U.S. Media Reveals Top 10 Trade Targets Ranking: Garland Tops the List, Durant Third, Irving Fourth, Davis Sixth

As of September 12, Beijing time, the grand "trade marketplace" of the basketball world—the 2026 NBA offseason—is heading into its final stretch. The potential trade for Leonard to return to the North is still pending, Duren's restricted free agency remains unresolved, but the rest of the notable player items on the summer agenda have been completed. The trade market has largely fallen silent for now.

Of course, this state of affairs won't last forever. In fact, once teams open training camps later this month, assess the quality of their current rosters, and—more importantly—identify what they still lack, the trade market could become active again at any moment. Well-known U.S. media outlet Bleacher Report states that now is the perfect time to survey the trade landscape, filter, and rank players who are potentially available. The following 10 players have all been mentioned in trade rumors or at least speculated to be trade candidates. Bleacher Report subjectively assessed their trade value and ranked them based on factors such as consistent on-court performance, contract status, age, and growth ceiling.

10. Jimmy Butler | Golden State Warriors

If the Warriors plan to overhaul their roster—perhaps to convince Curry to sign an extension—they would need to send out a large salary to match a trade. Butler's expiring contract worth $56.8 million fits the bill perfectly, especially since he still needs more recovery time from his ACL injury.

There is currently no direct indication that the Warriors are pursuing a major trade involving Butler, but ESPN's Windhorst mentioned on a show that "Butler could be placed into a trade framework as a large expiring contract."

Butler's trade market outlook is unclear: he will turn 37 this month, and his availability has always been a concern. However, he remains attractive to two types of teams: those looking to clear cap space before the 2027 free agency window, and those seeking mid-season reinforcements with a six-time All-Star who has a strong playoff track record.

9. Aaron Gordon | Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets are the only team in the league sitting in the second apron zone, with salary pressure far exceeding other teams. They have already traded away promising wing Peyton Watson to alleviate this, and there are reasons to speculate that the Nuggets may need to make further trades to balance their books.

If the Nuggets are willing to make another sacrifice, Gordon would be the most logical candidate. NBA reporter Marc Stein reports that in multi-team discussions earlier this offseason, Gordon was described as the player with "the highest level of trade interest." This makes sense, as Gordon's two-way versatility could meet the needs of many buyer teams.

However, his availability has been subpar, playing only 87 games combined over the past two seasons. As he approaches his 31st birthday, his injury concerns are unlikely to improve. Additionally, he just started a three-year, $103.6 million extension. While the contract provides stability, its size makes it difficult for contending teams to fit into their salary budget.

8. Michael Porter Jr. | Brooklyn Nets

Porter has long been a frequent trade candidate. At 28, he is in his prime, but the team is in a deep rebuild, creating a clear timeline mismatch. Coupled with his career-best season last year (24.2 points per game, 3.4 three-pointers made per game), the Nets might want to sell high.

Adding to that, his contract is expiring with a salary of $40.8 million, fueling trade rumors. Brian Lewis of the New York Post said on a podcast: "Unless the Nets extend him, I would be very surprised if Porter is still on the team by the trade deadline."

Porter is 6'10", an excellent shooter with a career 39.8% three-point percentage, making his trade appeal obvious. However, his primary role is as an outside shooter; he is not a strong playmaker and his defense is inconsistent. For a player with such a high salary, his skill set is somewhat one-dimensional.

7. Jrue Holiday | Portland Trail Blazers

The Trail Blazers have more starting-caliber guards than starting spots in the backcourt. This situation cannot persist.

The Athletic's Jason Quick previously reported that Portland "does not feel compelled to trade a guard," but the report also noted that the Blazers "want to add frontcourt depth and are aware of the backcourt logjam." In theory, anyone on the team could be traded, but Damian Lillard is still recovering from an Achilles tear; Scoot Henderson would be selling low if traded now; and the Blazers recently acquired Ja Morant at a discount.

By this logic, Holiday becomes the most likely to be moved, and the market is more receptive to him. He is older (36) and his salary isn't cheap: $34.8 million this season, with a $37.2 million player option next season. However, he contributes on both ends, can play with or without the ball, and has been a key role player on two championship teams. While he won't fetch a huge return, he could almost certainly bring back at least one first-round pick.

6. Anthony Davis | Washington Wizards

The Wizards seem happy to keep Davis in Washington, but it's unclear if Davis himself feels the same. Perhaps he would be willing, provided the offer is generous enough—specifically, a max contract. When Davis rumors circulated earlier in the offseason, Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor reported that "rumors suggest Davis is demanding a full max from the Wizards, but would accept a lower salary if traded to a contending team."

