Toronto, Canada – As the NBA trade deadline approaches, teams are preparing to make moves and shake up their rosters. One significant factor adding fuel to the trade rumors is the Jan. 15 date on the NBA calendar. This date allows players who re-signed with their previous teams last offseason to become trade-eligible.
The list of available players includes notable names such as D’Angelo Russell, Jerami Grant, Matisse Thybulle, Kyle Kuzma, and Rui Hachimura. However, it’s worth mentioning that not all of these players will be featured on the updated trade board.
With very few exceptions, every player in the league is now considered trade-eligible. The first major trade occurred between the New York Knicks and the Toronto Raptors, despite ongoing litigation, involving OG Anunoby, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley. Another significant trade saw Pascal Siakam being traded from the Raptors to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Bruce Brown Jr. and three first-round picks.
Despite these trades, more moves are expected in the coming weeks. Teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors are looking to make roster changes to bolster their playoffs chances. On the other hand, teams like the Charlotte Hornets and the Washington Wizards might be looking to sell as they fall behind in the postseason race.
While the trade market continues to evolve, the list of available players has expanded. Initially, the trade board featured 25 players, but it has now grown to 35 as teams’ objectives become clearer leading up to the deadline.
Notably absent from the trade board are All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Lauri Markkanen. The Cleveland Cavaliers plan to keep Mitchell for the season, and Markkanen’s high price tag makes him effectively off the market, considering the Utah Jazz’s recent success.
Additionally, the Golden State Warriors’ young players Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, who could facilitate a trade for a star player, are not actively being included in potential trade packages at the moment. The team’s general manager values both players highly and would prefer to hold onto them if possible.
Other players like Jerami Grant and Dorian Finney-Smith are not on the trade board due to uncertain factors surrounding their teams’ willingness to move them or their contracts.
It’s important to note that the trade market is highly fluid, and changes are to be expected in the coming weeks. Completed trades will remove players from the board, and some players might even sign contract extensions to stay with their current teams. However, at this moment, the trade board remains as it stands.
The NBA trade deadline offers the opportunity for teams to make significant moves in their pursuit of success. As the weeks progress, fans and analysts will be eagerly watching to see which players find new homes and how these trades shape the landscape of the league.