Jerami Grant
While Williams' injury history keeps him from potentially topping this list, it's Grant's contract that will turn teams off once he's eligible to be traded on Jan. 15. Despite being the Trail Blazers' best player this season, the five-year, $160 million owed to the 29-year-old Grant either makes him untradeable or devalues him as an asset enough that Portland wouldn't get a fair return.
Still, the 6-7 forward is having the best year of his NBA career. He's averaging 22.3 points, which is tied for the career high he set as the primary offensive option with the Detroit Pistons in the 2020-21 season, but he's become far more efficient since then. Last year, Grant shot a career-best 40.1 percent from three - this year, he's posting 20-plus points per night on 46/42/82 shooting splits.
Matisse Thybulle
Cronin and Billups might have to make a tough decision on Thybulle as February gets closer. Still only 26, the former Sixer has developed a good enough outside stroke to be considered a legitimate three-and-D player who can guard multiple positions.
Thybulle could make his third all-defense team this season and he's hitting a career-high 39.3 percent from deep on nearly 4 attempts per game. He's shooting 80 percent from the free-throw line for the first time as well.
Throw in his recently-inked three-year, $33 million contract and Thybulle is a young and cheap option who fills the most desired role in the league.