NBA trade talks became much louder on Monday after a major update on player eligibility. According to salary cap expert Bobby Marks, 82 players who signed contracts in the offseason are now allowed to be traded. This has opened many doors for teams planning mid-season moves.
Marks also shared that almost 90 percent of the league’s 436 contracted players have no trade restrictions at the moment. This gives front offices more flexibility as the season moves forward.
Why Some NBA Players Still Cannot Be Traded
While most players are now available, around 10 percent of the league still cannot be moved. These players have contract rules that delay their trade eligibility beyond December 15.
One clear example is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder star signed a massive four-year supermax extension in July. Because of league rules, he cannot be traded for one full year after signing that deal, meaning he is locked in until after the season.
Players With Trade Restrictions Right Now
Several players across different teams remain unavailable due to contract conditions. These restrictions include rookie extension rules, recently signed contracts, and special clauses.
Some players are blocked until January 15, 2026. Others have limits that stretch into February, March, or even later. A few players also have special protections that make trades more complex.
LeBron James stands out because he has a no-trade clause with the Lakers. This means he has full control and must approve any trade involving him. Damian Lillard is in a similar situation with his team.
List of NBA players who cannot be traded on December 15 due to contractual obligations.
| Player | Team | Trade Restriction/Trade-Eligibility Date |
| Dyson Daniels | Hawks | PPP |
| Keaton Wallace | Hawks | SR: 1/18/2026 (1YB) |
| Tre Mann | Hornets | SR: 1/15/2026 |
| Josh Giddey | Bulls | SR: 1/15/2026 |
| Sam Merrill | Cavaliers | SR: 1/15/2026 |
| Thomas Bryant | Cavaliers | SR: 12/25/2025 |
| P.J. Washington | Mavericks | SR: 3/10/2026 |
| Christian Braun | Nuggets | PPP |
| Paul Reed | Pistons | SR: 1/15/2026 |
| Al Horford | Warriors | SR: 1/1/2026 |
| Seth Curry | Warriors | SR: 3/1/2026 |
| De’Anthony Melton | Warriors | SR: 1/1/2026 |
| Jonathan Kuminga | Warriors | SR: 1/15/2026 |
| Gary Payton II | Warriors | SR: 12/292025 (1YB) |
| Jabari Smith Jr. | Rockets | PPP |
| Garrison Mathews | Pacers | SR: 3/11/2026 |
| Aaron Nesmith | Pacers | SR: 4/20/2026 |
| Isaiah Jackson | Pacers | SR: 1/15/2026 |
| Kobe Brown | Clippers | DRSO |
| LeBron James | Lakers | NO-trade clause |
| Luka Doncic | Lakers | SR: 2/2/2026 |
| Santi Aldama | Grizzlies | SR: 1/15/2026 |
| Jaren Jackson Jr. | Grizzlies | SR: 1/13/2026 |
| Davion Mitchell | Heat | SR: 1/15/2026 |
| Nikola Jovic | Heat | PPP |
| A.J. Green | Bucks | SR: 4/17/2026 |
| Naz Reid | Timberwolves | SR: 1/15/2026 |
| Herb Jones | Pelicans | SR: 1/14/2026 |
| DeAndre Jordan | Pelicans | SR: 1/23/2026 |
| Mikal Bridges | Knicks | SR: 2/1/2026 |
| Chet Holmgren | Thunder | PPP |
| Jalen Williams | Thunder | PPP |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Thunder | SR: 7/7/2026 |
| Jaylin Williams | Thunder | SR: 12/29/2025 |
| Jett Howard | Magic | DRSO |
| Paolo Banchero | Magic | PPP |
| Quentin Grimes | 76ers | SR: 1/15/2026 (1YB) |
| Devin Booker | Suns | SR: 1/10/2026 |
| Toumani Camara | Blazers | SR: 4/19/2026 |
| Shaedon Sharpe | Blazers | PPP |
| Russell Westbrook | Kings | SR: 1/16/2026 |
| Precious Achiuwa | Kings | SR: 2/4/2026 |
| Keegan Murray | Kings | PPP |
| De’Aaron Fox | Spurs | SR: 2/4/2026 |
| Jakob Poeltl | Raptors | SR: 1/7/2026 |
Why January 15 Is an Important Date
Many players become trade-eligible on January 15. Bobby Marks explained that this rule applies to players who re-signed with their own teams using Bird or Early Bird rights and received a big salary increase compared to last season.
This rule helps protect teams from signing players and trading them immediately.
What Is the Poison Pill Rule
Some young players are affected by a rule known as the poison pill provision. This mostly applies to players on rookie contracts who have signed extensions that have not started yet.
For trade purposes, the player’s salary looks very different for the team trading him and the team receiving him. This makes matching salaries harder and often delays trades involving these players.
Jabari Smith Jr. is a good example. His current salary is much lower than what another team would need to count if they trade for him.
One-Year Bird Rights Explained
A few players fall under the one-year Bird rights rule. These players can be traded, but only if they agree to the deal.
This rule applies to players who signed short-term contracts and are expected to gain Bird rights with their current teams later. Consent is required before any trade can happen.
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