NBA Trade Season Begins

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NBA teams that are now in the trade market


By Yossi Gozlan | December 14, 2023



December 15 marks the unofficial beginning of trade season in the NBA. That’s because it is the first day most of last offseason’s free agents can finally be traded. It’s also when teams have more flexibility toward aggregating multiple minimum-salary players. The new CBA added restrictions for trading minimum players, but looser aggregation rules over the next two months allow for more trade possibilities.

Trades in December or even January rarely happen. Teams are starting to understand where they stand in the league, but it’s still early to definitively know which direction to take regarding trades. Also, a handful of players still don’t become trade-eligible until January 15, and some become eligible later than that because they signed contracts so late into the offseason. The trade market will really open up in the weeks coming up to the deadline once all recent free agents can actually be traded.

Here are four teams that will officially enter the trade market this month.


Houston Rockets


The Houston Rockets have raised their floor from above the lottery to at least have a spot in the Play-In Tournament. They’re off to a 12-9 start but their biggest problem so far this season is their home-away disparity with only one of their wins coming on the road. On an encouraging front, they are 8-6 above teams above .500, including three wins over the Denver Nuggets.

Head coach Ime Udoka plays his starters by far the most minutes over any other five-man group in the league. They are fundamental to the Rockets’ success and are likely all here to stay. They could become big players in the trade market with the upcoming trade-eligibility for bench players in Jeff Green and Jock Landale. Also, Victor Oladipo, who was acquired for his salary in potential trades on October 17, can be aggregated starting on December 17.

Between Green ($9.6 million), Oladipo ($9.5 million), and Landale ($8 million), the Rockets can take back up to $34.6 million in exchange for all three players. But what exactly are they looking for? They were close to signing Brook Lopez last offseason. Do they still want to acquire a rim protector? What about an All-Star? They can trade multiple first-round picks and pick swaps to acquire one. Would they go all-in on this group by trading future assets or even some of their players on rookie-scale deals to acquire one? They will be an interesting team to monitor with so many options.


Cleveland Cavaliers


Cleveland’s season so far has been plagued with injuries that held them to a 4-6 start. Their top players are healthy now, but they haven’t quite broken out into last year’s form.

Max Strus is their one free agent signing who the Cavaliers can call a success. He’s definitively a fifth starter who has added much-needed shooting without taking away from their top defense. That can’t be said about the rest of their signings. Their lack of reliable options off the bench may be the biggest indicator of their offensive struggles.

Caris LeVert ($15.4 million) becomes trade-eligible and his salary alone could bring back a lot of money. He may not project to be among their starters or closers but he’s so far been their most reliable backup guard. Georges Niang ($8.8 million) and Ty Jerome ($2.4 million) will also become eligible and could be exchanged for upgrades for their bench.


Denver Nuggets


The Denver Nuggets sit with a 16-9 record holding the league’s eighth-ranked net rating. Their starting lineup holds an 8.1 net rating, which ranks 10th among lineups that have played at least 100 minutes. They’ve struggled recently as they try to reintegrate Jamal Murray back into the lineup but it still projects to be one of the best five-man lineups for the playoffs.

Right below at 11th in the league is their lineup featuring their starters with Reggie Jackson in for Murray holding a 6.9 rating. Jackson has had a very good season so far as their most reliable bench player and playing a major role in keeping the Nuggets afloat while Murray missed time.

Jackson ($5 million) also has the highest salary among Denver’s non-starters and becomes trade-eligible on December 15. He’s been great but may not factor as prominently in the playoffs if Murray plays 40 minutes per game like he did last spring. They could still use more size, versatility, and toughness to replace some of what they lost through Bruce Brown and Jeff Green. The Nuggets could take back a player with a salary north of $10 million by aggregating Jackson and Zeke Nnaji ($4.3 million).


Los Angeles Lakers


The Lakers will officially enter the trade market with most of their free agents becoming trade-eligible. The name that is being circled as a potential acquisition for them is Zach LaVine. They’ll have enough outgoing salaries to match for him which could be featured with players like D’Angelo Russell ($17.3 million) and Gabe Vincent ($10.5 million). Rui Hachimura ($15.7 million) will become trade-eligible on January 15.

