NBA Rewind: Jimmy Butler, Brandon Ingram highlight the start of trade season

Usually, this Monday NBA Rewind tips off with an extended version of the NBA Stock Report we do in The Bounce — our free NBA newsletter that arrives in your inbox every morning Monday through Friday. We also do the Stock Report in The Bounce, but we have limited real estate in there, so we extend it out with deeper thoughts and analysis in this space. But we’re not doing that this week. The Stock Report will only be in The Bounce. Instead, with the Dec. 15 marker having passed on the calendar, I’ve got trade-season fever. Let’s examine players I think could be traded, teams who should be buyers and teams who should be sellers. Plus, we will go over what you need to know for the week ahead.

Here’s your latest NBA Rewind!

Big Story: Trade season opened this weekend

Dec. 15 is a big date in the NBA. No, it’s not the 10-day reminder for Christmas celebrators to get their gift-buying ventures a jumpstart. Although, I highly recommend a subscription to the New York Times! Also, start shopping now. Don’t wait. You don’t have time. With that said, Dec. 15 marks the date on the NBA calendar when signings from the summer are available for trade acquisition. We’ve already seen two deals happen, with the Golden State Warriors trading for Dennis Schröder and the Indiana Pacers trading for big man Thomas Bryant. The bounty for Schröder was De’Anthony Melton, Reece Beekman, and three second-round picks. The bounty for Bryant was a second-round pick swap between the Pacers and the Heat. We’ve also seen the Detroit Pistons free up a roster spot by waiving Paul Reed.

Trade season is here! So, what should you expect between now and Feb. 6? Who are the big names who could be moved? Which teams need to take a swing, and which teams need to send veterans out to tank? Let’s dip our toes into these trade pools!

Who could be on the move?

Let’s go over the biggest names we think could or should be moved over the next eight weeks of trade season. Some of them are star players who could really swing a franchise’s present and/or future. We also have some solid role players capable of boosting a fledgling or thriving core. I will remind you we’re in this new era of the second-apron luxury-tax penalty threshold, and that proved to be a deterrent for some teams this past summer in what they were willing to do. We’re not quite sure how that’ll affect the trade market, but let’s hope teams won’t be able to keep themselves from making a significant move.

(Hey, aggregators! This is my opinion and not reporting that these players are available. Good luck content farming elsewhere. Happy holidays!)

Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat: I actually think the Heat should be aggressive in trying to acquire some help for Butler and Bam Adebayo, but things might be different since we know the team is open to taking trade calls about him. He’s 35 and could not exercise his $52 million option for next season if he doesn’t like where he ends up. Butler is the best player potentially on the market that we know about, and he can instantly make a good team a contender.

Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans: The 27-year-old Ingram is a one-time All-Star. He’s also currently on an expiring contract, so any team looking to acquire him is hoping to keep him long-term. That would likely need to be worked out in principle before any potential trade is completed (see: Pascal Siakam to Indiana and OG Anunoby to New York last season). Ingram is a dynamic scorer on the wing, but he’s also injured a lot.

CJ McCollum, New Orleans Pelicans: I don’t see the Pelicans getting away from Zion Williamson (yet), and the acquisition of Dejounte Murray this summer makes McCollum expendable. Any team looking for some scoring punch in the backcourt should be interested, but McCollum does have a heavy price. He’s on the books for $33 million this season and $30.6 million next season. No options. Fully guaranteed. He’s had some injury issues the last five seasons, but he can really score.

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Trade Zion Williamson and start a rebuild? Assessing Pelicans’ options

Nikola Vučević, Chicago Bulls: The stretch big Vučević has a very reasonable deal of $20 million this season and $21 million next season. You can do a lot worse than that price for a big putting up 21 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 58.7/47.4/85.2 shooting splits. He can really boost a struggling offense as a second or third option, but your defense will likely suffer.

Would a contender be willing to take on Zach LaVine’s contract? (Matt Marton / Imagn Images)

Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls: A shorter deal might make LaVine highly sought after. He’s owed $43 million this season, $45.9 million next season and has a $48.9 million player option for 2026-27. That’s too much money for too long for him to be easily swooped up. LaVine looks pretty healthy and has been good for Chicago. He’s just hard to acquire and justify in this CBA era.

Clint Capela, Atlanta Hawks: With the Hawks turning things around, I’d be shocked if he’s on the move. Of course, it’s the Hawks, so they could fall apart at any moment despite these good current vibes. Capela is on a $22 million expiring deal, and he’s still more than capable of making a difference on defense. The Hawks love the combo of Capela and Onyeka Okongwu at the center minutes, so there’s no reason to break that up with things going well.

