Five deals that would shake up the first round of NBA 2025 Draft Trades.

Five deals that would shake up the first round of NBA 2025 Draft Trades.

The 2025 NBA Draft is on the horizon, and while the order may still shift based on lottery results and team needs, there are a few trade scenarios that could truly shake up the first round. These trades would not only impact the selection process but could also reshape the futures of several franchises. Here are five deals that could make a major impact on the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft:

1. Phoenix Suns Trade Up for a Top-Tier Prospect

The Phoenix Suns are in a unique position in the 2025 NBA Draft. With a roster that includes star players like Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, they are in win-now mode. However, they lack a true young cornerstone to build around for the future. The Suns could look to trade up to secure a top-tier prospect like the versatile forward from the draft, Tyler Harris, who could complement their stars on both ends of the floor.

Proposed Trade:

• Phoenix Suns receive: 1st overall pick (via trade with a lottery team)
• Lottery Team (e.g., San Antonio Spurs or Detroit Pistons) receives: Suns’ 2025 first-round pick, 2026 first-round pick (unprotected), and a young rotation player (e.g., Cameron Johnson).

The Suns could be willing to mortgage their future to secure the next great player who can contribute right away, but also offer long-term potential. They’d be betting that their current roster can push for championships, and adding a top prospect could make them a stronger contender.

2. Chicago Bulls Trade Down for a Package of Picks

The Chicago Bulls are currently in a difficult situation: a roster full of solid but not elite players, with limited cap space and an unclear direction. With star guard Zach LaVine potentially on the move, the Bulls could look to trade down from their mid-first-round pick to acquire more assets and build for the future. By moving down in the draft, they could stockpile additional picks and potentially target future drafts for more flexibility.

Proposed Trade:

• Chicago Bulls receive: 2025 6th overall pick, 2026 first-round pick, and 2025 second-round pick.
• Lottery Team (e.g., Sacramento Kings or Orlando Magic) receives: 2025 11th overall pick (Chicago’s pick), and a second-round pick swap.

By trading down, the Bulls could accumulate future capital while still being able to select a solid player in the middle of the first round, like a potential point guard or wing. This deal could also set them up for a more substantial rebuild in the years to come.

3. Portland Trail Blazers Move on from Damian Lillard

After years of loyalty to Damian Lillard, the Portland Trail Blazers may look to shift their focus to a rebuild, especially if they’re unable to find significant playoff success with Lillard still on the roster. If the Blazers trade Lillard, they would need to find a way to jumpstart their rebuild with young assets, and a top pick in the 2025 Draft would be a crucial part of that.

Proposed Trade:

• Portland Trail Blazers receive: 1st overall pick (via trade with a rebuilding team like the Charlotte Hornets)
• Charlotte Hornets receive: Damian Lillard, 2025 second-round pick, and a future first-round pick.

This trade gives Charlotte a bona fide star in Lillard to pair with the young core of LaMelo Ball and other developing pieces. The Blazers, in return, would receive the top pick in the draft, likely allowing them to select a player like Tyler Harris, who could become the centerpiece of their rebuild alongside rising talents like Scoot Henderson.

4. Dallas Mavericks Make a Move for a Big-Man Prospect

The Dallas Mavericks have one of the best players in the league in Luka Dončić, but they lack the necessary big-man presence to complement him effectively in the paint. Despite being in a playoff contention window, Dallas could use the 2025 Draft to address their biggest weakness. A player like Amari Jones, a versatile and skilled center, could provide them with a young force down low, anchoring their defense and providing an additional scoring option.

Proposed Trade:

• Dallas Mavericks receive: 3rd overall pick (via trade with a lottery team like the Washington Wizards)
• Washington Wizards receive: 2025 1st-round pick (Dallas), and two future second-round picks.

Dallas could trade up for a dynamic center or defensive anchor like Jones, adding depth and flexibility to their roster. The Wizards, who may be in full-blown rebuilding mode, would gladly trade down to pick up additional draft assets.

5. Toronto Raptors Target a Potential Superstar

The Toronto Raptors are stuck in NBA purgatory: good enough to contend in the East but not quite a true title contender. With stars like Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes, the Raptors have the potential to become a contender, but they need to make a bold move. The Raptors could look to trade up and grab a game-changing prospect who has the upside to take them to the next level. If they move up to secure a player like Tyler Harris or another top-tier talent, they could set themselves up for future success.

Proposed Trade:

• Toronto Raptors receive: 2nd overall pick (via trade with a rebuilding team like the Detroit Pistons)
• Detroit Pistons receive: 2025 1st-round pick (Toronto’s), 2026 first-round pick (unprotected), and a young player (e.g., Gary Trent Jr.).

The Raptors would be looking for an elite prospect who could slot into their lineup and elevate them into the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference. In return, Detroit would be able to move down to acquire more assets and continue developing their young core.

