5 Trade Targets In 2025 That Could Flip The Deadline – Here’s Why

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By: Jessica Morrison

Alarmed By 5 Trades In 2025, fans should pay attention now. These five names – Sam Hauser, Coby White, Nikola Vucevic, Josh Giddey, and Jonathan Kuminga – keep popping in recent reporting as movable or marketable pieces. Teams facing the luxury tax or chasing depth are eyeing shooters, expiring contracts, and contract-renewal leverage that could unlock bargain deals. One surprise: a player publicly insisting he won’t leave can still become the season’s best trade chip. Which of these bargains would you want your team to steal?

Why These 5 trade targets matter for teams in 2025

• Sam Hauser could be moved as Boston tries to get under the luxury tax this season.

• Coby White is on teams’ radars amid contract questions and trade-fit upside.

• Nikola Vucevic remains valuable on an expiring deal, offering scoring and spacing.

• Josh Giddey represents playmaking upside teams prize if available.

• Jonathan Kuminga signed a $48.5M extension but recent comments could affect his market.

The 5 picks that feel like deadline bargains you’ll debate

1 – Sam Hauser – Why Boston May Trade Its Deadly Spot-Up Shooter

Sam Hauser’s 3-point stroke makes him coveted, and Sports Illustrated reports the Celtics may trade him to clear apron space. Hauser averaged 41.6% from three last season, which instantly raises his trade value for contenders needing reliable spacing. If you like efficient shooters, this is one to monitor for a low-cost, high-impact return.

2 – Coby White – Could White’s scoring make him the midseason trade gem?

Coby White averaged 20.4 PPG last season and the Bulls piece flagged him as a clear trade candidate amid roster uncertainty. Teams needing instant scoring depth view White as a buy-now piece; a contender could swap role players and picks for a scorer who slides into a high-usage spot. If you root for guard upgrades, would your team trade future picks for him?

https://twitter.com/nba/status/1951391235848941734

3 – Nikola Vucevic – Why an expiring big still moves the needle

Nikola Vucevic posted 18.5 PPG and 10.1 RPG, with a rare 40.2% from three for a center, per recent reporting. That combination of scoring and spacing is prized at the deadline, and teams short on reliable interior offense will call about him. Expect rival GMs to view Vucevic as a finishing-piece target, not a rebuild asset.

4 – Josh Giddey – Is playmaking the hidden currency this season?

Josh Giddey’s floor vision and age make him attractive if the Bulls pivot; he’s a candidate for teams prioritizing future upside plus immediate playmaking. Reports around Chicago flagged roster pressure and contract decisions, which often produce surprising moves. If your squad needs creation around a star, would Giddey be the buy?

5 – Jonathan Kuminga – How “I want to stay” might lower his trade premium

Jonathan Kuminga signed a two-year extension worth $48.5M, and he publicly said he wants to stay with Golden State, per Sports Illustrated. That public stance can cool demand or force teams to accept smaller packages, turning Kuminga into a surprisingly accessible high-upside asset. If contenders sense a discount, could Kuminga become the deadline’s hidden steal?

The key figures explaining why these targets are suddenly tradable

KPI Value + Unit Change/Impact
Hauser 3P% 41.6% Elite spacing increases trade demand
White scoring 20.4 PPG Immediate offensive upgrade for contenders
Kuminga contract $48.5M Affordable extension could lower asking price

What These Deadline Steals Mean For Fans And Contenders In 2025?

Small, targeted moves could swing playoff seeding and salary flexibility; bargain trades often decide deep runs. Expect at least one of these five to be the season’s most debated deadline move – which one would you trade draft capital for?

Sources

  • https://www.si.com/nba/celtics/news/celtics-predicted-to-trade-sam-hauser-this-season-by-insider
  • https://www.si.com/nba/bulls/news/two-bulls-stars-who-could-get-traded-during-2025-26-nba-season
  • https://www.si.com/nba/warriors/news/jonathan-kuminga-sets-record-straight-on-warriors-trade-rumors-01k6kntdbrsd

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