On Saturday, more than 90 players who signed as free agents become eligible to be traded. It will mark the unofficial onset of trade season in the NBA. Since mid-November, several big names have already been traded, including James Harden, John Wall, Russell Westbrook, Victor Oladipo, Chris Paul, and Jrue Holiday.
28 out of the 30 teams (only the Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks have room) do not have cap space and will need to trade salaries that match within 125%, 175% or $5 million. Teams including the Boston Celtics ($28.5 million), Oklahoma City Thunder ($27.3 million and $19.5 million), Denver Nuggets ($9.6 million), Philadelphia 76ers ($8.2 million) and Miami Heat ($7.6 million) can acquire a player without sending back salary because of a previously created trade exception. The Golden State Warriors have a $9.25 million disabled player exception, but they can only use it to trade for a player who is on an expiring contract.
Two stars who could’ve been on the move, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Rudy Gobert — both signed massive extensions to remain with the Milwaukee Bucks and Utah Jazz, respectively, taking two big pieces off the board. Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal is the biggest star who could be considered available. While Beal has not hidden his displeasure at times on court recently while suiting ho for the Wizards, there has been no indication he has asked out of Washington.
The New Orleans Pelicans have already engaged teams on veteran guards Lonzo Ball and JJ Redick. The Houston Rockets could potentially move Victor Oladipo again and forward P.J. Tucker, who is also on an expiring contract. Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier is on an expiring contract and is expected to draw interest.
Out of the teams hoping to win a title this year, four of them — the defending champion Lakers, the Clippers, the Bucks, and the Brooklyn Nets — have no first-round picks to trade for quite a few years to come, making it difficult to find a way to add a difference-making player.
The Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks, two teams on the fringe of the playoff race, both have already traded their 2021 first-round pick. The Jazz, who find themselves near the top of the West, owe the Memphis Grizzlies a pick that has protections all the way out to 2024.