Now that a LaVine trade could actually be consummated, the Lakers need to weigh the pros and cons of adding him to their lineup, how they could continue building the roster with the addition of his contract, and how much value they’re willing to give up for him. Would they consider trading their limited amount of tradeable draft assets or Austin Reaves, who the Bulls reportedly covet, in a LaVine-to-Lakers deal? Perhaps there’s a deal where they instead acquire DeMar DeRozan or Alex Caruso, whom the Lakers reportedly covet more.


Bob


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22 year old Moses Moody of GSW isn't happy with his role and consistency of minutes.  Basically, he's a victim of GSW's depth.  He's 6'6", which makes him a wing.  He has a 7'1" wingspan, which should make him an excellent defender but his DefRtg is 117.  Steve Kerr decided to start Brandin Podziemski and move Andrew Wiggins to the bench.  If Wiggins isn't injured he's absolutely ahead of Moody on the depth chart.  GSW front office has been asked about what their plans for Moody are by other front offices.

Moody is under contract this year for $3.9M.  He is also under contract next year for $5.8M.  He is a RFA in 2025-2026 with a qualifying offer of $8M.


We have the $6.2M Grant Williams TPE.  We also have a $1.8M TPE from the Justin Jackson-to-OKC trade.  Unfortunately Svi's $2.019M salary + the $1.8M TPE doesn't quite match Moody's $3.9M, it's $500-$600K short.  Maybe someone can explain if our cap situation allows us to be that close, but short?


Bob


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Rumors are that Dejounte Murray will be traded by Atlanta by the trade deadline.

There will be CONSIDERABLE interest in him, if true. Philly will be positively salivating at the mere possibility of getting that major upgrade to their otherwise awful back court.


Bob


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Jayson Tatum's Duke teammate, and good friend, Harry Giles just had his contract guaranteed by the Brooklyn Nets @ $2.165M. Now that he's guaranteed the Nets can trade him (I am unaware of any contract condition that would prevent or delay a trade just because the contract was guaranteed).

Svi makes $2.347M. It will be fully guaranteed on 1/10/24. Brad has to make a decision on him one way or the other. A lack of a decision will still be a decision on 1/11/24. That's this Thursday, Brad has until Wednesday to decide.

I say "trade Svi for Giles". I don't know if a 2nd round pick has to go with it, I don't know who would be giving it and who would be receiving it, but Giles is a big and we could use some depth there unless Queta gets upgraded. Giles has underwhelmed as a pro, but maybe being in a good system with his old running mate might change that. Trading Svi is no loss, he never plays anyway. In fact, a change of scenery might be the best thing for him.

Trading Svi for Giles also leaves a roster spot open for depth at wing or upgrading Queta to a full NBA contract so he can play in the playoffs. That's another decision Brad has to make, and his confidence in Queta will affect any lust he might have for Giles.


Bob

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I don’t think Giles is an upgrade over Queta, does he do anything better than Queta? Giles never plays, has anyone seen him play?

Celtics could wait until the trade season ends and then kick a few tires on players that get bought out.

Or they could fill #15 by upgrading Queta.   We need playoff depth at center.  AH and KP have missed more games than any other players be it rest or a soft tissue injury.  Kornet would be a disaster  if we needed him to play well during the playoffs.  Queta can rebound.

In reality outside of AH and KP we quetionable.  So are all the other teams.

Everything will  still come down to health.  If our Celtics are meant to win this year, everthing will be aligned.  I will remain optimistic in absence of a reason not to be.

cowens/oldschool wrote:I don’t think Giles is an upgrade over Queta, does he do anything better than Queta? Giles never plays, has anyone seen him play?

Cow,

Anybody seen Svi play? He's played 115 minutes this year. Giles has played 59. Neither will/are moving the needle where they are. The question is "where are we most vulnerable?" not "who will play more?". Some things haven't changed. We still have a corp of bigs that include an aging player who doesn't play b2bs and a starting center who has already missed 9 games this year. We've played a total of 35, and he's missed 9. At that rate he'll miss 21 games, meaning he'll play 61.

Al's played 29 games so far, not because he's injured but because he's being held out in b2bs. It's hard to predict how many games he'll play this year because we don't (yet) know how beneficial it will be for him to not play in b2bs. He's also only playing 26.5mpg, which is way down from the 30mpg he played last season, and that might make a difference too, but if Z is out and Al is being cut back both in terms of sitting out games and fewer mpg that's minutes for other bigs, or it means playing Al more and that brings us back to where we don't want to be. Right now we have Luke, Queta on a two-way, and that's it.


