The 2023/24 NBA season concluded in earnest on June 17th, when the Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks 4-1 to record a record 18th championship title.
Despite the NBA finals being settled barely six weeks ago, attention has already turned to the 2024/25 campaign. More specifically, franchises are beginning to plot new trades and signings while offloading unwanted players, as they look to build squads that can compete for the ultimate prize next season.
But what are the potential game-changing trades ahead of the 2024/25 NBA season? Here’s our pick of the top three!
Lauri Markkanen – Utah Jazz to Oklahoma City Thunder
Among the best poker sites that accept crypto, the Thunder are second favourites to win the NBA championship next season, after being eliminated in the Conference semi-finals in 2023/24.
Power forward Lauri Markkanen, who averaged an impressive 23.2 points-per-game (PPG) for Utah Jazz last season, could certainly help them to achieve this objective. With the Finnish star’s projected move to the Golden State Warriors now almost certainly moribund, the Thunder could look to strike sooner rather than later.
Of course, they’ve already added Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein to their roster, but the acquisition of 2023 All-Star Markkanen would transform a previously small front line into an offence with three towering, seven-footers.
The Thunder could offer point guard Nikola Topić in exchange, despite an ACL tear likely to render him unavailable for most of 2024/25. Ousmane Dieng is another option, with the 21-year-old established as the number 11 overall pick in 2022 and packed full of future potential.
LaMelo Ball – Charlotte Hornets to Orlando Magic
While Orlando Magic aren’t expected to challenge for the NBA Championship this season, they’re arguably only a first class point guard from challenging the very best franchises in the Eastern Conference.
LaMelo Ball would fit the bill perfectly: an offensive superstar with an array of highlight-reel passes and superb defensive game. To this end, he averaged 23.9 points, 8.0 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game through 2023/24, while shooting an unusually high percentage of three-pointers.
Although the Charlotte Hornets may not want to lose the 22-year-old, they’re well short of playoff quality overall and arguably need a squad overall in the pre-season. Point guard Anthony Black would certainly offer a quality replacement for the Hornets, while Wendell Carter Jr. and Cole Anthony are viable trades too.
It’s expected that the Hornets will rebuild and reshape around the excellent Brandon Miller this summer, with a view to picking up younger players and draft picks in a range of different positions.
Julius Randle – New York Nicks to the Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets finished a disappointing 11th in the 2023/24 Western Conference, and will need a big pre-season if they’re to improve their standings noticeably next season.
They certainly need to improve their offence, with the New York Nicks’ Julius Randle an obvious candidate at power forward. The 28-year-old All Star just happens to be a Texas native too, who would add experience to a young side and arguably arrive at the peak of his powers.
He starred as the Nicks made the Conference semi-finals last season, averaging 24.0 PPG and 9.2 rebounds. He also averaged 5.0 assists per game in 2023/24 and would thrive in Houston’s front five, which also features Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and Alperen Şengün.
This trade could see 21-year-old talent and fellow power forward Jabari Smith Jr. head in the opposite direction. Despite his immense potential, the Rockets need firepower now, especially if they’re to build a more balanced team that can contend for a playoff place in 2024/25.
