By NBA insiders, 2026-06-12 19:00:00
2026年NBA总决赛正激战正酣，纽约尼克斯队在大比分上以3-1领先圣安东尼奥马刺队。但这并不意味着整个联盟的交易流言会因此停滞。
看看去年的总决赛就知道了，就在俄克拉荷马城雷霆队与印第安纳步行者队的抢七大战开始前几个小时，凯文·杜兰特 (Kevin Durant) 被交易到了休斯顿火箭队，这笔交易最终演变成了一桩七方大交易。作为该交易的一部分，菲尼克斯太阳队得到了2025年选秀的10号签，并用其选中了杜克大学的中锋卡曼·马鲁阿奇 (Khaman Maluach)。
从现在到6月23日首轮选秀开始前，是否会有2026年的乐透签易主？或许会出现在一桩涉及扬尼斯·阿德托昆博 (Giannis Antetokounmpo) 的交易中？
ESPN的NBA内幕记者本·戈利弗 (Ben Golliver) 和扎克·克拉姆 (Zach Kram) 共同构想了六大重磅交易方案，其中1号、2号、3号、5号、6号、7号、9号和10号签都将易主。（与此同时，在我们的设想中，芝加哥公牛队和亚特兰大老鹰队保持按兵不动——所以随时准备好迎接那个4号签换8号签的交易吧。）
在每个交易方案提出后，ESPN的NBA前瞻专家、前制服组内幕人士鲍比·马克斯 (Bobby Marks) 将扮演总经理的角色，分析每支球队的利弊。随后，他将选出对整个联盟影响最大的一笔交易。
下面进入交易方案，首先从一个将创造NBA历史的提议开始。
跳转至具体交易：
爵士、奇才创造历史
篮网向上交易选秀权以争夺布泽尔
西决出局后，雷霆瞄准内线高度
选秀前阿德托昆博被交易
国王挺进前五选后卫
黄蜂打包筹码换取9号签
插图由ESPN提供
爵士、奇才达成史无前例的交易
犹他爵士获得：
2026年首轮签（1号签）
巴布·卡林顿 (Bub Carrington)
卡姆·惠特莫尔 (Cam Whitmore)
华盛顿奇才获得：
2026年首轮签（2号签）
艾斯·贝利 (Ace Bailey)
2029年首轮签（爵士、骑士和森林狼中顺位最高的一个；前5顺位保护，即第6-30顺位）
NBA选秀史上的前两位选秀权还从未直接互换过。让我们来改变这一点。
奇才队应该利用外界长期报道的爵士队对AJ·迪班萨 (AJ Dybantsa) 的兴趣，在选秀最前端进行顺位互换。在去年的乐透抽签中错过贝利后，华盛顿可以将其收入囊中，并在2号顺位选中达林·彼得森 (Darryn Peterson)，从而一次性填补两个明显的阵容漏洞。这样一来，奇才队下赛季就可以拥有一套由安东尼·戴维斯 (Anthony Davis)、特雷·杨 (Trae Young)、亚历克斯·萨尔 (Alex Sarr)、凯肖恩·乔治 (Kyshawn George)、彼得森和贝利领衔的轮换阵容。
在连续四年进入乐透区后，爵士队应该愿意支付溢价，将迪班萨确立为他们的下一位特权球员。这位前杨百翰大学（BYU）的前锋在高中时搬到了犹他州，他将成为小贾伦·杰克逊 (Jaren Jackson Jr.) 充满活力的前场搭档。贝利在上赛季的新秀年展现出了潜力，但对于急需像迪班萨这样真正基石球员的爵士队来说，他不应该被视为非卖品。 – 戈利弗
马克斯分析： 如果爵士队认为这届选秀中有三个顶级新秀：迪班萨、彼得森和卡梅隆·布泽尔 (Cameron Boozer)，那么这笔交易就无从谈起。然而，如果犹他方面认为迪班萨就是他们一直在等待的世代级天才，那么以牺牲贝利和一个未来首轮签为代价向上交易一个顺位是值得探讨的。（不过，我不太赞成在这样的交易中放入未来的首轮签。）
