Now in the month of December, trade rumors are going to begin heating up around the NBA. 

December 15 marks the first day in which most players that signed in the offseason are eligible to be traded and with many teams in the league right next to one another record-wise, we could see quite a few trades made ahead of this season’s trade deadline in February. 

In the Eastern Conference, 11 teams have at least 11 wins and in the Western Conference, nine teams have at least 11 wins, making for some very exciting basketball moving forward. Now is the time when teams begin to separate themselves from the rest of the pack and trades can go a long way in a team reaching the playoffs and possibly contending for a title. 

Last season, the Bucks added Jrue Holiday before the season and then traded for P.J. Tucker at the trade deadline. Both of these moves proved to be essential in their efforts to win a championship and when all is said and done, we could be looking back and saying the same about whoever wins the championship this season! 

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There are a handful of players on the trade block this year and while some of the following players may not be, they are definitely drawing a ton of interest around the league. 

Let’s take a look at four key names to watch in trade rumors ahead of the trade deadline this year and see what the future could potentially hold for each of them.