With just over a month of the 2025-26 season completed, front offices across the league have already begun preparing for what could become an unusually active trade period. The official deadline arrives on Feb. 5, but the combination of early injuries, contract decisions, and public—or internal—friction has caused several high-profile names to surface sooner than expected. The picture forming includes franchise guards, All-Star big men, and young players affected by shifting roles or contract structures.
- Multiple top players—LaMelo Ball, Trae Young, Ja Morant, Domantas Sabonis, and Jonathan Kuminga—are already being discussed as trade options ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline.
- A three-team concept involving the Warriors, Mavericks, and Bulls centers on Daniel Gafford, Coby White, and Jonathan Kuminga as the main trade pieces.
- Teams are exploring moves for DeMar DeRozan and Anthony Davis, while Charlotte and Memphis are assessing potential trade paths for Ball and Morant.
Early Kings Turmoil and the Sabonis Question
The Sacramento Kings moved deeper into uncertainty after the Phoenix Suns ended their two-game winning streak, dropping the Kings to 5-14. Before that loss, a local radio host reported the franchise was moving toward a multi-year rebuild and was open to hearing offers for Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and others.
General manager Monte McNair later held a 30-minute conversation with a reporter about the organization’s direction. Sabonis, who led the league in rebounds for three straight seasons and is a steady double-double player and strong passing big, is out for two to three weeks with a left knee meniscus tear. His defensive issues and lack of three-point attempts complicate roster construction. After this season, he is owed about 94.1 million dollars over two years, roughly 27 to 28 percent of the salary cap each year. He has three All-Star selections and two All-NBA appearances since 2019-20, though it is unclear whether Sacramento would receive a return matching his résumé.
LaMelo Ball: Conflicting Signals and Charlotte’s Concerns
LaMelo Ball’s situation became uncertain after Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports reported in late November that Ball had grown frustrated with the Hornets and was open to a trade. Ball denied that report the next day and told reporters he loved being in Charlotte. Iko also reported that the Hornets’ front office had become hesitant about Ball as a long-term core piece and had grown disillusioned with him, leaving the team open to trading him.
Ball has played only 105 of 246 possible games from 2022-23 through 2024-25 due to repeated ankle injuries and has already missed six games this season for the same issue. He is averaging 20.3 points, 8.8 assists, and 6.5 rebounds while shooting a career-low 38.6 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from three. He has never shot above 44 percent in any season and continues to struggle with turnovers. Since drafting him No. 3 in 2020, Charlotte has gone 147-418, the league’s third-worst record in that span. Ball is in year two of a five-year, $203.8-million-dollar max contract.
Ja Morant’s Strained Season and Memphis’ Evaluation
Ja Morant’s season shifted on Halloween when he scored eight points in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. When asked about his performance, he told reporters to direct their questions to the coaching staff. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, head coach Tuomas Iisalo challenged Morant’s leadership and effort after the game, and Morant responded in a tone considered inappropriate and dismissive. The Grizzlies suspended him for one game. After returning, Morant said he no longer felt his usual joy for basketball.
The Grizzlies are 6-11, and Morant is now sidelined with a calf strain. His recent seasons include suspensions, reports of insubordination, stagnation as a shooter, and production near career lows. He finished seventh in MVP voting in 2021-22 and 12th in 2022-23, which may draw interest from teams seeking a high-upside player. Memphis already traded Desmond Bane to Orlando for a package including four first-round picks, and a similar offer for Morant could accelerate a rebuild.
Atlanta Considers Its Direction With Trae Young After Extension Talks Stall
In mid-August, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported that Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks had no plans to begin contract-extension talks. Fischer wrote that Young’s representatives had anticipated playing out the final guaranteed year of his current deal rather than extending early.