对于华盛顿来说，向后退一个顺位是值得考虑的，尤其是如果这能让他们在6月份做出选择之前就得到贝利和一个未来的选秀权。即使不包含2029年的首轮签，这种方案对奇才队来说依然值得考虑。
篮网升至3号签，瞄准布泽尔
布鲁克林篮网获得：
2026年首轮签（3号签）
孟菲斯灰熊获得：
2026年首轮签（6号签）
2030年首轮签
2032年首轮签
布鲁克林应该通过推入大笔筹码来弥补他们在乐透抽签之夜的糟糕运气，将卡梅隆·布泽尔锁定为前场核心和具有商业价值的球队门面。
尽管在去年的选秀中通过在首轮选中五名球员创造了历史，但篮网队依然缺乏明确的球队定位，他们需要一名在场上和场下都像布泽尔一样成熟的球员。鉴于将于2027年生效的NBA选秀改革，在这届选秀中向上交易的代价可能会非常高昂，但布泽尔在他惊艳的大一赛季中证明了自己是一个高回报、低风险的潜力股。
当NBA实行新的“3-2-1”选秀乐透规则时，灰熊队分到了一手烂牌，这贬低了他们最近从爵士队获得的那个首轮签。向后退三个顺位以换取两个无保护的首轮签可以缓解这一痛苦，而且在6月份的6号顺位上应该依然有优质的新秀可供选择。 – 戈利弗
马克斯分析： 我理解向上交易三个顺位去选布泽尔或凯莱布·威尔逊 (Caleb Wilson) 的诱惑力，尤其是在布鲁克林连续两个赛季在积分榜垫底、却连一个前五顺位的选秀权都没拿到的情况下。但是，篮网队牺牲自己未来的两个无保护选秀权是不值得冒这个风险的。送出在米卡尔·布里奇斯 (Mikal Bridges) 交易中获得的三个尼克斯无保护首轮签中的两个，或许是更明智的选择。
与此同时，孟菲斯需要权衡，两个未来的首轮签是否值得让他们冒着选不到布泽尔或威尔逊的风险。
面对未来与文班的更多交锋，雷霆向上交易选秀权以引进大个子
俄克拉荷马城雷霆获得：
2026年首轮签（10号签）
密尔沃基雄鹿获得：
2026年首轮签（12号签）
2026年首轮签（17号签）
雷霆队总经理萨姆·普雷斯蒂 (Sam Presti) 再次发现自己手里的选秀权多到下赛季无法合理分配上场时间。鉴于需要跟上圣安东尼奥马刺队的步伐，在这个赛季打包多个选秀权进行针对性打击是一个特别有吸引力的选择。
在俄克拉荷马城雷霆队西部决赛出局暴露出需要更多内线深度来应对维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama) 之后，普雷斯蒂可以通过将雷霆队的两个2026年首轮签送给雄鹿队，来增加选中阿代·马拉 (Aday Mara) 的机会。这位身高7英尺3英寸的中锋是密歇根大学夺得NCAA冠军的关键球员，他的身材和技术结合使他能够在攻防两端都对比赛产生影响。
如果雄鹿队在今年休赛期交易走扬尼斯·阿德托昆博，该球队将需要尽可能多的机会来获取他们的下一位基石球员。密尔沃基最近的选秀记录实在不尽如人意，现在是时候开始为新任主教练泰勒·詹金斯 (Taylor Jenkins) 的阵容补充有实力的年轻球员了。 – 戈利弗
马克斯分析： 在这笔交易中，雷霆队将通过马拉获得内线高度，并部分解决他们的阵容拥挤问题。在不计入这两个选秀权的情况下，俄克拉荷马城在进入6月份选秀时将有15名合同在身的球员。（这将是雷霆队连续第六次在选秀中进行涉及其首轮签的交易。）
对于雄鹿队来说，这笔交易可能要等到排在他们前面的九支球队做出选择后才会发生。考虑到密尔沃基在2031年之前都无法控制自己的首轮签，这笔交易将为球队注入年轻活力。
如果雄鹿队决定接受我们的下一个提议，他们最终可能会带着三个前17顺位的选秀权离开。
阿德托昆博去哪儿大戏尘埃落定——迈阿密重磅交易达成
迈阿密热火获得：
扬尼斯·阿德托昆博
密尔沃基雄鹿获得：
2026年首轮签（13号签）