Bob


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Technically not a trade, but on January 10th the Memphis Grizzlies waived, wait for it,

BisMACK BiyOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMBOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


He's 31 years old (will be 32 in August, so after the season is over).  He has played in 718 minutes this season, 30 games total and started 27 of them.  Memphis sucked, we know that, but that's because Steven Adams is out for the season (ergo BB starting in so many games) and because Ja is an idiot.

Pluses:

1.  He's averaging 23.9mpg this season, 4th most on Memphis, so playing him 15-20 on the nights Al Horford sits is fine.

2.  He's averaging 6.4 rpg in those 24mpg.
3.  He has a positive assist-to-turnover ratio.  So he won't kill us when he touches the ball.
4.  He's a good positional defender.  He's 255#
5.  He has a 7'6" wingspan.
6.  His DefRtg this year is 112.


Minuses:

1.  He is an awful frito shooter.  So we should expect a "hack a MACK" strategy by opposing coaches.

2.  No jump shot.
3.  No offense to speak of other than clean up.
4.  He's 6'8", so he's short for a center.

Per Spotrac:

NOV 2 2023  Signed a 1 year $5 million contract with Memphis (MEM). The deal includes $1 million guaranteed.



I don't see when his contract was guaranteed, so I don't know how much he'll get paid of the $5M.  He was waived on 1/10, so the balance of the $5 was saved by Memphis.  Either way, he'd be cheap for us, a veteran's minimum contract I'd say.

What do you think?  When Al sits we really have no down low presence because we've got Z and Luke and neither of them are bruisers (not that Al is either).  Queta is, but he's two-way and plays spottily.  BB would be full-time muscle.  Rebound, set solid, wide screens for others, defend, and collect your paycheck knowing you've done what's expected of you.

27 days until the trade deadline.


Bob


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BobH

I see where you are going with this.

It appears to me as though AH and KP are now on a no B2B schedule.

Bismark is an interesting option.

KP is a flashing yellow. He has already missed 10 games. AH cannot be effective in B2B contests and he will still have unproductive outings. That leaves the Luke and Queta option.

I read that Brad was interested in adding a big wing. Then Brissett started to get more playing time and at least has shown the ability to play with a lot of energy and come up with contested possessions.

Coming off the bench and immediately impacting the game is not for everyone.

I am stuck in traffic. get the big...no get the wing.

Have to go big first then big wing in my opinion.

Too high a risk Porzingis and Horford miss significant time.

Luke and Queta have been helpful, but not at the level needed if one of KP or AH can't make the finish line.

I'm not sure who might be available, and getting an all-around talent might not be possible. Still, someone who can rebound and has a decent skill set on at least one end would be a big plus. It will cost some assets but could be worthwhile come June. Biyombo would be a non-trade rental type option that could still allow for another body to come in via trade. BB would at least be an upgrade to the current bench.

I'd offer Bismack a 10-day contract to see how it goes.

We still have some time before the deadline, so taking a peek wouldn't hurt.

I like what I see from Oshae so far. 18-20 minutes going forward would give us a chance to see if it can become consistent.

I'm almost ready to cross Queta off my list because of what happened last night. He tied up the ball for a jump-ball, but he was oddly distracted at the beginning of the jump-ball and the ref started without him. The shorter guy got the ball. Hopefully, there's a logical explanation, but it was an odd thing in an odd week.

I would add Biyambo, he’s actually a guy I’ve seen play. Bob you didn’t answer the question at all of if Giles can play? I think he’s been injured at every stop too. Biyambo could add toughness and depth incase it is needed….

cowens/oldschool wrote:I would add Biyambo, he’s actually a guy I’ve seen play. Bob you didn’t answer the question at all of if Giles can play? I think he’s been injured at every stop too. Biyambo could add toughness and depth incase it is needed….

Cow,

I'm not ducking, I didn't see the question about Giles.

