A fresh review of league paperwork shows dozens of NBA contracts that include trade kicker clauses for the 2025-26 season, guaranteeing extra money if the player is moved to another club.
How trade kickers work
A trade kicker is a negotiated bonus that activates once a player is dealt. Most bonuses equal a percentage of the money still owed on the contract—capped by the collective bargaining agreement at 15% of the remaining salary excluding option years. The outgoing team, not the acquiring franchise, pays the bonus, and players can choose to waive part or all of it to help a trade go through.
Active trade kickers for 2025-26
The following players have kickers that would be triggered if they are traded during the 2025-26 league year:
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Hawks — 7.5%
- OG Anunoby, Knicks — 15%
- LaMelo Ball, Hornets — 15%
- Nicolas Batum, Clippers — 15%
- Bradley Beal, Clippers — 15%
- Devin Booker, Suns — 10%
- Jalen Brunson, Knicks — 15%
- Clint Capela, Rockets — 5%
- Dorian Finney-Smith, Rockets — 3.232%
- Darius Garland, Cavaliers — 15%
- Paul George, 76ers — 15%
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder — 15%
- Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves — 7.5%
- Aaron Gordon, Nuggets — 3%
- Draymond Green, Warriors — 15%
- James Harden, Clippers — 15%
- Kyrie Irving, Mavericks — 15%
- LeBron James, Lakers — 15%
- Ty Jerome, Grizzlies — 15%
- Derrick Jones, Clippers — 5%
- Kawhi Leonard, Clippers — 15%
- Naji Marshall, Mavericks — 5%
- Ja Morant, Grizzlies — 15%
- Austin Reaves, Lakers — 15%
- Jayson Tatum, Celtics — 15%
- Klay Thompson, Mavericks — 15%
- Matisse Thybulle, Trail Blazers — 15%
- Myles Turner, Bucks — 15%
- Derrick White, Celtics — 15%
- Trae Young, Hawks — 15%
- Ivica Zubac, Clippers — 5%
Bonuses voided by max salaries
Because the following players will already earn the 2025-26 maximum salary, any trade kicker in their current contracts would be void if they are moved during that league year:
- Scottie Barnes, Raptors — 15%
- Jaylen Brown, Celtics — lesser of 7% or $7 million
- Stephen Curry, Warriors — 15%
- Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves — 15%
- Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers — 15%
- Nikola Jokić, Nuggets — 15%
- Evan Mobley, Cavaliers — 15%
Extensions with future trade kickers
Two newly signed extensions add trade bonuses that will not begin until at least 2026-27:
- Mikal Bridges, Knicks — 5.69%
- Jakob Poeltl, Raptors — 5%
These clauses give players additional financial security and can influence front-office decisions when trade talks heat up.
Source: Hoops Rumors
