NBA draft 2026: Six big trade offers, featuring 11 lottery picks - ESPN

The 2026 NBA Finals are in full swing, with the New York Knicks holding a 3-1 series lead over the San Antonio Spurs. That doesn't mean trade talk around the league is on hold.

Just look at last year's Finals, when, just hours before Game 7 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers, Kevin Durant was traded to the Houston Rockets in what eventually became a seven-team blockbuster. As part of that move, the Phoenix Suns acquired the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft, which became Duke center Khaman Maluach.

Could any 2026 lottery picks change hands between now and the start of the first round on June 23? Perhaps in a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo?

ESPN NBA insiders Ben Golliver and Zach Kram have pieced together six big trade ideas, with picks Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10 all finding new homes. (The Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks, meanwhile, stand pat in our scenarios — so cue up that No. 4-for-No. 8 swap any minute now.)

After each trade proposal, ESPN NBA front office insider Bobby Marks plays general manager, examining the pros and cons for each franchise. He then picks the trade that would have the biggest leaguewide impact.

On to the deals, starting with a proposal that would make NBA history.

Jump to a trade:
Jazz, Wiz make history
Nets trade up for Boozer
OKC eyes size after WCF
Giannis traded before draft
Kings enter top 5 for guard
Hornets consolidate for No. 9

Utah Jazz get:

2026 first-round pick (No. 1)
Bub Carrington
Cam Whitmore

Washington Wizards get:

2026 first-round pick (No. 2)
Ace Bailey
2029 first-round pick (most favorable of UTAH, CLE and MIN; if 6-30)

The first two picks in the NBA draft have never been traded for one another. Let's change that.

The Wizards should capitalize on Utah's