After looking at the best free agents to change teams this offseason, let’s transition to the best NBA players that have been traded in the offseason. Certainly, more trades can still be consummated. Keep in mind, the Karl-Anthony Towns/Julius Randle deal didn’t go down until early October last year. For now, these are the best players that have been shipped to another team. Other notable players to be traded include John Collins (Clippers), Jalen Green (Suns), Dillon Brooks (Suns), Jrue Holiday (Trail Blazers), and Anfernee Simons (Celtics).
(Players are listed in alphabetical order by last name.)
The Best NBA Players To Be Traded This Offseason
Desmond Bane, Orlando Magic
Recently turned 27 years old, the Magic gave up a lot to acquire Desmond Bane. In a wide-open Eastern Conference though, he provides exactly what they needed: outside shooting. Orlando finished dead-last in both three-pointers made and three-point percentage in 2024-25. Enter Bane, who shot 39.2% from deep last season, and 41.0% over his five-year career. Over the last three seasons with the Grizzlies, the 6-foot-5 shooting guard has averaged 21.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists.
Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets
Turning 37 years old on September 29, Kevin Durant is still one of the league’s premier bucket-getters. The four-time scoring champ averaged 26.6 points last season for the Suns, the 16th-straight year he averaged more than 25. Durant still scores with great efficiency as well, evidenced by his 2024-25 shooting percentage splits of 52.7/43.0/83.9. The 2013-14 MVP joins the Rockets, an ascending team who was in need of a go-to scorer.
Cam Johnson, Denver Nuggets
After spending the last two seasons with the Nets, Cam Johnson is joining a Nuggets team with championship aspirations. In 2024-25, he averaged a career-best 18.8 points on 39% from beyond the arc. That’s in line with the 29-year-old’s career mark of 39.2%. One thing is for sure, Johnson should see plenty of open looks off Nikola Jokic’s playmaking.
Kristaps Porzingis, Atlanta Hawks
Kristaps Porzingis will provide a stretch-five element that the Hawks haven’t had. Turning 30 years old on August 2, the 7-foot-2 center just needs to have better health. Since 2017-18, the most appearances he’s had is 65. Still, Atlanta head coach Quin Snyder must be salivating over the thought of Porzingis (41.2% three-point accuracy in 2024-25) pairing up with Trae Young.
Michael Porter Jr, Brooklyn Nets
A champion in 2023, Michael Porter Jr. is joining a Nets team where he is clearly one of their top scorers. If Cam Thomas re-signs, expect the two of them to lead the team in shots by a substantial margin. The 27-year-old Porter Jr. is a deadeye long-range shooter who averaged a career-high 18.5 points in 2024-25. That average increasing in 2025-26 with Brooklyn is likely.
Norman Powell, Miami Heat
Fresh off his best NBA season, the 32-year-old Norman Powell helps a Miami team that at times struggled to score. With the Clippers in 2024-25, Powell averaged a career-best 21.2 points. It was the second straight year, and fourth time in the last five seasons, that he shot the three-ball at better than a 40% clip. The previous two seasons saw him finish fourth in Sixth Man of the Year voting both years.
Photo credit: © David Butler II-Imagn Images
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