Nba Trade Machine Top 10 Players Trending

Dennis Schroeder (Cleveland Cavaliers)

Dennis Schroeder’s name shows up on roughly 3.4 % of all trades entered in the machine, making the veteran guard a consistent talking point for Cavaliers fans. Nearly 7 % of those simulated deals funnel Jrue Holiday to Cleveland, highlighting a desire for backcourt defensive firepower. Another 6 % pair Schroeder with a move that would send Anthony Davis to the same city, a scenario that has become a secondary way for fans to chase Davis even though reports say a deal is unlikely this summer.

Schroeder’s durability and play‑making have kept him relevant after a 2025‑26 season split between the Cavaliers and the G‑League. While the Cavaliers already feature a solid backcourt, the recurring interest suggests that fans view Schroeder as a flexible piece who could complement multiple roles, especially if the roster needs a floor‑general or a secondary scorer.

Scoot Henderson (Portland Trail Blazers)

Portland’s backcourt logjam has driven a 3.5 % share of the trade‑machine activity toward Scoot Henderson. Over 65 % of those theoretical deals occurred on July 10, the same day Jrue Holiday and Shaedon Sharpe saw spikes, underscoring a clear fan reaction to the trio’s uncertain futures. New Orleans appears as the most common landing spot in 8 % of the scenarios, while Kyle Kuzma surfaces as a top return in only 5 % of the swaps.

Henderson’s draft pedigree—second overall in 2023—has clashed with his limited 30‑game season in 2025‑26 due to injury. The G‑League Ignite product now finds himself in a roster battle, and the trade‑machine buzz reflects a fanbase still weighing his upside against the risk of a high‑priced, under‑performing asset.

Shaedon Sharpe (Portland Trail Blazers)

Shaedon Sharpe accounts for 3.6 % of all trade‑machine entries, with roughly 54 % of those deals clustering on July 10, the same day as Jrue Holiday’s and Scoot Henderson’s spikes. Portland fans appear most eager to see PJ Washington move to the backcourt, as 16 % of the simulated swaps end with Washington wearing a Blazers jersey. Washington also ranks as a top return for the Los Angeles Lakers, the Miami Heat’s rivals, and a trio of other franchises, cementing his status as the most‑desired chip across the entire top‑10 list.

Sharpe’s production—averaging around 15 points per game—makes him a trade asset despite his limited season with Portland. The return value debate mirrors real‑world scouting: some clubs view him as a developing scorer, while others see him as a peripheral piece best used as salary filler.

Jimmy Butler (Golden State Warriors)

Jimmy Butler’s inclusion in 3.8 % of the trade‑machine simulations highlights his continued premium among fans. A full 21 % of those Butler‑related deals feature Anthony Davis moving to Golden State, a pairing that mirrors recent reporting from Yahoo’s Kevin O’Connor and ESPN about a potential Butler‑for‑Davis swap. The Warriors’ pursuit of Davis would hinge on matching salaries, as Butler’s $56.8 million cap hit balances Davis’s $58.6 million next‑season guarantee.

Even though the Washington Wizards have declared they won’t move Davis, speculation remains high due to the Warriors’ front‑office interest and the potential impact of LeBron James’s free‑agency decision. The trade‑machine buzz suggests that, regardless of roster reality, Butler remains a centerpiece in any discussion about reshaping a championship‑contending roster.

Jarred Vanderbilt (Los Angeles Lakers)

Despite official statements that the Lakers aren’t shopping Jarred Vanderbilt, his name still appears in 5.1 % of the trade‑machine entries. Vanderbilt’s role as a versatile wing defender makes him a popular salary‑matching piece, often bundled with Dalton Knecht, Jake LaRavia or Jaden Hardy to facilitate larger transactions. In over 92 % of those combined deals, Vanderbilt’s $12.4 million (2026) and $13.3 million (2027) contracts provide the necessary cap space to absorb higher‑priced assets.

