As the NBA trade deadline nears, some of the league’s biggest names—Jimmy Butler, Bradley Beal, Zion Williamson, and Brandon Ingram—could be on the move. But where shouldn’t they go? We break down the worst possible landing spots for every available star, where fit, chemistry, and franchise direction could turn a blockbuster deal into a disaster.
The NBA trade deadline on February 6th is shaping up to be very unpredictable. Big names like Jimmy Butler, Bradley Beal, Zion Williamson, and Brandon Ingram are dominating the rumor mill, with contending teams eager to land a game-changing talent.
But not every star fits every situation—some trades can backfire spectacularly, leaving teams worse off than before. Take Jimmy Butler, for example. The Miami Heat’s franchise cornerstone has been linked to teams like the Phoenix Suns and the player might hold enough power to go where he wants, but could a move to a struggling franchise (or one he absolutely does not want to go to) completely derail his win-now mentality?
Meanwhile, Bradley Beal, who already suffered through a brutal fit in Phoenix, may not want to land in another situation where he plays another useful role. And then there’s Zion Williamson—an undeniable force when healthy, but a player whose next destination needs to prioritize stability and conditioning more than comfort.
In this article, we’ll take a different approach to trade speculation. Instead of just predicting ideal landing spots, we’ll pinpoint the worst possible destinations for each available star based on the player’s preference or current team circumstance.
Jimmy Butler – Memphis Grizzlies
Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) reacts against the Portland Trail Blazers during the third quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
2024-25 Season Stats: 17.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Potential Trade Details
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Jimmy Butler
Miami Heat Receive: Marcus Smart, Brandon Clarke, John Kochar, Luke Kennard, 2027 Second-Round Pick (ATL)
Jimmy Butler is desperate for a trade, but if there’s one place he absolutely doesn’t want to go, it’s Memphis. The six-time All-Star’s time in Miami is clearly up as he is undergoing his third suspension this season, but he’s not interested in joining a young and up-and-coming Grizzlies team.
While Memphis might see Butler as the veteran leader who could provide toughness and a winning mentality, it’s a terrible fit for a player who wants to be happy and sign a lucrative final contract. Butler’s issues in Miami—multiple suspensions, reported locker-room tension, and a front office that seems eager to move on—are well-documented. After all, drama seems to come with Jimmy Butler, a player who can be elite on both ends of the court but has some baggage.
But despite the drama, he still holds major value as a playoff performer. His preferred destination is Phoenix, where he could team up with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker (along with signing a max extension), but the Suns’ current salary cap situation and Bradley Beal’s no-trade clause complicate things.
Memphis, despite being third in the West with stars such as Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr, is not a preference for Butler. He might not like the city when compared with Miami, and that could be the end of that. If Butler lands there, expect him to be just as disgruntled as he is in Miami—if not more.
De’Aaron Fox – New Orleans Pelicans
Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
2024-25 Season Stats: 25.2 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 6.2 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Potential Trade Details
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: De’Aaron Fox
Sacramento Kings Receive: Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy III, 2026 First-Round Pick (NOP)
De’Aaron Fox is in his prime at 27 and looking for a stable, winning situation after Klutch Sports came out to advise the Kings to trade their franchise player. The Pelicans? Anything but. Dyson Daniels flat-out called the franchise “cursed” due to their never-ending injury woes, and it’s hard to argue with him.
Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram have been in and out of the lineup for years, and with both likely on the move, the Pelicans are heading for a full-scale reset. Fox doesn’t need that headache—especially considering his reported desire to land in San Antonio alongside Victor Wembanyama.
The Kings’ point guard is at his best when he’s pushing the pace and leading a team with a clear direction. New Orleans, sitting at a miserable 12-35, offers no such clarity. Fox would essentially be running a team with no true co-star, no established culture, and a fanbase growing increasingly frustrated with its lack of success. If he gets sent to New Orleans, it would be career purgatory.
Brandon Ingram – Brooklyn Nets
Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
2024-25 Season Stats: 22.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 5.2 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.6 BPG
Potential Trade Details
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Brandon Ingram
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Cam Johnson, Ziaire Williams, Keon Johnson
The Pelicans are reportedly searching for a new home for Brandon Ingram because this relationship hasn’t worked out. If Ingram were to leave the Pelicans just to end up in another losing situation, however, he might as well stay put.
