• Loading stock data...
Thursday, September 18, 2025

Why NBA Trade Season Is About to Pick Up

There are 18 NBA players who will be eligible for a trade starting Wednesday.

Jan 5, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) drives against New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) in the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center.
Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

With the NBA trade deadline less than a month away, Wednesday serves as an important marker for the league. 

Every Jan. 15, players who re-signed with their teams during the offseason may be traded, according to the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement. These players must have also been signed to deals that either put their team over the soft salary cap number ($140.6 million) or signed to more than 120% of the salary in the final season of their last contract.

There are 18 players who fall under this criteria, including Sixers All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey and Knicks forward OG Anunoby. These 18 add to the 85 players who signed contracts with new teams during the offseason who were allowed to become trade-eligible on Dec. 15.

While 18 players may not seem like much (about 3% of the league), teams looking to be active before the Feb. 6 trade deadline could have held off until a certain player was made eligible. For example, the Thunder, who sit at the top of the Western Conference, could make a consolidation trade by packaging their hoard of draft picks with desirable role players. Guards Isaiah Joe (four years, $48 million) and Aaron Wiggins (five years, $45 million) are both fairly young role players on team-friendly contracts who are eligible for a trade as of Wednesday.

Other examples include Nets center Nic Claxton and Lakers guard Max Christie. The two teams agreed to a trade in December that sent D’Angelo Russell to Brooklyn and Dorian Finney-Smith to Los Angeles. Both teams could continue making moves, with Claxton serving as a trade chip for the rebuilding Nets and Christie as a young asset to help bring in established talent for the win-now Lakers.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Silver: My Comments About Basketball Highlights Were ‘Misconstrued’

The NBA commissioner spoke at the Front Office Sports Tuned in summit.
Apr 24, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley (5) dribbles on New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) in the second half during game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena.

Adam Silver: NBA’s Problems With Gambling ‘Have Been Predictable’

Silver originally advocated for legalized sports betting in a 2014 op-ed.
Maria Taylor

Maria Taylor Talks About ‘Moving Differently’ in ESPN-NBC Jump

Taylor will be NBC Sports’ lead NBA and WNBA studio host.

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.

Adam Silver Walks Back Claim He’d Never Heard of Aspiration

Adam Silver spoke at the Front Office Sports Tuned In summit.
Sep 14, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) gestures to a teammate after scoring against the Seattle Storm in the first quarter during game one of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Michelob Ultra Arena.
September 15, 2025

Aces Surge From Collapse to Contention With Dynasty at Stake

The turnaround started after a 53-point loss to the Minnesota Lynx.
Sep 14, 2025; Bridgeview, Illinois, USA; Portland Thorns FC midfielder Olivia Moultrie (13) kicks the ball past Chicago Stars FC defender Sam Staab (3) during the second half of a match at SeatGeek Stadium.
September 16, 2025

NWSL Beefs Up Media Deal With More CBS, ESPN, Adds Victory+

The NWSL has been locked into its existing deal since last year.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
September 15, 2025

Tush Push Debate Heats Up in Eagles Win, Ex-NFL Rules Chief Sounds..

The Eagles are continuing to run the quarterback-sneak play.
September 14, 2025

Most NFL Home Teams Opt to Honor Charlie Kirk Before Games

Several NFL teams playing at home on Sunday recognized the late activist. Some did not.
September 14, 2025

Crawford-Alvarez Bout Draws Biggest Crowd in Vegas Boxing History

Record attendance, a big gate, and growing ambitions mark the high-profile bout.
September 14, 2025

Low-Payroll Brewers Buck the Math, Clinch First MLB Playoff Berth

Milwaukee continues to defy its market size and economic constraints.