Giannis, Jaylen Brown Headline 30 NBA Trade Targets

As the 2025-26 season approaches, teams are actively scouting bold, plausible trades — one proposed target per franchise in a sweeping take that stretches from Jaylen Brown and Giannis Antetokounmpo to Walker Kessler, Jonathan Kuminga and Lauri Markkanen. It matters because unsettled stars, expiring deals and roster mismatches mean a few well-timed moves could remake the title picture in both conferences. Merlin sees a market shaped by math and patience: contenders hunt complementary pieces (Boston eyeing Kessler, Atlanta dreaming of Brown) while asset-rich clubs ready to sell or wait. As the piece notes, "There's another reason why the Warriors don't want to give (Jonathan) Kuminga away for less than his full trade value" — teams will hoard young talent and picks until the right giant emerges.