Trade restrictions expire for recently signed Lakers

The Lakers had a busy off-season, bringing in eight new players while re-signing three.

Dwight Howard, Earl Clark and Chris Duhon came from the Orlando Magic via trade. Steve Nash was acquired through a sign and trade with the Phoenix Suns. Robert Sacre and Darius Johnson-Odom were both picked up in the second round of the 2012 NBA Draft.

Under typical circumstances, when a player signs as a free agent over the summer, they cannot be traded until Dec 15. Now that that date has been reached, the Lakers are now able to deal most of their free-agent acquisitions.

This isn’t to suggest the Lakers are actually looking to make any specific moves, but technically Jodie Meeks and Antawn Jamison are now trade eligible.

Additionally, Devin Ebanks and Darius Morris can be dealt but under the strict rules of the league’s collective bargaining agreement, both have the right to block any trade after signing one year-deals (with Bird or Early Bird Rights upon completion).

Another wrinkle to the equation is Jordan Hill, who can’t be dealt until Jan. 15 after getting a raise greater than 20% from the Lakers.

Other players can be dealt, including Kobe Bryant, although he has an explicit no-trade clause in his contract.

Finally, Howard and his former Magic teammates cannot be sent back to Orlando and Nash can’t be traded to the Suns.

Understanding the rules can help clarify what options the Lakers have, especially after such a slow start to the season. Then again, just because a player is eligible for a trade, doesn’t mean the team has any desire to deal them.

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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.