a substantial return or keep him as a key part of their roster.
In summary, while the trade rumors persist, the combination of a high asking price, contract complexities, and strategic considerations make it likely that Lauri Markkanen will remain with the Utah Jazz for the foreseeable future. The team appears committed to leveraging his talents to either secure significant assets or continue building a competitive squad around him.
3. Brandon Ingram
Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans has been at the center of trade rumors this offseason. Ingram, who averaged 20.8 points, 5.7 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game during the 2023-24 season, remains a key player for the Pelicans. Despite his impressive stats, the Pelicans are reportedly open to trade discussions due to his expiring contract and the need to balance their roster around Zion Williamson and the recently acquired Dejounte Murray.
The Sacramento Kings have shown significant interest in Ingram. However, their recent acquisition of DeMar DeRozan in a three-team trade complicates their pursuit of the Pelicans star. The Kings traded Harrison Barnes to the San Antonio Spurs and Chris Duarte to the Chicago Bulls to acquire DeRozan – this move has potentially shifted their focus away from Ingram, given that DeRozan fills a similar role as a scoring forward.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat have also been linked to Ingram in trade talks. The Cavaliers, looking to bolster their wing scoring, see Ingram as a potential fit alongside their young core. Meanwhile, the Heat are always on the lookout for additional star power to complement Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. However, the high asking price set by the Pelicans has made negotiations difficult. The Pelicans are demanding significant assets in return, reflecting Ingram’s value as a versatile forward.
Ingram’s contract situation adds another layer of complexity to these trade discussions. He is on an expiring $36 million contract, making any potential trade a risk without assurances that he would sign an extension. Teams are understandably cautious about parting with substantial assets for a player without a long-term commitment.
Despite the persistent rumors and discussions, the Pelicans might ultimately decide to keep Ingram, at least for the beginning of the season. His scoring and playmaking abilities are invaluable, and unless a team meets their high demands, Ingram might continue to be a crucial part of New Orleans’ plans moving forward. The Pelicans could reassess the situation closer to the trade deadline when teams might be more willing to meet their asking price if they are in need of a scoring boost for a playoff push.
Ingram’s future in New Orleans remains uncertain, but his talent and the strategic moves by the Pelicans suggest he could still be a key part of their roster heading into the new season.
4. Darius Garland
Darius Garland of the Cleveland Cavaliers has been the subject of numerous trade rumors this offseason. Despite these rumors, Garland has publicly stated that he does not want to be traded and is committed to the Cavaliers. In the 2023-24 season, Garland averaged 18.0 points, 6.5 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game. His shooting percentages were .446 from the field, .371 from three-point range, and .834 from the free-throw line.
The trade speculation intensified after Donovan Mitchell signed a contract extension with the Cavaliers, prompting discussions about Garland’s future. However, both Garland and the Cavaliers have expressed a desire to continue their partnership. Garland was enthusiastic about Mitchell’s extension and the hiring of Kenny Atkinson as the new head coach. Atkinson has praised Garland’s skills and looks forward to working with him, emphasizing Garland’s passing ability and overall feel for the game.
While teams like the San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans have shown interest, the Cavaliers have made it clear that they have no intention of moving Garland. His current contract has four years remaining, with a $36.7 million cap hit for the upcoming season. Garland’s commitment to the team and the organization’s plans to build around him and Mitchell indicate that he will likely stay put, at least for now.
Garland faced challenges during the 2023-24 season, including a fractured jaw and personal issues, which affected his performance. Despite these hurdles, he remains a vital part of the Cavaliers’ future plans. The team’s strategy appears to be focused on maintaining their core and improving around their star guards.
In summary, although trade rumors have surrounded Darius Garland, his commitment to the Cavaliers and the team’s plans to keep him suggest that he will remain in Cleveland for the foreseeable future.
5. Kyle Kuzma
Kyle Kuzma of the Washington Wizards has been reportedly a target for many contenders this offseason. Kuzma, who averaged 22.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game during the 2023-24 season, is seen as a valuable asset due to his scoring ability and versatility. Despite these impressive stats, the Wizards are reportedly open to trade discussions, especially given their ongoing roster rebuild.
The Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks are among the teams showing significant interest in Kuzma. The Kings, who have already made substantial moves this offseason by acquiring DeMar DeRozan, see Kuzma as a potential fit to bolster their forward depth. The Mavericks, looking to add more scoring alongside Luka Doncic, have also been linked to Kuzma before the Klay Thompson deal. However, Washington’s high asking price, which reportedly includes multiple first-round picks, has made negotiations challenging.
Kuzma recently signed a four-year, $102 million contract extension with the Wizards, which includes a descending salary structure and a 15% trade kicker. This contract makes him a valuable trade asset, but also complicates potential deals due to the financial implications for acquiring teams. His deal starts at $25.6 million for the first year and decreases to $19.4 million by the final year, offering some financial flexibility in the later years of the contract.
The Wizards’ new front office, led by president Michael Winger, is taking a cautious approach. While they are open to exploring trade options for Kuzma, they are not in a rush to move him unless they receive a compelling offer that aligns with their long-term rebuilding strategy. Kuzma’s performance and contract make him a key piece in any potential deal, but his value to the team also means the Wizards could decide to keep him and continue to build around him and Jordan Poole.
In summary, despite the trade rumors, Kyle Kuzma’s combination of talent, contract value, and the Wizards’ strategic considerations make it likely that he will remain with Washington, at least for the start of the 2024-25 season. The team’s approach will be to either maximize his trade value or continue utilizing his skills as a cornerstone of their roster rebuild.
