Why are NBA teams waiting until December 15 to make trades?
The unofficial start to the NBA trade season is on December 15, when 74 players will become trade-eligible this season.
December 15 is an important day in the NBA calendar. It marks the date when most players who signed contracts during the offseason will become trade-eligible. This season, there are 74 players who will become trade eligible on Thursday, December 15.
Related: All NBA players eligible to be traded on December 15
Why is December 15 the unofficial start to NBA trade season?
The Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NBA and the National Basketball Player’s Association made some changes in 2011 that implemented trade restrictions. Because of those restrictions, the December 15 deadline applies to players who signed contracts in the offseason. Players become trade-eligible either on December 15 or after three months, whichever is later. Therefore, this season, some players will not be eligible to be traded until January 15 or later. But that is why December 15 is considered to be the unofficial start to the NBA trade season and that’s why you don’t see much happening before then.
NBA trade season: three teams who should be looking to make moves
The Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks are among the best teams in the NBA right now. Other teams, though, will be looking at the trade market to help catch up.
The Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have had another rough start to the season this year. They lost 10 of their first 12 games, but then won eight of the next ten to fall two games short of .500. Russell Westbrook remains a trade possibility and Anthony Davis is rumored to be an expensive trade option as well. They are not likely to trade Davis away as he’s been playing well so far this season. But Westbrook, who’s contract expires this offseason, could be their best bet. Other Lakers players eligible to be traded on December 15 are Patrick Beverly, Kendrick Nunn, and Damian Jones.
The Dallas Mavericks
For the Mavericks, they will have Christian Wood, Dwight Powell, Davis Bretons, Reggie Bullock, and Dorian Finney-Smith eligible to be traded. They can still count on Luka Doncic, who is their best player and top scorer, and on the first year of a 5-year contract extension. But despite his success and improvement from year-to-year, the Mavs still have the same record this year as they did last year at this point in the season. And if their success is dependent on one player’s ability, they’ll fall short every time. The Mavs should be looking for players who can help get them rebounds and score from the wing.
The Golden State Warriors
The Warriors are just one game above .500 right now - not what you’d expect from the defending NBA champions. They still have their main starting five, but their bench has changed. They lost Gary Payton III and Otto Porter Jr. in the offseason, and the younger guys haven’t been able to fill the hole they left. Trade-eligible players for the Warriors include James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga, Donte DiVencenzo, and Moses Moody.
NBA trade rumors
Pistons open to trading Nerlens Noel and Saddiq Bey
The Detroit Pistons are likely to trade Nerlens Noel, who has played in just six games this season. Interested teams include the Blazers, Heat, Kings and Mavs. The Pistons have also said they would trade forward Saddiq Bey for the “right price”, though what price exactly that is remains unclear. Bey has had ups and downs so far this season, but lately he’s been playing off the bench.
Atlanta Hawks discussing John Collins trade
The Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, Dallas Mavericks, and Brooklyn Nets have shown interest in the Hawks forward John Collins. The Nets have discussed a potential trade for Joe Harris, but the Hawks are not interested. They would be open to trading with the Wizards for Kyle Kuzma, but the Wizards are not going for it.
Jae Crowder to the Bucks?
The Phoenix Suns could potentially trade Jae Crowder to the Milwaukee Bucks in a deal that would involve four second-round Bucks draft picks and players to the Houston Rockets, while the Bucks would receive Crowder and Suns receive Eric Gordon and/or Kenyon Martin Jr. The Rockets, however, denied that deal, wanting one first-round pick rather than multiple second-round picks. The Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks are also potentials for Crowder.
Lakers interested in Bojan Bogdanovic, Evan Fournier, and Cam Reddish
The Lakers seem to be looking for a good shooter, and with good reason. They have been in trade talks with the Pistons for Bojan Bogdanovic, whom the Pistons acquired from the Jazz in the offseason.
The Lakers all discussed potential trades with the Knicks for Cam Reddish and Evan Fournier. The Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks were also interested in Reddish, but couldn’t complete the deal.