NBA Rumors: The 5 Superstars Who Could Shake Up the Market During the Season

The transfer market distributed several stars among different NBA teams this summer, but the moves may not be over. The 2026-27 season could once again lead to significant changes, as conditions still exist for operations that could alter the competitive landscape.

Not all players who were candidates to be traded found a new destination during the summer, just as not all teams interested in adding talent were able to complete operations that could change their future. Therefore, there are still several names that could keep the rumor market active.

These are five stars who could once again be at the center of discussions about possible trades during the upcoming season.

Anthony Davis, Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards acquired Anthony Davis in February, and the center has yet to debut with the franchise, so a potential trade would mean a particularly quick separation. However, rumors about a possible break surfaced during the summer, and the circumstances that led to them are still present.

The objectives of both parties do not seem to align. Davis is 33 years old and is clearly in a stage of his career focused on immediate competition, while the Wizards continue to be immersed in a rebuild after recording three consecutive seasons with at least 64 losses.

Washington could improve significantly this season and still remain far from the championship race. That is not the outlook that Davis wants to pursue at this point in his career.

His contractual situation may also play an important role in discussions about a potential trade. Davis has a player option worth $62.8 million for next season and does not have a contract beyond that. Washington could try to extend his deal, but the cost could be substantial.

Kevin O'Connor of Yahoo Sports reported that there were "rumors that Davis is demanding the full max from Washington, but would sign for less if traded to a championship contender."

Therefore, the relationship between Davis and the Wizards does not seem stable. Other franchises may also perceive this situation and pressure Washington with inquiries about a potential trade, especially if the player proves to be healthy.

If he regains his best level, Davis could have enormous value for the right team, even considering the complicated negotiations he might face to extend his contract. The last time he played at least 60 games, in the 2023-24 season, he was an All-Star, included in the All-Defensive Team and the Second All-NBA Team.

His availability issues and contractual situation are real factors, but so is his historical performance. His career PER of 26.68 is the fifth highest in NBA history.

Darius Garland, Los Angeles Clippers

When the Los Angeles Clippers acquired Darius Garland at the last trade deadline, they could consider him a piece to build their future on the perimeter. However, many things have changed since then, and there is also the possibility that their plans with Garland have changed.

The franchise received another young offensive-minded guard, Keaton Wagler, in the Draft lottery. While both have enough resources to function together offensively due to their ability to play without the ball, the defensive issues that the pair could create might ultimately neutralize their offensive production.

But there is an even more important question. The Clippers learned about the penalties resulting from the investigation into salary cap violations, and the consequences were serious enough to impact the franchise's plans for organic project development.

The Clippers lost five first-round Draft picks, putting their future in a particularly complicated situation. The franchise needs to find ways to compensate for that deficit of picks, and a trade of Garland could provide considerable relief.

A team with offensive deficiencies that is willing to bet on a scorer could potentially give up multiple first-round picks to acquire the 26-year-old, two-time All-Star guard.

Garland stands out for his ball-handling, shooting range, and playmaking ability. In the past, he has come close to achieving efficiency of 50/40/90, often presenting a considerable difference between his assists and turnovers, and seems capable of producing more than the roughly 20 points per game he has averaged in offenses with multiple players tasked with creating.

Image

Tyler Herro, Milwaukee Bucks

Tyler Herro's return to his home state of Wisconsin might seem like the perfect argument for a movie-like sports story. A franchise that has been forcibly lost the best player in its history and recovers thanks, in essence, to a local hero. However, there are various factors that could lead that story toward a much less spectacular conclusion.

Herro himself acknowledged that uncertainty when he explained to Eric Nehm of The Athletic that his return home could last "two months, two years, whatever."

Herro should soon surpass the two-month mark, but that does not mean he is guaranteed to remain in Milwaukee for a full season or beyond. The Bucks could find themselves too far from any competitive window to justify keeping a 26-year-old All-Star instead of turning him into a trade for potentially significant long-term assets.

There is also the possibility that Milwaukee may not be willing to commit to Herro beyond his current contract, which expires at the end of the season, due to his profile as an offensive-focused player.

His offensive impact could also be reduced by the presence on the perimeter of Ryan Rollins, Kevin Porter Jr., and lottery pick Brayden Burries, in addition to playmaking-capable forwards Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nate Ament.

There are several factors that could bring Herro back into the center of rumors, and his arrival in Milwaukee could generate significant interest. His defensive shortcomings exist, but so does his evident offensive capability.

Herro is one of only six players who have averaged at least 20 points, four assists, and 2.5 three-pointers per game in each of the last five seasons.

Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks continue to insist they have a genuine interest in seeing how Kyrie Irving works alongside Cooper Flagg, the reigning Rookie of the Year. However, there are doubts about how long the franchise will maintain that stance and whether the value Irving may have on the trade market will ultimately be more attractive than keeping him in Dallas.

NBA journalist Marc Stein noted that rival teams "are still wondering aloud how long Dallas will maintain this position when the season begins and as the next trade deadline approaches on February 11."

Even if this skepticism includes some optimism from potential suitors, there are reasons to consider it. Irving and Flagg could fit well on the court, but it is impossible to reconcile the different points in their careers: Irving is 34 years old, and Flagg is 19.

And since the future of the franchise should be entirely tied to Flagg's development, Irving's current value for Dallas could ultimately depend solely on what the trade market dictates.

The positive side is that Irving should have a reasonable market. He has some weaknesses, such as an inconsistent injury history, several relationship breakups with previous teams, and an unresolved economic situation. Nevertheless, his track record may overshadow those drawbacks, especially for teams seeking scoring, shot-creation ability, and creativity.

The last time Irving played, before missing all of last season while recovering from an ACL tear, he was an All-Star and averaged 24.7 points with a shooting line of 47.3/40.1/91.6 in field goals, three-pointers, and free throws, respectively, along with 4.6 assists to 2.2 turnovers.

All of this occurred while he had to navigate around what the text describes as Luka Doncic's disastrous trade.

Norman Powell, Chicago Bulls

Among all the ways the Chicago Bulls could utilize their salary space over the summer, allocating a significant amount to Norman Powell before his 33-year-old season did not seem like one of the more expected options. However, both parties decided it was the right path, possibly as a consequence of what was and wasn’t available in the market.

Chicago agreed with Powell to a salary of $21.5 million for this season and a team option of $22.8 million for 2027-28. That contract structure could be interpreted as a signal that the relationship could be short-lived.

The Bulls continue to design their rebuilding project, and as Powell explained to Mark Medina of Fadeaway World, they have "the potential to be really good," but also "the potential to be really bad."

Betting houses lean toward the latter scenario, which could accelerate Powell's departure. The player had a case for being an All-Star in 2024-25 and was then selected to the All-Star during last season.

As an efficient secondary scorer, Powell averaged 21.8 points with a shooting line of 47.7/40/81.6 during this period. Additionally, he has a powerful three-point shot, extensive playoff experience, and the ability to create his own shots.

For a team aspiring to compete immediately and needing offensive reinforcements, Powell could be a valuable addition. Even if he only stays for part of the season, he would bring useful elements to the Bulls.

A championship contender that feels it is just one piece away from completing its roster might see Powell as the final necessary reinforcement to take the definitive step. Chicago, however, needs something completely different from what he can offer, although the franchise could value the experience he brings to a young locker room and any assets it could recover in a potential mid-season trade.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rumores NBA: Las 5 superestrellas que podrían agitar el mercado durante la temporada