DeMar DeRozan — Chicago Bulls
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It’s been a tough couple of years for the Bulls. The ’21-’22 season was expected to be a resurgence, but injuries deflated a Chicago team that stormed out of the gates. Lonzo Ball hasn’t played in two years, and the remaining core has gotten stale. With Zach Lavine opting for season-ending foot surgery, all eyes have turned to veteran DeMar DeRozan and his next possible destination.
The Bulls do not face the same obstacles in searching for a DeRozan suitor as they may have with Lavine. That’s primarily due to DeRozan’s expiring contract, making it easier for teams to accurately calculate fair compensation for the 34-year-old wing.
Even in Year 15, DeRozan is as durable and capable a scorer as ever. Since entering the league, the only players who have scored more points than DeRozan are all former MVP’s — LeBron James, James Harden, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Stephen Curry. He’s appeared in all but two games this year. While he’s never been an impact player defensively, DeRozan’s offensive skillset would make him an ideal fit on teams that could use a boost in the half-court — such as the Heat, Lakers, or Magic.
Dejounte Murray — Atlanta Hawks
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Teams looking for a two-way star on the block will gravitate towards Atlanta’s Dejounte Murray. While the wiry guard isn’t a stopper by any means, he’s somebody who previously led the league in steals and is a willing rebounder. Murray’s time with the Hawks has been a bit of a disappointment.
The fit with Trae Young hasn’t panned out, and it seems like the team made a miscalculation pairing together the two guards. However, Murray has made the effort to improve in certain areas that will make him a potential fit on a contender. He’s enjoying a career year from beyond the arc, and has always been a solid passer who doesn’t turn the ball over much.
At just 27 years old, Murray is still in the age range for teams looking to build around their existing core. And, he comes at a highly discounted price compared to some of the other difference makers currently on the market (signed a four-year, $120 million extension last Summer). In terms of suitors, we’re looking at teams that need an offensive jolt like the Lakers, Knicks or Warriors, though Murray’s former team, the San Antonio Spurs, are also reportedly interested in a potential reunion.
D’Angelo Russell — Los Angeles Lakers
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What the Lakers did this offseason did not go unnoticed. They agreed to several mid-sized deals to improve their roster while also maintaining flexibility. The extension they handed out to D’Angelo Russell — a two-year, $35 million deal which included a player option — was almost certainly constructed to fit into a potential trade. With the Lakers struggling through the first half of the season, a move seems more imminent by the day.
Russell has done his part in improving his trade value. Since rejoining the starting lineup three weeks ago, Russell has been on a tear. Over his last 12 games, the former All-Star is averaging 23.7 PPG, 6.6 APG while shooting over 47-percent from three. He’s a skilled offensive player, and the Lakers have fared better when he gets involved early on in games.
However, this marriage was never built to last. While Russell’s play has improved as of late, the Lakers are headed nowhere fast with their current roster. Now with Jarred Vanderbilt potentially lost for the year, an already weak defense got even worse. Russell will likely be dangled as a trade chip to acquire reinforcements on that end of the floor. Lakers GM Rob Pelinka will once again be tasked with rebuilding this roster on-the-fly.
Malcolm Brogdon — Portland Trail Blazers
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Brogdon has never been long for Portland. The veteran guard was traded there this offseason in the deal that landed Jrue Holiday in Boston. It was a bit of a puzzling move even then, as the Blazers are stacked with young guards who need to see the floor. It does a rebuilding team no good to have Brogdon play in favor of Anfernee Simons, Scoot Henderson or Shaedon Sharpe. And, contending teams could certainly use Brogdon’s steady play in their rotation.
It helps that the injury-prone Brogdon is nearing the end of his current deal. He has just one season left after this ($22 million), and then will hit free agency. It makes a potential trade less risky for suitors, as the 31-year-old Brogdon will miss games at some point or another over the remainder of his contract. Still, teams can use his shooting and playmaking in the backcourt, and he’s a more malleable fit than some of the other guards on the market.
Brogdon can slot into just about any rotation in the league. One team to watch out for in a potential deal: the New York Knicks. New York sacrificed a bit of depth in the OG Anunoby deal, and could recoup some of that by bringing Brogdon in. He’s an ideal fit as a knockdown shooter alongside Anunoby, Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. If he stays out West, look out for the first-place Timberwolves to put in an inquiry. The backup guard spot behind Mike Conley Jr. could certainly use a boost.
Kyle Kuzma — Washington Wizards
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The Wizards are one of the worst teams in basketball, making all of their players potentially available via trade. Center Daniel Gafford will generate some interest as a shot-blocking big who finishes everything around the rim. Point guard Tyus Jones is also a potential target for teams looking for a heady playmaker. Washington hoped that it would be able to build around former Warrior Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma, though both are almost assuredly available if teams inquired. Poole has struggled mightily in his first year with the Wizards, while Kuzma has put up excellent numbers since leaving LA.
Kuzma did win a title with the Lakers back in 2020, but there are questions about his ability to aid a contending team in a larger role. He actually saw his minutes diminish for the Lakers throughout two postseason runs, averaging just 9.1 PPG in 27 playoff appearances.
Over the last three years, Kuzma has had the freedom to do whatever he wishes offensively and make as many mistakes as he’d like. His usage rate ranks tenth in the league ahead of names like Trae Young, Devin Booker, and LeBron James. An already established team acquiring Kuzma will not want him controlling the ball to nearly that degree. His best fit is likely alongside a playmaking guard, making him a strong target for the Pacers, Kings, Hawks, or Grizzlies.
