Evaluating Untouchable Players in the NBA: A Team-by-Team Analysis

As NBA front offices seek to drive up trade offers, many organizations operate under the premise that nearly every player on their roster is available for the right price. However, the reality is that most teams possess at least one player deemed virtually untouchable. With the potential for significant roster changes expected in the summer of 2025, this analysis outlines the most off-limits players for each team. Despite the notion of a player being untouchable, illustrious cases such as Luka Dončić's recent trade show that no player is completely safe from being moved. Nonetheless, the individuals highlighted in this list are expected to be the most difficult to acquire through trade.
Taking the Atlanta Hawks as an example, while both All-Rookie first-teamer Zaccharie Risacher and Most Improved Player Dyson Daniels are valuable assets and young building blocks on rookie-scale contracts, neither is considered completely off-limits. If the Milwaukee Bucks were to inquire about a package deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Hawks would likely entertain the idea of including both players in such a trade. This sentiment underscores a broader trend in the league—most franchises would consider moving any player if the offer is compelling enough; it simply requires an extraordinary proposal to pry away a promising rookie from a team like Atlanta.
Moving on to the Boston Celtics, the team appears to be contemplating significant salary adjustments in light of a prospective $500 million payroll and subsequent tax bill. This could lead to trades involving players such as Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick White, and potentially even Jaylen Brown. In contrast, Jayson Tatum is understood to be safe from trade discussions. The Celtics are focused on restructuring their roster to maintain competitiveness as Tatum recovers from an Achilles injury, placing faith in his ability to resume a key role in the lineup. A potential trade for Tatum could generate considerable interest from other organizations, particularly given his lucrative contract obligations for the upcoming seasons.