Conclusion

The 2025 NBA Draft is shaping up to be a high-stakes event, with several teams in key positions to make bold moves. Whether it’s teams looking to secure a superstar, rebuild their rosters, or balance their win-now aspirations with future flexibility, the first round of the 2025 draft could see several impactful trades. These five potential deals would significantly alter the trajectory of franchises and make for a thrilling draft night.

The 2025 NBA Draft is on the horizon, and while the order may still shift based on lottery results and team needs, there are a few trade scenarios that could truly shake up the first round. These trades would not only impact the selection process but could also reshape the futures of several franchises. Here are five deals that could make a major impact on the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft:

1. Phoenix Suns Trade Up for a Top-Tier Prospect

The Phoenix Suns are in a unique position in the 2025 NBA Draft. With a roster that includes star players like Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, they are in win-now mode. However, they lack a true young cornerstone to build around for the future. The Suns could look to trade up to secure a top-tier prospect like the versatile forward from the draft, Tyler Harris, who could complement their stars on both ends of the floor.

Proposed Trade:

• Phoenix Suns receive: 1st overall pick (via trade with a lottery team)
• Lottery Team (e.g., San Antonio Spurs or Detroit Pistons) receives: Suns’ 2025 first-round pick, 2026 first-round pick (unprotected), and a young rotation player (e.g., Cameron Johnson).

The Suns could be willing to mortgage their future to secure the next great player who can contribute right away, but also offer long-term potential. They’d be betting that their current roster can push for championships, and adding a top prospect could make them a stronger contender.

2. Chicago Bulls Trade Down for a Package of Picks

The Chicago Bulls are currently in a difficult situation: a roster full of solid but not elite players, with limited cap space and an unclear direction. With star guard Zach LaVine potentially on the move, the Bulls could look to trade down from their mid-first-round pick to acquire more assets and build for the future. By moving down in the draft, they could stockpile additional picks and potentially target future drafts for more flexibility.

Proposed Trade:

• Chicago Bulls receive: 2025 6th overall pick, 2026 first-round pick, and 2025 second-round pick.
• Lottery Team (e.g., Sacramento Kings or Orlando Magic) receives: 2025 11th overall pick (Chicago’s pick), and a second-round pick swap.

By trading down, the Bulls could accumulate future capital while still being able to select a solid player in the middle of the first round, like a potential point guard or wing. This deal could also set them up for a more substantial rebuild in the years to come.

3. Portland Trail Blazers Move on from Damian Lillard

After years of loyalty to Damian Lillard, the Portland Trail Blazers may look to shift their focus to a rebuild, especially if they’re unable to find significant playoff success with Lillard still on the roster. If the Blazers trade Lillard, they would need to find a way to jumpstart their rebuild with young assets, and a top pick in the 2025 Draft would be a crucial part of that.

Proposed Trade:

• Portland Trail Blazers receive: 1st overall pick (via trade with a rebuilding team like the Charlotte Hornets)
• Charlotte Hornets receive: Damian Lillard, 2025 second-round pick, and a future first-round pick.

This trade gives Charlotte a bona fide star in Lillard to pair with the young core of LaMelo Ball and other developing pieces. The Blazers, in return, would receive the top pick in the draft, likely allowing them to select a player like Tyler Harris, who could become the centerpiece of their rebuild alongside rising talents like Scoot Henderson.

4. Dallas Mavericks Make a Move for a Big-Man Prospect

The Dallas Mavericks have one of the best players in the league in Luka Dončić, but they lack the necessary big-man presence to complement him effectively in the paint. Despite being in a playoff contention window, Dallas could use the 2025 Draft to address their biggest weakness. A player like Amari Jones, a versatile and skilled center, could provide them with a young force down low, anchoring their defense and providing an additional scoring option.

Proposed Trade:

• Dallas Mavericks receive: 3rd overall pick (via trade with a lottery team like the Washington Wizards)
• Washington Wizards receive: 2025 1st-round pick (Dallas), and two future second-round picks.

Dallas could trade up for a dynamic center or defensive anchor like Jones, adding depth and flexibility to their roster. The Wizards, who may be in full-blown rebuilding mode, would gladly trade down to pick up additional draft assets.

5. Toronto Raptors Target a Potential Superstar

The Toronto Raptors are stuck in NBA purgatory: good enough to contend in the East but not quite a true title contender. With stars like Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes, the Raptors have the potential to become a contender, but they need to make a bold move. The Raptors could look to trade up and grab a game-changing prospect who has the upside to take them to the next level. If they move up to secure a player like Tyler Harris or another top-tier talent, they could set themselves up for future success.

Proposed Trade:

• Toronto Raptors receive: 2nd overall pick (via trade with a rebuilding team like the Detroit Pistons)
• Detroit Pistons receive: 2025 1st-round pick (Toronto’s), 2026 first-round pick (unprotected), and a young player (e.g., Gary Trent Jr.).

The Raptors would be looking for an elite prospect who could slot into their lineup and elevate them into the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference. In return, Detroit would be able to move down to acquire more assets and continue developing their young core.