While plenty of NBA superstars receive flak from fans and media alike for forming superteams, it’s become the norm for the past fifteen years. Most of them want to end up as a champion, and if an opportunity presents itself for them to play for a contender, they’d jump on it in a heartbeat.
They are all aware of the list of former superstars who wasted their prime years for a so-so franchise. For much of today’s stars, though, they would much prefer to show their skillset to the world rather than toil in a mediocre team for the rest of their careers.
Whether their partnership with their current team ran its course or they want to maximize their remaining time to chase a championship, here are 15 NBA superstars who need to change teams next season.
Which NBA superstars need a change of scenery next season?
Giannis Antetokounmpo
There’s no denying that the Bucks have stagnated on the court after their surprising 2021 championship run. Many thought they could become a dynasty, especially with Giannis still entering his prime years.
Fast-forward to today, and Milwaukee is one of the most disappointing teams in the league. While Antetokounmpo is still a superstar, it genuinely feels like he’s stuck on a mediocre and flawed Bucks team, even with Damian Lillard in tow.
It might be time for the Greek Freak to take his talents elsewhere this summer while he’s still at the peak of his game.
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Paul George
After an abysmal and injury-ravaged 2024-2025 season, George has two options moving forward as he exits his prime athletic years: he could retire or make a push to get out of the mess that’s called Philadelphia.
With an extensive injury history, any team that trades for George in the summer is downright gambling at this point. It also doesn’t help that he continues to get paid like an NBA superstar despite the steep decline in his game.
Damian Lillard
We can safely say that Giannis and Dame’s pairing wasn’t fruitful. A couple of years have passed, and they aren’t even close to delivering a championship to the small-market Bucks.
With Lillard expected to miss most of the 2025-2026 NBA season due to an ACL injury, this is the right time for the former superstar to move elsewhere, where he can do his rehab and potentially come back to play as a third option for a contending team.
Sadly, his time leading a franchise on a nightly basis appears to be completely over.
James Harden
Harden had a relatively good season, making the all-star team again after missing the last three. At age 35, in the right situation, he could be a very decent third or fourth option at this stage of his career for a title-contending team.
Let’s be honest here: the Clippers aren’t going anywhere even when Kawhi Leonard is 100% healthy. It’s time for Harden to move on and chase that ever-elusive ring before he hangs up his basketball shoes.
Nobody will ever bat an eye if he becomes a ring chaser at this stage of his career, right?
Kawhi Leonard
Let’s stick with the Clippers while we’re still at it, shall we? Kawhi’s entire stint with the Clippers has been mostly up and down. Ever since the superstar left Toronto after winning an NBA title in 2019, his career has gone somewhat downhill and disappointing, mainly because of injuries.
There’s a limited number of teams where Leonard could truly shine at this point, that is, if he’s open to playing the second or third option. Detroit would make sense, and so would Houston, and even a homecoming to the Spurs should be a possibility.
But in all honesty, he should not have left Toronto in the first place.
Chris Paul
Is CP3 still an NBA superstar at this point in his career? Well, yes and no. While he’s no longer a franchise-altering point guard these days, his personal accolades throughout his career still scream superstardom.
Even with a healthy Victor Wembanyama in the lineup, the Spurs are still years away from contending for a title. Time isn’t on Paul’s side, and nobody will criticize him for ring chasing because he’s at the tail end of his NBA career.
Better sign up with a contender, Chris. We won’t judge you.
Kyrie Irving
Mavs GM Nico Harrison envisioned Irving as Dallas’s number one option after trading away Luka Doncic and getting Anthony Davis in return. That plan would be foolproof if this deal had been made five years ago, not today.
With Irving possibly missing a lot of games next season, we cannot expect him to get back in his natural form and play out of his mind again. A torn left ACL for a soon-to-be 34-year-old point guard invites more uncertainty for the future than reassurance that he can play well again.
Even though the Mavs won the Cooper Flagg lottery, it’d be hard for Kyrie to regain his usual form with Dallas in such a short time. The team might pressure him to come back too soon, especially if the Mavs perform well next season. He may be risking more injuries if he returns to the lineup while still not 100%. It’s time to sign with another team and ease back into form rather than rush it, Kyrie.