泰勒·希罗 (Tyler Herro)
凯莱尔·韦尔 (Kel’el Ware)
尼古拉·约维奇 (Nikola Jovic)
2029年首轮签
2031年首轮签
雄鹿队联合老板吉米·哈斯拉姆 (Jimmy Haslam)上个月表示，他希望在“选秀前”解决阿德托昆博的去留问题，因此现在是重新审视潜在重磅交易的绝佳时机。关于选秀，迈阿密拥有的一个优势是其2026年的首轮签，这将给雄鹿队带来两个乐透签。其他潜在的阿德托昆博追求者，如奥兰多魔术队和波特兰开拓者队，无法提供同等的筹码。
在这笔交易中，密尔沃基收获了大量的年轻天赋，包括三个首轮签和22岁的中锋韦尔，而迈阿密在连续四个赛季参加附加赛后，其上限将得到显著提升。也许密尔沃基会坚持索要更多的选秀资产，或者希望迈阿密在接手阿德托昆博的同时再吃下一个垃圾合同。但鉴于目前针对他的交易市场反应平淡，且各方都渴望达成协议，这似乎是一个合理的交易框架，能将这位两届MVP送往南海岸。 – 克拉姆
马克斯分析： 在选秀前所有可能的阿德托昆博交易方案中，这一笔是最干净利落的。因为热火队在这笔交易中将接纳更多的薪资——迈阿密的13号签不计入送出薪资——他们将被硬性限制在第一土豪线（first apron）。然而，他们仍有足够的灵活性来续约诺曼·鲍威尔 (Norman Powell)，并在自由市场上填补阵容的其余部分。（由于约维奇新秀合同提前续约中的“毒药条款”限制，这笔交易要到7月6日才能正式生效。）
至于密尔沃基，他们将获得第二个乐透签，以及前全明星球员希罗和首发级别的韦尔。这一举动将立即给雄鹿队带来三个问题：
- 热火队的第六人小哈梅·哈克斯 (Jaime Jaquez Jr.) 是否应该被纳入交易？
- 希罗是他们未来计划的一部分，还是会被放入另一笔交易中？（这位后卫正处于一份价值3300万美元的到期合同中。）
- 随着韦尔的加入，中锋迈尔斯·特纳 (Myles Turner) 该何去何从？
国王交易挺进前五以寻找后卫
萨克拉门托国王获得：
2026年首轮签（5号签）
洛杉矶快船获得：
2026年首轮签（7号签）
2031年首轮签（来自森林狼）
国王队需要一名高上限的控球后卫，而在乐透抽签前从第五顺位跌落后，向上交易到5号签将确保他们在第一梯队的四名新秀被选走后，能够选到他们在这个位置上的首选目标。
对于快船队来说，这笔交易依然能让他们得到一名有前途的新秀，同时还提供了一个额外的未来选秀资产。考虑到他们依然无法控制自己2027年、2028年或2029年的选秀权，并且一旦NBA完成对Aspiration案件的调查，他们可能会失去更多的选秀资产，他们确实需要这个资产。
在选秀前列向上交易几个顺位的通行代价通常是一个未来的首轮签；这就是独行侠队在2018年从5号顺位向上交易到3号顺位以选择卢卡·东契奇 (Luka Doncic) 时给老鹰队的筹码，也是76人队在2017年从3号顺位向上交易到1号顺位以选中马基尔·富尔茨 (Markelle Fultz) 时给凯尔特人队的筹码。考虑到从7号顺位移动到5号顺位的影响力没有那么大，这个价格在这里可能显得有些过于昂贵，但国王队送给快船队的是森林狼队的2031年选秀权，而不是他们自己的。 – 克拉姆
马克斯分析： 在一届5到9号顺位之间差距极小的选秀中，以一个未来受保护的首轮签为代价向上移动两个顺位是昂贵的。国王队的管理层需要确信这届选秀中有五个能产生重大影响的新秀，才会做出这样的交易。
在这种交易结构下，快船队最终将把伊维察·祖巴茨 (Ivica Zubac) 转化为7号签以及两个无保护的首轮签——分别是2029年（来自步行者）和2031年（来自森林狼）。
黄蜂为年轻核心阵容增添前十顺位选秀权
