Four Big Names NBA Title Contenders Will Likely Target Ahead Of Trade Market Opening

The 2022-23 NBA season is quickly heating up as all 30 teams have been engrossed in what has been one of the most exciting starts in recent memory.

As with any season, NBA fans have been fixated on what trades are likely to happen and these are the four names likely to be dealt once players who have signed an extension in the offseason become eligible on December 15.

Richaun Holmes, Sacramento Kings

Far and away the biggest surprise of the season thus far, the Sacramento Kings find themselves smack dab in the middle of a Western Conference playoff seed.

But with the team trading for Domantas Sabonis last season and drafting Keegan Murray fourth overall in the 2022 NBA draft, Holmes' role has since been drastically reduced–appearing in just nine games with an average of 12 minutes.

Holmes played his way to a four-year, $46.5 million deal with Sacramento last season mainly thanks to his defense and ability as a scorer inside the paint.

Any team needing a high-energy big man off the bench that can clog up the paint on defense while also swatting away shots would do well to ring up the Kings and ask for their asking price on Holmes.

Kelly Oubre Jr., Charlotte Hornets

One of the biggest player revelations this season, forward Kelly Oubre Jr. has been doing his best to keep the Charlotte Hornets' hopes of a playoff run alive–though it has not amounted to much in the standings.

Charlotte is currently 14th in the Eastern Conference after posting a 4-14 record as the team continues to deal with the loss of LaMelo Ball due to injury.

To their credit though, they have been dealt a bad hand to start the season as they were given tough assignments against powerhouse teams like the New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies, Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat featuring an eight-game losing streak from early to mid-November.

Aside from Dennis Smith Jr., Oubre has been the lone bright spot for the Hornets in Ball's absence and it could likely lead to teams inquiring.

Oubre is averaging a career-high 19.2 points per game and is in the final year of his contract, which may lead to the Hornets opting to trade him instead.

A number of teams could use him either off the bench or as a starter and his versatility on offense while providing capable defense will be the biggest selling point for Charlotte.

One of the biggest player revelations this season, forward Kelly Oubre Jr. has been doing his best to keep the Charlotte Hornets' hopes of a playoff run alive – though it has not amounted to much in the standings.

Charlotte is currently 14th in the Eastern Conference after posting a 4-14 record as the team continues to deal with the loss of LaMelo Ball due to injury.

To their credit though, they have been dealt a bad hand to start the season as they were given tough assignments against powerhouse teams like the New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies, Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat featuring an eight-game losing streak from early to mid-November.

Aside from Dennis Smith Jr., Oubre has been the lone bright spot for the Hornets in Ball's absence and it could likely lead to teams inquiring.

Oubre is averaging a career-high 19.2 points per game and is in the final year of his contract, which may lead to the Hornets opting to trade him instead.

A number of teams could use him either off the bench or as a starter and his versatility on offense while providing capable defense will be the biggest selling point for Charlotte.

Duncan Robinson, Miami Heat

The Miami Heat have been off to a subpar start of the season thus far with a record of 7-11 as the team is dealing with injuries this early into the season– namely to last season's Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro.

This opened up chances for guys like Max Strus and Caleb Martin to grow into capable pieces and led to Herro's sharpshooting partner Duncan Robinson being listed in the trade market according to sources.

Robinson had signed a five-year, $90 million deal with the Heat last season after putting up a stellar 12.3 points on 42.3% shooting from the field.

But because the Heat badly need help in the frontcourt and at the point guard position, franchises needing a shooter could send Miami an offer that will net them a decent return.

Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers

It seems as if Myles Turner's name just cannot leave the trade rumor mill season after season and his inclusion in this list is a must thanks to the sheer impact that he has.

Turner is arguably the top center in the trade market, alongside San Antonio Spurs big man Jakob Poeltl, thanks to his sheer force of will on both ends of the court.

Currently averaging career-highs in points (18.2), rebounds (8.9), field goal percentage (54.7) and three-point percentage (40) while recording an eye-popping three blocks per game, Turner is a valuable trade piece for the Pacers.

With the big man on track for All-Defensive First Team honors this season, should he play at least about 65 to 70 games, the Indiana Pacers must consider whether to trade Turner now or hold out and pay him big money once the season ends.