Ira Winderman: On your mark, get set ... don't trade (but if Heat do, here are the starting lines)

MIAMI — It used to be that Dec. 15 stood as the starting line for NBA trade season, the first day players signed in the offseason could be dealt.

In a league increasingly defined by free agency, only on that date does a vast percentage of the NBA become available to be placed in deals.

Except that was then.

Now, next weekend likely will be spent more in idle than in any significant trade gear.

Why? Because with the NBA’s latest collective-bargaining agreement, if you want to pay (a lot in payroll) then you are highly limited in being able to play (the trade market).

Teams over the first apron of the luxury tax are not able to take back a single dollar (or dime or nickel) more than they send out in a deal. Teams above the second apron are not allowed to aggregate players in deals (send out multiple players).

So even if you wanted to deal, trade partners are limited. To wit ...

Teams above the second tax apron: Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks.

Teams above the first tax apron (or hard capped by other means): Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards.

In other words, good luck not only finding a deal, but also finding a way to make a deal.

Still, this is the time of the year when it is worth reviewing when players at least could become available.

Which, in the Heat’s case, stands as ...

Bam Adebayo

— Trade status: Because his three-year, $165 million extension that kicks in for 2026-27 was signed on July 6, he is not eligible to be dealt until Jan. 6 (six months from signing the extension).

— Issue at play: Even if the Heat is looking to shake things up, you have to build around someone from the current roster, right?

— Expectation: If Adebayo is dealt, then does Culture go out the door, as well?

Thomas Bryant

— Trade status: Has a Dec. 15 trade restriction. Would have had the right to veto any trade due to Bird Rights on a one-year deal, but agreed to forgo that restriction when he re-signed in July.

— Issue at play: At best would stand as salary filler in a multi-player deal.

— Expectation: If Kel’el Ware can take the next step ahead of the trade deadline, and if Kevin Love appears up to the rigors of the balance of the season, then a trade could benefit both Bryant and the Heat — if there is a taker.

Alec Burks

— Trade status: Has Dec. 15 trade restriction since he signed in the offseason as a free agent.

— Issue at play: At best would stand as salary filler in a multi-player deal.

— Expectation: There is too much value in an ignitable scorer on a minimum deal to simply cast such a contract to the wind.

Jimmy Butler

— Trade status: No trade restriction.

— Issue at play: Holds a $52 million player option for next season, with his representation making clear another significant contract is expected.

— Expectation: Unless the Heat and Butler take a significant step forward in short order, then this figures very much to be a ticking clock as the Feb. 6 NBA trading deadline draws closer.

Josh Christopher

— Trade status: No trade restriction; on two-way contract.

— Issue at play: The question is whether Heat determine a contribution can be made on the NBA level.

— Expectation: As with all two-way contracts, this can be swapped out at any time for a replacement two-way player. But two-way deals are not considered trade chips.

Tyler Herro

— Trade status: No trade restriction.

— Issue at play: Herro’s has $2.5 million in annual unlikely incentives (including even Defensive Player of the Year). Such numbers count against the tax whether realized or not, potentially dissuading trade partners.

— Expectation: There is something to be said about selling high. There also is something to be said about moving forward with a player who has shown a total buy-in to the system in place.

Haywood Highsmith

— Trade status: Has Jan 15 trade restriction since he was re-signed using Bird Rights with a raise above 20% from his previous salary.

— Issue at play: Would any team value Highsmith as much as the Heat?

— Expectation: Perhaps could stand as a part of a bigger trade, possibly even for cap purposes. But no outside team is as likely to appreciate the value at $5 million per as the Heat.

Jaime Jaquez Jr.

— Trade status: No trade restriction.

— Issue at play: Heat already have picked up $3.9 million rookie-scale option for next season, with Oct. 31 deadline to next pick up $5.9 million rookie-scale option for 2026-27.

— Expectation: The value of a player on the rookie scale is among the best ways to balance a payroll. An outside offer would have to be significant to tempt a trade.

Keshad Johnson

— Trade status: No trade restriction; on two-way contract.

— Issue at play: The Heat will have the option of extending a qualifying offer by June 30 in order to make Johnson a restricted free agent next summer.

— Expectation: Johnson is the Heat’s latest opportunity to hit on a developmental prospect.

Nikola Jovic

— Trade status: No trade restriction.

— Issue at play: Heat already have picked up $4.4 million rookie-scale option for next season

— Expectation: This one is tricky. At one point, Jovic stood as a trade chip (See: Lillard, Damian). Then he came to be viewed as a building block of the future when he moved into the starting lineup. Now, if need be, it seems the Heat could be willing to deal.

Pelle Larsson

— Trade status: No trade restriction.

— Issue at play: Hard to give up on ultimate value contract at cost of only $2 million next season, with a team option for 2026-27.

— Expectation: As with other second-round success stories, the Heat will ride this out.

Kevin Love

— Trade status: Has Dec. 15 trade restriction since he signed in the offseason as a free agent.

— Issue at play: Love’s value, even as locker-room mentor, at this stage likely is far more meaningful to the Heat than any outside interest.

— Expectation: Heat ride this out in hopes of health.

Josh Richardson

— Trade status: No trade restriction.

— Issue at play: At best would stand as salary filler in a multi-player deal.

— Expectation: A salary to balance a trade, with recent injury issues likely meaning little to no outside market.

Duncan Robinson

— Trade status: No trade restriction.

— Issue at play: Can terminate contract by June 29 or otherwise has at least $9.8 million guaranteed for next season.

— Expectation: A veteran trade piece with a tradeable salary, if there is outside interest, to be balanced against Heat need for shooting.

Terry Rozier

— Trade status: No trade restriction.

— Issue at play: Has $24.9 million guarantee for next season out of $26.6 million total on final year of contract.

— Expectation: This is a tough one, considering the Heat gave up a potentially unprotected pick to acquire him for Charlotte. Any deal, if there is interest, seemingly would require draft compensation.

Dru Smith

— Trade status: No trade restriction, on two-way contract.

— Issue at play: With two-way contracts able to be swapped out at any time, it comes down to how Heat handle the maximum three such deals.

— Expectation: The commitment appears in place to ride this out for the season.

Kel’el Ware

— Trade status: No trade restriction.

— Issue at play: Has three additional seasons remaining on rookie-scale value contract.

— Expectation: The skill set is what the Heat need, at a price point on the rookie scale that allows for the potential patience that could be required.

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