The NBA trade window opened on December 15, and now’s the time to prep for potential chaos. Whether it’s a big-name star forcing his way out or a role player landing in a perfect spot, these are the guys who could swing your fantasy hoops league. I’ve broken down my All-Deadline Fantasy Teams into two squads — players whose names are heating up in trade chatter and those whose value could pop or plummet in the weeks ahead. Contracts matter. Fit matters. Opportunity matters. Let’s debate!

🥇First-Team All-Deadline Fantasy Squad

Giannis Antetokounmpo – PF/C, Milwaukee Bucks

It’s Giannis. You already know. He hasn’t publicly requested a trade (yet), but if the Bucks don’t pick it up, there will undoubtedly be suitors interested in acquiring the Greek Freak. Finding a match for his $54M contract this season will be a challenge that will likely involve multiple teams, but no matter what team he’s on, Antetokounmpo is a top-five asset in High Score, points leagues and a guy you’ll need to build around his strengths and faults in 9-cat formats specifically.

LaMelo Ball – PG, Charlotte Hornets

Upside’s never been the issue. It’s staying healthy. Yahoo’s NBA writer Kelly Iko reported that Ball would be open to a trade. This franchise hasn’t made any headway in becoming a playoff contender with Ball running the show. LaMelo’s locked into a fat deal through 2029, so he’s not easy to move — but if Charlotte shakes it up, you’re looking at a big fantasy swing. 

Anthony Davis – PF/C, Dallas Mavericks

Always dominant, always fragile. That’s AD. But this year? Davis looks uninspired. He’s still putting up 20 points with 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 stocks per game. However, fantasy managers haven’t seen much of him, as he’s played in only 11 games thus far. The Mavs are still in the Play-In race, but for how long? This is Cooper Flagg’s team now, and if they’re not a real contender, it’s best to extract what value you can before AD’s production or health really falls off. His current $54M salary balloons to $62M in 2027-28 with a player option, which may prove to be the genuine hurdle in moving one of the best big men in the league when healthy.

Jonathan Kuminga – SF/PF, Golden State Warriors

We’ve been waiting. So has JK. He wants a bigger role and the Warriors won’t budge. Over the last three games, Kuminga has earned three straight DNPs. It’s a very odd negotiation tactic — not playing your disgruntled lottery pick enough minutes to draw interest in the open market. At this point, trade him to the Nets, Bulls or Pelicans and get whatever veteran you want in return. Kuminga’s skill set doesn’t scream must-add fantasy asset, but in the right situation (on a bottom-feeding team that offers more opportunities), it could do wonders for his ceiling.

Ja Morant – PG, Memphis Grizzlies

I would love for Ja to stay in Memphis. He is Memphis. But there’s been too much drama brewing with his new coaching staff, so it makes sense to see what you can get for the polarizing star. Now, his on-floor production has dipped — taking and making fewer shots at the rim, shooting a putrid 19.4% on 3s. He’s looking at career lows in PER and TS% by a wide margin. Morant is still a good source of assists and points, but a change of scenery and system could be the next step that brings him back to one of the top guards in the NBA. He is still solid for points leagues, but I feel for those who have him in 9-cat, he’s ranked 214 in per-game value, woof.

🥈 Second-Team All-Deadline Fantasy Squad

DeMar DeRozan – SF/PF, Sacramento Kings

Domantas Sabonis – C, Sacramento Kings

Zach LaVine – PG/SG/SF, Sacramento Kings

I’m lumping all of these Sacramento Kings veterans into one because they all need to go. The Kings built one of the most senseless rosters in 2025, putting four ball-dominant players (adding Russell Westbrook) on the floor, thinking it would produce wins. This isn’t NBA2K, Vivek Ranadivé. All three players have seen declines in their scoring, rebounding and assists from a year ago. From a fantasy perspective, each player is underperforming relative to their ADPs, so breaking up the crew would be a benefit for each player if they get moved. Where would they go? That’s the bigger question because Sabonis is hurt and really thrived as the hub of the offense — a role he may not see again. And there’s DeRozan and LaVine, who will always be a bucket who provides middling rebounding and assists. Either way, the Kings need to do something to free up Keegan Murray.

Bennedict Mathurin – SG/SF, Indiana Pacers

Mathurin has an expiring contract because the Pacers did not extend him before the 2025-26 season. The Pacers are already looking ahead to the 2026 NBA draft, but making a move to acquire a big man for Mathurin would make a lot of sense, considering they’re rocking with journeyman Jay Huff at the moment. Mathurin has proven to be an elite reserve who could help a contender, much like JR Smith back in the day. I have several shares of Mathurin in fantasy, so I want him to stay in Indy as long as possible, but I see the logic in trading him before the deadline.

Nikola Vučević – C, Chicago Bulls

Vooch is boring. However, he can help teams in need of a center. The Bulls have emphasized playing faster and getting the ball into their guards’ hands, which, obviously, leads to fewer touches for Vučević. Still, he’s capable of a double-double, can stretch the floor and is a serviceable passer. I could see him being traded to a contender before the deadline. But in typical Bulls fashion, maybe they hold him and he walks for nothing by the summer, lol.

🤝 Honorable Mentions

• Anfernee Simons – PG/SG, Celtics

• CJ McCollum – PG/SG, Wizards

• Myles Turner – C, Milwaukee Bucks