夏洛特黄蜂获得：
2026年首轮签（9号签）
达拉斯独行侠获得：
2026年首轮签（14号签）
2026年首轮签（18号签）
雷霆队并不是唯一一支拥有两个首轮中段选秀权、可以打包用于潜在向上交易的球队。对于夏洛特来说，这可能是一个很有吸引力的选择，因为他们已经拥有了许多很有前途的年轻球员——包括孔·克内佩尔 (Kon Knueppel)、莱恩·卡尔克布伦纳 (Ryan Kalkbrenner) 和塞恩·詹姆斯 (Sion James) 这三位即将步入二年级的潜力新星——而且在目前这个阶段，他们可能对质量比对数量更感兴趣。交易进入前十顺位将给黄蜂队带来另一位具有明星潜质的年轻人。
另一方面，达拉斯可能更倾向于数量，因为库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg) 和德里克·莱夫利二世 (Dereck Lively II) 是球队中仅有的处于新秀合同且具有高上限的球员。独行侠队也无法控制自己2027年、2028年、2029年或2030年的首轮选秀权，因此他们无法指望在未来几年有顶级年轻天才的注入。从这个角度来看，利用这次机会拿下两名新秀而不是一名——再加上他们已经拥有的30号签所选中的任何人——是合乎逻辑的。 – 克拉姆
马克斯分析： 通过打包两个首轮签，夏洛特将向上移动五个顺位，并可以摘下阿代·马拉或亚克塞尔·伦德博格 (Yaxel Lendeborg) 这样的大个子，这两名球员不太可能掉到14号顺位。黄蜂队在明年的选秀中仍将保留三个首轮签：他们自己的、一个来自达拉斯（前2顺位保护）以及另一个来自迈阿密（前14顺位保护）。
对于达拉斯来说，此举将创造急需的选择灵活性，使他们在6月的选秀中拥有三个首轮签（14号、18号、30号）。在2031年之前无法控制自己首轮签的情况下，独行侠队可以交易走18号签以换取未来的选秀权，或者继续在弗拉格身边围绕年轻天才。然而，保留所有三个首轮签将使达拉斯在进入自由市场时仅剩下一个空余的阵容席位。
马克斯的裁决：对整个联盟影响最大的交易是……
阿德托昆博加盟迈阿密。 考虑到评估这届选秀中选中的球员可能需要数年时间，答案必须是涉及阿德托昆博的交易。热火队将得到一位处于巅峰期后半程的特权球员和两届MVP；阿德托昆博将在今年12月满32岁。
但迈阿密将立即面临围绕31岁的阿德托昆博和即将年满29岁的阿德巴约 (Bam Adebayo) 构建争冠阵容的挑战，这两位球星将占用高达1.08亿美元的薪资空间。
随着旷日持久的交易大戏尘埃落定，密尔沃基将把一个难以为继的局面转化为清晰的未来。两个乐透签（10号和13号）以及韦尔，为雄鹿队提供了三个可以围绕建队的年轻球员。（目前，阿德托昆博是雄鹿队阵容中唯一由其自己在首轮选中的球员。）
由生成式 AI 翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
点击查看原文：NBA draft 2026: Six big trade offers, featuring 11 lottery picks
NBA draft 2026: Six big trade offers, featuring 11 lottery picks
The 2026 NBA Finals are in full swing, with the New York Knicks holding a 3-1 series lead over the San Antonio Spurs. That doesn’t mean trade talk around the league is on hold.
