NBA's trade season officially kicked off on December 15 with immediate movement (notably Dennis Schröder to the Golden State Warriors). Historically, the market needs a few weeks to ramp up, but the league could be heading into a hectic trade period.

The Eastern Conference isn't as strong as hoped, with several teams trying to compete with the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers at the top. The Western Conference is competitive but open enough for teams to push for more.

Some names were omitted for lack of apparent destinations such as Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls or Jerami Grant of the Portland Trail Blazers, whose contracts may be too challenging to move.

The following list tracks the 10 best players who may be on the trade block and their realistic landing spots.

Jonathan Kuminga

2024-25 salary: $7.6 million
Contract status: Restricted free agent in July 2025

Buzz: The Golden State Warriors were hot out of the "trade season" gate, replacing injured guard De'Anthony Melton with Dennis Schröder from the Brooklyn Nets. The franchise is either evaluating Kuminga with an eye on a long-term contract or showcasing him for a trade. Through his five starts in December, the 22-year-old forward is averaging 21 points per game.

The Warriors have explored chasing a more established star (like Lauri Markkanen, who extended with the Utah Jazz), and Kuminga would be a key piece. However, the team may also need to part with Andrew Wiggins if it targets a high-dollar place since the Warriors are very close to their first-apron hard cap of $178.1 million; any trade must reduce salary enough to enable the franchise to field 14 players under standard contracts.

When considering potential Kuminga destinations, try not to focus too hard on who the Warriors may target directly, as a multi-team trade may be the answer in most scenarios.

Landing spots: Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz

Deandre Ayton

2024-25 salary: $34.0 million
Contract status: $69.6 million through 2025-26

Buzz: Ayton's contract is nearing its end, and the Portland Trail Blazers aren't expected to reinvest after drafting Donovan Clingan.

Ayton, who is just 26, averages a double-double (14.2 points and 10.0 rebounds per game), has playoff experience and could help several teams with a size deficit.

Portland can afford to be patient, but it must decide whether to move him at the deadline or in the offseason. Offer-quality may be the decider, but expect the team to explore the market diligently.

Landing spots: Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors

Walker Kessler

2024-25 salary: $3.0 million
Contract status: $7.8 million through 2025-26

Buzz: Kessler is a less-expensive option at center. He's not nearly as established a player as Deandre Ayton, but he's $31 million cheaper this season.

The Utah Jazz need to decide if they want to extend Kessler this summer or wait until restricted free agency in 2026—but many around the league believe they will cash him out ahead of the deadline.

Utah would want at least a first-round pick in return, less than what they had demanded from New York in discussions before the Knicks acquired Karl-Anthony Towns. Kessler's small salary makes him more likely to be moved than most on this list. The Jazz are also flexible with other veterans on the roster, like Jordan Clarkson, John Collins, and Collins Sexton.

Landing spots: Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, Knicks

Robert Williams III

2024-25 salary: $12.4-$14 million
Contract status: $25.7-$28.9 million through 2026-27

Buzz: Williams is the third center in a row, much cheaper than Ayton but more expensive and riskier than Kessler. At his best, Williams is a polished, experienced and disruptive defender. He improves any playoff contender in need.

The downside is that he's rarely healthy (though he is currently playing productive basketball off the bench for the Portland Trail Blazers).

Landing spots: Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans

Cam Johnson

2024-25 salary: $22.5-$27.0 million
Contract status: $65.5-$78.7 million through 2026-27

Buzz: Johnson has raised his value this season, averaging career highs in scoring (18.6 points per game) and three-point efficiency (43.3 percent).

When they dealt Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks this summer, the Brooklyn Nets signaled their shift away from competing. Still, the team was winning at too high a clip, leading to the Dennis Schröder deal with the Golden State Warriors to further diminish the team's viability.

Many around the league expect Johnson to be next, though his salary may be a little trickier to move with his $4.5 million in unlikely incentives that count against the aprons. Teams facing financial pressure may be challenging, but keep an eye on the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings (especially if either can find a taker for Marcus Smart or Kevin Huerter).

Look for Brooklyn to shop Dorian Finney-Smith and others before the deadline.

Landing spots: Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Grizzlies, Kings

Clint Capela

2024-25 salary: $22.3-$24.3 million
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent in July 2025

Buzz: The Atlanta Hawks don't have their first-round pick this draft and are pushing to compete in the playoffs.

Capela, 30, is expendable if the Hawks can find a way to improve at center. His expiring contract may land him on a team that needs a defensive center who can help a team without needing to score—or as trade ballast in a multi-team deal (potentially leading to a buyout with a team like the Washington Wizards).

The Hawks may look to replace others, including Bogdan Bogdanović, Larry Nance Jr., Onyeka Okongwu or De'Andre Hunter, in search of fits alongside Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels and rookie Zaccharie Risacher.

