You may have noticed the first batch of NBA Exchanges for the 2024-25 season have taken place in recent days. Thomas Bryant is heading to the Indiana Pacers, and Dennis Schroder will be a Golden State Warrior. For what? Well, the rules don’t really make trading easier in October and November. The unofficial start of the trade season took place on Sunday (Dec. 15), when most of the free agents signed during the previous offseason became eligible for trade.
Why is the availability of these free agents so important? No one has roster space during the season and very few teams have roster spots. Fewer teams than ever have access to trade exceptions due to rule changes introduced in the 2023 CBA. There are strict rules regarding salary adequacy in NBA trades, and while these rules are easy to follow during the offseason, it’s difficult to do so with all the limitations of the season. This is possible from December 15 and becomes easier in January when teams have their full squad to work with in commercial negotiations.
The overwhelming majority of these free agents become trade eligible on December 15. A small group, those who re-signed with their original team who had reached or exceeded the cap at the time of signing full or anticipated participation rights for a contract that includes a raise of at least 20% must wait on January 15 to be eligible for the exchange. This group tends to be small enough, however, that December 15 is considered the unofficial kickoff to the trading season. This is when the overwhelming majority of players in the league become eligible to be moved.
So now that December 15th is here, let’s see who is available and who within this group could be traded. Below are the 86 players eligible for trade as of December 15, with thanks to Hoops Rumors to make the complete list.
Who is available and who could move?
Eighty-six players who signed deals this summer became eligible for trade on Sunday. Bravo to Hoops Rumors to make the complete list. The list includes notable veterans like Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Klay Thompson and even LeBron James. That also includes Bryant and Melton, who were dealt this weekend.
The first name to watch on this list is Jonas Valanciunas. The Wizards big man has been cited as a likely trade candidate in multiple reports, and with No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr the obvious priority at center, there’s not much reason why A 3-21 team retains a 32-year-old big man. The Lakers are the obvious team to watch here. LeBron James was reportedly willing to take a slight cut to open up the mid-level exception in Valanciunas, but he signed in Washington while the Lakers were pursuing Klay Thompson. Now, Los Angeles is in dire need of another big man and has plenty of mid-skills to trade.
The second most notable name on this list would come from a buyer, not a seller. De’Anthony Melton had a one-year contract worth $12.8 million with the Golden State Warriors, but will miss the rest of the season with an ACL injury. That made him an obvious fit for their salary in their search for upgrades, and of course, they used him to pry Schroder out of the Nets. It’s worth keeping in mind, however, that Melton and Schroder can both be traded again before the deadline. Neither is subject to the typical 60-day wage consolidation restriction that accompanies transactions, as they themselves were not consolidated in the transaction. Basically, that means Golden State can turn around and include Schroder in a package for one of the stars it’s chasing if it wants, and the Nets, expected to be active sellers, could use Melton’s salary to something if necessary. .
A number of other players on the roster could prove to be salary earners, but that will depend on what’s available, how their teams’ seasons progress, and various other factors. The following players all play for competitive teams, are not critical to their success, and all have contracts large enough to factor into salary equalization, but not large enough to be burdensome to an acquiring team: Dario Saric (Nuggets), Nic Batum (Clippers), Luke Kennard (Grizzlies), Gary Harris (Magic), Andre Drummond (76ers), Caleb Martin (76ers), Kelly Oubre (76ers) and Royce O’Neale (Suns). The chances of any of these players being traded individually are less than 50%. But each could be an important part of a larger deal, depending on how the deadline develops.
Finally, we should at least address the superstars on this list. In most cases, they are pretty safe. Harden is playing too well to be traded. There probably wouldn’t be too much interest in Paul George or DeMar DeRozan on their current contracts, given how their seasons have started, and even if there was, it’s unlikely that either the other of their teams is ready to throw in the towel. Chris Paul and Westbrook make their living through small trades, so there’s no compelling reason for their teams to trade them unless something unexpected happens.
This leaves James as the last name of note here. Is he going to be traded? It certainly won’t be. But the Lakers are in a spiral and the Warriors at least asked about him last February. He wasn’t interested then. Perhaps his mind will change by this year’s deadline, or another suitor will prove more convincing. Don’t count out a James blockbuster, but it’s not out of reach, and for now, it’s at least legal.
Who is coming on January 15? Could any of them be traded?
The January 15 list isn’t as long, but it’s arguably more important. Most of these players are true contributors or were brought in as salary caps in a trade. There are 17 players in total:
- Nic Claxton, Nets
- Miles Bridges, Hornets
- Patrick Williams, bulls
- Obi Toppin, Pacers
- Max Christie, Lakers
- Haywood Highsmith, Chaleur
- Precious Achiuwa, Knicks
- ET Anunoby, Knicks
- Isaiah Joe, Thunder
- Aaron Wiggins, Thunder
- Goga Bitadze, Magic
- KJ Martin, 76ers
- Tyrese Maxey, 76ers
- Josh Okogie, Suns
- Monk Malik, Kings
- Emmanuel Quickley, Raptors
- Johnny Juzang, Jazz
The first name to watch in this group is KJ Martin. As I explained at the time, the 76ers signed him primarily to serve as alternative salary for use in a business. He has a team option for next season, so Philly could theoretically opt out later if there isn’t a reasonable trade on the board, but when a player is signed primarily to be traded, the day where he becomes eligible for a trade. is quite remarkable.
Precious Achiuwa wasn’t as egregious an example of the “sign-to-trade” phenomenon as Martin, but when New York picked him up in the offseason, they did so while actively trying to trade for other centers . They finally landed Karl-Anthony Towns, and even though Achiuwa is playing now, it’s unclear what kind of role he’ll have when Mitchell Robinson returns. If the Knicks decide to try to fill another hole elsewhere, Achiuwa’s $6 million salary will likely be involved.
Max Christie is the latest name to watch here. When the Lakers signed him to a four-year, $32 million contract over the summer, they expected him to become a rotation player. He hasn’t shot well enough to warrant minutes so far this season, and his defense has also been disappointing. Although the Lakers would likely prefer to keep him as a long-term developmental project, he hasn’t strayed into “salary tradable” territory should they decide to make a big move.
