The NBA trading deadline is not until Feb. 23, but the de facto start to the trade period is fast approaching.

By NBA rule, players signed as free agents in the offseason cannot be dealt until Dec. 15 or three months after signing, whichever comes later.

That makes Thursday the first day the bulk of offseason signees can be moved. Those players who might be available in deals are Nuggets guard Earl Watson, Knicks center Jerome James, Bucks forward Dan Gadzuric, Nets forward Scott Padgett, Bulls forward Malik Allen, Wizards center Calvin Booth and Celtics forward Brian Scalabrine.

More significant than the names is the climate the day's onset creates, with general managers aware that just about every player can be put into play.

"There's going to be a lot of movement on the 15th," Knicks coach Larry Brown predicted.

Others are not as certain.

"It definitely loosens up," Nets General Manager Ed Stefanski said. "How much, for us, will be the interesting question."