The NBA trade deadline for 2025-26 feels a long way off, but real GMs are alr...

The NBA Trade Deadline Is Months Away — But Front Offices Are Already Plotting

The 2025-26 NBA trade deadline may not arrive until February, but in a league where information is currency and roster construction is a year-round obsession, general managers are already running scenarios. The mid-season market is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in recent memory, with several high-profile names potentially on the move — each carrying significant implications for both real-world contenders and fantasy basketball rosters alike.

What follows is a deep dive into the most compelling trade candidates heading into the second half of the season: who they are, where they might land, and what those moves would mean statistically and tactically.

The Shake-Up Candidates: A Closer Look

Dejounte Murray (Atlanta Hawks): The Inevitable Divorce

Few situations in the NBA feel more like a slow-moving breakup than the Murray-Trae Young pairing in Atlanta. The Hawks acquired Murray from San Antonio in the summer of 2022 in a blockbuster deal, expecting the combination of two elite, two-way guards to form the backbone of a perennial playoff contender. Instead, the experiment has produced inconsistency, defensive lapses at the team level, and a lingering tension over who truly controls the offense.

Murray is averaging 22.5 points, 6.4 assists, and 1.4 steals this season — numbers that look excellent in isolation. But context matters. His true shooting percentage sits at approximately 54%, which is respectable but below what you'd expect from a player with this level of usage. More telling is the Hawks' net rating with both Murray and Young on the floor together: a modest +1.2, compared to +5.8 when Murray plays without Young. The data tells a story the eye test confirms: Murray thrives when he's the unquestioned engine of an offense, not a co-pilot.

"Dejounte is one of the best two-way guards in the league when he's unleashed. The Atlanta situation has always been about fit, not talent. Any contender that lands him gets an immediate upgrade on both ends." — Western Conference scout, per league sources

• Current Situation: Stuck on a .500-range Hawks team, forced into a secondary creator role alongside another ball-dominant guard in Trae Young.
• Potential Destinations: Los Angeles Lakers (perennial need for a two-way guard who can defend and create); San Antonio Spurs (a reunion with familiar surroundings, offering veteran leadership alongside a young core); Orlando Magic (desperate for a lead guard who can shoot, defend, and handle primary playmaking duties).
• Tactical Fit Breakdown: In Orlando, Murray would slot in as the primary initiator alongside Franz Wagner, giving the Magic a legitimate backcourt threat they've lacked since the Penny Hardaway era. The Magic ranked 24th in assists per game last season — Murray's playmaking would be transformative.
• Projected Fantasy Impact: A move to a team like Orlando, where he'd be the undisputed primary ball-handler, could push his assists from 6.4 to 8–9 per game, with scoring climbing to 24–25 PPG and field goal percentage improving from 45% to 47–48%. His steal numbers — already elite — would likely remain at or above 1.4 per game. In fantasy terms, Murray becomes a top-10 overall asset in this scenario.

Kyle Kuzma (Washington Wizards): The Veteran Misfit Looking for a Stage

Kyle Kuzma's tenure in Washington has been a study in contradictions. He's been productive — averaging 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 2023-24 — but on a Wizards team that has been in full teardown mode, those numbers have come at a steep efficiency cost. His field goal percentage of 43% is below average for a player of his usage rate, and his three-point shooting at 33.8% doesn't match the volume he attempts from deep.

At 30 years old heading into next season's deadline, Kuzma is at a crossroads. Washington's rebuild is centered around younger assets, and Kuzma — despite being a fan favorite and a genuine locker room presence — simply doesn't fit the timeline. The question isn't if he gets moved, but where he lands and what version of Kuzma shows up.

• Current Situation: High-usage veteran on a rebuilding roster, absorbing minutes and possessions that will eventually belong to younger players.
• Potential Destinations: Dallas Mavericks (need a versatile third scorer who can operate in pick-and-roll and isolation); Sacramento Kings (perpetually chasing another forward to complement Domantas Sabonis); Memphis Grizzlies (a veteran wing shooter to complement Ja Morant's attacking style).
• Tactical Fit Breakdown: In Dallas, Kuzma would benefit enormously from playing alongside Luka Dončić. The Mavericks' offensive system creates some of the highest-quality mid-range and corner three opportunities in the league — exactly the shots Kuzma converts at his best. Spacing the floor for Luka could unlock the efficient version of Kuzma that flashed during his championship run with the Lakers.
• Projected Fantasy Impact: On a contender, shot attempts would decrease. Expect scoring to settle at 16–18 PPG, but efficiency rising to 46–47% FG. Rebounds would hold around 6 per game; assists would dip to 2–3. His fantasy value shifts from a volume-based play to an efficiency and three-pointer contributor — valuable in the right formats.

Malcolm Brogdon (Portland Trail Blazers): The Perfect Rental for a Contender

Malcolm Brogdon is one of the most underrated trade assets in the league. A former Sixth Man of the Year, he brings efficiency, veteran poise, and genuine two-way capability — qualities that are extraordinarily difficult to acquire at the deadline without surrendering major assets. His 15.7 points and 5.5 assists per game last season came in limited appearances, and his field goal percentage of 44% with an 87% free throw rate reflects a player who makes smart decisions with the ball.

Portland, firmly in youth-development mode, needs to clear the backcourt for Scoot Henderson and their emerging young core. Brogdon is the odd man out — not by performance, but by roster philosophy.