Young was shooting career lows—37.1 percent from the field and 19.2 percent from three—before an MCL sprain five games into the season sidelined him. His 6-foot-1, 164-pound frame makes him a defensive target. If he seeks a max contract next offseason, the Hawks must decide whether to keep him through the deadline or pursue a trade. Atlanta signed Dyson Daniels to a four-year, $100 million extension and has Jalen Johnson under a contract paying $30 million per year for four seasons, giving the team financial certainty as it considers Young’s future.
Golden State Faces a Kuminga Decision as Trade Eligibility Nears
Jonathan Kuminga’s role changed twice in the early season. Head coach Steve Kerr said he would be a starter going forward and expressed confidence in him. Two weeks later, Kerr returned him to the bench. Kuminga played 12 minutes in that game and has been out with bilateral knee tendinitis. A team source told ESPN’s Anthony Slater that Kuminga feels he is being made the scapegoat.
Kuminga signed a two-year, 48.5-million-dollar contract shortly before the qualifying-offer deadline. Shams Charania reported that the deal was designed so the Warriors—or any team acquiring him this season—could replace the contract with a new one after the 2025-26 campaign. A veteran executive told Marc Stein of The Stein Line that Kuminga’s contract is one of the top trade assets in the league. He becomes trade-eligible on Jan. 15.
Three-Team Framework Connecting Warriors, Mavericks, and Bulls Gains Momentum
Golden State also appears in a three-team trade concept involving the Dallas Mavericks and Chicago Bulls, centered on the Warriors acquiring Daniel Gafford from Dallas.
The early outline includes:
- Golden State receiving Gafford and possibly an expiring contract
- Dallas receiving Coby White and draft assets
- Chicago receiving Jonathan Kuminga
The structure addresses specific needs. Gafford would give the Warriors rim protection, finishing, vertical spacing, shot-blocking, and rebounding depth behind Draymond Green. Dallas would add a guard who offers scoring and playmaking while supporting rookie Cooper Flagg, along with draft capital and expiring deals for flexibility. Chicago would add a young, athletic wing with scoring upside suited to rebuilding or retooling.
Bill Simmons noted that the concept reflected recent trade proposals, player data, and trade-strategy analysis.
Gafford is averaging 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 70.2 percent shooting, and a 7.3 percent block rate. White is averaging 14.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 44.1 percent shooting, and a 0.5 percent block rate. Kuminga is averaging 12.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 44.6 percent shooting, and a 0.8 percent block rate. Gafford, 27, is under contract for $54 million over three years. White, 25, has two years and 20 million dollars remaining. Kuminga, 22, remains on a rookie-scale deal.
The main concerns involve the Warriors giving up picks and a young player, Dallas losing a productive center who fits well next to Luka Dončić, and the Bulls needing to adjust their rotation. Gafford’s ability to adapt to Golden State’s system also remains a consideration.
Additional Rumors Involving DeRozan, Anthony Davis, LaMelo Ball, and Ja Morant
DeMar DeRozan and the Clippers:
Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that the Clippers have interest in DeRozan as the Kings approach a possible roster teardown. His contract guarantees 10 million dollars out of 27 million for next season. The Clippers are 5-12 and rank 21st in offensive rating. DeRozan provides scoring, but is 36 and has never been a strong defender.
Anthony Davis and Dallas:
Anthony Davis has not played since Oct. 29 due to a calf strain. Earlier in the season, he appeared out of shape and struggled defensively. After Nico Harrison’s firing, he became a trade chip, but Tim Bontemps of ESPN reported that his injury history and contract—worth 54.1 million, 58.4 million, and 62.7 million dollars over three years—have limited interest.
LaMelo Ball and Ja Morant Updates:
Jake Fischer reported that while discussions about trading Ball are premature, the Hornets could explore options before the deadline. Ball has played only 20 more games than Zion Williamson over his career due to ankle injuries.
Bontemps also reported that Memphis will explore the trade market for Morant, though it may be difficult to find a package worth considering because of his off-court issues, lack of shooting improvement, and the Grizzlies’ 6-11 record.