I'd rather have Biyombo than Giles.  Giles is a PF that has never played up to his potential.  The Big Mack is a legit, albeit 2nd or even 3rd tier, NBA center.  He can play in this league, he is playing in this league and I've yet to see if Giles can.  I don't know if that's because of injury, or poor work ethic or what but despite a very credible pedigree from Duke he hasn't gone anywhere in multiple coach's systems.  Furthermore BB is a banger, he's not a finesse player like Luke and a lot of other NBA centers today, and I'd like some real veteran beef at big.  Someone who knows what he can and cannot do, who knows the refs and the refs know him (and they don't hate him and target him).  BB is not who I'd want as first big off the bench on a Championship team, but 2nd big off the bench playing 20+mpg when Al sits out games and 5mpg when he's playing?  Sure.  Definitely as our 4th big.  Giles just never really found his NBA sweet spot.  It'd make Jayson happy to have his old Blue Devil buddy on the roster, but winning a Championship would make him even happier.


Bob


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bobheckler wrote:

cowens/oldschool wrote:I would add Biyambo, he’s actually a guy I’ve seen play. Bob you didn’t answer the question at all of if Giles can play? I think he’s been injured at every stop too. Biyambo could add toughness and depth incase it is needed….

Cow,

I'm not ducking, I didn't see the question about Giles.

I'd rather have Biyombo than Giles.  Giles is a PF that has never played up to his potential.  The Big Mack is a legit, albeit 2nd or even 3rd tier, NBA center.  He can play in this league, he is playing in this league and I've yet to see if Giles can.  I don't know if that's because of injury, or poor work ethic or what but despite a very credible pedigree from Duke he hasn't gone anywhere in multiple coach's systems.  Furthermore BB is a banger, he's not a finesse player like Luke and a lot of other NBA centers today, and I'd like some real veteran beef at big.  Someone who knows what he can and cannot do, who knows the refs and the refs know him (and they don't hate him and target him).  BB is not who I'd want as first big off the bench on a Championship team, but 2nd big off the bench playing 20+mpg when Al sits out games and 5mpg when he's playing?  Sure.  Definitely as our 4th big.  Giles just never really found his NBA sweet spot.  It'd make Jayson happy to have his old Blue Devil buddy on the roster, but winning a Championship would make him even happier.


Bob


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Okay we are in agreement, at least we know what BB is, a smaller version of Perk, a career banger/role player who has held his own in the paint whenever called upon. He has his limitations, just don’t ask him to do anything he can’t and he’ll hold his own in the paint; his defense and rebounding shows up at every stop.

cowens/oldschool wrote:

bobheckler wrote:

cowens/oldschool wrote:I would add Biyambo, he’s actually a guy I’ve seen play. Bob you didn’t answer the question at all of if Giles can play? I think he’s been injured at every stop too. Biyambo could add toughness and depth incase it is needed….

Cow,

I'm not ducking, I didn't see the question about Giles.

I'd rather have Biyombo than Giles.  Giles is a PF that has never played up to his potential.  The Big Mack is a legit, albeit 2nd or even 3rd tier, NBA center.  He can play in this league, he is playing in this league and I've yet to see if Giles can.  I don't know if that's because of injury, or poor work ethic or what but despite a very credible pedigree from Duke he hasn't gone anywhere in multiple coach's systems.  Furthermore BB is a banger, he's not a finesse player like Luke and a lot of other NBA centers today, and I'd like some real veteran beef at big.  Someone who knows what he can and cannot do, who knows the refs and the refs know him (and they don't hate him and target him).  BB is not who I'd want as first big off the bench on a Championship team, but 2nd big off the bench playing 20+mpg when Al sits out games and 5mpg when he's playing?  Sure.  Definitely as our 4th big.  Giles just never really found his NBA sweet spot.  It'd make Jayson happy to have his old Blue Devil buddy on the roster, but winning a Championship would make him even happier.


Bob


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Okay we are in agreement, at least we know what BB is, a smaller version of Perk, a career banger/role player who has held his own in the paint whenever called upon. He has his limitations, just don’t ask him to do anything he can’t and he’ll hold his own in the paint; his defense and rebounding shows up at every stop.

Cow,

We're usually in agreement, I just love busting your chops.


Bob


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ESPN is reporting Detroit sends Marvin Bagley III + Isaiah Livers to Washington for Danilo Gallinari + Mike Muscala.

Gallinari and Muscala are expiring contracts,  setting Detroit up for a big free agency summer.

Even if they are bought out by Detroit I don't think Brad can sign Gallo or Moose because he traded them < 1 year ago (the "Danny Ainge Rule").