• Current Situation: Veteran guard on a youth-focused Blazers team, providing mentorship but blocking developmental minutes for younger players.
• Potential Destinations: New York Knicks (always seeking reliable, experienced guard play off the bench); Minnesota Timberwolves (depth reinforcement for a legitimate championship contender); Philadelphia 76ers (a complementary piece alongside Tyrese Maxey that could stabilize a volatile roster).
• Tactical Fit Breakdown: Minnesota's need for a backup point guard who can defend, shoot, and manage the game is well-documented. Brogdon alongside Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns creates a lineup where every player can handle the ball in a pinch — the kind of versatility that wins playoff series. The Timberwolves ranked 8th in defensive rating last season; Brogdon's defensive IQ would maintain that standard.
• Projected Fantasy Impact: In a bench role, scoring would dip to 12–14 PPG, but efficiency remains high. Assists settle around 4–5 per game. The hidden value: fewer missed games due to reduced wear-and-tear. Brogdon's injury history has been a fantasy liability; a lighter workload could make him one of the most reliable per-minute producers available in the second half of the season.

Jarrett Allen (Cleveland Cavaliers): The Spicy Rumor With Real Legs

This one carries genuine intrigue. The Cavaliers have quietly been one of the NBA's better-run franchises over the past three seasons, but roster construction questions linger. With Evan Mobley emerging as a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate and the team investing heavily in their perimeter core, the fit for Jarrett Allen — a traditional rim-running center — has become increasingly complicated.

Allen averaged 13.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks last season on 67.2% shooting from the field — one of the most efficient marks in the entire league. He is, by any reasonable measure, an excellent NBA center. But in a league trending toward stretch bigs and switchable frontcourts, Allen's limitations as a non-shooter create spacing issues that can be exploited in the playoffs.

"Jarrett Allen is a top-20 center in this league. The question isn't his ability — it's whether Cleveland's system maximizes him or constrains him. A team that plays through the paint would unlock something special." — Eastern Conference executive, per league sources

• Current Situation: Efficient, high-IQ center on a team that may be trending toward a more versatile frontcourt configuration.
• Potential Destinations: Houston Rockets (young team needing a veteran anchor in the paint); Golden State Warriors (if they pivot toward a more traditional lineup); Miami Heat (always in the market for high-efficiency, low-ego contributors).
• Tactical Fit Breakdown: In Houston, Allen would pair with an ascending young core and a coaching staff that prioritizes paint dominance and defensive structure. The Rockets' interior scoring ranked in the bottom third of the league last season — Allen's presence would immediately address that deficiency.
• Projected Fantasy Impact: A move to a team that features him as the primary center would maintain or slightly increase his rebounding (potentially 11–12 per game) and blocks. His scoring could dip slightly to 12–13 PPG depending on offensive role, but his elite field goal percentage would remain intact. In fantasy, Allen is a double-double machine with elite FG% — a top-15 center asset.

The Bigger Picture: What These Moves Mean for the Trade Market

The players profiled above represent a broader trend: the NBA's mid-tier trade market is increasingly driven by fit over raw talent. Murray, Kuzma, Brogdon, and Allen are all legitimate NBA contributors — in some cases, stars. But the modern game's emphasis on spacing, versatility, and two-way capability means that even excellent players can become mismatches in the wrong system.

For contenders, the February deadline represents an opportunity to address specific weaknesses without mortgaging the future. For rebuilding teams, these veterans represent the chance to acquire picks, prospects, and salary flexibility. The transactions that define playoff races are rarely the blockbuster superstar trades — they're the calculated, surgical moves that address a team's one or two critical needs.

Fantasy managers should monitor these situations closely. A change of scenery can transform a player's statistical output overnight — turning a 16-point scorer into a 22-point scorer, or a 6-assist guard into a 9-assist playmaker. The players listed above are among the highest-upside trade targets in the game heading into the second half of the season.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2025-26 NBA trade deadline?

The 2025-26 NBA trade deadline is scheduled for February 5, 2026. Teams have until 3:00 PM ET on that date to complete any trades for the current season. After the deadline, rosters are locked until the offseason, with the exception of waiver wire transactions and 10-day contracts.

How does a trade affect a player's fantasy basketball value?

A trade can dramatically alter a player's fantasy value depending on their new role, team offensive system, and usage rate. A player moving from a rebuilding team to a contender typically sees reduced shot volume but improved efficiency. Conversely, a player moving to a team where they become the primary option can see significant increases in points, assists, and overall usage — often making them a top-tier fantasy asset overnight. Always monitor beat reporters and official team announcements for immediate post-trade role clarification.

Why would a team like the Cleveland Cavaliers trade an efficient player like Jarrett Allen?

Roster construction in the modern NBA is about more than individual efficiency. Even elite players can become tactical liabilities if their skill sets don't complement the team's core. In Allen's case, his lack of three-point shooting creates spacing problems that playoff opponents can exploit — particularly against teams that switch aggressively or play drop coverage. Cleveland's investment in versatile frontcourt players like Evan Mobley may make a traditional rim-runner redundant, regardless of how efficiently Allen performs.

What assets do rebuilding teams typically seek in exchange for veteran trade candidates?

Rebuilding teams generally prioritize three categories of return: future draft picks (especially first-round selections), young players on rookie-scale contracts, and salary flexibility (either matching contracts that expire soon or clearing cap space for future free agency). Teams like Washington and Portland are not looking to win now — they're building asset portfolios that will allow them to compete in three to five years. Veterans like Kuzma and Brogdon are essentially currency in this equation.

How early do NBA front offices realistically begin planning for the trade deadline?

According to multiple league sources and front office veterans, serious trade deadline planning begins as early as October — before the season even tips off. GMs enter the year with a clear sense of which players might be available, which roster needs are likely to emerge, and which teams could be motivated sellers by February. By December, preliminary conversations are already happening. The "deadline frenzy" that fans see in early February is actually the final stage of a months-long process of negotiation, valuation, and strategic positioning.