NBA draft-day primer: Three players likely to be traded during or before the NBA Draft

Cameron Johnson, Brooklyn Nets

Cameron Johnson has been included in trade rumors since last summer, and he had the best season of his career, bolstering the Brooklyn Nets’ asking price.

Johnson averaged 18.8 points on 47.5% shooting from the floor and 39% shooting from deep, and contenders around the league would pay a hefty price to add him.

The Nets will pick eighth, 19th, 26th, and 27th in the draft, and a package of Johnson and later picks should be more than enough to move up into the lottery. Teams like the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, and Toronto Raptors could clearly use a player with his talents.

While Johnson could be flipped at any point this offseason, the Nets’ clear desire for young talent makes moving him before the draft likely, allowing them the freedom to get creative and draft whoever they want with their incoming picks.

Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans are in an interesting spot, although no one in the league envies them. On paper, their core of Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, and CJ McCollum should be good enough to make the Western Conference playoffs, and youngsters like Yves Missi are full of promise.

However, Williamson is right up there with Greg Oden as one of the most unreliable players in NBA history, and new executive Joe Dumars is expected to be patient, but only to a point.

New Orleans will pick eighth and 23rd this year (courtesy of a trade with the Indiana Pacers) and should be able to add even more young talent to their roster, although Murphy III’s value is at an all-time high.

“Multiple contenders have expressed strong interest in Trey Murphy III specifically, with potential packages centered on multiple first- and second-round picks,” wrote ClutchPoints’ Chris Dodson. “Several contenders view Trey Murphy III as the missing piece; rebuilders view him as a foundational talent.”

In an expanded role last season, Murphy III averaged a career-high 21.2 points but shot a career-low 36.1% from deep. Even with a lower mark, he is an excellent offensive player, but the Pelicans might be able to fetch more than he will ever be worth while his value is hot.

The Pelicans have long been characterized by mismanagement, although Dumars’ track record suggests that he knows when to make a trade at the opportune time, and Murphy III might be on the way out as the Pelicans commit to a full rebuild.

Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings need a point guard to run the offense for Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, and DeMar DeRozan, and Malik Monk is the odd man out. While trade targets like Jrue Holiday and even Ja Morant fit the Kings’ timeline, Sacramento could be interested in getting back the first-round pick they sent to Atlanta in exchange for Kevin Huerter.

The Hawks likely have no interest in parting with the 13th pick for Monk, so the Kings, provided they want to draft a point guard, could shop Monk to a bona fide contender and see who bites.

“The Kings have expressed a desire to acquire a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft,” wrote HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. “Sacramento has gauged the trade market on guards Malik Monk and Devin Carter, sources said.”

However, if teams hold pat and watch the Kings descend back into mediocrity with their current core, Sacramento could hold a fire sale before the deadline.

“Rival NBA executives are also monitoring the trio of Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan with the belief that Sacramento will explore the possibility of trading at least one of those players either this offseason or before the trade deadline in February,” Scotto continued.

Monk, even more so than Johnson or Murphy III, will likely be traded before or during the draft for picks, or not at all this offseason.