An NBA trade kicker, formally called a trade bonus, is a clause that pays a player extra money the moment he gets traded. It sounds simple, but the mechanics behind it decide whether a rumored trade actually works under the salary cap, and it comes up constantly in offseason and deadline reporting without always being explained. Here is what an NBA trade kicker actually is and how it works.
Analysis
Original NBA analysis explaining strategy, contracts, roster construction, player performance and the consequences behind major league developments.
Chris Finch’s Real Challenge This Season Is Turning LaMelo Ball Into a Timberwolf
Finch Lays Out the Plan, On the Record Chris Finch spent part of his offseason explaining, in detail, what he actually needs from a Minnesota Timberwolves roster that looks meaningfully different than the one that closed last season. In an interview with MinnPost’s Britt Robson, the Wolves coach walked through specific, position-by-position asks for his … Read more
The Hawks’ Roster Crunch Isn’t Over: The Math Behind Kispert, Hield, Gueye and Nembhard
One More Cut, Four Live Candidates Waiving Devin Carter and Lamont Butler on Sept. 11 didn’t finish the Atlanta Hawks’ roster crunch. It just narrowed it. Atlanta still carries 16 players on standard contracts against the NBA’s 15-man regular-season limit, and the team’s remaining decision points at four names: forwards Corey Kispert and Mouhamed Gueye, … Read more
NBA Salary Cap Projection for 2027-28 Rises to $176 Million
The NBA salary cap projection for the 2027-28 season has risen to $176 million, according to a team notification reported by Fred Katz of The Athletic. The previous projection was $174 million. The league also increased its projected luxury-tax line to $213 million. These figures are planning estimates, not final cap numbers. The NBA normally … Read more
Mark Williams Injury Opens the Door for Suns’ Young Centers
The Mark Williams injury has changed the Phoenix Suns’ plans at center before training camp begins. Williams underwent surgery on Sept. 11 to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder after he was injured during an offseason workout. Phoenix confirmed the procedure and said his return timetable will be established later. A major absence … Read more
NBA Franchise Values 2026: What the Lakers Deal Means
Reported sale prices and published estimates show how rapidly NBA franchise values are rising. NBA franchise values reached another level in 2026 after Josh Kushner and Bob Iger agreed to acquire control of the Los Angeles Lakers in a deal reportedly valuing the organization at $12.5 billion. The agreement still requires approval from the NBA … Read more
Inside the NBA’s Clippers Penalties: What Five Lost Picks and a $30 Million Fine Mean Going Forward
The NBA handed down its findings and penalties in the Kawhi Leonard investigation on September 2, closing the book on a saga that hung over the Los Angeles Clippers for more than a year.
The league found that the Clippers organization arranged off-court income opportunities for Leonard through four companies, Aspiration Partners, Boingo Wireless, Daktronics and Lockton Insurance, using team business as leverage to get those firms to sign him and covering personal expenses for Leonard and his representatives. Investigators also found the team failed to report improper solicitations made on Leonard’s behalf by his business manager, Dennis Robertson.
Clippers Have No Formal Path to Appeal the NBA’s Penalties, but Ballmer Could Still Sue
The NBA’s historic penalties against the Los Angeles Clippers are five days old, and the team still has no clear formal path to overturn them.
The league announced on September 2nd that an investigation found the Clippers and Kawhi Leonard violated the NBA’s salary-cap circumvention rules. The findings cost the Clippers five future first-round draft picks, in 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032 and 2033, a $30 million fine, and a five-year compliance and monitoring program. Owner Steve Ballmer was suspended for one year from all league and team activities. President of business operations Gillian Zucker was suspended a year without pay, and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank was suspended six months without pay. Leonard was ordered to pay $700,000 to the league, and his former business manager, Dennis Robertson, was banned five years from doing business with any NBA team.
Steph Curry Is Extension-Eligible for $136.7M. He Still Hasn’t Signed.
Stephen Curry became eligible for a new contract extension with the Warriors on Saturday, Aug. 29, and as of Tuesday he still has not signed one, according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater. Slater reported that Curry can currently sign a two-year max extension worth approximately $136.7 million, an option that remains available until a June 30 deadline. A three-year max extension worth roughly $212.9 million would become available only after that deadline passes.
Ben Simmons Kings Contract: What His Comeback Requires
Ben Simmons is coming back to the NBA. The three-time All-Star has agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Sacramento Kings, ending a full season away from the league.
Simmons last played during the 2024-25 season, splitting time between the Brooklyn Nets and LA Clippers and averaging 5.0 points, 5.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds in 22.0 minutes across 51 games. He sat out all of 2025-26. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Simmons visited Sacramento for medical exams, an on-court workout and meetings with head coach Doug Christie and staff before the sides came to terms. The deal marks Simmons’ return for a 10th NBA season. As of this writing, the agreement is a reported deal pending official confirmation by the Kings.
Sacramento gives Simmons a landing spot with real short-term incentive on both sides: a one-year deal at the minimum tier lets him try to rebuild his value without committing either side beyond this season. At his best, Simmons is a 6-foot-10 forward-guard hybrid who can defend multiple positions, push the ball in transition and set up shooters, tools that translate regardless of what the rest of Sacramento’s rotation looks like on opening night.
The bigger question is how much Simmons has left after sitting out a full season. A one-year, minimum-level deal gives both sides a low-cost way to find out, with training camp opening leaguewide on Sept. 29 as the first real test.