Top 5 NBA trade candidates as 88% of NBA players become trade eligible after December 15 deadline featuring Jae Crowder, Kyle Kuzma and more

Phoenix Suns v Dallas Mavericks
Phoenix Suns vs. Dallas Mavericks.

The NBA trade window is now unofficially open, and with just how many prospects there are for a potential trade, teams will see a lot of turnover before the Feb. 9 trade deadline comes around.

ESPN's Bobby Marks reported that starting today, 88% of NBA players are eligibile to be traded, and that list includes everyone from role players to superstars.

We now look at some of the top prospects in the NBA trade market who are most likely to move come February.

Jae Crowder

Jae Crowder is perhaps the hottest commodity in the NBA trade market.
Jae Crowder is perhaps the hottest commodity in the NBA trade market.

Perhaps the hottest entity in the NBA trade market currently, Jae Crowder of the Phoenix Suns is highly likely to be traded for both his and the Suns' sake. Phoenix's recent lapses have seen them fall from the top seed to third in a matter of weeks.

Crowder has sat out this season with Cameron Johnson taking his place in the starting lineup earlier in the season. Crowder's name has already come up in several trade rumors. There has been talk of a three-team trade with Crowder, and the Milwaukee Bucks, and the LA Lakers have supposedly been vying for him.

Charles Barkley even noted Crowder's absence, stating that a player of his caliber shouldn't be sitting at home.

Kyle Kuzma

LA Clippers vs. Washington Wizards.
LA Clippers vs. Washington Wizards.

Kyle Kuzma's career-high numbers have put him high on the list of many teams around the league. Kuzma averages 21.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists. He is shooting 46.2% from the field, and 43.6% on corner 3s.

Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus wrote of Kuzma:

"He could be a top-five free agent this offseason—at worst, top-10. He wants out, an NBA source said. He's looking for over $20 million a season and in a big market [or with a contender]." (via) B/R

Washington's 11-18 record and Bradley Beal missing 11 games through their first 29 and Kuzma's resurgence as a reliable rotation piece all give credence to Kuzma wanting out.

Pincus pitched the Lakers, Suns, Sacramento Kings and New York Knicks as potential suitors for the former NBA champion.

Bojan Bogdanovic

As the NBA trade market opens, formidable role players will see their teams change swiftly.
As the NBA trade market opens, formidable role players will see their teams change swiftly.

Bojan Bogdanovic's stint in Detroit has served him well insofar as it relates to propping up his trade value.

The 6-foot-7 forward from Bosnia and Herzegovina has averaged 21.1 points while shooting 43.2% from 3-point range (6.1 3PA) and 50% from the field.

Bogdanovic came in a trade from the Utah Jazz after they blew up their core early in the offseason. Bogdanovic was traded for Kelly Olynyk, Saben Lee and $1.7 million in cash.

The teams that have come up as suitors include the LA Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat and the Atlanta Hawks. Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports and Michael Scotto of HoopsHype have reported on these rumors.

Jordan Clarkson

Jordan Clarkson might stir up the NBA trade market.
Jordan Clarkson might stir up the NBA trade market.

Clarkson led the Jazz to a 10-3 record at the start of the season and has put together a career-season so far, averaging 19.3 points (career-high), 4.8 assists (career-high) and 3.8 rebounds.

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While Clarkson anticipated a trade, reports have indicated that the Suns and Lakers inquired about Clarkson. However, the Jazz have been reluctant to trade him, and Marc Stein even went as far as to say that he might get a new contract.

However, the caveat, Stein added, was that "the Jazz are more likely to extend organizational favorite [Clarkson's] contract before they consider trading him." Clarkson might still be on the trade block.

John Collins

John Collins is another name that has popped on the NBA trade market.
John Collins is another name that has popped on the NBA trade market.

Like Jae Crowder, John Collins is another top prospect in the trade market, having been involved in trade talks since last season.

The Atlanta Hawks are a team that has strongly contended for Collins, as Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported on the same:

"The Hawks certainly view the Jazz as a potential landing spot for John Collins.
"But while Utah has signaled a willingness to discuss Jarred Vanderbilt and Landry Shamet has often been included in deal frameworks that would send Crowder to Atlanta." (via) Yahoo Sports

Collins is averaging 12.3 points and 7.5 rebounds this season.

Special Mentions as NBA trade market opens

Other names that have popped up in the market include Jakob Poeltl, Jarred Vanderbilt, Myles Turner, Cam Reddish, Buddy Hield, Eric Gordon and Grayson Allen. All of these players have strong trade prospects this season.

Some names that have popped up that are less likely to be traded owing to their gigantic contracts are Zach LaVine and Bradley Beal, however, are worth noting as their teams are currently struggling.

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