The NBA offseason usually has enough twists and turns to rival any reality show, but this summer may be especially noteworthy and could provide a “major reset” to the league, according to Spotrac’s Keith Smith.
Talking to front office folks, players and agents, it feels like this is shaping up to be one of those trade-heavy major reset summers for the NBA.
Poor FA class, looming super tax concerns and a whole bunch of teams thinking "Why can't we win it?" could lead to a lot of trades.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 9, 2023
With the Denver Nuggets on the verge of potentially ending the 2023 NBA Finals, all eyes will soon turn to the expected surge in player movement and teams setting themselves up to try to win next season’s title.
The Miami Heat went from the play-in round all the way to the NBA Finals this season, and while they may have met their match there, the unlikely run may have convinced other teams that anything is possible with just a few improvements.
The Los Angeles Lakers also took a surprising trip to the Western Conference Finals, and after they were swept by the Nuggets, a huge headline arose when LeBron James hinted at retirement. It’s almost universally thought that James will come back to play another season, but the rumor mill has already churned out the possibility of him ending up with a different team.
James obviously would be the most noteworthy name to switch teams. It’s unclear if that’s a realistic idea, but there are plenty of other familiar faces who could be wearing different uniforms come October.
Damian Lillard has suggested that he would welcome a trade to the Heat or Brooklyn Nets if he were to move on from the Portland Trail Blazers. James Harden isn’t quite sure if he wants to stay with the Philadelphia 76ers or pursue a reunion with the Houston Rockets. The Phoenix Suns are trying to decide whether to keep or part ways with Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton.
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks apparently are still planning to keep an eye on Donovan Mitchell moving forward and are monitoring Joel Embiid’s situation in Philadelphia.
Of course, fans also shouldn’t forget about all of the usual movement that will surround the 2023 NBA Draft, where one of the most decorated prospects in decades is about to join the league in Victor Wembanyama.
Whenever the ball stops bouncing and the Nuggets or Heat raise that championship trophy, there will be plenty of NBA wheeling and dealing to follow throughout the next few months.