Just look at last year’s Finals, when, just hours before Game 7 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers, Kevin Durant was traded to the Houston Rockets in what eventually became a seven-team blockbuster. As part of that move, the Phoenix Suns acquired the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft, which became Duke center Khaman Maluach.
Could any 2026 lottery picks change hands between now and the start of the first round on June 23? Perhaps in a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo?
ESPN NBA insiders Ben Golliver and Zach Kram have pieced together six big trade ideas, with picks Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10 all finding new homes. (The Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks, meanwhile, stand pat in our scenarios – so cue up that No. 4-for-No. 8 swap any minute now.)
After each trade proposal, ESPN NBA front office insider Bobby Marks plays general manager, examining the pros and cons for each franchise. He then picks the trade that would have the biggest leaguewide impact.
On to the deals, starting with a proposal that would make NBA history.
Jump to a trade:
Jazz, Wiz make history
Nets trade up for Boozer
OKC eyes size after WCF
Giannis traded before draft
Kings enter top 5 for guard
Hornets consolidate for No. 9
Illustration by ESPN
Jazz, Wizards pull off first-of-its-kind trade
Utah Jazz get:
2026 first-round pick (No. 1)
Bub Carrington
Cam Whitmore
Washington Wizards get:
2026 first-round pick (No. 2)
Ace Bailey
2029 first-round pick (most favorable of UTAH, CLE and MIN; if 6-30)
The first two picks in the NBA draft have never been traded for one another. Let’s change that.
The Wizards should capitalize on Utah’s long-reported interest in AJ Dybantsa by swapping spots at the top of the draft. After missing out on Bailey in last year’s lottery, Washington could add him and select Darryn Peterson at No. 2, thereby filling two glaring roster holes at once. The Wizards could then enter next season with a rotation led by Anthony Davis, Trae Young, Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Peterson and Bailey.
After four straight lottery trips, the Jazz should be willing to pay a premium to install Dybantsa as their next franchise player. The former BYU forward, who moved to Utah in high school, would be a dynamic frontcourt partner for Jaren Jackson Jr. Bailey showed promise last season as a rookie but shouldn’t be viewed as untouchable for a Jazz team that needs a true cornerstone such as Dybantsa. – Golliver
Marks’ analysis: This is a nonstarter if the Jazz think there are three top picks in this draft: Dybantsa, Peterson and Cameron Boozer. If Utah feels Dybantsa is the generational talent it has been waiting for, however, moving up one spot at the expense of Bailey and a future first-rounder is worth exploring. (I am not a big proponent of including a future first-rounder in doing so.)
For Washington, moving back one spot is worth a look, especially if it results in landing Bailey and a future pick before even making its selection in June. Even if the 2029 first-rounder is not included, this type of package is still worth considering for the Wizards.
Nets eye Boozer after moving up to No. 3
Brooklyn Nets get:
2026 first-round pick (No. 3)
Memphis Grizzlies get:
2026 first-round pick (No. 6)
2030 first-round pick
2032 first-round pick
Brooklyn should make up for its bad luck on lottery night by pushing in a big pile of chips to target Cameron Boozer as a frontcourt linchpin and marketable face of the franchise.
Despite making history by selecting five players in the first round of last year’s draft, the Nets lack a clear team identity and need a player with Boozer’s polish on and off the court. The price to move up in this draft could be steep given the NBA’s draft reforms, which go into effect in 2027, but Boozer proved to be a high-reward, low-risk prospect during his sensational freshman season.
