The 2026 NBA Finals are underway with the New York Knicks leading the San Antonio Spurs 3-1, but trade speculation has not abated, according to ESPN. The network’s NBA insiders Ben Golliver and Zach Kram assembled six major trade concepts that would reallocate lottery picks Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10 ahead of the June 23 first round. ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks reviewed each proposal, weighing pros and cons and naming the deal he believes would have the largest leaguewide impact.
The most audacious proposal would see the Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards swap the top two selections, a first in league history if completed. Under ESPN’s scenario, the Jazz would receive the No. 1 pick in 2026 plus Bub Carrington and Cam Whitmore, while the Wizards would move up to No. 2, acquire Ace Bailey and obtain a 2029 first-rounder (the most favorable of Utah, Cleveland and Minnesota if the pick conveys at 6-30). ESPN notes the Wizards’ interest in adding AJ Dybantsa and the Jazz’s desire for a franchise cornerstone as the rationale behind the trade.
ESPN’s writeup suggests Washington could select Darryn Peterson at No. 2 while keeping Bailey, creating a projected rotation led by Anthony Davis, Trae Young, Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Peterson and Bailey. The proposal frames Dybantsa — a former BYU forward who moved to Utah in high school — as a potential long-term frontcourt partner for Jaren Jackson Jr. Bobby Marks called the swap unlikely if Utah believes three players (Dybantsa, Peterson and Cameron Boozer) rank at the top of the class, but said moving up one spot could be justified if Utah views Dybantsa as a generational talent.
Another proposal would have the Brooklyn Nets trade up to No. 3 from No. 6, sending the Memphis Grizzlies the No. 6 pick plus 2030 and 2032 first-round selections. ESPN frames that move as Brooklyn pushing to land Cameron Boozer as a frontcourt linchpin and marketing face, noting the Nets’ need for a clearer team identity and a polished young player. ESPN also flagged NBA draft reforms taking effect in 2027 as a factor that could raise the cost to move up in future drafts.
ESPN’s package of six hypothetical deals ranges from the historic top-two swap to proposals involving multiple first-rounders and star trades, and leaves the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks untouched in the scenarios. Each concept is accompanied by Marks’ front-office analysis and his view on which would reverberate most across the league, according to ESPN.