Laker fans appear focused on bolstering wing defense, a need highlighted by the team’s recent defensive deficiencies in the 2025‑26 playoffs. The trade‑machine activity suggests that, should the front office pursue a defensive upgrade, Vanderbilt is likely to be the first role‑player offered up as a building block in a deeper overhaul.

Jake LaRavia (Los Angeles Lakers)

Jake LaRavia’s inclusion in 3.9 % of the trade‑machine scenarios mirrors his role as a complementary wing for the Lakers. He frequently appears with Jarred Vanderbilt or Dalton Knecht, acting as salary filler in larger packages that aim to add defensive versatility. Typical returns for LaRavia include Bobby Portis, Washington and Herb Jones, all of which signal a fan desire for immediate defensive upgrade on the wing.

LaRavia’s season averages hover around 9 points per game with a respectable defensive rating, making him an attractive speculative asset for a rebuilding team looking for role players to develop. The persistent buzz on the trade machine indicates that, while his on‑court impact is solid, his upside remains limited, which is why he’s consistently used as a supplemental piece rather than a centerpiece.

Jrue Holiday (Portland Trail Blazers)

Jrue Holiday’s name shows up in 4.5 % of the trade‑machine entries, with almost all of those deals (99.5 %) featuring Holiday as the central piece being moved. Roughly 17 % of the theoretical swaps send Holiday to Toronto, while New Orleans and Cleveland each capture about 9 % of the interest. Common return assets in these scenarios include Kyle Kuzma, RJ Barrett and Zion Williamson, illustrating a fan appetite for pairing Holiday with big‑man talent.

Even though Portland’s front office says it plans to retain Holiday, the persistent chatter reflects a genuine logjam in the Blazers’ backcourt. The July‑10 spike for Holiday underscores that fans are eager to see a resolution, be it a retention plan or a trade, as the team figures out its future without a clear point‑guard hierarchy after the departure of Damian Lillard.

Brandin Podziemski (Golden State Warriors)

Brandin Podziemski’s inclusion in 5.0 % of the trade‑machine entries reflects his role as a salary‑friendly swingman. About 13 % of those simulated deals send him to New Orleans, while Sacramento and Portland each claim roughly 6 % of the interest. Warriors fans often pair Podziemski with Trey Murphy, Dejounte Murray or Yves Missi as return assets, highlighting a desire for backcourt depth and play‑making potential.

Podziemski’s per‑game averages—around 13.8 points and 3.7 assists—have risen each season, turning him into a reliable three‑point threat. With only one guaranteed year remaining on his $5.7 million contract, he serves as an attractive salary‑dump option for teams looking to clear cap space while still adding a contributive guard.

Trey Murphy (New Orleans Pelicans)

Trey Murphy tops the list with a 5.8 % share of trade‑machine activity, a sign that Pelicans fans are hungry for a deal that could revitalize the franchise. Golden State, Detroit and Boston each capture a sizable chunk of the interest—16 %, 25 % and 11 % respectively—while Atlanta and the Clippers also appear in the chatter. Common return packages include Ron Holland, Brandin Podziemski and Gary Harris, reflecting the high expectations New Orleans has for Murphy’s future value.

The Pelicans reportedly require a “blown away” offer to move Murphy, yet the persistent trade‑machine buzz suggests that some teams view his sharpshooting and defensive versatility as an upgrade for a roster in transition. The upcoming August extension window for Anthony Davis could open additional trade avenues, making Murphy a potential centerpiece in any larger restructuring plan.

Dalton Knecht (Los Angeles Lakers)

Dalton Knecht appears in 3.9 % of the trade‑machine simulations, usually as a supplementary piece in larger deals. The most frequent counterpart in these swaps is Washington and Herb Jones, underscoring a fan desire for added wing defense to complement the core roster. Knecht’s limited minutes and salary flexibility make him an appealing add‑on for teams looking to clear cap space while still acquiring a complementary talent.

Having emerged from the Tennessee recruiting class, Knecht’s upside remains uncertain. The trade‑machine chatter suggests that Lakers fans are pragmatic: they are willing to move Knecht only as part of a package that yields a clear defensive upgrade, not as a standalone asset.