The Grizzlies were dealt a tough hand when the NBA instituted its new “3-2-1” draft lottery rules, which devalued a first-round pick they recently acquired from the Jazz. Moving down three spots to land two unprotected first-round picks could ease that pain, and there should still be quality prospects available at No. 6 in June. – Golliver
Marks’ analysis: I understand the lure of moving up three spots to pick Boozer or Caleb Wilson, especially after Brooklyn positioned itself in the bottom of the standings in two straight seasons but won’t have a top-five pick to show for it. But the Nets sacrificing two future unprotected picks of their own is not worth the risk. Unloading two of the three Knicks unprotected picks acquired in the Mikal Bridges trade might be the smarter play.
Memphis, meanwhile, would need to weigh if two future first-round picks are worth the risk of not drafting Boozer or Wilson.
With more Wemby battles ahead, OKC moves up for a big
Oklahoma City Thunder get:
2026 first-round pick (No. 10)
Milwaukee Bucks get:
2026 first-round pick (No. 12)
2026 first-round pick (No. 17)
Thunder GM Sam Presti once again finds himself with more draft picks than he can reasonably find minutes for next season. Bundling multiple picks to make a targeted strike is a particularly attractive option this season given the need to keep pace with the San Antonio Spurs.
After Oklahoma City’s Western Conference finals exit exposed a need for more interior depth to deal with Victor Wembanyama, Presti could improve his chances of landing Aday Mara by sending the Thunder’s two 2026 first-rounders to the Bucks. The 7-foot-3 center was a crucial player on Michigan’s NCAA championship team, and his combination of size and skill enables him to impact the game on both ends.
If the Bucks move Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason, the franchise will need as many chances as it can get at acquiring its next foundational player. Milwaukee’s recent draft record has left a lot to be desired, and now is the time to start restocking the roster with capable young players for new coach Taylor Jenkins. – Golliver
Marks’ analysis: In this deal, the Thunder would get size in Mara and partially solve their roster crunch. Not including both picks, Oklahoma City will enter June’s draft with 15 players under contract. (This would be the sixth straight draft with Oklahoma City making a trade involving one of its firsts.)
For the Bucks, this trade likely would not happen until the nine teams in front of them make their selections. Considering Milwaukee has no control of its own first-rounders until 2031, this trade creates a youth infusion.
And if the Bucks decide to swing our next offer, they could potentially walk away with three picks in the top 17.
Giannis saga reaches its conclusion – with a Miami blockbuster
Miami Heat get:
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks get:
2026 first-round pick (No. 13)
Tyler Herro
Kel’el Ware
Nikola Jovic
2029 first-round pick
2031 first-round pick
Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam said last month that he’d like to resolve the Antetokounmpo situation “before the draft,” so it’s the right time to revisit potential blockbusters. Regarding the draft, one advantage Miami has is its 2026 first-rounder, which would give the Bucks two lottery picks. Other potential Giannis suitors, such as the Orlando Magic and Portland Trail Blazers, can’t match that.
In this trade, Milwaukee gains a heap of young talent, including three first-round picks and a 22-year-old center in Ware, and Miami raises its ceiling considerably following four consecutive seasons in the play-in tournament. Perhaps Milwaukee would hold out for more draft assets or want Miami to take back an onerous contract in addition to Antetokounmpo. But given the tepid trade market for him thus far and every party’s desire to get a deal done, this seems like a reasonable skeleton for a deal that would send the two-time MVP to South Beach. – Kram
Marks’ analysis: Of the possible predraft Antetokounmpo scenarios, this is the cleanest. Because the Heat would be taking back more salary in this trade – Miami’s No. 13 pick does not count as outgoing salary – they are hard capped at the first apron. However, they have enough flexibility to re-sign Norman Powell and fill out the remainder of the roster in free agency. (Because of the poison pill restriction in Jovic’s rookie extension, this trade cannot become official until July 6.)
As for Milwaukee, it would add a second lottery pick along with a former All-Star in Herro and a starter in Ware. This move would instantly create three questions for the Bucks:
- Should Miami sixth man Jaime Jaquez Jr. have been included?
- Is Herro part of their future, or would he be moved in another trade? (The guard is on an expiring $33 million contract.)
- What happens with center Myles Turner with the addition of Ware?
