NBA Players Ineligible To Be Traded This Season

December 29, 2024

As the February 6 NBA trade deadline approaches, a small but significant group of players will remain ineligible to be traded until sometime after the 2024-25 regular season. These players meet one of three specific criteria, as outlined by Hoops Rumors.

First, players who signed a standard contract or were promoted from a two-way deal after November 6 are not eligible to be traded until at least three months have passed.

This group includes Branden Carlson (Thunder), Jae Crowder (Kings), Keshad Johnson (Heat), Paul Reed (Pistons), and Landry Shamet (Knicks).

Although there hasn’t been a large amount of free agent activity since the season began, these players, along with any others who sign standard contracts in the coming weeks, will be unavailable for trade until after the deadline.

Next, players who signed veteran contract extensions with certain conditions after August 6 will be restricted from being traded for six months.

This includes a list of players who received significant extensions, such as Wendell Carter Jr. (Magic), Alex Caruso (Thunder), Joel Embiid (Sixers), Aaron Gordon (Nuggets), Lauri Markkanen (Jazz), T.J. McConnell (Pacers), Jamal Murray (Nuggets), and Ivica Zubac (Clippers).

These extensions, which typically include raises or extended years, prevent the players from being moved until the 2025 offseason. Some of these players, such as Carter and Markkanen, were considered trade candidates over the summer, and now those possibilities are on hold.

Finally, players who signed super-max contracts (also known as designated veteran extensions) are ineligible to be traded for one year. Jayson Tatum of the Celtics, who signed his super-max deal on July 6, 2024, is the only player on this list. As a result, Tatum won’t be trade-eligible until July 6, 2025.

With more player movement expected leading up to the trade deadline, Hoops Rumors notes that this list could grow, especially if additional veteran extensions are signed before February 6.