Here are eight players to keep an eye on, and why their fantasy stock could soar (or sink) with a mid-season move.
Look, Fox is a stud. He averaged 22.8 points and 6.5 assists last season. But the Kings, despite flashes, feel stuck in the middle. Fox's game is built on speed and aggression, which often means high usage. If Sacramento decides to blow it up – maybe they miss the playoffs again in '25-26, finishing 10th in the West – Fox becomes a prime candidate. He's got two years left on his deal at $34.8 million and $37.3 million, respectively.
* **Current Situation:** High usage, good counting stats, but efficiency can waver with the offensive burden. His 2.7 turnovers a game hurt in some formats.
* **Potential Destination:** Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers. A team that needs a primary initiator and isn't afraid to push the pace. Imagine him in Orlando running the break with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
* **Projected Stat Change:** A move to a more structured, or simply better, team could boost his assists to 8.0-8.5 while keeping his scoring near 20-22. His field goal percentage (46.5% last year) might tick up slightly if he gets more open looks. I also think his steals (1.8) could jump to 2.0-2.2 if he's less exhausted offensively.
Johnson is the classic "3-and-D" guy stuck on a team trying to figure out its identity. He signed a four-year, $94.5 million deal in 2023. He's a good player, but he only averaged 13.4 points and 2.8 rebounds last year, which isn't justifying that contract. The Nets are in limbo, and if they're out of the playoff picture by January, Johnson's a valuable piece for a contender.
* **Current Situation:** Inconsistent usage, often relegated to a spot-up shooter.
* **Potential Destination:** Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers. Teams needing reliable shooting and wing defense.
* **Projected Stat Change:** His points could dip slightly to 11-12 on a contender, but his efficiency (44.6% FG, 39.1% 3PT) would spike. His 3s made per game (2.3) could climb to 2.8-3.0 if he's getting cleaner looks from playmakers like Darius Garland or LeBron James.
Remember when Holmes was a fantasy darling in Sacramento, putting up 14.2 points, 8.3 boards, and 1.6 blocks in 2020-21? He's been an afterthought since. He's on an expiring $12.9 million deal. The Wizards are a dumpster fire, and Holmes is a veteran who can still contribute.
* **Current Situation:** Buried on the depth chart, minimal minutes.
* **Potential Destination:** Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder. Any contender needing an active, rebounding big off the bench.
* **Projected Stat Change:** This is pure upside. He's barely playing now. If he gets 15-18 minutes a night on a new team, he could be a fantastic per-minute contributor. We're talking 7-8 points, 5-6 rebounds, and 1 block. That's a huge jump from his current 3.3 points and 3.9 rebounds.
Russell has been traded multiple times for a reason: he's a talented scorer and passer, but his defense is often a liability and his decision-making can be questionable. He's got a player option for $18.6 million in '25-26. If the Lakers are struggling, they might move him to shake things up, or he might opt out and sign-and-trade.
* **Current Situation:** High usage alongside LeBron James, leading to good scoring (18.0 PPG) and assists (6.3 APG), but his fantasy value is capped by inconsistency and defensive woes.
* **Potential Destination:** Atlanta Hawks, Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons. Teams looking for a scoring lead guard.
* **Projected Stat Change:** If he goes to a team where he's *the* guy, his scoring could push 20-22 points and his assists to 7-8. The downside? His field goal percentage (45.6%) might dip without LeBron creating easy looks, and his turnovers (2.5) could increase.
The Cavs have a logjam at center with Allen and Evan Mobley. They've tried to make it work, but if the team underperforms again, one of them has to go. Allen, with his $20 million contract through '25-26, is the more traditional center and perhaps the more expendable. He averaged 16.5 points and 10.5 rebounds last season.
* **Current Situation:** Solid double-double threat, but his blocks (1.1) have declined from his peak.
* **Potential Destination:** New Orleans Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks. Teams needing a rim-running, rebounding big.
* **Projected Stat Change:** If Allen goes to a team that truly makes him the focal point inside, his rebounds could jump to 11-12, and his blocks might return to 1.5-1.8. His points would likely stay consistent, maybe a slight bump to 17-18 if he's getting more pick-and-roll opportunities.
Nurkić is a good rebounder and passer for a big man, but his scoring is limited (10.9 PPG last year), and he's prone to foul trouble. He's got two years left at roughly $17 million per. The Suns are all-in on their Big 3, and if they're not contending, they might look to shed salary or find a more dynamic center.
* **Current Situation:** Solid rebounder (11.0 RPG), good passer (4.0 APG), but an offensive third option at best.
* **Potential Destination:** Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards, Chicago Bulls. Rebuilding teams who need a veteran presence and don't mind his contract.
* **Projected Stat Change:** This is a tricky one. If he goes to a bad team, his minutes might stay high, boosting his rebounds to 12-13. But his efficiency could plummet, and his points might not change much. He's probably a slight fantasy downgrade unless he lands somewhere desperate for a center to rack up boards.
Time Lord's career has been plagued by injuries, plain and simple. He only played six games last season. But when healthy, he's a blocks and rebounds monster. He's owed $12.4 million and $12.9 million the next two seasons. Portland is rebuilding, and if Williams can prove he's healthy for a few months, they might flip him to a contender.
* **Current Situation:** Major injury risk, almost no production.
* **Potential Destination:** Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings. Teams desperate for rim protection.
* **Projected Stat Change:** This is the ultimate lottery ticket. If he gets 20-25 minutes a night and stays healthy, he could easily put up 8-10 points, 9-10 rebounds, and 2+ blocks. His value is currently in the gutter; any production makes him a steal.
Kuzma is on a bad team, putting up decent stats (22.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 4.2 APG last year) on questionable efficiency (43.0% FG). He’s signed through '26-27 at roughly $20 million per year. He’s a valuable trade chip for the Wizards, and a move to a competitive team could refine his game.
* **Current Situation:** High usage, good counting stats, but a negative impact on efficiency and turnovers (3.0 per game).
* **Potential Destination:** Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings, Orlando Magic. Teams needing a versatile forward who can score and facilitate.
* **Projected Stat Change:** On a contender, Kuzma's scoring might drop to 16-18 points, but his field goal percentage could jump to 45-46% with easier looks. His assists might dip slightly, but his turnovers would likely decrease too. I think he becomes a much more efficient, well-rounded fantasy player in a winning environment.
My hot take? De'Aaron Fox to the Magic makes them a top-four seed in the East and Fox becomes a consistent top-20 fantasy player, not just flashes of brilliance. Mark it down.