With the 2023-24 regular season ending in two weeks, one-third of the league will get an early start on the upcoming offseason. Another third will join them by Apr. 20, when the conference semifinals begin. That said, several players will be discussed as trade chips, scapegoats, or poor fits in the weeks leading up to and after the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
This piece will explore the playing futures of five players and where their basketball journey may take them next.
5 Players Who Should Switch Teams This Offseason and Where
LeBron James
Philadelphia 76ers
The Los Angeles Lakers’ last chance to keep LeBron James could be over the horizon. As the 2024 NBA Playoffs near, the Lakers are 41-33, ninth in the West. In danger of missing the postseason for the second time in three years, time is running out for L.A. in their efforts to prove themselves worthy of James’ services.
If James misses the playoffs twice with the Lakers, it will undoubtedly go down as his worst tenure with any team. James could seriously consider leaving Hollywood if they fail to capture an NBA championship. At 39, James isn’t playing to extend his records but to win rings. He’ll have to look elsewhere if the Lakers can’t provide that.
With that said, the Philadelphia 76ers will have the cap space and draft capital necessary to make a splash this summer. The four-time NBA MVP could be their big fish, teaming up with 2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid and 2024 Most Improved Player candidate Tyrese Maxey. If they can get a nine-time All-Star in Paul George to join their cause, they’ll really be cooking with hot grease.
Mikal Bridges
New York Knicks
Mikal Bridges may not want to admit it but there may be something to his former Villanova teammate saying he’s missing out on the fun. Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart have excelled with the New York Knicks with Brunson and DiVincenzo having career seasons. The Knicks are 44-29, fourth in the East.
Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets are 29-45, 11th in the East. Bridges has scored at a high clip (20.4 points per game) but not efficiently, shooting 43.9 percent from the field. Taking a step back from his 2022-23 showing with the Nets, Bridges appears better suited as a complementary star than the main focus of an offensive attack.
He can be just that with the Knicks because of Brunson’s elite scoring ability. For their part, the Knicks could look to send OG Anunoby to Brooklyn in a sign-and-trade. Though they’ve played well with him in the lineup, he’s been hurt more than he’s played. That could complicate contract negotiations this offseason, raising the likelihood that he’s traded.
Jaylen Brown
Atlanta Hawks
Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown may want to lead his own team these days. Unfortunately for him, the Celtics’ primary leader and playmaker has long been Jayson Tatum. Furthermore, because of his stature as a league and fan favorite, he’s unlikely to relinquish his hold on that mantle anytime soon.
However, there’s at least one team where he could be the first option. The best fit could be the one he grew up watching in Marietta: the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks have gone 10-8 since All-Star guard Trae Young was sidelined with a finger injury.
Watching Atlanta, their determination at both ends is clear, but so is their need for another reliable go-to scorer. That’s a role that Brown can fill quite well, averaging 24.5 points per game over the past four seasons. His two-way ability makes him an ideal fit on the wing for the Hawks though. Brown is one of the best defenders in the NBA.
Damian Lillard
Miami Heat
Damian Lillard hasn’t had the smoothest ride since joining the Milwaukee Bucks but he didn’t want to be there in the first place. Before and after making his trade request to the Portland Trail Blazers, Lillard was openly eyeing the Miami Heat as his next team.
Unfortunately for him, because he was dead set on a South Beach landing, teams didn’t want to bid against them. As a result, the price was driven down, and the Blazers were hesitant to move him until they got a more fair price. However, the buyers weren’t the Heat but the Bucks.
This offseason, Lillard should try to right those wrongs, playing somewhere that he’ll be happy. If the Heat should come calling, the Bucks should be pleased with the chance to land a dogged defender in Terry Rozier. To that point, Rozier is shooting just 41.3 percent from the field and 31.9 percent from 3 since joining the Heat and may be in the hot seat.
Collin Sexton
San Antonio Spurs
Now averaging 18.8 points per game (21.4 points per game as a starter), Collin Sexton appears to be back to his old self. Better than that even, as the 25-year-old has worked diligently to improve his passing, shot-creation, scoring versatility, awareness, vision, and basketball IQ. A vastly improved player from the one that routinely barreled into the lane without a plan, Sexton’s ability to remain aggressive while playing smart further enhances his skill development.
It’s unclear what the Utah Jazz think of Sexton. However, there’s no doubt he’s been one of the league’s best players this season. Looking forward to the offseason, Sexton should be shortlisted by the San Antonio Spurs. Due to his growth as a facilitator, he’s a truly viable target for the Spurs. He has every chance to be the franchise’s new Tony Parker due to his talent, warrior mentality, and coachability.
Sexton has now played for two head coaches with links to the Spurs organization. Avery Johnson, a former point guard who won a championship with the franchise in 1999, coached Sexton at Alabama. Will Hardy, hired as the Jazz head coach last summer, was a Spurs assistant for five seasons.
