Now that the 2023 NBA Draft has come and gone, the NBA offseason is officially underway. Free agency and Summer League are both rapidly approaching, and there is set to be a ton of movement around the league. Whether this be through signings or the trade market, by the start of next year, plenty of players will be donning new threads.
So far, Bradley Beal has joined the Phoenix Suns, Chris Paul was sent to the Golden State Warriors, Jordan Poole is now a member of the Washington Wizards, Kristaps Porzingis was moved to the Boston Celtics, and Marcus Smart was shipped to the Memphis Grizzlies. And with teams like the Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors stuck in the middle, there’s bound to be a lot more moves.
With all that in mind, here are the five biggest storylines to keep an eye on as the NBA offseason continues to push forward.
NBA Trade Rumors: 5 biggest trade storylines to monitor this offseason: Damian Lillard
Any and all things Damian Lillard should be held under a magnifying glass this summer, as the Portland Trail Blazers have multiple directions they could go in. The front office has signaled its desire to keep Lillard and build around him, but with Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, and Anfernee Simons, they could trade Lillard and kickstart an easy rebuild.
NBA Trade Rumors: 5 biggest trade storylines to monitor this offseason: Zion Williamson
There’s been a ton of smoke surrounding Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans this summer. From reports that he doesn’t have a relationship with the organization to the idea that the Pelicans want to trade him, it feels as though the former first-overall pick may have played his last game in a New Orleans uniform.
NBA Trade Rumors: 5 biggest trade storylines to monitor this offseason: Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors
This is more about the general idea that some teams could choose to rebuild or go all in. Teams like the Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors could either hit the reset button or add pieces and attempt to compete this summer. However, if they choose the former, teams around the league will come swarming in an attempt to strike a deal.
NBA Trade Rumors: 5 biggest trade storylines to monitor this offseason: New York Knicks and Miami Heat
In the same vein as the previous idea, teams like the Miami Heat and New York Knicks could look to go all in and make a splash. Tyler Herro and RJ Barrett are two of the best trade assets on the market, and either one could be exchanged for a new star.
NBA Trade Rumors: 5 biggest trade storylines to monitor this offseason: Atlanta Hawks
According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN on the “Brian Windhorst and the Hoop Collective podcast,” the Atlanta Hawks are under a mandate from ownership to get under the luxury tax. This means they could be forced to trade players like Clint Capela, John Collins, Bogdan Bogdanovic, or De’Andre Hunter, opening the doors for potential trades.
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Story originally appeared on Lonzo Wire