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Despite the fact that we have only just passed the quarter stage, the 18/19 NBA season has already provided some high profile trades. Jimmy Butler has left the Minnesota Timberwolves to join the Philadelphia 76ers, while Kyle Korver has swapped the Cavaliers for the Jazz.
The frequency of players changing teams is also likely to increase in the coming weeks, as more players will soon become eligible for a trade. Up until this point, free-agents from the 2018 off season have been unable to join a new team due to the NBA's rule that stops free agents from joining a new team until the 15th of December.
As soon as we hit the 15th, franchises will be looking to move players who have not had the desired impact. So here we will look at three notable players who will be eligible for a trade in just over a week's time.
#3 Raymond Felton
While Raymond Felton will probably not be looking for a trade on December 15th, a number of teams are likely to be interested in the veteran player. The 34-year-old is one of the best backup point guards in the NBA, and he is well known for being a team player.
Felton had a great first season with the OKC Thunder, although the team has since added Dennis Schroder, and it has resulted in Felton seeing a huge reduction in minutes. Last season, Felton averaged 6.9 points, 2.5 assists, and 1.9 rebounds in 16.6 minutes per game, although the veteran has only featured 13 times this season.
Felton would be a great back-up point guard for most playoff-chasing teams, so if the OKC receive a good offer, the team may choose to trade away a player who will likely leave in 2019 anyway.
#2 Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony's move to the Rockets was applauded as a shrewd one by the Houston team. Despite past issues between Melo and the Mike D'Antoni (Rockets head coach), the 34-year-old was expected to be able to bring both points and leadership from the bench. Unfortunately, the 10-time All-Star lasted only 10 games in Houston, as the franchise came to believe that Melo's style and poor defense was detrimental to the team.
Anthony and his personal team have been discussing a number of options since he left the Rockets last month, and in a bid to stay match fit, the 3-time Olympic gold medalist is currently working out in New York.
While Anthony is still technically a Rockets player, the Houston franchise will likely want little in return for the former All-Star. Don't be surprised if Anthony is playing for a new team before Christmas.
#1 Trevor Ariza
The Houston Rockets roster is largely the same as last season, although the departure of Trevor Ariza has had a big effect on the team's performances. The Rockets were one game away from the NBA Finals last season, although, without Ariza, the team has struggled. The Houston team has a current win ratio of .478, and this is only good enough for 13th place in the Western Conference standings.
Ariza joined the Phoenix Suns during the summer of 2018, although reports this week have suggested that both the player and franchise would be willing to go their separate ways. The Suns currently have the worst record in the NBA and have no chance of competing in the postseason, so a trade will be in the interest of both parties.
