December 15, NBA trade eligibility player list, key dates and clarification of exceptions
Primer of NBA trade eligibility player list as of December 15 including the OKC Thunder roster with key trade dates and further clarification of exceptions.
As of today the majority of NBA offseason free agent signings become trade eligible. Consequently, the OKC Thunder arrive at December 15 on the heels of consecutive losses (their first since an 0-4 season start). More importantly, the absence of consistent shooting remains the teams greatest weakness and therefore this group offers a larger talent pool to consider.
OKC have completed the easier portion of the schedule with the prospect of tougher schedule segments and the higher opponent echelon looming. Therefore it’s fair to assume Thunder General Manager, Sam Presti will actively be engaged discussing potential asset upgrades.
Don’t assume the team has nothing to trade, remember this is the same magician who has pulled more than his fair share of rabbits out of hats.
The following provides a break down of exceptions to look for within the NBA trade eligibility listed players (and definitions), critical dates and a full 30 team break down of NBA players as of today or January 15.
Exceptions:
A number NBA trade eligibility exceptions exist ranging from:
- A later eligibility date (January 15, is the other main date, generally tied to the point below)
- Free agents who re-signed with their former team at a 20 percent bonus using their “Bird” or “Early Bird” rights.
- Trade bonus payment (negotiated during contract process).
- The “Rose Rule” which limits any one team from trading for a player who signed a designated rookie scale contract if another similar talent was added via trade). The best example of this would be the Celtics because Kyrie Irving falls under this caveat. Therefore, all the rumors of Anthony Davis heading to the Celtics are precisely that – rumors. Wikipedia provides the following more detailed explanation:
"Officially titled the “5th Year 30% Max Criteria”,[32] it has been dubbed (and is more commonly known as) the “Derrick Rose Rule” after the 2011 MVP,[33] due to the fact that when the criteria were introduced, Rose was the only player in the NBA eligible to sign the maximum extension (due to his MVP award).[34] The reasoning for the rule is to suitably reward players being extended off of their rookie contract who are considered to be of a higher “caliber” than their peers, without restricting them to the lower (25%) salary level."
- “Poison Pill” restrictions. A player who signed a rookie extension which doesn’t kick in until this coming summer. A more detailed description is found on Larry Coon’s NBA Salary Cap site, which answers copious questions on the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement):
"What is the Poison Pill Provision?“Poison Pill” isn’t a defined term in the CBA, but there are a couple situations that are commonly referred to as a poison pill — meaning a contract clause that creates a potential difficulty because the cap accounting can vary from the norm.The first is when a team extends a first round draft pick’s rookie scale contract (see question number 58) and then trades the player between the date the extension is signed and the date it takes effect."
- Restrictions which disallow a player being traded back to his former team.
- Veto power (by player)
- Limitations on cash received
- Trade bonus kickers (negotiated by players/team)
Either of the above linked sites offer more detailed information on the CBA and exceptions mentioned above.
Key Dates to remember:
- December 15, 2018: Offseason Free Agent signings (majority of new signees become eligible for trade)
- February 7, 2019: NBA Trade Deadline
- March 1, 2019: Playoff eligibility waiver deadline (generally limited to veteran players who get waived and sign with a seeded team headed to playoffs
Eligibility List:
The following provides the full NBA trade eligibility player list broken down on division and team by team basis. Bracketed players cannot be traded until January 15, 2019.
Atlantic Division:
Boston Celtics:
Brooklyn Nets:
New York Knicks:
Philadelphia 76ers:
Toronto Raptors:
Central Division:
Chicago Bulls:
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Detroit Pistons:
Indiana Pacers:
Milwaukee Bucks:
Southeast Division:
Atlanta Hawks:
Charlotte Hornets:
Miami Heat:
Orlando Magic:
Washington Wizards:
Northwest Division:
Denver Nuggets:
Minnesota Timberwolves:
Oklahoma City Thunder:
Portland Trail Blazers:
Utah Jazz:
Pacific Division:
Golden State Warriors:
Los Angeles Clippers:
Los Angeles Lakers:
Phoenix Suns
Sacramento Kings
Southwest Division:
Dallas Mavericks:
More from Thunderous Intentions
- Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
- Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
- 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
Houston Rockets:
Memphis Grizzlies:
New Orleans Pelicans:
San Antonio Spurs:
Next. December trade deadline series Part 8 – Yogi Ferrell. dark
Given the early trade action of a few teams already and the comedy of errors occurring Friday night it’s safe to assume brain trusts will be actively working today.