Bob


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Saw that trade last night. Didn't think much of it. FYI, DET's on a new streak....7 so far.

db

I think it is funny that Gallinari and Muscala seem to be paired since their time in Boston.

And then there's this:

Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala now legal to trade, sign with Celtics; Should Boston inquire?

Justin Quinn
Mon, January 15, 2024 at 11:50 AM EST·1 min read

Now that the Washington Wizards have dealt away both of the players they got from the Boston Celtics this past offseason in the deal that brought star center Kristaps Porzingis to the Celtics. Both Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala could be brought back to play for Boston via trade or after a buyout.

Before that, the rules of the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement would not have permitted such a reunion for the Celtics. But now that it is back on the table, would bringing back Gallo or Muscala make sense for Boston? With the team looking mainly for a bigger wing and to a lesser extent some help in the team’s frontcourt rotations, there is a case for both given the budget the Celtics have to work with (read: not much). But could Boston do better than a pair of players that did not work out in the past?

The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast took a deep dive into what such scenarios might look like.

gyso wrote:And then there's this:

Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala now legal to trade, sign with Celtics; Should Boston inquire?

Justin Quinn
Mon, January 15, 2024 at 11:50 AM EST·1 min read

Now that the Washington Wizards have dealt away both of the players they got from the Boston Celtics this past offseason in the deal that brought star center Kristaps Porzingis to the Celtics. Both Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala could be brought back to play for Boston via trade or after a buyout.

Before that, the rules of the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement would not have permitted such a reunion for the Celtics. But now that it is back on the table, would bringing back Gallo or Muscala make sense for Boston? With the team looking mainly for a bigger wing and to a lesser extent some help in the team’s frontcourt rotations, there is a case for both given the budget the Celtics have to work with (read: not much). But could Boston do better than a pair of players that did not work out in the past?

The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast took a deep dive into what such scenarios might look like.

They both work in the sense they play positions of need and can probably be had as cheap rentals.

I would pass, however, since neither appear capable of strengthening the roster over the current group. I would look further knowing we would have to part with some players, cash or the remaining TPE. We're already headed for luxury tax city so may as well go a little further. I think the title window is open right now, this year. I'd treat this time like there is no tomorrow and pull out the stops looking for better reinforcements.

As much as I would have loved it if Gallinari had played for the Celtics, I think, possibly, his time is past in the NBA. He was averaving 7 pts per game in Wasshington wth 2 rebounds. Heck, Brissette can do better than that and he plays defense. Gallo's legs are just about gone. I see him going back to Italy to play for a couple of years. As far as Musala, he never got off the bench last year, what makes anyone think they would get off this year? I have no thoughts on the big guy, I think we are jumping from pillar to post

The Toronto Raptors have reportedly agreed to trade power forward Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers for three players and two future picks, according to multiple reports.

Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the New Orleans Pelicans will also be involved in the deal, which will see Toronto acquire Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, two 2024 first-round picks and a 2026 first-round pick. The Pacers will get Siakam and a second-round pick from New Orleans, while the Pelicans will send Kira Lewis to the Raptors.

Sh!t I hate this trade Indiana just got a lot better….

This is a scary trade. I know they gave up a lot of picks, but, sure did not give the equivalent in talent. I know Brown is good, but not as good as Siakam

Pascal Siakam  raises the bar for the Pacers.  

I am sure a lot of teams felt a tingling in their Tummy but NOT the Celtics.

Pascal Siakam is a two way player but is his defense good enough to make any significant dent in the 125.6 PPG that they bleed?   I think not.  Besides they have no center depth and they cannot defend at the point.

Rosalie I must try to convince you that  Pascal Siakam is not better than Jaylen Brown.    Firstly,  Pascal Siakam is not a player that can score at all 3 levels.  His career 32.7% shooting from deep is even better than his 31.7% shooting this year.  He is a stretch 4/SF wing type player than cannot make three point shoots.  He plays mostly PF so his rebounding numbers should be better than Jaylen's  6.3 vs 5.2 (JB)

Another interesting measurement is their post season production.  JB has proven to be a better player than him during the post season.   (JB 18.2 PPG on 47.9% shooting and 36.4% from deep).  Siakam comes in at 15.9 PPG while shooting 45.7% and only 25.5% from deep.

Agree or disagree I do not think any NBA team would trade JB for Pascal Siakam straight up.  

So have I swayed you just a bit?