Patryk Stachowiak
With just under a month to go until the NBA trade deadline, the league has officially entered rumor season. Front offices are testing the market, agents are working the phones, and the list of potential trade targets is starting to crystallise.
This year, several major names are dominating the conversation. Trae Young’s future in Atlanta appears increasingly uncertain, Anthony Davis continues to hover in trade speculation in Dallas, and even the Phoenix Suns have found themselves dragged into public debate despite a strong start to the season.
On Monday, multiple updates added fuel to the fire — including rare, on-the-record commentary from an NBA owner. Here’s a full roundup of the latest NBA trade buzz.
Trae Young, Hawks actively exploring trade options
The Trae Young era in Atlanta appears to be nearing its conclusion. According to ESPN, the Hawks and Young’s representatives are actively working to find a trade that would send the four-time All-Star guard elsewhere before the deadline.
Young has spent seven-and-a-half seasons in Atlanta, establishing himself as the franchise face and making four All-Star appearances. However, the financial and strategic realities surrounding his next contract complicate any deal.
Young holds a $49 million player option for next season, meaning any team acquiring him must be prepared to offer a lucrative extension this summer. That limits the number of realistic suitors to franchises willing to view Young as a long-term cornerstone rather than a short-term upgrade.
One surprising possibility has emerged within the division. While inter-division trades remain rare, Atlanta may not have the luxury of being selective if the goal is to move off Young’s deal cleanly and avoid taking on long-term money.
The Hawks have also been linked to Anthony Davis in recent weeks, signalling a broader roster reset. Atlanta’s improved on-court performance without Young — particularly with Jalen Johnson assuming a larger offensive role — has only intensified questions about whether Young remains the organisation’s long-term focal point.
Young, for his part, is reportedly “open-minded” about a move, per ESPN’s Marc Spears, though he has not formally requested a trade. If Washington is willing to commit financially this summer, a move to the nation’s capital could appeal even if it means joining a rebuilding roster.
Suns owner Mat Ishbia shuts down Dillon Brooks speculation
The Phoenix Suns have quietly been one of the Western Conference’s biggest surprises. Sitting seventh at 21–14, Phoenix has rediscovered positive momentum after last season’s turbulence, capped by a dramatic Devin Booker buzzer-beater win over Oklahoma City.
Despite the strong campaign, speculation emerged that the Suns could look to sell high on certain pieces as part of a quick retool. Former NBA player DeMarcus Cousins added fuel by suggesting the Lakers pursue Dillon Brooks, proposing a deal that would send Austin Reaves to Phoenix.
While Lakers fans predictably pushed back, the most forceful response came from Suns owner Mat Ishbia. Ishbia publicly dismissed the idea on social media, stating that Brooks is “not going anywhere.”
It’s a striking vote of confidence for Brooks, who is averaging a career-high 21.4 points per game in his first season with Phoenix after arriving from Houston in the Kevin Durant deal.
Given his production and two-way impact, some contenders believed Brooks could be attainable. Ishbia’s comments, however, suggest Phoenix intends to ride out this season with its current core and see just how far this group can go.
Anthony Davis prefers extension in Dallas over trade
When the Mavericks dismissed general manager Nico Harrison, many around the league assumed an Anthony Davis trade would soon follow. Months later, that expectation has yet to materialise.
The central issue remains Davis’ contract. The veteran big man is seeking a massive extension this summer, and his injury history has made rival teams hesitant to surrender significant assets without long-term financial clarity.
According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Davis would prefer to remain in Dallas and sign an extension rather than be dealt. If he is traded, he is expected to want an extension agreed to as part of any deal.
Davis is owed $120 million over the next two seasons, including a $63 million player option for 2027–28. This summer, he will be eligible for a four-year, $275 million extension — a figure few teams are eager to commit to.
Complicating matters further is Dallas’ long-term vision. With No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg now part of the franchise’s future, it’s increasingly unclear whether Davis is viewed as a true cornerstone.
That raises a difficult question for the Mavericks: is it better to move Davis for a suboptimal return, or risk letting him walk rather than committing to a massive long-term deal? With the deadline approaching, Dallas’ resolve will soon be tested.
Read also: Anthony Davis Trade Rumors: Mavericks Open to Deals Involving Multiple Players
Wizards emerge as legitimate Trae Young suitor
Adding another layer to the Trae Young saga, Marc Stein reports that the Washington Wizards are a “legitimate potential trade destination” for the All-Star guard.
A deal could be structured around CJ McCollum’s expiring contract to make the finances work. Washington, currently in the midst of its third straight tanking season, may view Young as the type of offensive engine worth betting on to accelerate its rebuild.
Whether that gamble aligns with Young’s long-term ambitions remains to be seen — but as the deadline draws closer, momentum around a deal continues to build.