This past Sunday, December 15, the NBA market unofficially opened. He also did it with two moves: Dennis Schröder headed to Golden State for De’Anthony Melton and the Heat sent Thomas Bryant to Indiana. Two transfers, especially that of the German, that can have an impact on the race for the playoffs. But they are by no means expected to be the last.
Despite being in the first year of the new agreement and with all the complexities of moving players, the NBA always finds answers. And that is why here we leave 10 players who can be transferred in this market and decide the champion in June.
Which players can mark the 2024-25 NBA transfer market
1. Jimmy Butler
For being the first to appear in the unstoppable wheel of NBA rumors, Jimmy deserves to be the first on this list. The situation with Butler is as simple as a duel of egos between two of the most curious personalities in the league, the player himself and Pat Riley. Butler’s contract ends in the summer despite having a player option and he wants to remain in Miami, but the president of the Heat does not plan to give him a maximum… yet. Butler’s performance hasn’t been a problem, but his availability has. Therefore, the door is open to a possible breakup.
There are teams pending his future, although moving a player (and salary) like Butler will be complicated. We explained it in detail this past week.
READ MORE | The Jimmy Butler case explained
2. Cam Johnson (y Dorian Finney-Smith)
The Nets have not only hung the for sale sign in the offices, they have also started their sales ahead of time. The transfer of Dennis Schröder, a name that was going to be a fixture on this list, also gives us a clue as to what attitude they will have in Brooklyn: to which a realistic offer arrives, thank you very much for the services, a bow and goodbye, very good. The reality is that if they do not take away all of Jordi Fernández’s veterans, he will continue to compete and win more games than he should.
Cam Johnson has no shortage of girlfriends. He was linked at the beginning of the season with the Milwaukee Bucks when Giannis’ team started the season with a negative record, and in recent days the Warriors have been the most mentioned. For a team looking for efficient points and a player with a contract until 2027 with 13% of the salary cap, Cam is the perfect player. He is, among role players, the jewel of the market. And it may end up deciding which team ends up making the finals, like Derrick White in 2022 or Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington last year.
3. Nikola Vucevic
It’s not Groundhog Day, but almost. The Bulls are still trying to get rid of Nikola Vucevic and the price is a first round pick. After the fiasco of not having obtained any draft assets for Alex Caruso last summer, and knowing that no one has asked about Zach LaVine (who is also for sale), they hope to find gold in the Montenegrin. Marc Stein and Jake Fischer explained it in Substack, detailing that Chicago’s plan is to wait until the teams are very desperate until they reach the point of going to them.
His level is very high, although going unnoticed in some mediocre Bulls. Averaging 21 points, with 9.8 rebounds per night with 47.3% from three, the third best record in the entire NBA and scoring numbers that only Karl-Anthony Towns, Domantas Sabonis, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo surpass. And although Vuc is not the great option on the market, especially due to defensive problems, he can contribute with a contract until 2026.
4. Bruce Brown
It was very surprising when the Raptors did not move him last year at the deadline after acquiring him. It was even more surprising when they kept him after the summer and now, with Brown still not having debuted this year, his price has dropped. He is still an expiring player that could free up salaries in the summer, or a rotation piece for a team looking for outside defense and experience in a contender. Toronto will sell, and they have to do it now because they will be a free agent.
He is not the only candidate to leave Canada. Chris Boucher, like Brown, is out of contract and among those who are not, Kelly Olynyk or even Jakob Poeltl who has had a huge start to the season. Transition season in Toronto, although they have not yet been able to bring together Immanuel Quickley, Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett on the court. But the future lies in them, Gradey Dick and what may come from the market.
5. Julius Randle
We can talk for hours about who won or lost the Karl-Anthony Towns trade, but a more urgent conversation is what will happen to Julius Randle. The interior expires and Minnesota has made it clear with its actions that it does not want to pay too much of a fine. If Randle still wants a mega-contract, the Timberwolves come out on top for having his rights, but the option to move him exists. And seeing the offensive level of this version of Minnesota, the possibility grows every day.