Dorian Finney-Smith and Cameron Johnson, Brooklyn Nets: Schröder getting dealt showed the Nets are officially open for business. That turns everybody’s eyes toward these two wings. Finney-Smith is a really good defender shooting a career-best 44.8 percent from 3-point range. He’s a perfect 3-and-D role player and has a player option for $15 million next season. Johnson has three years and $68.5 million left on this deal. He’s averaging 18.5 points on 65.2 percent true shooting. Most teams could use him, and he’s definitely not a rental.

Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors: I’m not convinced the Warriors are done dealing, even though the Schröder move could definitely be what they feel brings them back into the top tier of the West. Kuminga is going to be a restricted free agent this summer, and he’s talented enough for a team to want to invest in. He is the trade piece to dangle in front of teams if the Warriors take a big swing for another significant player (Butler?).

Robert Williams III, Portland Trail Blazers: You’re always worried about Williams staying on the court because he misses a lot of time with his knee. He’s owed $25.6 million over the next two years, and he’s a dynamite defender when he’s able to play. The 27-year-old might be worth a shot from teams looking for big-man depth.

Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers: If Grant picks up his player option for the 2027-28 season, he’ll be owed $132.4 million over the next four seasons. That’s a big commitment, but the money isn’t that bad in the final year of the deal, when the cap will be much higher. Grant can score and defend. He’s a smart veteran to have. Portland is probably looking for at least a first-rounder. Committing to potentially four more years of good money is tough for the books.

Jakob Poeltl, Toronto Raptors: Poeltl probably isn’t actually available unless a team is kicking the door off the hinges with an offer. The Raptors have him cheap over the next couple years ($39 million total over next two years with a $19.5 million player option in 2026-27). He’s a good starting center on both ends of the floor. Toronto should probably keep him, but that shouldn’t stop a team from getting loose with a first for him.

Kelly Olynyk, Toronto Raptors: He’s not quite Poeltl, but Olynyk is always a good role player big man to have around. He’s owed $26.2 million over the next two seasons, so he’s extremely affordable for any team looking for a versatile big. This is a guy the Raptors should absolutely deal for some draft capital.

Bruce Brown Jr., Toronto Raptors: He’s on a $23 million expiring deal, and he was one of the most sought-after role players in the summer of 2023. The Raptors can’t stay healthy or win consistently, so he’s very expendable. Brown is still working his way back from offseason knee surgery, but he’s a game-changer as a role player when healthy.

John Collins, Utah Jazz: We’re seeing Collins enjoy being on pace to join the 50-40-90 club while averaging 18.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists. This is arguably his best individual season, and he could be a free agent this summer if he declines his $26.5 million option for 2025-26. The Jazz should be trying to dangle him in front of a team desperately in need of frontcourt scoring for some draft options.

Collin Sexton, Utah Jazz: Sexton is owed $37.5 million combined this season and next season. He’s a solid scoring guard who can run a little point and be a fantastic sixth man on a good team. The Jazz already held onto Jordan Clarkson too long beyond his trade value. Don’t make the same mistake.

Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz: Speaking of Clarkson, he has $28.2 million owed to him this season and next. There are no options, and the money is fully guaranteed. A team can probably get him for pretty cheap and hope there’s a revival in his percentages (40 percent from the field, 30 percent from deep) with a new arena.

Jonas Valančiūnas, Washington Wizards: Valančiūnas is a great, cheap option for anybody needing big-man insurance. He’s owed $19 million total over the next two seasons and has a third season for $10 million non-guaranteed. He can score inside, own the boards and play solid interior defense. He should be a target for anybody worried about Nikola Jokić.

Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards: There’s a certain point where I fear Kuzma has Stockholm Syndrome with the Wizards. But he’s a very good role player who could make a huge difference, much like we saw from P.J. Washington with Dallas last season. He’s owed $64 million over the next three seasons, so he’s not a rental.

Malcolm Brogdon, Washington Wizards: If he can get his hamstring right, Brogdon can be a really nice backcourt option for a team looking to jump up a tier. He’s on an expiring $22.5 million deal and can play both guard spots.

Three teams who should be buyers

Houston Rockets (17-9): One of the toughest things to figure out is whether to take a big swing when you’re a surprisingly successful team with a young core. We knew the Rockets would be good, but not this good right away. Houston’s excellent team has been on display with the NBA Cup spotlight, but that also means everybody is painfully aware of just how limited it is on offense. The Rockets have so much depth and youth to use in potential trades without compromising why they’re so good. They need to go get a high-level offensive initiator like Butler. The two-man game he could have with Alperen Şengün would be incredible.

