Ben Simmons, Marcus Smart, Kyle Kuzma's Top Trade Landing Spots After 2024 NBA Draft (2024)

With the first round of the NBA Draft officially over, some players could find themselves on the trade block.

Ben Simmons, Marcus Smart and Kyle Kuzma could all end up with new franchises in 2024-25, and finding the right trade partner looks a bit clearer after some teams have started their offseasons.

It could be a prove-it opportunity for all three, and finding that correct fit is something the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards will now look for as they prepare for free agency and the hectic nature of the offseason.

Here is a look at where each player could end up.

Potential Destinations:

The Brooklyn Nets will likely jump at any opportunity to move Simmons.

He was limited to just 15 games in 2023-24, averaging 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists. He has played in just 57 games for Brooklyn since being acquired during the 2021-22 season and is set to make $40 million in 2024-25.

He will likely be traded alongside assets, and a rebuilding team could be willing to take his salary for a year. Charlotte could be one of those teams, and could hope that he can be a positive influence on LaMelo Ball. The Hornets went 21-61 in 2023-24, but if Simmons ever returned to form, he would be a massive boost and maybe could re-sign with the team in the following Summer.

The Spurs are a similar case, having gone 22-60 for a second consecutive season. San Antonio drafted Stephon Castle with the No. 4 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and Victor Wembanyama is entering his second season after winning the Rookie of the Year Award in 2023-24. Simmons would be a low-risk add to a team that is not close to contending.

Another team that could take Simmons on is Portland. The Trail Blazers went 21-61 in 2023-24 and are rebuilding with Scoot Henderson and Donovan Clingan as the latest first-round picks. Adding Simmons is also a low-risk move with potential positive return and he will be off the books after one year.

Potential Destinations:

Marcus Smart spent the first nine seasons with the Boston Celtics before getting traded to Memphis last offseason. Following the move, Boston won the NBA Championship and Smart endured an injury-riddled season for a team that went 27-55.

If Memphis chose to move on from Smart, he could be an intriguing option for many teams. He averaged 14.5 points, 4.3 assists and 2.7 rebounds in his 20 games in 2023-24, and is a noted defensive star.

Houston could use a veteran like Smart, as it improved to 41-41 and nearly reached the play-in tournament. Smart could join a core centered around Jabari Smith Jr, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet and could make a difference in helping the Rockets take another step. Additionally, he could reunite with former Celtics coach Ime Udoka, who Smart advanced to the 2021-22 NBA Finals with.

The Lakers are looking to take a step forward in the West as well after going 47-35 and losing in the first round of the playoffs to the Denver Nuggets. As J.J. Redick approaches his first coaching gig, giving him a noted veteran like Smart could be a huge asset.

The Milwaukee Bucks traded Jrue Holiday for Damian Lillard last offseason, and Holiday would end up replacing Smart in Boston. A logical play could be acquiring Smart to add to the championship core and hopefully advancing past the first round for the first time since 2021-22.

Potential Destinations:

Kuzma could be an impactful player for many teams in 2024-25, as he averaged 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists 70 games for the Washington Wizards.

This didn't impact team success too much, as the Wizards 15-67 in 2023-24. After taking Alex Sarr in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft, the Wizards could approach a rebuild and dealing Kuzma for assets could be appealing.

Sacramento feels like a player or two shy of contending after going 46-36 in 2023-24 and falling in the play-in tournament. This came after reaching the postseason in 2022-23, and adding an impact player like Kuzma could be the recipe for success.

Dallas fell in the 2023-24 NBA Finals and were simply outmatched by the Celtics. Kuzma could be a talent infusion that helps Dallas match up better with the talented teams in the NBA and would give the defending conference champions a boost for next year.

The Cleveland Cavaliers were also outmatched by the Boston Celtics in the 2023-24 postseason, and Kuzma could be the exact scoring option needed to move forward.