Half the league is frozen out of trading first-rounders

[ConnerHenry]

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-now

Interesting to see how much of a premium those with 1st rounders available can charge

[NKY fan]

I think this is overall a good thing. It reduces incentives for teams to tank. So instead of 10-12 teams trying to lose in prior years ... so far no team is sabotaging their chance of winning games. Maybe at the trade deadline a couple teams do fire sales and tank but I can’t see more than that

[footey]

Good that Boston not on list.

[Tr1boy]

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-now

Interesting to see how much of a premium those with 1st rounders available can charge

No thx to OKC and Rockets