Detroit Pistons (10-16): Tanking by the Pistons has not worked. They end up with the fifth pick half the time. And, while they could still benefit from a top-five pick in this particular draft class, perhaps it’s time to focus on a winning culture. I’d like to see the Pistons try to make a move to find some help for Cade Cunningham and make a real push toward being a Play-In team, rather than being a Play-In team by default.

Golden State Warriors (14-10): The move for Schröder is nice, but the Warriors need more. Steph Curry is 36, and this idea of multiple timelines they’ve been trying to possess is bunk. Kuminga and Moses Moody combined with a pick and a contract to go get a great veteran (Butler?) can throw them right back up there with OKC and the rest of the West titans. You can figure out the future later. Swing for title contention and try to get a fifth one for Steph and company.

Three teams who need to embrace the tank

Brooklyn Nets (10-15): It’s already started with the Schröder deal, but the Nets should not get too picky here. They don’t have to deal Johnson because he is under a good, team-friendly deal. But Finney-Smith could walk this summer for nothing, and teams will definitely want him. I want to see the Nets get aggressive sending out valuable veterans with the reminder that this coming draft is super meaningful to their future.

Portland Trail Blazers (8-17): Portland isn’t in danger of challenging for the Play-In by keeping the status quo, but I do think it’s time to unload some of these veterans for future considerations. The Blazers have a lot of nice, young role players. They need a star, though. Scoot Henderson isn’t looking like the guy we thought he could be (but there’s still a lot of time, and the G League Ignite may have hurt some young guys’ development). Get the draft capital and see what next steps this rebuild needs.

New Orleans Pelicans (5-21): It sounds like Ingram, McCollum and maybe even Zion can be had for the right price. I hope New Orleans is willing to sit in its sorrow the rest of this season, embrace tanking and just be fine with where their season has started. I had high hopes and expectations for this team, as did many others. This just isn’t the Pelicans’ season, but they can make big changes without committing to a long rebuild.

The Week Ahead: The NBA Cup final and other stories!  

It’s a busy week ahead with all of the holidays coming pretty soon, so maybe you don’t have time to know what to keep your eye out for. Good thing we’ve got you to let you know everything that needs your attention this coming week. We have a big NBA Cup Final matchup on Tuesday, a couple of intriguing showdowns to get us to the weekend, and an eye out on the return of a legend. 

NBA Cup Final is Tuesday night!

We’re fully previewing the NBA Cup Final in The Bounce on Tuesday, and we’ll have lots of coverage on this site from Las Vegas. We know the matchup is going to be a great contest. The Oklahoma City Thunder have been arguably the best team in basketball all season long. The Milwaukee Bucks are trying to re-establish themselves as a team to fear in pursuit of an NBA championship. They’ll both be playing for the NBA Cup Tuesday night (8:30 p.m. ET on ABC). As a reminder: The winning team gets over $500,000 for each player as part of the prize. Giannis Antetokounmpo versus Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? Damian Lillard and Jalen Williams? Brook Lopez and Isaiah Hartenstein? This could be the best NBA Cup Final we’ve ever seen!

Is LeBron James fine? 

Last week, JJ Redick let everybody know that LeBron James was taking some time away from the team. James missed two games for the Lakers (a win over Portland and a loss to Minnesota) with a foot injury as the Lakers cited “personal reasons” for him being away.

When Redick was asked about LeBron’s absence before the Minnesota game, and if he knew when he’d be back, the Lakers coach simply answered, “No.” That caused the internet to run wild with speculation that the NBA’s all-time leading scorer might demand a trade or demand the Lakers make a trade to get him and Anthony Davis some help. It could also simply just be a guy about to turn 40 dealing with a foot injury and fatigue. We’re not sure. LeBron played Sunday night in the 116-110 home win over the Memphis Grizzlies, and he had 18 points on 7-of-17 from the field with eight rebounds, eight assists and five turnovers.

GO DEEPER

LeBron feels ‘pretty good’ in his Lakers return, will manage foot issue

He turns 40 before the month is out, and he’s made being available and great so commonplace for everybody that his absence raises alarms across the NBA world. Hopefully, everything is fine for him. Regardless, though, the fatigue and foot injury are worth monitoring for James, who has finally looked human this season.

Two games to mark on the calendar

I have two matchups circled on my calendar outside of the NBA Cup Final. Thursday night, Karl-Anthony Towns returns to the Twin Cities with the New York Knicks. It will be Towns’ first game back against the Wolves, and we’re going to see a great tribute and response from the crowd. We also get a revenge game for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo against their former Knicks team. Then, on Friday, the Bucks (possibly fresh off an NBA Cup championship!) head to Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers. This is a massive test for the Bucks after they face a tough Thunder team on Tuesday.

(Top photo: Mark Brown / Getty Images )