NBA Rumors: Will the Trade Market Open Back up Soon?

With the 2020 NBA season in the rearview, when will the trade market open back up?

Justin Grasso | Oct 14, 2020

Back in February was the last time NBA teams were permitted to make a trade. The Philadelphia 76ers snagged Glenn Robinson III and Alec Burks from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for multiple picks. Typically, by October, the 76ers and several other teams would've made some moves in the trade market, but this year has been anything but typical.

Back in March, COVID-19 struck the league and sent the season into a hiatus. Although the time off felt like an offseason, the NBA and the Player's Association decided to enter a moratorium as the season paused. When the season started gearing up for a return, Adam Silver and the NBA extended the moratorium period.

Now that the 2019-2020 season is finally over, the offseason is here officially. Just because the season's over, though, doesn't mean the trade and free agency markets open back up. According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, trades, extensions, and released remain unpermitted for the time being.

While that can all change soon, Windhorst reports that the NBA and NBPA have to agree on some of the key issues regarding the CBA. While the discussions will likely be challenging, those involved seem optimistic about the potential outcome. If all goes well, it seems December 1 could be the opening of offseason transactions. An earlier date hasn't been ruled out -- and is still possible. However, Windhorst believes the first of December is the most logical hypothetical date.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated. You can follow him on Twitter: @JGrasso_

Published Oct 14, 2020

JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA