Last month, ESPN’s Shams Charania made an audacious prediction on the Pat McAfee Show: “I think this offseason might be the craziest ever.” In reviewing the most notable offseasons in NBA history, such as those in 2010, 2016, and 2019, it’s evident that they were primarily driven by free agency, which stars like LeBron James and Kevin Durant exploited during the 2010s.

Currently, free agency remains a strategy teams employ for improvement but it’s considerably weaker in the 2020s. In 2025, only the Brooklyn Nets are projected to have substantial cap space, with a few other teams possessing unlikely paths to financial flexibility. Historically, teams no longer prioritize preserving cap space, as star players typically sign extensions and delay future decisions.

However, now is the moment for some of the NBA’s elite players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant, both of whom may be traded, according to Charania’s forecast. With diminishing funds in free agency and numerous teams looking to save money amid strict regulations, coupled with the emerging Oklahoma City Thunder as a dynasty, the NBA landscape might witness one of its most frantic trading offseasons ever.

As the trade market begins to heat up, we delve into the 100 players most likely to be on the move this season, categorized into tiers based on their 2025-26 salaries. Note that free agents aren’t included, though we will address players with 2025 player options individually. The following insights outline the names to monitor as this tumultuous period in NBA history unfolds.