'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The merry-go-round of NBA trades has already begun. On Monday, the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans struck a deal involving Jonas Valancuinas, Eric Bledsoe, Steven Adams and the Pels No.10 pick in this year's draft.
With the NBA Draft on Thursday and free agency beginning at the start of next week, teams are trying to maneuver assets to make room for a big splash in the market. While not many of the league's biggest stars are available as free agents, there have been plenty of rumors surrounding All-Stars past and present who could become available via trade.
5 NBA stars who should try to change franchises
While it is difficult at times to pry away a star, it is more often than not worth it. The best NBA talent can potentially change the fortunes of a franchise and help them win in the short-term. Attaining them also becomes easy when the player has made it clear he wants to leave the current team he plays for.
In this article, we will take a look at five NBA stars who should try to switch teams. Often, players are hindered by long-term contracts that other sides are reluctant to take on, while some don't manage to develop a working relationship with their current teammates.
#5 Kristaps Porzingis
Although the scenario is ever-changing, it would not be surprising to see 'The Unicorn' depart Dallas in the offseason. A lot of the blame for the Mavericks' first-round playoff exit this year was placed on the 7-footer's shoulders, unfairly or not, and rumors began to spread that it could be time for the player and team to part ways.
However, with a new coach and new GM, it appears that Porzingis may stay put after all. Nevertheless, that does not rule out the potential for a trade.
Porzingis' fit in Dallas has been awkward. Although he has continued to average over 20 points a game, he takes fewer shots per contest than in his All-Star campaign and plays second-fiddle to franchise superstar Luka Doncic.
In the NBA postseason, Porzingis struggled in the paint, grabbing just five rebounds per game and shot at less than 30% from downtown. If he wants to be a franchise's go-to star on offense, he needs to leave the Mavs.
#4 Domantas Sabonis
By no means the biggest NBA star on this list but an All-Star in his own right, Domantas Sabonis should be looking to move out of Indiana. The Pacers have discovered that running two big men in Sabonis and Myles Turner is not working. Rumors suggest that they are looking to move one, if not both, of them this summer.
Sabonis has had back-to-back NBA All-Star campaigns and continues to improve as a flexible frontcourt option. He averaged career-highs in points (20.3), assists (6.7) and steals (1.2) this season to go along with 12 rebounds per game and a shooting accuracy of 53% from the field.
Those are some stellar stats for a player that teams could pick up on a contract that pays the former lottery pick just $38m over the next two seasons.
At 25, Sabonis' ceiling is still to be reached and he could continue to be one of the most dominant big men in the NBA. However, he needs a bigger stage to display that talent. The Pacers missed out on the playoffs in the 2020-21 campaign and sacked coach Nate Bjorkgren after just one season. Although they have hired the experienced Rick Carlisle again, Sabonis could definitely play for a big market organization.
#3 Russell Westbrook
The first domino to fall in Washington this summer could be Russell Westbrook. Mr. Triple-Double had an unbelievable campaign for the franchise, averaging 22 points, 11.7 assists and 11.5 rebounds. However, the franchise lacks maneuverability in the market due to Westbrook and Beal's huge contracts. Therefore, they are not going to be a side that can turn into title contenders overnights, something Westbrook will be all too wary of.
There are plenty of teams around the NBA who need an on-ball creator who can do it all. Westbrook led the league in assists this season and is a ferocious competitor on both ends of the floor. He will be desperate to join a winning team with the chance to earn a ring, something that has eluded him up until now in his otherwise stellar career.
The only problem for the 32-year-old is his aforementioned contract. Westbrook is due to receive a whopping $44m next year before his player option ahead of the 2022-23 season. Nobody is disputing that he is not worth that money, because he certainly is. However, teams such as the LA Lakers that have been linked with him will find it exhaustive to bring him in and would have to part ways with a number of assets to do so.
#2 Bradley Beal
Bradley Beal's future in Washington is very much dependent on Westbrook's. The 28-year-old is currently mulling over what to do after it was reported that he may request a trade prior to the NBA draft on Thursday. However, there have been no further developments on this story.
As mentioned, the Wizards are not able to compete right now for a title and may not be during Beal's prime years. They certainly won't be if Westbrook leaves and Beal is left to carry an even heavier load than he did this year, scoring over 30 points a night.
Therefore, it is time for the shooting guard to part ways with the organization that picked him up 3rd overall in the 2012 draft. Beal will want to make sure that he can make an impact on postseason games while in his prime scoring form, and will be eligible to sign a 35% max deal in 2022. Should he become available, like Westbrook, he will demand a lot of interest in the market and could cause an all-out war for his signature around the league.
#1 Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard has been without a doubt one of the best players in the Portland Trail Blazers' history. After his Rookie of the Year campaign, he has been named an All-Star six times and has made six All-NBA teams. His serial scoring and ability to make clutch shots have helped the organization reach the postseason for eight straight seasons and finish third in the West twice.
However, in four of the past five years, the team have dropped out of the playoffs in the first round. Even when they did get to the Conference Finals in 2018, they were swept by the Golden State Warriors.
With rumored disgruntlement at the franchise's hiring of new coach Chauncy Billups, it could be time for Lillard to move on. Indeed, teams around the league are waiting patiently for the time to come that he wants out, at which point, they will come flocking with huge trade packages.
Guess the Lakers players!
