The NBA rumor mill is spinning faster than ever as July rolls on
Let’s be real — the NBA trade rumors today are absolutely bonkers. We’re deep into the 2026 offseason, and while the basketball world is still holding its breath waiting for LeBron James to announce his next move, front offices across the league aren’t sitting idle.
The NBA trade tracker has been lighting up with some fascinating developments over the past 48 hours. With Jonathan Kuminga’s market heating up to the Lakers’ search for wings, things aren’t looking dull anywhere. And honestly? That’s exactly what makes this time of year so entertaining.
So grab your coffee (or whatever keeps you awake during these late-night trade watch sessions), because we’re diving into all the NBA offseason rumors that have the league buzzing right now.
Jonathan Kuminga emerges as the hottest name on the market
If you’ve been following NBA trade rumors today, you already know that Jonathan Kuminga is the name on everyone’s lips. The 23-year-old forward, who landed with the Atlanta Hawks back in February, is suddenly drawing serious interest from the Milwaukee Bucks.
Here’s the deal: the Bucks have reportedly pivoted toward Kuminga after checking in on Denver’s Peyton Watson. And get this — Milwaukee actually holds a $25.5 million trade exception from the Giannis Antetokounmpo deal that gives them a clean sign-and-trade path with Atlanta. That’s huge.
The Hawks declined Kuminga’s player option after the season, making him a restricted free agent. He averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 16 games with Atlanta. Solid numbers, but it’s his upside that has teams intrigued.
The Bucks aren’t alone in this chase, though. Cleveland has been frequently connected to Kuminga as well, according to league sources. And let’s not forget the Lakers, who’ve been lurking in the background.
Lakers’ trade talks: What’s really happening in LA?
Speaking of the purple and gold — the Lakers have been one of the most active teams this summer, and the NBA trade rumors today suggest they’re not done yet.
The Lakers already made a big move by acquiring Walker Kessler but are still in the hunt for a starter-caliber wing player. The Lakers are actively trying to trade Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt. With their new acquisitions from the Deandre Ayton trade, LA could easily use the two second-round picks they received right away in a trade.
One name that keeps popping up? Dallas Mavericks forward PJ Washington. NBA reporter Evan Sidery noted that the Lakers checked in with the Mavericks about Washington as a potential contingency plan if they can’t land Kuminga. Washington has been signed to an $88 million deal by the Dallas Mavericks.
But here’s the catch — the Lakers and Hawks are reportedly “nowhere close” to a deal for Kuminga. The sides are far apart on terms, and LA isn’t motivated to push significant draft capital into sign-and-trade scenarios. Kuminga is rumored to want around $25 million annually, while the Lakers reportedly offered two years, $20 million total. That’s a massive gap.
Warriors eyeing Trey Murphy as LeBron plan B
The Golden State Warriors have been waiting patiently (or maybe not so patiently) for LeBron James to make his decision. But with James reportedly narrowing his options to Miami and Cleveland, the Warriors are exploring other avenues.
Enter Trey Murphy III — a player who has been on Golden State’s radar for years. According to The Athletic’s John Hollinger, chatter about a Murphy trade hasn’t vanished and could resurface once LeBron’s destination becomes clear.
What would it cost? A proposed trade framework would see the Warriors part with Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, and multiple first-round picks — potentially up to three. That’s a steep price, but the Warriors are in a desperate situation. Stephen Curry turns 39 midway through the 2026-27 season, and Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler aren’t getting any younger.
Murphy, who thrives as a movement shooter, would be an ideal fit next to Curry, Butler, Green, and Porzingis.
Jalen Duren contract talks stall in Detroit
Washington, at the moment, is signed for $88 million with the Dallas Mavericks.
All-NBA center Jalen Duren, who became a restricted free agent, is yet to ink his contract. There has been some modest progress towards signing him, says Marc Stein.
Detroit’s offseason goals were clear: get a high-level secondary shot creator to play alongside Cade Cunningham and re-sign Duren. So far, they’ve struck out on both fronts.
The Kings are no longer pursuing Duren because Detroit has taken a firm “no sign-and-trade” stance. If the sides can’t reach an agreement, Duren could accept his $9.6 million qualifying offer for 2026-27 and bet on himself.
NBA trade grades: Who won the offseason so far?
The NBA trade grades are starting to roll in, and some teams are looking much better than others.
San Antonio Spurs: Grade A
The Spurs locked Victor Wembanyama into a 25% maximum extension rather than a potential 30% supermax, potentially saving over $50 million over five years.
