The Fantasy Basketball Vibe Check: 10 players who could be traded and the potential fallout

The NBA trade season is in full swing, with the Warriors acquiring Dennis Schröder and the Pacers dealing for Thomas Bryant last week. For fantasy basketball managers, it’s time to follow the rumor mill and observe potential moves that could dramatically shake up value charts and waiver wires. Here’s a breakdown of players who might be on the move and their potential fantasy basketball impact.

Jimmy Butler – SF/PF, Miami Heat

• The Situation: The Heat are reportedly open to trade calls for Butler. He’s 35 with a heavy price tag but remains a game-changer on both ends of the floor. With a player option for next season, Butler could opt for free agency this summer — leaving the Heat with nothing in return.

• Why a Trade Makes Sense: Miami doesn’t appear willing to offer him an extension, so offloading him for assets now makes sense to continue to compete and build around younger players like Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro.

• Fantasy Impact: Butler’s coming off one his best statistical performances ever — 35 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists with 5 stocks in a loss to the Pistons Monday night. I don’t think he’ll be traded, but if he is, the Warriors make sense given their win-now timeline, plus the draft capital or young players the Heat could net in return. Herro would benefit, but Butler’s fantasy value would likely take a hit if he were dealt to a contender.

Brandon Ingram – SG/SF/PF, New Orleans Pelicans

• The Situation: On an expiring contract, often injured, and the Pelicans are one of the worst teams in the NBA.

• Why a Trade Makes Sense: New Orleans hasn’t been willing to offer Ingram an extension that meets his expectations, so trading him for assets is a wise move before he walks into free agency. The problem? His market has been nonexistent since the summer. Getting new representation could help move things along, but time will tell.

• Fantasy Impact: Ingram is out indefinitely with an ankle injury, so we already know what to expect if he’s dealt — higher usage and shot volume for Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, Brandon Boston Jr. and Dejounte Murray. Boston Jr. is the primary option available on waivers that could be worth stashing.

Zach LaVine – SG/SF Chicago Bulls

• The Situation: LaVine’s hefty contract has soured his trade market. It doesn’t help that the Bulls are stuck in neutral as a middling playoff team trending toward a rebuild.

• Why a Trade Makes Sense: He’s been under-appreciated and has been on the block for a couple of seasons. Chicago needs draft capital and younger assets. Moving LaVine could jumpstart their rebuild.

• Fantasy Impact: A Bulls squad sans LaVine would significantly boost Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu. Ayo should be rostered in all leagues for his recent production and the chance to earn a greater workload if LaVine is traded.

Nikola Vučević – PF/C, Chicago Bulls

• The Situation: The veteran center is on a reasonable contract and is turning back the clock. Vučević is providing first-round value, averaging 21.1 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists with efficient shooting splits.

• Why a Trade Makes Sense: Um, sell-high?! He’s one of the most tradable assets on a struggling roster and several teams need a reliable big man.

• Fantasy Impact: The first-round asking price is probably rich, but the Warriors, Pistons and Pelicans could upgrade their frontcourts. It’s too early to stash PF/C Jalen Smith, but be ready whenever the rumors heat up.

Cameron Johnson – SF/PF, Brooklyn Nets

• The Situation: The sharpshooting wing has been efficient, providing 18.5 points per game on outrageous shooting splits.

• Why a Trade Makes Sense: Brooklyn is heading into a rebuild and might cash in on Johnson’s value for future draft picks.

• Fantasy Impact: Johnson’s been a sell-high for some time, but being rumored to be the next Brooklyn Net getting traded, fantasy basketball managers should deal him before it actually happens. He’s been exceptional this year, but a move to another team will impact his role, and he may not have the role or usage to sustain this level of production.

Jonathan Kuminga – SF/PF, Golden State Warriors

• The Situation: Kuminga’s heading into restricted free agency next year. Moving into the starting lineup is effectively an audition for whether he’ll be in the Warriors’ long-term plans or an eventual trade piece.

• Why a Trade Makes Sense: Golden State is in win-now mode as Steph Curry ages, and if the Warriors are unwilling to commit, it’s time to cash in and find another star to extend their championship window.

• Fantasy Impact: A move to a rebuilding team could skyrocket Kuminga’s minutes and usage, though that seems unlikely at the moment given the names associated with the Warriors. Still, the Brooklyn Nets would be a great landing spot for opportunity and development.

CJ McCollum – PG/SG, New Orleans Pelicans

• The Situation: The Pelicans should be sellers, and McCollum is a proven scorer and veteran leader stuck on a losing team. His $30M per year contract comes off the books at the end of the 2025-2026 season.

• Why a Trade Makes Sense: With New Orleans leaning toward a rebuild, unloading McCollum’s $30+ million contract to a team in need of experience and scoring depth could yield valuable draft picks or younger assets.

• Fantasy Impact: I want to see McCollum go to Orlando to provide a more effective and consistent scoring punch off the bench. Right now, the Magic’s top reserve is Mo Wagner. It’s a better real-life move than fantasy. I’d expect Jordan Hawkins to get more minutes if McCollum is moved.

Clint Capela – C, Atlanta Hawks

• The Situation: Capela is on a $22M expiring deal, making him a valuable defensive asset for contenders.

• Why a Trade Makes Sense: He’s been rumored to be on the trade block for years, and they’ve already extended Onyeka Okongwu. The Hawks don’t need to move him but if they don’t, he could walk in free agency this summer for nothing.

• Fantasy Impact: Okongwu and Larry Nance Jr.’s value will rise if Capela moves to another team, but I’m hesitant to say that the Hawks are ready to move on. He’s still a reliable and consistent rim-protecting center. But again, there are a handful of teams needing a big man.

Jerami Grant – SF/PF, Portland Trail Blazers

• The Situation: Grant is under a lofty four-year deal that could scare teams, but his efficient scoring and defense keep him attractive to contenders.

• Why a Trade Makes Sense: Portland is going nowhere fast and plenty of young players are waiting in the wings to get Grant to a contender.

• Fantasy Impact: Grant’s eventual exit would improve Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara’s fantasy value.

Collin Sexton – PG/SG, Utah Jazz

• The Situation: Sexton is a talented scorer but doesn’t align with Utah’s long-term plans.

• Why a Trade Makes Sense: The Jazz are developing a young core where Sexton can be expendable for draft capital or another piece.

• Fantasy Impact: Sexton on a guard-starved team (e.g., Denver) could mesh well as a high-usage reserve. Sexton’s fantasy value isn’t particularly high in Utah, and I don’t anticipate that changing unless he’s shipped to a team where he can be more of a playmaking guard than an off-ball scorer. Keyonte George and Brice Sensabaugh would benefit if Sexton is traded.