‘Gotten a Ton of Interest’ — ESPN Insider Shams Charania Reveals 3 Notable Trade Candidates To Watch Entering 2026 NBA Draft

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s trade from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Miami Heat may have been the biggest domino to fall, but more moves are expected before the 2026 NBA Draft.

With the first round of the draft scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, ESPN insider Shams Charania identified three notable players that teams around the league are closely monitoring.

3 Trade Candidates to Watch Before 2026 NBA Draft

Speaking on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday, Charania was asked whether there were any noteworthy pre-draft trade candidates beyond obvious headline names such as Antetokounmpo.

The NBA insider immediately pointed toward the New Orleans Pelicans.

“I think you definitely have to look at a couple of players in New Orleans, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones,” Charania said. “I think those are two players that have gotten a ton of interest in the marketplace.”

“Trey Murphy and Herb Jones have gotten a ton of interest in the market place..

I think a lot of people are monitoring the Kawhi Leonard situation with the Clippers..

Minnesota knows that they need to add something to their team” ~ @ShamsCharania #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/M99o3infGp

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 22, 2026

NBA insider Jake Fischer also reported that between six and 12 teams have inquired about acquiring Murphy or Jones.

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New Orleans could be exploring ways to acquire additional first-round picks in this year’s draft, making the wing duo its most realistic trade chips. According to Fischer, the Pelicans have maintained an asking price of multiple first-round picks for either player.

Murphy, in particular, has emerged as one of the NBA’s most coveted young wings. The 26-year-old averaged a career-high 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in the 2025-26 season while shooting 47.0% from the field and 37.9% from 3-point range.

The third player of interest on Charania’s list entering the draft is two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard.

“I think a lot of people are keeping an eye and monitoring the Kawhi Leonard situation with the [Los Angeles] Clippers,” Charania said. “He’s got one year left on his deal. We don’t know how that’s going to play out with the Clippers.”

The ESPN insider emphasized that there is no immediate urgency, noting that Los Angeles has navigated similar situations with Leonard before.

According to Spotrac, the Clippers star is entering the final year of his three-year, $149.5 million deal and is due to make $50.3 million in the 2026-27 campaign before hitting unrestricted free agency in 2027.

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With Antetokounmpo now headed to the Heat, teams that missed out on the two-time MVP could begin exploring alternative star options. Leonard may not be actively available, but he remains a name worth keeping an eye on.

When healthy, Leonard is one of the NBA’s elite two-way players, and rival teams will be keeping tabs on the Clippers’ situation. He averaged 27.9 points and 6.4 rebounds in 65 games this past season while earning All-NBA Second Team honors, so it wouldn’t come as a surprise to many if multiple contenders show interest despite his injury history.