In other words, Davis's willingness to stay is conditional. If the Wizards don't offer the max, tensions could erupt at any time. That said, why should the Wizards immediately offer that max? Davis needs to prove he can stay healthy—he has played more than 70 games in only one season since 2017-18. The team also needs to prove it can compete for a playoff spot in the increasingly tough Eastern Conference.

So "The Brow" could soon be put on the block. At 33, with a concerning injury history and high contract expectations, not all teams will be willing to take the risk. But for teams undeterred by these risks, he remains highly desirable: when healthy, he is a defensive anchor (2023-24 All-Defensive First Team) and can consistently and efficiently score 20+ points.

5. Jarrett Allen | Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers are going all-in for a championship. This offseason, they spent $370 million to form a backcourt of Mitchell and Harden, and traded an unprotected future first-round pick to acquire Watson along with an $88 million contract. Such sacrifices indicate that the team believes it has a chance to contend for a title.

But what if the Cavaliers still can't break into the league's elite? This core has yet to prove it can compete with the East's top teams—last season they finally made the Eastern Conference Finals but were swept. This summer, the strength of Eastern Conference contenders has risen again.

If the Cavaliers decide they cannot contend, they won't be able to sustain such high payroll costs. Heavy's Shodhvini reports that at that point, Allen would be "the most likely player to be traded." Allen's skill set is somewhat limited, but his trade market could be strong. Few traditional pick-and-roll big men can impact both ends like he does, with a career 64.1% field goal percentage and three All-Defensive Team votes.

4. Kyrie Irving | Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks insist they have no intention of trading Irving, but skepticism from outsiders is understandable. Even if Dallas sees Irving as a mentor for Cooper Flagg, the 15-year age gap creates a timeline conflict.

As ESPN's Tim MacMahon put it: "Front offices around the league anticipate that one or both sides will eventually decide that parting ways is in their best interest." This seems more like a question of "when" rather than "if." The Mavericks would need a near-perfect season just to make the playoffs in the West.

Teams desperate for scoring and aiming for a championship will hope Dallas confirms early that it cannot contend. Irving is an excellent addition to solve offensive problems. The nine-time All-Star boasts flashy ball-handling, 180-club efficiency, clutch shot-making, mature passing, and seamless on/off-ball play.

3. Kevin Durant | Houston Rockets

Last summer, the Rockets bet that Durant was the missing piece to launch them into title contention. But the result was identical to the season before his arrival: 52-30 in the regular season, followed by a first-round exit in six games.

Of course, that doesn't mean Durant is to blame—he remained his usual efficient self. But the Rockets might start questioning whether their young core can keep pace with a future Hall of Famer who turns 38 this month. Trading him for assets better suited for long-term construction could be a rational move. However, Heavy's Davine cautions: "Many executives don't view Durant as a top-tier trade asset," so it's unclear what Houston could get in return.

That said, this is Kevin Durant, an all-time scorer who just made the All-NBA Second Team last season. Any contender looking to upgrade its offense will seriously consider acquiring him, despite his advancing age and uncertain guaranteed salary after this season (a $46.1 million player option for 2027-28).

2. Trey Murphy III | New Orleans Pelicans

Many players ranked below him have more accolades and fame than Murphy. But this list isn't about fame—it's about **trade value**, and in that regard, Murphy beats almost every other potential trade target on the market.

Murphy is 26, a coveted 3-and-D wing with more scoring explosiveness than traditional 3-and-D players. His salary is relatively friendly: $87 million total over the next three years. The only uncertainty is whether the Pelicans are willing to let him go. Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor reports that New Orleans "has turned down all trade offers and hopes to compete next season."

The Pelicans have lost a combined 117 games over the past two seasons and lack the capital to contend in the brutal West, so the "willingness to sell" question might be answered soon. Once the Pelicans budge, a bidding war for Murphy will be intense. He may not be a star, and his playmaking and self-creation are average, but he is extremely reliable and efficient as a supporting player.

1. Darius Garland | Los Angeles Clippers

Putting Garland at the top might surprise some. He has fewer accolades than most players on this list and is the least connected to trade rumors. Simply put, it's more of a speculation: the Clippers were penalized with five first-round picks stripped, depleting their future assets. The team might have to consider trading Garland to restock draft capital.

The Clippers' long-term outlook is now among the dimmest in the league, but trading Garland could turn things around. Such a deal might not fetch a massive haul, but a suitable buyer could likely send multiple first-round picks. At 26, Garland is already a two-time All-Star, with efficient scoring, solid playmaking, and untapped growth potential.

However, he has defensive shortcomings and a less-than-clean injury history. Also, demand for point guards across the league is generally not urgent. Nevertheless, teams lacking a quality point guard would immediately feel a huge upgrade with him. His age and experience are well-balanced, making him attractive to both win-now contenders and rising teams that are one piece away from a breakthrough.