One of the first key dates of the 2024-25 season NBA The season will arrive on Sunday, when the vast majority of players who signed free agent contracts during the offseason will become eligible to be traded. Like every year, December 15 marks the unofficial start of the commercial season.
There is a deal expected to be reached on Sunday: Dennis Schroder reportedly close to moving from Nets to Warriors as Golden State replaces De’Anthony Melton.
It remains to be seen how many deals we get this season with the introduction of new, more restrictive salary cap rules, but there will be plenty of activity between now and the February 6 trade deadline. As the action heats up, here’s a look around the league at some of the latest rumors.
LeBron holds all the cards
It’s been a roller coaster start for the Lakers, who have a three-game winning streak, a six-game winning streak and two three-game losing streaks. The result is a 13-12 record which, while not great, keeps them in 10th place in a crowded Western Conference.
Given James’ history and the Lakers’ current status, there has been, perhaps rightly so, some speculation about his future in Los Angeles. Earlier this week, Brian Windhorst reported on ESPN’s “Get Up,” that the Golden State Warriors will “definitely monitor” James’ status ahead of the trade deadline. The Warriors notably attempted to trade for James last season, but were rebuffed.
So far, though, there hasn’t been any pressure from James that the Warriors, or any other team, would need to make a deal. James holds all the cards in this situation.
“The Lakers or any team that would trade for him doesn’t really have a say in the matter,” a league executive told ESPN. “He has a no-trade clause. Unless he comes in and tells (owner) Jeanie (Buss) he wants to leave, it’s not even a discussion.”
The 76ers should be active
The Sixers’ hellish season got even worse Friday when Joel Embiid suffered a sinus fracture during a loss to the Indiana Pacers.. He has already missed 17 games due to knee problems and a suspension for an altercation with a journalist, and now returns to the sidelines.
Largely due to Embiid’s absences, but also injuries to Paul George and Tyrese Maxey, the Sixers sit in 12th place in the Eastern Conference at 7-16. However, they are expected to be “active” in the coming months, according to ESPN.
As bad as things are in Philadelphia, the East is so weak that they could still easily make the Play-In tournament and possibly contend for a top-six spot and an automatic playoff berth. None of Embiid, George or Maxey will be on the move, of course, but if Daryl Morey can find a trade that he believes will improve their depth, it could be worth it.
If — and it’s a big if — they can be healthy by April, no one will sign up to play them in the first round of the playoffs.
Lacob has an “affinity” with Kuminga
Before the season, the Warriors failed to agree to an extension with former lottery pick Jonathan Kumingawhich leaves his future in Golden State very uncertain. The team could ultimately re-sign him this summer when he enters restricted free agency, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if he’s traded before the deadline.
Earlier this month, coach Steve Kerr inserted Kuminga into Draymond Green’s starting lineup. – an approach which could very easily be considered as an attempt to promote the young person. In Kuminga’s last five games as a starter, he is averaging 21 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks while shooting 36.4% from behind the arc.
The Warriors have been very active this summer, attempting to complete trades for Paul George and Lauri Markkanen, and are already snooping around the LeBron James situation. It’s clear they’re willing to make a big trade before the deadline in order to give Steph Curry and Green one more chance in the ring. Such a deal would most likely include Kuminga, who is their best hope.
One potential obstacle to such a deal is that Warriors owner Joe Lacob has an “affinity” with Kuminga. according to ESPN. At the very least, it adds an interesting aspect to any business negotiation in Kuminga.
There is still no interest in LaVine and Vucevic
Chicago Bulls attempt to trade Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic since last season, but no team wanted to bite. Even though both former All-Stars had tremendous seasons, that hasn’t changed, by ESPN.
LaVine is averaging 21.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists on 50.1% shooting overall, including 42.8% from behind the arc. Vucevic, meanwhile, is at 21 points and 9.8 rebounds on 58.7% shooting, including a career-high 47.4% from downtown.
Despite both players’ prolific offensive numbers, their contracts are simply too burdensome, especially with the new cap rules. LaVine is making $43 million this season and has $94.9 million left on his contract after that, which includes a player option for 2026-27. As for Vucevic, he makes $20 million this season and $21.4 million next season.
Other teams simply aren’t interested in committing that much money to either player at this point.
Pelicans should try to escape the luxury tax
Dyson Daniels, former Pelicans guard said in a recent interview that the franchise was “cursed.” and it’s hard to disagree with that sentiment, especially after all of their injury issues this season. No player appeared in all 26 games, and Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy III, Herbert Jones, Jose Alvarado and Jordan Hawkins all missed significant time.
As a result, the Pelicans are stuck in last place in the Western Conference at 5-21. It’s already a lost season for the Pelicans, and the other teams are circling like piranhas. Will the Pels make blockbuster trades? We’ll have to wait and see.
At the very least, though, the Pelicans should be subject to the luxury tax, according to ESPN. They currently have an overage of $1.4 million and they don’t need to pay tax penalties for a team that won’t make the playoffs.