Devin Booker
At this stage of his career, we all know by now that Booker is much suited to play the second or third option rather than the top dog for an NBA franchise. While it’s hard to imagine him wearing another uniform, this might be the best time for the four-time All-Star to request a trade out of Phoenix.
The Suns have been in a complete disarray for the last couple of years. The trio of Durant, Booker, and Beal is the worst superteam in NBA history. How can three NBA superstars on the same team miss the playoffs? Still in his prime, Booker is capable of becoming a major contributor for a plausible contender.
Trae Young
As each passing season goes, it sure looks like Trae Young will end up as an Atlanta-lifer. His skillset is quite hard to translate, should he get the opportunity to play for another team. But after seven years and without much success with the Hawks, it might be time for the diminutive point guard to take his talents elsewhere.
At this point, it’s hard to picture an actual NBA team that needs Young’s services. The Rockets may be a fit, but their backcourt defense will suffer. We can’t help but wonder if his time in a Hawks jersey has truly run its course.
As he enters his prime years, a change of scenery might be the best move for him.
Kevin Durant
How surprising that another Suns superstar is on this infamous list. Kevin Durant, one of the most lethal scorers the game has ever seen, has not reached the NBA plateau since leaving the Warriors in 2019.
The soon-to-be 37-year-old is still potent with the ball in his hands, but at this stage of his career, he’s no longer a tier one NBA superstar, if we’re being honest with our assessment here.
In the right condition, Durant can still elevate a team’s potential come playoff time. The Rockets are one of the favorites to land him in the summer, as they are missing a legitimate go-to guy when things get rough in a tight basketball contest.
What do you say, KD? Time for another jump?
LaMelo Ball
Ball might not be a tier one NBA superstar, but in the eyes of Hornets fans, he definitely is one. Without much success on the court during the entirety of his stint for his team, though, Ball should be better off playing somewhere else.
The Hornets are one of the most poorly run franchises in the league. Put Luka or Edwards here, and this team will still not make the playoffs. That’s how bad it is. If LaMelo is content with playing hero ball on a losing team, then he can stay at Charlotte as long as he wants.
If he wants to win, a change of scenery is a must.
Zion Williamson
It’s bizarre to think that the Pelicans are still hoping that an often-injured Zion will someday lead them to the promised land. He may have all the brute talent in the world, but that’s all a waste if Williamson cannot stay healthy on the court.
Maybe he’s just too injury-prone, or there’s truly something bad in the water down in New Orleans? Either way, Williamson is better off playing for a different franchise before he enters his athletic prime.
New Orleans isn’t going anywhere with him, with all the injury curse lurking around the team in recent years.
Bam Adebayo
Another superstar is wasting his prime years playing for a mediocre NBA team. What’s good in that, anyway? Let’s get this straight: Bam Adebayo is a top-five center in the league. He can score and defend at a high rate and could seamlessly fit into almost all teams should he be traded this summer.
Despite standing a couple of inches below seven feet, Adebayo can more than hold his ground against most bigs in the league. The Lakers should be an interesting fit, but that’s a story for another day.
Regardless, with Miami stuck in mediocrity, Bam should ask for a trade to a team that will maximize his game.
Lauri Markkanen
The Jazz tanked hard, did it the proper way, and still, they lost out in the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes. That’s brutal. Where do they go from here? For starters, it’s time to trade Markkanen and start completely from scratch.
The Finnish big man offers a lot of trade value should Utah decide to move on from him in the summer.
With the right team, Markkanen would be a great second or third option for any contender. He can stretch the floor and attack the basket with ease. He can play both forward spots on the court and could also slide as a small ball center due to his seven-foot frame.
LeBron James
Even with the surprising addition of Luka Doncic at this year’s trade deadline, the Lakers failed to advance past the first round of the playoffs. LeBron’s time in LA should be in serious peril, especially with their abysmal performance year after year since that 2020 title.
James doesn’t owe the Lakers anything. He already led them to a championship. He’s free to go and chase another title before his body breaks down. Entering his 23rd season, LeBron must realize that the Lakers are still two or three years away from title contention.
His days are numbered, and he can’t wait that long for a chance at another ring. Join a real contender, King!
