NBA News: December 15th, 2016 marks the first day players inked to deals this summer are eligible to be traded.
Expect some announcements from the NBA today as December 15th officially opens the trade market for players who signed this past offseason. There are some exceptions, but that is a small list. In this smaller grouping the caveat that separates these players are they resigned to their own team with a 20% raise and used either their Bird or Early Bird rights.
Oklahoma City Thunder are the only team without a player on the larger December 15th extensive list. Despite that fact, there is reason for Thunder fans to pay attention today. Most notably it means Sam Presti can look to make a trade with a team who does have numerous players who finally are eligible to swap teams.
Given the past two outings by the Thunder there is ample reason to wonder if the historically patient Sam Presti might be moved to make a few calls. To wit, losing back to back games by an average of 19.5 points shone a rather large spotlight on the Thunder’s issues. For the first time this season Russell Westbrook has shown signs of fatigue. And, with Victor Oladipo nursing a sore wrist the youthful roster surrounding OKC’s starting backcourt has failed to offer any resolution.
As we’ve touched on previously, teams generally take a quarter of the season to demonstrate their identity and potential. With that benchmark being past recently, now NBA franchises have formed a solid opinion of their weaknesses. Moreover clubs understand where their opponents hold an edge over them. Though the NBA trade deadline is February 23rd, expect some teams with designs on playing past April to be active in the coming days.
Although Oladipo’s injury was undesirable, the timing of it coupled with three losses in the past four games may expedite the need to make a move now versus later.
Here’s the list by Division and Team of eligible players:
Atlantic Division:
Boston Celtics:
- Gerald Green, Al Horford
Brooklyn Nets:
- Anthony Bennett, Trevor Booker, Randy Foye, Justin Hamilton, Joe Harris, Jeremy Lin, Luis Scola
New York Knicks:
- Ron Baker, Brandon Jennings, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Courtney Lee, Maurice Ndour, Joakim Noah, Marshall Plumlee, Sasha Vujacic
Philadelphia 76ers:
- Jerryd Bayless, Gerald Henderson, Sergio Rodriguez
Toronto Raptors:
- Jared Sullinger, Fred VanVleet
Central Division:
Chicago Bulls:
- Isaiah Canaan, Rajon Rondo, Dwyane Wade
Cleveland Cavaliers:
- Chris Andersen, Richard Jefferson, James Jones, DeAndre Liggins
Detroit Pistons:
- Jon Leuer, Boban Marjanovic, Ish Smith, Beno Udrih
Indiana Pacers:
- Aaron Brooks, Al Jefferson, Kevin Seraphin
Milwaukee Bucks:
- Matthew Dellavedova, Steve Novak, Mirza Teletovic, Jason Terry
Southeast Division:
Atlanta Hawks:
- Kent Bazemore, Malcolm Delaney, Dwight Howard, Kris Humphries
Charlotte Hornets:
- Roy Hibbert, Brian Roberts, Ramon Sessions, Christian Wood
Miami Heat:
- Wayne Ellington, Udonis Haslem, James Johnson, Rodney McGruder, Willie Reed, Dion Waiters, Hassan Whiteside, Derrick Williams
Orlando Magic:
- D.J. Augustin, Bismack Biyombo, Jeff Green, Arinze Onuaku, Damjan Rudez
Washington Wizards:
- Danuel House, Ian Mahinmi, Sheldon McClellan, Andrew Nicholson, Daniel Ochefu, Jason Smith, Marcus Thornton
Northwest Division:
Denver Nuggets:
- Darrell Arthur, Mike Miller
Minnesota Timberwolves:
- Cole Aldrich, Jordan Hill, John Lucas III, Brandon Rush
Oklahoma City Thunder: (only team with none)
- None
Portland Trail Blazers:
- Festus Ezeli, Tim Quarterman, Evan Turner
Utah Jazz:
- Joe Johnson
Pacific Division:
Golden State Warriors:
Ian Clark, Kevin Durant. James McAdoo, JaVale McGee, Zaza Pachulia, Anderson Varejao, David West
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- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
Los Angeles Clippers:
- Alan Anderson, Brandon Bass, Raymond Felton, Wesley Johnson, Luc Mbah A Moute, Marreese Speights
Los Angeles Lakers:
- Jordan Clarkson, Luol Deng, Marcelo Huertas, Timofey Mozgov
Phoenix Suns:
- Leandro Barbosa, Jared Dudley, Derrick Jones
Sacramento Kings:
- Arron Afflalo. Matt Barnes, Ty Lawson, Garrett Temple, Anthony Tolliver
Southwest Division:
Dallas Mavericks:
- Harrison Barnes, Nicolas Brussino, Dorian Finney-Smith, Dwight Powell, Deron Williams
Houston Rockets:
- Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon, Nene
Memphis Grizzlies:
- Troy Daniels, James Ennis, Chandler Parsons, Troy Williams
New Orleans Pelicans:
- Tim Frazier, Langston Galloway, Solomon Hill, Terrence Jones, E’Twaun Moore
San Antonio Spurs:
- Dewayne Dedmon, Bryn Forbes, Pau Gasol, David Lee
Phones will be ringing:
While some teams will wait until later this season to ascertain their needs there are logical calls for Presti to make. Specifically, lottery bound teams may be willing to trade assets added this summer to stock pile draft picks for the deep draft this summer. Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets all offer interesting options.
Additionally, teams who have recognized a precise need may be looking to fill that gap immediately in order to help them climb higher on the ladder. The Eastern Conference may be more active in that regard with a glut of teams grouped together. Specifically, 1.5 games separates the Bulls, Hornets, Celtics, Pistons, Pacers, Hawks and Bucks.
In the West might we see Tom Thibodeau look to add a key veteran now that the Wolves had a break through performance in Chicago? Likewise will Sacramento look to move a vet or Portland be willing to give up a backcourt asset to shore up their front court needs?
Next: A Thunder trade is coming
Ultimately, Thunder fans should be hoping Sam Presti uses his talents to add a roster piece or two to help the squad improve. Moreover, it’s time to find Russell Westbrook some help. The pace he has been on is super human. And, while NBA and Thunder fans know he plays beyond this world, the question is how much better can he and the Thunder be if one more asset comes along to offset his workload.