As NBA front offices descend on Orlando for the G League Showcase, the spotlight isn’t just on the rising talent on the floor - it’s on the flurry of trade conversations happening behind closed doors. This is where the groundwork gets laid for deals that could reshape playoff races or signal rebuilds. And with the trade deadline looming, some big names are already circulating in league chatter.
Let’s break down the latest buzz around some of the most talked-about players on the market.
Anthony Davis: The Big Name, The Big Question
Anthony Davis is the headline name floating around the trade market right now. While he might not be the MVP-caliber force he once was, he’s still a high-impact player - when healthy.
That’s the catch, though. Davis has only suited up for a dozen games this season, and at 32, with injuries piling up and a contract extension looming this offseason, his trade value is complicated.
Dallas isn’t looking to offload him just to clear cap space. This is the player they landed in the blockbuster Luka Dončić deal, and even with GM Nico Harrison gone, the Mavericks are holding firm: they want a serious return if they’re going to move AD.
The problem? That kind of market just isn’t there right now.
Teams aren’t lining up to give up major assets for an aging, injury-prone star who’s about to ask for more money. Still, Dallas needs the optics of a strong return - they can’t afford to look like they gave away Luka for pennies.
Atlanta and Toronto are two teams that keep coming up in connection with Davis. Both are in the East, both see themselves as one piece away, and both are keeping tabs on the situation. Detroit’s name is out there too, though how serious their interest is remains unclear.
A Davis deal feels more like an offseason move than something that happens at the deadline - but Dallas is listening, and that alone keeps the door open.
Klay Thompson: Still a Name, But What’s the Value?
Klay Thompson is another player Dallas is reportedly exploring trade options for. The former sharpshooter is now 35, coming off the bench, and averaging 10.8 points per game. He’s still capable of hitting big shots - and his three-point percentage has ticked back up to over 40% in his last 10 games - but he’s not the defender he once was, and his overall efficiency has dipped.
He’s making $16.7 million this season with $17.5 million due next year, which complicates things for any team thinking about adding him. There’s always value in a veteran with championship pedigree, but the question is whether that value translates to real trade assets in return. Right now, that answer is murky.
Lauri Markkanen: Utah’s Untouchable?
Lauri Markkanen continues to draw interest from around the league. Detroit, Memphis, and possibly San Antonio have all kicked the tires, but Utah’s message has been consistent: they want to build around him, not move him.
Even with their first-round pick owed to Oklahoma City - top-eight protected - the Jazz are currently sitting in the eighth-worst spot in the standings. That gives them a 60.7% chance of keeping their pick, which could influence whether they hold or pivot.
For now, though, Utah is keeping both Markkanen and Walker Kessler off the table. They’re betting on their current core, at least through the deadline.
Ivica Zubac: The Clippers’ Quiet Cornerstone
While the Clippers’ star-studded core of James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George grabs headlines, it’s Ivica Zubac who’s quietly drawing the most trade interest - and it’s Zubac the Clippers are least willing to part with.
Other teams are circling, hoping LA’s recent struggles might open the door to a fire sale. But the Clippers aren’t biting.
Zubac is averaging 16.2 points and 11.5 rebounds per game while shooting over 61% from the field - all while being the only rotation player under contract beyond 2027. That matters for a team eyeing a reset once they move into the Intuit Dome.
Despite defenses collapsing on him more due to LA’s perimeter issues, Zubac continues to produce. The Clippers view him as a foundational piece for whatever comes next, and it would take a serious offer to pry him loose.
Nick Richards: Phoenix’s Quiet Trade Chip
If Zubac isn’t available, teams looking for a big man are turning their attention to Phoenix’s Nick Richards. He’s third on the Suns’ depth chart, on an expiring contract, and drawing plenty of interest.
Toronto reportedly discussed a deal that would’ve sent Ochai Agbaji and a second-round pick to Phoenix for Richards. Those talks have cooled, but the interest hasn’t gone away.
The Suns are waiting to get Jalen Green back and want more clarity on their rotation before making a move. By the end of January, they’ll have a better sense of whether moving Richards makes sense.
Meanwhile, Indiana is actively searching for a big to replace what they’ve lost with Myles Turner. They’ve already been turned away by Utah on Kessler, and they’ve engaged Dallas about Daniel Gafford - who is available, but won’t come cheap.
Sacramento: Open for Business - Kind Of
The Kings are taking calls. Domantas Sabonis is drawing interest, and while DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine are on the radar, it’s the younger guys who are really getting attention.
Keon Ellis, in particular, is attracting feelers thanks to the league-wide shortage of 3-and-D wings. But Sacramento isn’t looking to sweeten deals by attaching Ellis or draft capital to veteran contracts.
And Keegan Murray? He’s off the table completely.
Sacramento’s message is clear: they’re open to reshuffling the deck, but they’re not desperate. If you want one of their promising young pieces, you’ll have to pay up.
What’s Next?
As the showcase rolls on and the deadline creeps closer, the league is in a holding pattern. Teams are feeling each other out, gauging value, and waiting to see who blinks first.
Some of these names - Davis, Thompson, Markkanen - could be moved. Others, like Zubac or Ellis, might stay put unless the right offer comes along.
But make no mistake: the conversations happening in Orlando this week are setting the stage. The trades that define the second half of the season often start right here.