NBA Intel: Warriors, Bucks, Suns, Hornets, more
With the NBA trade deadline roughly three weeks away, HoopsHype has gathered the latest intel on several trade candidates, including Nikola Vucevic, John Collins, Rob Williams, Jonas Valanciunas, Jusuf Nurkic, and more. Plus, reporting on what’s next for the Warriors, Bucks, Suns, Hornets, and more.
Warriors eying frontcourt help
Golden State Warriors franchise icon Stephen Curry has preached the importance of keeping the franchise in a good place long-term while remaining active on the trade market for potential moves to improve.
Amid Golden State’s trade market inquiries, prized young forward Jonathan Kuminga – who’s out with a sprained right ankle and eligible for restricted free agency this summer – remains a player Golden State is reluctant to part with, league sources told HoopsHype.
Ideally, the Warriors want to give Curry and fellow franchise stalwart Draymond Green another shot at competing for a championship in the latter stages of their careers, but they won’t mortgage future assets just to make a trade.
The Warriors have continued their due diligence on the trade market and inquired about potential frontcourt upgrades, including Nikola Vucevic, John Collins, Jonas Valanciunas, and Robert Williams, league sources told HoopsHype. Conversely, the chances of Golden State acquiring previously reported wing targets such as Jimmy Butler and Cam Johnson have decreased, sources said.
Vucevic, a two-time All-Star, is having the most efficient season of his career, shooting 55.6 percent from the floor and 42.2 percent from beyond the arc. Several NBA executives believe Vucevic could cost a first-round pick to pry him from Chicago, given how well he’s played through the first half of the season. Vucevic is also owed $21.48 million for the 2025-26 season.
While Utah has struggled toward the bottom of the standings, Collins has bounced back this season. Collins is shooting a career-high 43.8 percent from beyond the arc and 86.7 percent from the foul line while snatching a career-best 1.1 steals. The 27-year-old forward has a $26.58 million player option for the 2025-26 season, making his trade value harder to gauge.
Valanciunas and Williams are expected to command multiple second-round picks on the trade market, according to various NBA executives who’ve spoken to HoopsHype.
As a veteran mentor and backup to Wizards No. 1 overall pick Alex Sarr, Valanciunas has remained an efficient scorer and rebounder, averaging 11.6 points and 8.1 rebounds in only 19.8 minutes per game. Valanciunas is owed $10.40 million for the 2025-26 season and has a non-guaranteed $10 million salary for the 2026-27 season.
Despite being caught in a center logjam in Portland with Deandre Ayton, Donovan Clingan, and Duop Reath, Williams has averaged 1.7 blocks in 16.5 minutes per game, and he's owed $13.29 million for the 2025-26 season.
Will the Bucks duck the second apron for more flexibility?
With the Milwaukee Bucks roughly $6.5 million over the second apron, rival executives who spoke with HoopsHype are monitoring Pat Connaughton as a potential trade candidate.
If Milwaukee is able to shed Connaughton’s $9.42 million salary, the Bucks could avoid being a second apron luxury tax team and open up more flexibility to improve the team, which would include access to the mid-level exception, being able to trade multiple players in the same deal, etc.
While Connaughton is a beloved figure within Milwaukee’s organization amidst his seventh season, his role has diminished this season to 15.7 minutes per game and he’s been out of the team’s rotation for nearly half the season. Connaughton also has a $9.42 million player option for the 2025-26 season.
The Detroit Pistons have been the most logical destination for any potential salary dump across the league, given their $14 million in salary cap space.
More on the Hornets and Suns trade
Before the Charlotte Hornets agreed to send Nick Richards and a second-round pick to the Suns for Josh Okogie and three second-round picks, as ESPN first reported, a bigger trade structure was discussed, which ultimately fell through.
Phoenix was looking to include center Jusuf Nurkic in the trade talks for Richards and coveted Hornets swingman Cody Martin, league sources told HoopsHype.
However, Charlotte was not inclined to absorb Nurkic’s $19.38 million guaranteed salary for the 2025-26 season.
Martin, meanwhile, has a non-guaranteed $8.68 million salary for the 2025-26 season, making him a potential trade chip over the next few weeks.
What’s next for the Suns?
The acquisition of Richards shows Phoenix remains committed to improving in the immediate future.
With Kevin Durant’s long-term future and happiness at the forefront of Phoenix’s mind and starting point guard Tyus Jones eligible for unrestricted free agency and more money elsewhere this summer, there’s an incentive for the Suns to squeeze as much out of this season as possible.
The Suns will continue to explore the trade market for Jimmy Butler, their top target. Yet, Miami remains uninterested in Bradley Beal’s nearly $111 million owed over the next two seasons combined, and there’s no third team in sight to absorb his contract.
Phoenix will continue to gauge the trade market on Nurkic. The Suns also have their newly acquired 2025 second-round pick via the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix’s 2031 first-round pick to dangle as potential trade bait.
Sharpshooting swingmen Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale also have trade value around the league, but both players are signed to manageable salaries through the 2027-28 season, including Allen’s player option.
What’s next for the Hornets?
Charlotte remains focused on acquiring as much future draft capital as possible while developing its young core and putting the organization in a position for a potential high lottery pick in the upcoming draft.
The Hornets can flip the newly acquired Okogie before the deadline if he’s not aggregated in a trade. It’s also worth noting that Okogie’s $7.75 million salary is non-guaranteed for the 2025-26 season, giving Charlotte financial flexibility.
Martin and veteran point guard Vasilije Micić also remain potential Hornets trade candidates.
You can follow Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) on X, formerly known as Twitter.
List
Top NBA trade candidates for the 2024-25 season
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: NBA Intel: Warriors, Bucks, Suns, Hornets, more