Landing spots: Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards

Brandon Ingram

2024-25 salary: $36 million
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent in July 2025
Trade bonus: 15 percent (near $2.1 million as of trade deadline)

Buzz: The New Orleans Pelicans were expected to be a contender this year, but injuries have devastated those hopes.

The team was always viewed as likely to part ways with Ingram, who is in the final year of his contract, but the Pelicans are less likely to chase a "win-now" player in return, given the circumstances.

For Ingram, he faces an offseason with few suitors (the primary teams with spending power include the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards). He needs a trade to a team that values his rights and will pay him handsomely.

Would LeBron James take less next year from the Los Angeles Lakers to ensure Ingram (a new Klutch Sports client) receives a payday? Can the Atlanta Hawks swing a trade to partner Ingram with Trae Young and Jalen Johnson? Will the Utah Jazz add a talent like Ingram with next year in mind (while sticking to their lottery chase this season)?

Landing spots: Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks, Utah Jazz

D'Angelo Russell

2024-25 salary: $18.7-$19.4 million
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent in July 2025

Buzz: The Los Angeles Lakers are about $30,000 below the second apron; any trade will need to reduce salary enough to allow the franchise to get back to 14 regular contracts.

The team has been listed as a possible destination for many on this list, and Russell is the primary expiring contract needed to get a deal done. The Lakers have a couple of future first-round picks that may be the true draw, more so than Russell as a player.

The veteran guard's skills are diminished this year for the Lakers, as LeBron James and Austin Reaves have taken on the primary ball-handling responsibilities. Perhaps a team wants Russell for what he does on the court, but his short contract may prove more valuable in trade than his on-court skills.

Landing spots: Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers, Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz

Jimmy Butler

2024-25 salary: $48.8 million
Contract status: $101.2 million through 2025-26 (player option before final season)
Trade bonus: $407,123

Buzz: The Jimmy Butler saga has progressed, as suspected. The Miami Heat haven't extended him, probably won't reinvest at his age (35) and would presumably like him off their books before the 2025-26 season.

The challenge is trading such a high-salaried player at the deadline, especially to a contender. Even if the money can work, a five-, six- or seven-player deal can be tricky with each team's 15-man roster space limitation.

Even after trading De'Anthony Melton for Dennis Schröder, the Golden State Warriors remain a candidate. The Houston Rockets have tremendous flexibility (replace Giannis Antetokounmpo with Butler in this theoretical) but are likelier to pass on Butler because of his age. A long-shot deal with the Denver Nuggets would be complicated but isn't impossible, centered around Michael Porter Jr., Zeke Nnaji and filler (along with a third team). The Memphis Grizzlies could make an offer built around Marcus Smart and others.

Butler may need to wait until the offseason, but he may be willing to opt out to sign a sizable three-year contract that starts at a number enough below his option to get a deal done.

Landing spots: Nuggets, Warriors, Rockets, Grizzlies

Malik Beasley (or Just Cap Space)

2024-25 salary: $6 million
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent in July 2025

Buzz: The Detroit Pistons need to decide if they intend to make a playoff push or fall short to protect their first-round pick that will go to the Minnesota Timberwolves outside of the lottery (14-30). Beasley may not be available, but almost any team can use a shooter on an inexpensive, expiring contract.

More importantly, the Pistons are the only team with cap room. The franchise is right about at the minimum team salary ($126.5 million) or $14.1 million below the $140.6 million salary cap. Detroit will make moves before the trade deadline. It's a bidding war on who wants to use the Pistons' flexibility to eliminate unwanted contracts, reduce luxury taxes or dip under the first or second apron.

Detroit's most significant impediment may be roster space. Beasley may be the most expendable player with the highest demand. Alternatives include Wendell Moore Jr. ($2.4 million) or the more expensive Tim Hardaway Jr. ($16.2 million).

Landing spots: Almost 29 (fewer for Beasley, but every team has at least one contract it would like to part ways with)

Honorable Mention

The list of available players will grow as teams gather this coming week for the G League's showcase event in Orlando, Florida. Perhaps suitors emerge for players such as Zach LaVine and Jerami Grant, despite their contracts.

Players to keep a close eye on include Kyle Kuzma, Nikola Vučević, Jonas Valančiūnas, Malcolm Brogdon, Lonzo Ball, De'Andre Hunter, Jakob Pöltl, Jaden Springer, Day'Ron Sharpe, Bruce Brown, PJ Tucker, Bones Hyland, KJ Martin, Duop Reath, Marcus Smart, Josh Okogie, Anfernee Simons, Kevin Huerter and Trey Lyles (among others).

Some sources anticipate that the Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans and Cleveland Cavaliers will make moves before the deadline to reduce their salaries to fall below the NBA's luxury-tax threshold of $170.8 million.

The broader debate will be on how restrictive the NBA's 2023 collective bargaining agreement will be on player movement. For lower spenders, trades are easier to execute—but it's significantly more challenging for the league's higher-budget franchises.

That answer isn't clear, but many anticipate an active trade season leading to the February 6 deadline.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on X/Twitter @EricPincus.