The NBA, with its constant roster movement, has a myriad of systems in place to somewhat limit trades and player acquisitions. One of the foundational pieces to that effect is the different extension dates that decide how long players cannot be moved.
To that extent, January 15 becomes a vitally important day in the NBA calendar, as a large swathe of players signed to new contracts become available to trade before the deadline. This year is no different, with some of the biggest trade candidates, headlined by Jonathan Kuminga, becoming eligible today.
Jonathan Kuminga and the Players Becoming Trade Eligible on January 15
The 2025-26 NBA season has been a wild one so far. Outside of a rough stretch to close out December, the Oklahoma City Thunder look like definitive frontrunners to the gold. But teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs have been surprising success stories.
Others, like the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers, have been severely disappointing, especially given the expectations placed upon them after wildly impressive campaigns last year.
However, almost every team is looking to make some type of move to further their cause, and many new players are either becoming accessible or movable. Here is a comprehensive list of those players and what they have been up to so far this season:
1) Jonathan Kuminga – After high hopes that he could ascend to a net-positive as a starter, the multi-positional defending wing has fallen down the totem pole on the Warriors’ depth chart.
Averaging under 12 points per game and a shade over six rebounds, his 43.1% and 32% shooting splits cannot cut it in the modern NBA. However, he has incredible upside with his defense and athleticism and could be a reclamation project for the right team.
2) Sam Merrill – With injuries derailing the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sam Merrill has gotten a lot more burn in the starting lineup this year, and he’s thrived in the role, averaging 13.8 points on an absurd 45.5% from 3-point range (both career-highs).
3) Davion Mitchell – An elite point of attack defender at the guard spot, Davion Mitchell has carved out a role for himself as the starting point guard for the Miami Heat. Early in the year, as the team got off to a hot start, he was a major contributor to their success, averaging 9.1 points and 7.3 assists on nearly 40% from distance.
4) Paul Reed – First making a name for himself with the Philadelphia 76ers, Paul Reed has found a new home with the Detroit Pistons, as he’s played an auxiliary role in the franchise’s turnaround over the last two seasons.
This year, he’s taken a slight step up from last season, averaging 5.8 points on nearly 59% shooting from the field.
5) Ryan Rollins – Despite losing Damian Lillard, the production from the backcourt has been solid for the Milwaukee Bucks, and Ryan Rollins is a big part of the reason. Taking a major jump in his fourth season, he’s averaging 16.5 points and 5.5 assists, while shooting 46.5% from the field and nearly 40% from 3-point territory.
6) Isaiah Jackson – After losing Myles Turner in the offseason, the Indiana Pacers had to be hoping that Isaiah Jackson could continue his upward trajectory. So far this season, his numbers have remained virtually unmoved at 7.3 points and 5.9 rebounds.
But for a team looking for a big body, he can soak up some minutes at the center spot with above-average defense.
7) Tre Mann – Even though the Charlotte Hornets have shown some legitimate growth as a potential play-in team this season, the performance from Tre Mann has been a massive red flag, averaging just 8.2 points per game and shooting a disastrous 32.1% from distance. It’s a simple case of a player needing a new beginning, and he could be a quality addition for a team on a bargain.
8) Naz Reid – An implausible candidate to be traded, given his level of play and popularity with the fan base, Naz Reid is on the official list of players who became trade eligible. As the Minnesota Timberwolves start to find their footing, he has continued his excellent play with averages of 14.6 points on 46.9% shooting from the field and over 38% from 3-point range.
9) Quentin Grimes – One of the last victims of the Nico Harrison era, Quentin Grimes was moved to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Cody Martin, and it’s been another disaster for the Dallas Mavericks.
Grimes has exploded in his new home, and his high level of play has continued this season, as he averages an efficient 14.6 points alongside his usual brilliance defensively.
10) Santi Aldama – The mess around Ja Morant has clouded the Memphis Grizzlies all season long. But there have been a few bright spots on the roster, with Santi Aldama continuing his upward trajectory as his number has been called upon more regularly.
Averaging a career-high in minutes (28), he’s adding 14 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 47.5% from the field. If he can improve his distance stroke (33.7%), then he could be a valuable asset for a new team as well.
11) Josh Giddey – When he came to the Chicago Bulls, Josh Giddey was maybe at the worst stage in his life in terms of his value across the league. However, in less than two full seasons, he’s emerged as a legitimate building block for the roster.
This year, by far his best season to date, has seen him average a blistering 19.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 9 assists per game while shooting 46.6% from the field and 38.6% from 3-point distance.
