We’re deep into summer, which means that most of the people who have been drafting recently are playing in dynasty basketball leagues. For those who don’t know, in most dynasty leagues, you keep your players until you trade them, drop them, or they retire. There’s a rookie draft, usually in order of worst to best finisher. If you’ve never played in one, they’re pretty fun.
It’s not always easy to trade in dynasty leagues. That’s because when you get a player, he’s yours forever. Psychology says we don’t like to let go of things. But there are some guys languishing on other people’s benches – or maybe yours! – that can help you. Here are six names you can trade for, and two where it’s probably too late. All the rankings come from Fantasypros’ Dynasty Rankings.
Dynasty Basketball Trade Targets
PG Kevin Porter, Jr., Milwaukee Bucks (#238 Dynasty Rank)
Why you can still get him: Porter has not gotten starter’s minutes since he played in Houston in the 2022-2023 season. He might be considered a short-term solution to a short-term problem by some owners. They might be happy to get something for him.
Why you want him: The NBA is funny in the way that a player’s been around forever, but is still just 25. He’s still fine for dynasty leagues. With Damian Lillard waived, Porter and former Orlando reserve Cole Anthony are the only point guards on the roster. He might be given the keys to the Bucks’ offense next year. Hey, you remember what he did last time he had starter’s minutes? Fantasy starter numbers are what? We’re talking 19 points per game, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists, with 1.5 steals and 2.5 treys a game.
What he might cost you: Depending on how sharp his owner is, a second or third round rookie draft pick. He might even be on waivers in some leagues.
SG Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies (#240)
Why you can still get him: He still isn’t all that high in dynasty startup rankings. He was a second-round pick in the 2024 draft who put up mediocre rookie numbers.
Why you want him: Wells made the All-Rookie team last year, but his numbers weren’t exciting for fantasy purposes. His final tallies of 10.4 points per game, 3+ boards, and almost two assists weren’t fantasy-relevant.
However, Wells’ numbers before the All-Star Break were borderline playable. He averaged 11 points and almost two three-pointers per game with good efficiency from distance (37.6% from three-point range). With Desmond Bane in Orlando, Wells has a starting job this year. He should get more minutes than the 26 MPG he averaged last year. Additionally, Wells is considered a strong defensive player, and I expect his steal numbers to increase with experience.
What it might cost you: Wells isn’t going to cost anyone a first-rounder, though you will probably have to give up a second-round pick to get him.
SF Cam Whitmore, Washington Wizards (#147)
Why you can still get him: Whitmore still hasn’t done anything noteworthy in the NBA despite being solid on a per-minute basis. That’s what makes him a good dynasty player. You can talk him down by pointing out that the Houston Rockets, who needed scoring, didn’t use him, then traded him to the Wizards for two second-round picks.
Why you want him: He might carry your team in March and April. When the depth chart clears up in Washington, Whitmore is likely to be the main beneficiary. If Whitmore’s numbers were projected to 36 minutes per game, roughly the amount that starters play, they look very good. His projection is 22 points, 7 boards, and 2 steals (steals + blocks) per game for 36 minutes. He is unlikely to get this much run early. However, his minutes could increase dramatically late in the season. He’s just 20 years old, but you could talk someone into dealing with him, I think.
What he might cost you: Because he’s so young, Whitmore might cost you a first-round pick. I probably wouldn’t do that unless it’s a low one. If you can get him for a second-rounder, I would.
SF/PF Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles Lakers (#154)
Why you can still get him: Hachimura is still the fourth option on the Lakers, or maybe the fifth after DeAndre Ayton, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves.
Why you would want him: It’s hard to remember now, but Hachimura is a former lottery pick. The knock on the veteran forward was that he couldn’t hit from distance, but he has shaken that label. Over the past two seasons, Hachimura has had 41.8% accuracy from the point range. Hachimura has been even better without LeBron James, averaging 20 points per game over his last ten without The King. He’s 27, but he doesn’t have a lot of tread on the tires.
What he might cost you: Because of his age, he probably wouldn’t cost more than a third-rounder at most. Probably less.
SG/SF Ochai Agbaji, Toronto Raptors (#316)
Why you can still get him: Agbaji got major minutes when Brandon Ingram was out for most of last year. People might not believe that he’s going to matter.
Why you want him: Agbaji is just 25 years old and thus still young enough to be a dynasty asset. The Raptors’ wingman is a former lottery pick who never showed anything until last year. Last year, he registered positives in every category, making him a useful player in that format. In category leagues, by some metrics, he was only slightly less valuable in fantasy than Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle! His accuracy might lend itself to more shot opportunities, which would make him a good points league asset. Agbaji gives you decent defensive numbers, too, especially for a guard. And rumors have it that RJ Barrett might get traded this year.
What he might cost you: Agbaji is probably an easy trade for a third-round pick. You can read more about him in my article about true shooting percentage.
C Yves Missi, New Orleans Pelicans (#191)
Why you can still get him: The Pelicans used a ton of draft capital to draft Derik Queen, who might replace Missi in the lineup.
Why you want him: Missi was a really good rookie center last year, averaging 9 points and 8 boards last year with over a block a game. Queen is a big favorite to cut into Missi’s minutes, but remember Missi played just 27 minutes per game last year. Missi is too good a player to be relegated to a bench for his whole career, making him better for dynasty than redraft.
What he might cost you: A second-rounder, but try to get him for a third-rounder.
Missed the Value Window
SG Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets (#113)
Why you probably can’t get him: I know you’re tempted by this guy. The former #3 overall pick hit just 35% of his shots last year and was a non-factor in fantasy. So he might have been on your radar. However, Houston cleared out the bench to make room for Sheppard this year in the rotation. Worse for your trade hopes, Sheppard was featured at Summer League and put up bananas defensive numbers.
Why you might want to try anyway: Sheppard is a fairly strong bet for a huge jump in steals this year based on his Summer League performance. They’re looking to use the former #3 overall draft pick more often. There’s a good chance he’ll be a significant part of the Rockets’ offense.
What I think he might cost you: At least one first-round pick, or a more proven veteran player. You could maybe try to get him cheaper after the season if Sheppard keeps shooting up bricks. But right now he’s got too much buzz – his owner won’t want to move him.
SG Shaedon Sharpe, Portland Trail Blazers (#100)
Why you probably can’t get him: Sharpe could have probably been nabbed before last season. But the shooting guard put up 18 points a game last year after playing just 35 games in Year 2. The Blazers now have 200 million reasons ($$$) to feed him shots, since he’s in his last team option year and is extension-eligible.
Why you might want to try anyway: He is one of my favorite breakout picks in 2025. Sharpe finished last season with some incredible stat lines. He had two separate games where he scored at least 36 points on 23 shots down the stretch. He also averaged 35 minutes per game in March and April. The Blazers are not loaded down with scorers outside of Sharpe and Deni Avdija. I don’t see anything in his way.
What I think he might cost you: You might get lucky if his owner isn’t jazzed up about Sharpe. But if I owned him, I wouldn’t be excited to deal him right as he’s about to break out. He’s going to cost you at least a first-rounder or a solid, proven veteran, regardless, and probably more.
