The NBA trade season has officially kicked off as of December 15, marking the eligibility of 81 free agents who signed contracts last offseason to be traded. Among them are two players from the New York Knicks, namely Donte DiVincenzo and Ryan Arcidiacono.

According to NBA rules and regulations, free agents who sign standard NBA player contracts cannot be traded for three months following the date of signing or until December 15 of the Salary Cap Year in which the contract is signed, whichever is later. This ensures fairness and stability within the league.

In anticipation of the trade season, ESPN's Bobby Marks provided insight into the changing landscape and highlighted teams with significant trade exceptions that can acquire players without sending back salary. Among those teams are the New York Knicks, who possess a trade exception worth $6.8 million. Other teams with such exceptions include the Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, and Boston Celtics.

Marks also noted a unique feature of this year's trade season, as it represents the final opportunity for teams over the first and second aprons to utilize a trade exception. For example, the Miami Heat currently fall into this category and can take advantage of this last opportunity.

As highlighted in Marks' report, only two teams currently possess real cap space in their payrolls, namely the Indiana Pacers and the Orlando Magic. This could potentially give these teams an edge in pursuing trade opportunities.

While Marks' article lists all 81 players who have become eligible for trade, certain names stand out as potential targets for the New York Knicks ahead of the February 8 trade deadline. However, it is worth noting that unrealistic options have been omitted from the list. Additionally, due to the Knicks' roster composition, ball-handling guards may not be a priority at this time.

As the trade season unfolds, teams across the league will be looking to strengthen their rosters and make strategic moves. The eligibility of these 81 players offers new possibilities for trades and could lead to significant changes within the NBA landscape.

The official start of the NBA trade season brings excitement and anticipation for fans as they await the potential roster shake-ups and the impact it may have on the league as a whole. Only time will tell which teams will benefit from these trades and how it will shape the remainder of the season.