The NBA trade deadline is February 5 at 3 p.m. ET. As it nears, NBA trade rumors are swirling across the league.
Will the Bucks trade Giannis Antetokounmpo after he requested a trade? Will the Pelicans have a fire sale and move Zion Williamson? Is it possible the Pistons make a big move to improve their chances of winning the Eastern Conference?
Let’s get down to business and highlight some of the top NBA trade rumors and players who may be traded as the trade deadline approaches, plus the payouts for NBA Futures on PrizePicks Team Picks for players to be traded before the deadline.
With PrizePicks Team Picks, you can pick if players will be traded in the NBA futures section, plus pick on NBA spreads and totals to earn real money if you're right. Payout projections from NBA Player Futures are live as of the time of this publishing, but are subject to change.
Top NBA Trade Candidates: Kuminga, Giannis Favorites to Be Traded
PrizePicks Team Picks lists picks for over 20 NBA players to be traded. You can pick "Yes" or "No" on these players to be traded before the deadline to earn real money under "Player Futures" on PrizePicks.
Based on the current payout projections, Jonathan Kuminga, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Kyle Kuzma are three of the most likely players to be traded to a new team.
Here are the top NBA futures on players to be traded, plus projected payouts.
- Warriors F Jonathan Kuminga: Yes 1.25x Payout | No 2.85x Payout
- Bucks F Giannis Antetokounmpo: Yes 1.38x | No 2.32x
- Bucks F Kyle Kuzma: Yes 1.61x | No 1.88x
- Mavericks C Daniel Gafford: Yes 1.92x | No 1.19x
- Kings C Domantas Sabonis: Yes 2.04x
- Pelicans PF Zion Williamson: Yes 2.08x | No 1.51x
- Mavericks PF Anthony Davis: Yes 2.17x | No 1.08x
- Wizards SG CJ McCollum: Yes 2.32x | No 1.38x
- Clippers C Ivica Zubac: Yes 2.7x | No 1.28x
Payouts are based on your entry fee; for example, a $100 entry fee on Antetokounmpo "yes" to be traded would return an estimated payout of $138, while "no" would return $285.
NBA Trade Rumors to Watch: 4 Top Trade Candidates
Here are four of the top NBA trade candidates heading into the February trade deadline. Player NBA Futures winner payouts courtesy of PrizePicks Team Picks, where you can pick which player you think will be traded and earn money if your picks are right!
Bucks F Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo Traded before Deadline Payout via PrizePicks Team Picks: 1.38x Yes | 2.32x No
Rumored Destinations: Knicks, Spurs, Heat
Giannis is the biggest name currently in trade rumors. The two-time NBA MVP and nine-time All-Star is still in the prime of his career. While he is currently sidelined with a calf injury, his original timetable for a return is expected to be around four weeks.
Before he went down, Giannis was averaging 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game. He has spent his entire career with the Bucks, even leading the team to a title in 2021.
However, moves to make them a current championship contender have not panned out. Currently, they are 10-15 and occupying the 10th spot in the Eastern Conference. If Giannis wants another shot at winning a title, being traded to another team might be his best opportunity.
The Knicks have big contracts to be able to move in a trade for Giannis. Those contracts are attached to appealing players, too, with Knicks C Karl-Anthony Towns and/or Knicks F OG Anunoby likely to be in any package that would be sent to the Bucks.
The duo of Giannis and Knicks PG Jalen Brunson could push the Knicks to the top of the Eastern Conference for years to come.
Maybe the scariest landing spot for Giannis for the rest of the NBA would be the Spurs. They have tons of young talent to include in a trade, such as G Stephon Castle and G Dylan Harper. They also have plenty of draft picks to move.
Pairing Giannis with Spurs star C Victor Wembanyama could give Spurs’ fans the feeling of the glory days with Tim Duncan and David Robinson.
Payouts on Giannis Antetokoumnpo’s next team via PrizePicks Team Picks:
- Stay With Milwaukee or Retires: 2.63x Yes | 1.42x No
- New York Knicks: 3.33x Yes | 1.28x No
- Atlanta Hawks: 6.66x Yes | 1.06x No
- San Antonio Spurs: 9.09x Yes | 1.28x No
- Miami Heat: 11.11x Yes | 1.03x No
Pelicans PF Zion Williamson
Zion Williamson to be Traded Payout via PrizePicks Team Picks: 2.08x Yes | 1.51x No
Rumored Destinations: Kings, Hornets
Pelicans F Zion Williamson is one of the most talented players in the NBA, but he needs to be on the floor to showcase it. He appeared in just 30 games last season and has played at least 70 games in a season just one time during his career. Currently sidelined with an adductor injury, the Pelicans might be running out of patience with their star forward.
Teams might be leery of giving up a big package for Williamson because of his checkered injury history. The Kings have a guard-heavy roster and seem to love to make head-scratching moves, so they could be a player for Williamson.
An intriguing possible scenario would be the Pelicans trading Williamson in a deal to the Hornets for PG LaMelo Ball. He has had a similar career path as Williamson, with injuries preventing him from reaching his full potential.
Jazz PF Lauri Markkanen
Lauri Markannen to be Traded Payout via PrizePicks Team Picks: 3.57x Yes | 1.14x No
Rumored Destinations: Pistons, Warriors, Heat
The Jazz are well on their way to having one of the worst records in the league again. They are 3-7 over their last 10 games, which has lowered their record to 8-15 for the season.
That puts them 12th in the Western Conference. Complicating matters for them is that C Walker Kessler (shoulder) won’t play again until next season.
The future of the Jazz is likely to be F Ace Bailey, who they selected with the fifth pick in the 2025 Draft. Markkanen turns 29 years old in May, so he likely won’t be around when the team is finally good again. He also has three years left on his contract, so a team trading for him won’t get just a rental for the rest of the current campaign.
The Warriors have reportedly been interested in Markkanen before, but Warriors PF Draymond Green may have played a role in them not pushing harder to acquire him. The Pistons are sitting atop of the Eastern Conference, and if they decided to go all-in for a championship run the next few seasons, Markkanen could be an appealing addition.
Warriors F Jonathan Kuminga
Jonathan Kuminga to be Traded Payout via PrizePicks Team Picks: 1.25x Yes | 2.85x No
Rumored Destinations: Kings, Bulls, Heat
Despite signing a contract extension with the Warriors during the offseason, the team is expected to explore the trade market for F Jonathan Kuminga, who is the top favorite to be traded before the deadline as of writing.
While he was a starter to begin this season, his role has been in decline lately. He did not play at all in Sunday’s 123-91 win over the Bulls. Over the previous four games, he averaged only 19 minutes.
The Kings and Bulls could be two landing spots for Kuminga. The Bulls are loaded at guard, but are lacking depth at forward. The Warriors are a veteran-laden team, so Kings F DeMar DeRozan or Kings G Zach LaVine could interest them in a Kuminga trade.
Make NBA Futures Picks on PrizePicks
As we prepare to enter 2026, the NBA trade deadline will be front and center. In addition to Giannis, there are several other big names that are swirling in NBA trade rumors, with some impressive trade candidates on the block.
There’s still time to make your NBA futures picks on who will be traded this year on PrizePicks Team Picks. Just go to the PrizePicks app, open Team Picks, pick the player you think will or won’t be traded, and earn money if you're right on your pick.
Keep it here with the Playbook for continued NBA picks, predictions, futures, and more as the season moves along.
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