Trade season (or the speculation that fuels it) never really seems to end in the NBA, but January is certainly one of the hotter stretches for it.

We're inching closer and closer to the NBA trade deadline. As it is now, on Monday, Jan. 5, we are officially one month away from the buzzer, and in just 10 days, the last batch of 2025 free agents still technically ineligible to be traded ( a group that includes Jonathan Kuminga) will hit the market.

The frontcourt stands out in particular as an area of need, with the Celtics needing a bit of veteran experience and a different style of big play.

Everyone can get involved at the NBA trade deadline, but which teams will be buyers and which teams will be sellers?

Per Spotrac, there are nine teams currently scheduled to pay the ta x, (Boston, Philadelphia, both Los Angeles teams, Houston, Orlando, Toronto, Denver, and Phoenix) but are less than $14M over it, meaning they could send one contract into Charlotte's mid-level exception in order to duck the league's harsh luxury tax penalties.

The former Denver Nugget, 27, is in the middle of the best season of his career, averaging 25.8 points and 7.5 rebounds a game while shooting 41% from 3-point range (having the full-time green light in Brooklyn helps). That has drawn interest from a number of teams.

We're one month away from the trade deadline, which means some teams have to face some hard truths. Plus, who's hot and not in the league.