Brooklyn’s been searching for a franchise star ever since Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving skipped town, but Brandon Ingram isn’t the answer. At nearly 28, he’s looking for a stable, competitive environment—something the Nets can’t provide right now.
Brooklyn’s current roster is stuck in no-man’s land: not quite rebuilding, not quite contending. Ingram would find himself in a similar role to the one he’s had in New Orleans—being asked to carry an offense that’s not built to win long-term.
With no legitimate second star and a defense that’s a mess, the Nets wouldn’t be any better than the Pelicans. If Ingram truly wants to take the next step in his career, Brooklyn is a dead end.
Zion Williamson – Detroit Pistons
Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
2024-25 Season Stats: 23.2 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.3 BPG
Potential Trade Details
Detroit Pistons Receive: Zion Williamson, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Jalen Duren, Isaiah Stewart, Tim Hardaway Jr., 2029 First-Round Pick (DET)
Zion Williamson’s tenure in New Orleans has been nothing short of chaotic. Between injuries, a suspension due to unprofessional behavior, and whispers of internal frustration, it’s clear the player wants to leave the Pelicans. But if there’s one place he absolutely shouldn’t land, it’s Detroit. The Pistons may be showing some improvement, but they’re still a long way from being a desirable destination for a star with Zion’s baggage.
Detroit fans are passionate, and they demand effort—something Zion has been heavily criticized for lacking. If he struggles with consistency or conditioning, the backlash will be relentless. Unlike in New Orleans, where the fanbase has been somewhat patient, Pistons supporters won’t tolerate excuses.
On top of that, Detroit’s roster construction isn’t ideal for him. Cade Cunningham needs spacing, and Zion still isn’t a reliable shooter. Throw in the relentless media pressure and the freezing winters, and you have a nightmare scenario for a player who’s already struggling to stay engaged.
Zach LaVine – Toronto Raptors
Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
2024-25 Season Stats: 24.0 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 4.5 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Potential Trade Details
Toronto Raptors Receive: Zach LaVine
Chicago Bulls Receive: Immanuel Quickley, Kelly Olynyk
Zach LaVine likely wants to play for a title contender and he might fit better with the Golden State Warriors or Milwaukee Bucks. The Toronto Raptors are not that team. While Masai Ujiri has a history of making big trades, Toronto’s current direction is unclear, and adding LaVine wouldn’t change that.
If anything, it would make things worse. LaVine is an elite scorer, but he needs the ball in his hands and isn’t known for his defensive intensity—two things that don’t mesh well with Toronto’s system.
Beyond that, there’s the Canada factor. LaVine has never explicitly stated he doesn’t want to play outside the U.S., but let’s be real—Toronto isn’t on the wishlist for most American stars. With the Raptors stuck in mediocrity, LaVine would be trading one treadmill situation in Chicago for another. If he’s truly looking for a fresh start on a winning team, Toronto should be off the list.
Bradley Beal – Chicago Bulls
Dec 21, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) dribbles against the Detroit Pistons during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
2024-25 Season Stats: 16.9 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.7 BPG
Potential Trade Details
Chicago Bulls Receive: Bradley Beal
Phoenix Suns Receive: Nikola Vucevic, Lonzo Ball, Jevon Carter
Bradley Beal already made one mistake by accepting to join a team where he’s the third option on a flawed roster in Phoenix. His next move needs to be a careful one, which is why Chicago makes no sense whatsoever. At 34 years old, Beal has zero interest in leading a rebuild, and the Bulls are far from contention.
Beal’s priority is to land on a contender, and if he waives his no-trade clause, it’ll be for a team like Milwaukee or Miami (since he holds the keys to a Butler trade). It has also been reported that Beal is not interested in waiving his no-trade clause if there is a trade on the table to send him to Chicago.
Chicago is a franchise stuck in limbo—too good to tank, too bad to truly compete. Adding Beal wouldn’t fix that. If anything, it would just put him right back in a situation like Washington, where he’s carrying a mediocre team with no real path forward. The Bulls should be looking toward the future, and Beal should be looking anywhere but Chicago.