Kings trade into top five to find a guard
Sacramento Kings get:
2026 first-round pick (No. 5)
LA Clippers get:
2026 first-round pick (No. 7)
2031 first-round pick (via MIN)
The Kings need a high-upside point guard, and trading up to No. 5 – after they fell from the fifth position before the lottery – would ensure they get their preferred option at the position after the four prospects in the top tier are selected.
For the Clippers, this trade would still give them a promising prospect while also supplying an extra future draft asset. They could use it, given they still don’t control their own picks in 2027, 2028 or 2029 and might lose further draft capital once the NBA completes its investigation into the Aspiration case.
The going rate to move up a couple of spots near the top of the draft is generally a future first-rounder; that’s what the Mavericks gave the Hawks when trading up from No. 5 to No. 3 to select Luka Doncic in 2018, and what the 76ers gave the Celtics when trading up from No. 3 to No. 1 to draft Markelle Fultz in 2017. That price might be too rich here, considering moving from No. 7 to No. 5 isn’t quite as impactful, but the Kings would be sending Minnesota’s 2031 pick to the Clippers, rather than one of their own. – Kram
Marks’ analysis: In a draft that has very little separation among Nos. 5 through 9, moving up two spots at the cost of a future protected first is rich. The Kings’ front office will need to have conviction that there are five impactful prospects to make a trade like this.
In this construction, the Clippers would end up turning Ivica Zubac into the No. 7 pick and two unprotected firsts in 2029 (via Indiana) and 2031 (via Minnesota).
Hornets add top-10 pick to young core
Charlotte Hornets get:
2026 first-round pick (No. 9)
Dallas Mavericks get:
2026 first-round pick (No. 14)
2026 first-round pick (No. 18)
The Thunder aren’t the only team with two picks in the middle of the first round to package in a potential move up the board. That might be an appealing option for Charlotte, which already has a lot of promising young players – including three rising sophomores in Kon Knueppel, Ryan Kalkbrenner and Sion James – and might be more interested in quality rather than quantity at this point. Trading into the top 10 would give the Hornets another youngster with star potential.
Dallas, on the other hand, might prefer quantity, as Cooper Flagg and Dereck Lively II are the team’s only high-upside players on rookie contracts. The Mavericks also don’t control their own first-round pick in 2027, 2028, 2029 or 2030, so they can’t bank on an infusion of top young talent in the years to come. Taking advantage of this opportunity to grab two prospects instead of one – plus whomever they pick with the No. 30 selection, which they already hold – could make sense in that light. – Kram
Marks’ analysis: By packaging two first-round picks, Charlotte would move up five spots and can grab a big with Aday Mara or Yaxel Lendeborg, two players unlikely to slip to No. 14. The Hornets would still retain three first-rounders in next year’s draft: their own, one via Dallas (top-two protected) and another via Miami (top-14 protected).
For Dallas, the move would create much-needed optionality, with three first-rounders in June’s draft (Nos. 14, 18, 30.) With no control of their own firsts until 2031, the Mavericks can move off No. 18 for a future pick or continue surrounding Flagg with young talent. However, keeping all three firsts would leave Dallas with just one open roster spot heading into free agency.
Marks’ verdict: The trade with the biggest leaguewide impact is …
Giannis to Miami. Considering it could take years to evaluate the players selected in this draft, the answer has to be the Antetokounmpo trade. The Heat would get a franchise player and two-time MVP in the second half of his prime; Giannis will turn 32 in December.
But Miami would instantly face the challenge of building a championship roster around the 31-year-old Antetokounmpo and soon-to-be 29-year-old Bam Adebayo, with $108 million in payroll tied up between the two stars.
With the drawn-out trade saga now behind it, Milwaukee would turn an untenable situation into clarity. The two lottery picks (Nos. 10 and 13) along with Ware give the Bucks three young players to build around. (Currently, Antetokounmpo is the only player on the roster selected by Milwaukee in the first round.)
By NBA insiders, via ESPN