Interesting article on ESPN about how scarce draft picks are due to (a) the Stepien Rule and (b) pick swaps with numerous contingencies (top 10 protected in year 1, top 7 in the year after or swapping higher ranked first rounders)
Currently, 15 teams are either out multiple first-round picks, forbidden from trading more, or have their picks locked -- "encumbered" in front-office vernacular, which means they can't trade them for multiple years. 2028 picks cannot be included in trades until the start of next season
Here are the teams with little or no flexibility when it comes to dealing first-round picks.
TEAM NOTE
BKN Can't trade any
DAL Can't trade own until 2027
DEN Can trade only own in 2021 or 2027
DET Can't trade any
GS Can't trade own until 2026
LAC Can't trade any
LAL Can't trade any
MIA Can't trade any
MIL Can't trade any
MIN Can't trade own until 2024
PHI Can't trade own from 2025-27
PHX Can't trade own until 2027
POR Can't trade any
UTAH Can't trade own until 2026
WAS Can trade only own in 2021
Full article
https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/30743307/the-reasons-why-half-nba-trade-their-first-round-pick-right-nowInteresting to see how much of a premium those with 1st rounders available can charge