It has been nearly three weeks since the most recent NBA trade was officially completed, but it's safe to assume there will be many more deals made during the 2025/26 league year.
Outside of the flurry of trade agreements reached just ahead of the deadline in February, there's usually some action earlier in the regular season and during the weeks leading up to opening night -- in each of the past five years, multiple trades have been finalized during the last month before the regular season tips off.
A number of the trades made between now and February's deadline will be financially motivated. Several teams around the NBA are operating just a little above the luxury tax line and will want to get out of taxpayer territory before the end of the season. Other teams are probably too far above the tax line to realistically become a non-taxpayer, but may look to move off a contract or two in order to reduce their end-of-season payment.
Conversely, a handful of clubs are operating far below the luxury tax line - or even below the salary cap - and are in a prime position to accommodate deals for potential trade partners looking to cut costs.
We're focusing today on which teams across the league fit into each of these categories, identifying the clubs who are the most likely to try to shed or take on salary in the next six-plus months.
Let's dive in...
Luke, excellent stuff, as always.