NBA Trade Season Begins: 5 Big Names Who Could Be on the Move
December 15 isn’t circled on the official NBA calendar, but around front offices, it might as well be a holiday-the unofficial start of trade season. That’s when the majority of players who signed contracts over the summer become eligible to be moved. This year, that opens the door for 79 players to potentially be dealt, and while not all of them will be, a few names are already drawing serious attention.
Here’s a look at five players who could be packing their bags soon-and why.
Chris Paul | Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers made headlines when they sent Chris Paul home, signaling that his role in L.A. might be finished. But don’t mistake that for retirement talk-Paul still wants to play, and there are teams out there that could use a seasoned floor general, even at 40.
The Timberwolves and Rockets both make sense. Minnesota could use a steadying hand off the bench behind Mike Conley, while Houston lacks a true veteran point guard to guide their young core.
And don’t rule out the Lakers. Paul’s long-standing friendship with LeBron James has always made L.A.'s other team a potential landing spot.
If the Clippers aren’t going to use him, someone else certainly will.
Clint Capela | Houston Rockets
Capela is one of those players who might not make headlines, but he fills a very specific need-and fills it well. A defensive-minded big who rebounds at a high level and doesn’t need touches to be effective? That’s gold for playoff teams looking to shore up their frontcourt.
The Rockets are already crowded at center and lack a true ball-handler. Capela, on a manageable $6.7 million salary, could be the kind of piece that helps balance a trade. He’s not a star, but he’s a plug-and-play guy who could help a contender from day one.
Bobby Portis | Milwaukee Bucks
Portis has been a fan favorite in Milwaukee, but the Bucks are in a precarious spot. There’s concern about their long-term trajectory, and if things go south, they may have to make some tough calls.
That could include moving Portis, who’s in the middle of a Sixth Man of the Year-type campaign. He brings energy, scoring, and rebounding off the bench-traits that teams covet down the stretch. If Milwaukee decides to retool around Giannis or brace for bigger changes, Portis could be one of the first pieces to go.
Dennis Schroder | Sacramento Kings
Schroder came to Sacramento with the expectation of being the starting point guard, but Russell Westbrook has outshined him lately. That’s led to speculation that the Kings could look to shake things up-and Schroder might be part of that equation.
With Sacramento potentially open to moving Domantas Sabonis and reshaping the roster, Schroder becomes a logical trade chip. He’s on a $14 million deal and still has value as a scoring guard off the bench for a contender. Don’t be surprised if a playoff team in need of backcourt depth picks up the phone.
James Harden | Los Angeles Clippers
Harden’s name is always going to carry weight, but the situation in L.A. is complicated. The Clippers don’t own their first-round pick, so there’s no incentive to bottom out-but that doesn’t mean they won’t explore changes.
Harden's $39.2 million contract makes a trade tricky, but his reputation as one of the most gifted scorers in NBA history keeps his market alive. If the Clippers start to slide and Harden grows unhappy-something we’ve seen before-teams might be willing to take the gamble. He’s not the MVP version of himself, but in the right setting, he could still swing a playoff series.
Bottom Line:
Trade season is officially underway, and while not every name on the board will move, these five veterans are worth watching. Whether it’s a contender looking for that final piece or a team ready to reset, the market is open-and the phones are ringing.