NBA trade rumors: Jaylen Brown, Kawhi Leonard lead players most likely to be dealt before free agency

Free agency hasn't started yet, but that hasn't stopped trade rumors from taking over the headlines. With teams already eyeing how to reshape their rosters, we've already gotten a mega-deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo, a surprising LaMelo Ball trade to the Wolves, Julius Randle going to the Nets, and a smaller Aaron Wiggins salary dump to the Hawks. 

Those likely won't be the only trades to happen between now and the official June 30 start time for free agency. If the past few days are any indication, teams are going to be aggressive this year in pulling the trigger on deals.

There could be another big name that moves soon, and there will be some smaller ones too. Here are the most likely candidates to get traded before free agency begins.

NBA DRAFT: First-round grades | Ranking teams' choices

Players most likely to be traded before the start of free agency

1. Jaylen Brown, Celtics

Best fits: Rockets, Hawks, Clippers, Wizards 

The relationship between Brown and the Celtics may be strained after he was included in failed Giannis trade talks. Boston has continued actively engaging in talks for their star, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. 

Celtics president Brad Stevens has emphasized Brown's value, but refused to state that Brown would definitively be on the opening day roster. 

"I’m never going to predict the future," Stevens told reporters Wednesday.

That's not exactly a ringing endorsement, and it seems likely Brown will be moved. The Celtics need to upgrade their center rotation and also add someone who can generate more paint touches. Brown is their best piece to address those weaknesses. He could be swapped for one of the other stars on this list. 

MORE: Jaylen Brown trade destinations: Where Celtics star could land

2. Trey Murphy III, Pelicans

Best fits: Warriors, Hawks, Pistons, Celtics, Lakers, Nets

Murphy is a premier shooter and scorer that a ton of different contending teams could use. He has signaled a desire to play elsewhere, according to The Athletic's Sam Amick, as he doesn't make a ton of sense for a rebuilding Pelicans team. 

Murphy has All-Star talent, and he's in the second year of a four-year, $112 million rookie contract extension that pays him a reasonable $27 million next season. That price point, along with his ability to fit into so many different situations, has driven up the market for him. The Pelicans have several offers to sift through. At this point, it's about choosing the best one. 

3. Kawhi Leonard, Clippers

Best fits: Spurs, Warriors, Rockets, Pistons, Raptors

Leonard is extension-eligible on July 6. If the Clippers can't come to terms on an agreement with the 34-year-old, then he could be moved. 

Leonard's status is being monitored by several teams, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. He is coming off a year where he was relatively healthy and earned MVP votes. He could completely change the playoff picture if he were to go to a contender. 

Insider Jake Fischer added on Thursday afternoon that Leonard would be open to signing extensions with the Raptors or Spurs if he were moved.  

4. Ja Morant, Grizzlies

Best fits: Magic, Rockets, Raptors, Hornets, Bulls

The Grizzlies already signaled the start of a rebuild by trading away Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane. Morant will be the next to go. 

"I think we've probably have seen the last moments of Ja Morant in a Grizzlies uniform," ESPN's Brian Windhorst said on Wednesday. 

Morant's value is at an all-time low, and he probably would have been traded already had there been any interest around the league. He's struggled through injuries, and he's making $42 million this season. 

There are a handful of teams that do need point guard help. It won't cost much to get Morant. 

MORE: Trade grades for Hornets-Timberwolves LaMelo Ball deal

5. Kyrie Irving, Mavericks

Best fits: Magic, Rockets, Raptors

Irving should be fully healed from a torn ACL that had him missing the entire 2025-26 season. The Mavericks need him at point guard, where they have the least depth on their team. But the 34-year-old doesn't match the timeline of their young team at all. The priority must be building around 19-year-old star Cooper Flagg.

Irving should have interest around the league. He was an All-Star during his last healthy season, averaging 24.7 points and 4.6 assists per game. The Mavericks should look for a trade to get a younger player and draft picks back.

6. Jarrett Allen or Evan Mobley, Cavaliers

Best fits: Celtics, Lakers, Wolves

Allen has been linked in a trade for LeBron James, and Mobley has been the rumored piece that would go back in a Jaylen Brown deal. The Cavs could be willing to part with one, because the pairing of their two talented big men hasn't really paid off in the playoffs. 

The Cavs have tip-toed around that issue by staggering their playing time. They need better roster balance though, and one of those two guys is the easiest way to upgrade their biggest hole at small forward. 

MORE: Trade grades for Bucks-Heat Giannis mega-deal

7. De'Aaron Fox, Spurs

Best fits: Magic, Hornets, Rockets, Blazers, Raptors, Celtics

Dylan Harper is ready to start games next year. Fox did not have a good Finals performance, and the Spurs need to prioritize players who can help them win it all.

The Spurs have stood by Fox, stating that they have a lot of confidence in him. But his contract is going to become more burdensome the longer they keep him. He's set to start a four-year, $229 million contract extension at the start of this season that will be one of the worst contracts in the league. 

MORE: 11 worst contracts in the NBA: Joel Embiid, Paul George, Zach LaVine among worst deals

8. Thunder bench players

Best fits: Bulls, Nets, Pistons, Lakers

Isaiah Joe and Thomas Sorber aren't exactly in the same class of names as the other players on this list. But the Thunder are likely to trade one of those players due to their financial situation.

Oklahoma City already dumped a good wing in Wiggins to the Hawks in order to save over $60 million on next year's luxury tax bill. Every few million that they cut in salary leads to an exponentially higher savings in that tax figure. Joe and Sorber are the most likely guys to get moved for little to no return.