As the 2024 offseason draws to a close, and while some blockbuster deals have been finalized, such as Bridges joining the Knicks, George moving to the 76ers, and Murray landing with the Pelicans, the NBA's transfer market seems to have calmed down, but in fact, many teams are quietly preparing for the final adjustments of the new season, and the next big deal may already be in the works.
Jimmy · Butler
Jimmy · Butler's relationship with the Miami Heat was once considered a good story in the league. However, late last season, there seemed to be a rift between the two. Butler missed part of the playoffs due to injury, and after the Heat were eliminated, he hinted on social media that the outcome of the game would have been different if he had been able to play. The remarks caused shocks within the Heat, especially President Pat · Riley who publicly expressed his displeasure at it, calling Butler's claims irresponsible.
Riley's attitude appeared tough, and this led to media speculation about whether the partnership between Butler and the Heat had come to an end. Especially with the Heat leaving a huge future contract to young Bam · Adebayo, Butler's future looks even more uncertain. As Butler enters the final year of his contract with a player option for the 2025-26 season, will the Heat seek to trade him before the start of the season or before the trade deadline to avoid losing the key player?
While Butler's attendance has been an issue, and he has never played at least 65 games for the Heat in the regular season, his playoff performances have always been impressive. If the Heat believe his injury problems in the regular season have affected the team's long-term competitiveness, it may be wise to trade Butler while his value is still high. Many teams in the league will still be interested in Butler, especially those who need instant power to make a playoff run or even a championship.
Brandon · Ingram
Ingram is an important scoring point for the Pelicans, but this offseason, rumors of him being traded have been swirling. It is reported that the Pelicans are not entirely happy with Ingram's future, and Ingram is seeking a contract with a maximum salary, which has put pressure on the two sides to negotiate a contract extension.
The Pelicans have spent the past few years building a roster around Zion and Ingram, but the combination has failed to deliver the expected success. Combined with Ingram's injury history, he has only played in more than 65 games once in his career, leaving the Pelicans skeptical about his long-term investment.
In addition, Ingram's style of play has also become one of his trade obstacles. As a mid-range scorer, he plays in a similar style to DeRozan. DeRozan struggled to find an ideal home on the free agency market this year, and eventually joined the Kings on a sign-and-trade basis. Considering that this type of player is no longer the No. 1 choice in today's three-point, fast-break league, Ingram's future market outlook is also uncertain.
While the Pelicans may try to trade Ingram for other assets, finding the right person to trade with is not an easy task. Ingram is undoubtedly a valuable scorer for teams eager to make the playoffs, but injury concerns and contract extension issues could make some teams cautious when it comes to trading.
Zach · Lavin
The Bulls' LaVine is one of the most explosive scorers in the league, but his big contract puts the Bulls in a dilemma. Under his current contract, LaVine's annual salary over the next three seasons will reach $43 million, $46 million, and $49 million, respectively, which makes it necessary for the Bulls to find a team capable of taking over his high-stakes contract when trading him.
Despite a slight dip in performance last season, LaVine is still an excellent offensive player, averaging 19.5 points and 3.9 assists per game while shooting 45.2 percent from the field. However, due to his injury history and high salary, the Bulls have been slow to complete the trade for LaVine in the offseason.
LaVine's high-salary contract was a major factor preventing him from being traded, especially if he failed to play at a top-tier level. However, if LaVine can regain his form in the new season and play consistently early in the season, the Bulls may be able to find a suitable trade for him before the trade deadline.
Anfernee · Simmons
The Trail Blazers welcomed young talented guard Jordan Henderson this summer, and Sharpe's growth has also made the team's guard line crowded. Although Simmons is only 25 years old, he is likely to fall victim to the team's rebuilding process. The Trail Blazers have made it clear that they want to trade either Grant or Simmons before training camp begins, and Simmons' scoring prowess has made him a target for many teams.
Simmons has the potential to provide instant power on any team, especially for those who need to step up their backcourt firepower. However, the Trail Blazers may wait for other teams to perform mid-season in order to get a better offer at the trade deadline.
Trae Young
As one of the league's most scoring guards, Trae Young has led the Hawks to some success over the past few seasons, including the 2021 Division Finals. However, with the team trading away from Murray in the offseason, the Hawks appear to be at a crossroads for a rebuild. If the team decides to completely tear down the rebuild, Trae Young could be the first player to be cleared out.
Trae Young's offensive prowess is undeniable, and he is one of the few players in the league who can create scoring opportunities on his own. However, the Eagles' performance in recent years has failed to live up to expectations, and the team's management seems to be reevaluating the future of the roster. Trae Young's defensive prowess has always been his soft underbelly, and despite his massive contributions on the offensive end, his salary and leadership role can be a hindrance to the rebuilding process for a team that is rebuilding.
Trae Young's scoring talent and youthful potential still make him a big draw in the market. If the Hawks decide to rebuild, Trae Young could be one of the most valuable trade chips on the market. However, the Hawks may also choose to keep Trae Young and continue to make adjustments and reinforcements around him, so there is still a lot of uncertainty about Trae Young's departure.