Tra(d)e Season
Discussing trades is a year-round task, but the 2025-26 season hasn’t had any real fireworks until word broke that Trae Young will be dealt shortly (if not already) from the Atlanta Hawks to the Washington Wizards.
Young has been on the block for some time, and leaguewide interest was relatively low, especially with the All-Star missing significant time with a knee injury. Some around the league thought the LA Clippers may be a suitor, sending James Harden to Atlanta. Obviously, that didn’t go anywhere.
The Wizards’ motivation appears to be getting to the salary cap floor next season (the minimum team salary, projected at $149.4 million). Washington looked like it would be under by about $65 million; anticipating that Young opts into his $49 million option, he’ll help the Wizards get much of the way there (even with Corey Kispert’s $14 million for 2026-27 heading to the Hawks).
Perhaps this first trade agreement will get the ball rolling! As it is, the Bleacher Report Updated NBA Trade Block Big Board with Realistic Landing Spots After Trae Young Deal got its first revision on the same day it was initially published (Herb Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans has since replaced Young).
Keep that link handy, it’ll evolve throughout leading up to the February 5 deadline!
This time of year is BUSY, specifically as I help tutor prospective NBPA agents who face the certification exam in a couple of weeks. If you’re taking the test and need private tutoring, feel free to reach out (though my schedule is nearly full).
Meanwhile, the Sports Business Classroom scouts are already prepping for draft season. Elias Eldridge prepped the 2026 NBA Draft Watch: Scoring Guards. Max Rosenberg put together a pair of scouts:
The end-game is a complete draft board/mock draft leading up to the June festivities, led by our former SBC students and their scouting expertise.
January 7 was the deadline for teams to waive players before their salaries guaranteed for the rest of the season on January 10. Some players were let go; most were fortunate to stick. The following Sports Business Classroom trackers are up to date (pre-Young trade, which has yet to execute as of this writing):
Finally, the Sports Business Classroom All-Star Intensive is starting to fill up. I’m working closely with Bobby Marks on the schedule, including the Expansion Draft Practicum. It’s going to be a blast, don’t miss it!
The program runs from February 9 to 13 in Los Angeles. Please reach out with questions. I may even have a discount code…