Anthony Edwards is immovable, Rudy Gobert is too valuable and Jaden McDaniels is untradeable. The rest of the block in Minnesota could go for the right price, and yes, that includes Naz Reid (another who is ending his contract and who is also not in his best version) or Mike Conley. But the Wolves, who are coming off the conference finals, cannot throw away their competitive window like that. And the market is the last hope.
6. Jonathan Kuminga
Related to the first point. Because the Warriors are still looking for a star in the market and be it Jimmy Butler or anyone else (another is on the list), the price to pay almost always includes Jonathan Kuminga. Andrew Wiggins will serve as payment for his salary, but the player that all rival teams will ask for will be Kuminga. Not having signed an extension last summer helps him be more affordable than Moses Moody, for example.
Rumors about the Warriors player and a possible departure have been going on for a long time. They ended up underselling James Wiseman for waiting too long (and his poorer performance), but if they want to give Steph a couple more attempts at the ring, the answer is to move Kuminga (an interesting detail: the Warriors can add the salary of Schröder in any other transfer having been transferred before December 16).
7. Maxi Glue
Maxi Kleber is, by history, the second player who has played the most games with Luka Doncic. Along with Dwight Powell, the only ones who have been there every season for the Slovenian. But unlike in the office work world, here experience and years do not help. Dallas had no problem sacrificing Tim Hardaway Jr., Dorian Finney-Smith or Jalen Brunson and they were higher on the list. The key to Kleber is also his salary.
Because the German earns $11 million, a figure enough to get a role player. For example, Obi Toppin, who has already been linked to the Mavericks. With Lively and Gafford shining at the five and PJ Washington having put an end to any doubt at the four, in addition to Naji Marshall and the appearance of O-Max, Kleber is superfluous. But you will have to pay in this market for someone to take it.
8. Santi Aldama
If we talk about overpopulation problems, the Grizzlies are the NBA epicenter. They have too many players performing, which seems fortunate, but it has its problems: because someone ends up being left over. Santi Aldama, the only Spanish representative, may be the name, although he is playing his best basketball. The canary’s contract ends and Memphis did not sign the extension, but seeing his level, he can ask for more money than they are willing to pay.
His rivals in the paint are increasingly: Jaren Jackson Jr., Brandon Clarke and the newcomers Zach Edey and Jay Huff, cheaper than Aldama in the future. And it doesn’t help that players of the level of GG Jackson or Vincent Williams continue to appear. The Grizzlies have more than $157 million guaranteed for next year with only Aldama and Luke Kennard as free agents. But JJJ’s extension arrives, and franchises think long term. But we will have to keep an eye on Santi.
READ MORE | Santi Aldama: «Memphis is my home»
9. Brandon Ingram
Having started the season 5-22 is the worst thing that could have happened to the Pelicans who in the summer opted for Dejounte Murray and refused to renew Ingram. And just three months later, every player on the team is on the market except Herb Jones, Trey Murphy and rookie Yves Missi. And yes, Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram are part of that list, as is newcomer Murray.
Injuries have been a problem, of course, but these Pelicans have not been able to fit in. And the Brandon Ingram case continues to be the main drawback when choosing a path. The tall scorer is ending his contract and will seek to renew for the maximum money available after having changed agents and rejected several offers from New Orleans, although due to a serious sprained ankle his last minutes as a Pelican may have been in the past.
10. Kyle Kuzma
This will finally be the year that the Wizards get rid of Kuzma. The champion with the Lakers signed a renewal in 2023 and after another year crawling around the capital, with Washington being the worst team in the NBA, it’s time to turn the page. They have chosen well, with Sarr and Carrington, together with Bilal Coulibaly and the option of having a very high pick in the next draft. For that reason, and for a good offer, they still let Kuz fly free.
There will be no shortage of girlfriends, as always. There are points everywhere and alternatives in attack, and the last time he was seen playing in a competitive team he had a good level. The only thing missing is that someone dares to give it a new chance.
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