With the NBA Draft in our rearview and free agency on the horizon, the 2022 offseason is in full swing.
In addition to the excitement surrounding rookie debuts and free-agent signings, there is a trade market that heats up during the offseason, making way for a number of rumors involving various players.
NBA OFFSEASON RUMORS: Kyrie Irving | Zach LaVine | Deandre Ayton
This offseason is no different, as Jerami Grant has already been dealt from the Pistons to the Trail Blazers and Kemba Walker has been traded from the Knicks to the Pistons in a salary-clearing move for New York.
Who’s next? As rumors begin to heat up, we take a look at the seven most likely players to be traded this offseason.
Malcolm Brogdon, Pacers
Brogdon, 29, is entering the final year of a four-year, $85 million deal signed with the Pacers in 2019. While availability has been an issue for Brogdon (he appeared in 36 of 82 games in 2021-22), he’s a heady guard that has averaged 18.9 points, 6.3 assists and 5.1 rebounds during his time in Indiana.
As the Pacers build for the future, Brogdon could be on his way out. He’s on the books for $22.6 million in the 2022-23 season, would be a great get for a contender looking to upgrade its guard play and, according to NBA insider Marc Stein, is expected to be moved sooner rather than later.
MORE: NBA Champion odds changes after 2022 Finals, NBA Draft
John Collins, Hawks
Rumor has it: Collins is “done in Atlanta,” according to a report from The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner.
There have long been rumblings that Collins’ future in Atlanta wasn’t guaranteed and it appears he has put on a Hawks uniform for the final time. After signing a five-year, $125 million deal last season, Collins is under contract until at least the 2024-25 season, with a player option for the 2025-26 season.
After averaging 16.2 points and 7.8 rebounds over 54 games in 2021-22, Collins will make $23.5 million next season. He’ll turn 25 just weeks before opening night and could be a solid piece for a team’s future.
Rudy Gobert, Jazz
Changes are abound in Utah. Head coach Quin Snyder has stepped down and it seems more will be shaken up soon.
After losing in six games to the Mavericks in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs, it seemed as though there could be a split of the Jazz’s All-Star duo of Gobert and Donovan Mitchell.
MORE: Latest trade rumors surrounding Rudy Gobert
While interest from the Hawks is reportedly “wildly overblown,” the Raptors are a “team to watch” in the Gobert trade market, according to Stein. As a three-time Defensive Player of the Year Gobert’s reputation precedes him and he will be a major plus addition if any team were to add him.
Eric Gordon, Rockets
It’s only a matter of time before the 33-year-old Gordon is traded away from a Houston team that is all-in on its youth movement.
Gordon has been the center of trade discussions in each of the last two seasons, but nothing has materialized yet. Reports have indicated that the 76ers are heavily pursuing Gordon, who averaged 13.4 points while shooting 41.2 percent from 3 over 57 games last season.
Next season, Gordon is owed $19.6 million but the final year of his contract (2023-24) is non-guaranteed.
Dejounte Murray, Spurs
Murray has been the subject of so many trade rumors that he’s taken to Twitter to address some of them himself.
Uh Ohhhhhhhhh 🍿 https://t.co/1NeNKS9oYG
— Dejounte Murray (@DejounteMurray) June 23, 2022
Perhaps Murray’s social media activity is a sign that he’s comfortable in his standing and knows he won’t be moved anywhere, but there’s a chance he’s playing along knowing that trades are sometimes inevitable in this business.
According to a report from Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer, the Spurs would seek three first-round picks for Murray, a fair ask in exchange for a 25-year-old All-Star guard and perennial All-Defensive Team candidate. San Antonio is also building for the future but Murray is young enough — and talented enough — to be one of its centerpieces.
D’Angelo Russell, Timberwolves
In the eyes of many, the Wolves overachieved during the 2021-22 season, winning 46 games to earn the West’s No. 7 seed.
With the duo of Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns at the forefront, newly-minted team executive Tim Connelly could look to cash in on that success and move Russell in order to upgrade the roster.
Russell was a key component to the Wolves’ successes in 2021-22, averaging 18.1 points and 7.1 assists in 65 games (all starts) but with a crowded backcourt that also features Edwards, Patrick Beverley, Malik Beasley and Jordan McLaughlin, they could upgrade the roster by moving Russell, who is set to become a free agent after earning $31.4 million in 2022-23.
Myles Turner, Pacers
The Pacers are going to be sellers this offseason.
Turner has seemingly been in trade discussions for years now, but things never seem to materialize. Is 2022 the year that changes?
The 26-year-old Turner isn’t quite as old as Brogdon, but he doesn’t necessarily fit the timeline of what Indiana is building for in the future. He averaged 12.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.8 blocks in 2021-22 but in the past, has expressed a desire for a larger role.
Turner is on the final year of his deal and will make $18.0 million, which is a team-friendly figure for a 6-foot-11 rim protector that can knock down a 3 every now and then.