Utah Jazz: Grade A
The Jazz landed two unprotected first-round picks and two swaps for Walker Kessler — arguably the best trade of the summer.
Philadelphia 76ers: Grade A-
Turning 36-year-old Paul George into 29-year-old All-NBA wing Jaylen Brown is a massive win for Philly.
Charlotte Hornets: Grade A-
The Hornets dealt Miles Bridges and LaMelo Ball to build up one of the league’s largest draft-pick stashes and reorient around Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel.
Not everyone fared so well, though. The Celtics received a C- for the Jaylen Brown trade, while the Pelicans earned a D for their lack of activity.
What’s next for the Heat after landing Giannis?
The Miami Heat finally got their superstar in Giannis Antetokounmpo. But even with a top-five player on the roster, the Heat are far from a finished product.
Miami is exceptionally thin, though they have roster spots available — including one they hope to fill with LeBron James. Team president Pat Riley’s biggest concern is finding more playmaking. Antetokounmpo can help, but there isn’t much quality point guard talent on the market.
The Heat might have to turn to minimum free-agent deals with players like Cole Anthony or Gabe Vincent to fill the need.
Kevin Durant trade rumors: Is a move possible?
Could Kevin Durant be the next blockbuster trade domino to fall? The NBA trade rumors today suggest it’s possible, but not likely.
Durant has two years and $90 million remaining on his contract, with a player option. There doesn’t seem to be a strong market for the 37-year-old future Hall of Famer. Rumors of Pistons interest have faded as their focus remains on re-signing Jalen Duren.
The Rockets have given no indication that they plan to move Durant. So for now, it seems like the former MVP will stay put.
Jamal Murray trade speculation continues
The Nuggets are in an interesting spot with Jamal Murray. He’s owed about $161.5 million over the next three years, and with Nikola Jokic expected to sign a historic extension, Denver has a lot of money tied up in just two players.
If the Nuggets decide to allocate long-term capital to retain restricted free agent Peyton Watson, Murray could become the ultimate trade chip to restock their asset cupboard or address specific team needs.
A proposed three-team trade would send Murray to Detroit, with the Pistons landing a proven postseason star and former NBA champion to pair with Cade Cunningham.
NBA trade tracker: Official moves you might have missed
While the rumors are fun, let’s not forget the actual deals that have gone down. The NBA trade tracker shows plenty of activity:
- The Thunder sent Lu Dort to the Hawks in a three-team deal
- The Lakers made a trade involving Deandre Ayton and obtained Jaden Hardy in exchange
- The Bucks traded Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Heat for Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, and multiple first-round picks
- The Hornets sent Miles Bridges to Phoenix
- The Grizzlies sent Santi Aldama to the Mavericks
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the biggest NBA trade rumors today?
The biggest NBA trade rumors today center around Jonathan Kuminga, with the Milwaukee Bucks showing renewed sign-and-trade interest. The Lakers are also actively shopping Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt for wing help, while the Warriors are eyeing Trey Murphy as a potential target if they miss out on LeBron James.
2. Are the Lakers trading for Jonathan Kuminga?
Not likely anytime soon. The Lakers and Hawks are reportedly “nowhere close” to a deal. The sides are far apart on terms, with Kuminga seeking around $25 million annually while the Lakers have offered significantly less.
3. Where is LeBron James going to sign?
LeBron has reportedly narrowed his options to the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers. His decision is holding up other NBA business, including some potential trades.
4. What’s the latest on Jalen Duren’s contract situation?
The Pistons and Duren have made only “modest progress” toward a new deal. The Kings are no longer pursuing him because Detroit has taken a firm “no sign-and-trade” stance. Duren could accept his qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent next year.
5. Which teams have the best NBA trade grades so far?
The Spurs and Jazz both received “A” grades for their offseason moves. The 76ers and Hornets earned “A-” grades. At the bottom, the Pelicans received a “D” for their inactivity.
The bottom line on NBA trade rumors today
Look, the NBA trade rumors today are about as chaotic as we’ve come to expect from a league that never sleeps. Between the Kuminga sweepstakes, the Lakers’ relentless roster retooling, and the Warriors’ desperation to maximize Stephen Curry’s remaining years, there’s no shortage of drama.
The NBA trade tracker will continue to update as deals materialize, and the NBA trade grades will keep coming as we evaluate which teams won and lost the offseason. And let’s not forget about those NBA offseason rumors that keep us refreshing our feeds every five minutes.
One thing’s for certain — the 2026-27 NBA season is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. Whether you’re a fan of a contender or a rebuilding team, there’s something to be excited about.
Stay tuned, folks. The rumor mill never stops spinning.
