[Schilly]

Can a player with an expiring contract be traded on draft night?

The draft occurs prior to when players officially become free agents, is there a restriction that say's they can't be moved between the finals and the draft?

[IV]

I dont think so. As long as a player is still under contract he can be used as trade bait.

Is that what most teams do when they have a player that will not resign with them they try to trade him off before he's contract expires?

[Schilly]

I'm wondering because with the upcoming list of FA's and the rumors of the cap once again being reduced there are many teams who may be looking for cap relief. WHy is this on my mind? Scottie Pippen. Portland more than likely could get an extremely tantalizing package for Pippen, because of his expiring contract, but probably wouldn't want to screw around with things mid-season. So was thinking they could maintain teh team as is for the season and then move him in the short window after the Finals and before the moratorium on roster moves. But I wasn't sure if there was a restriction on expiring contracts.

[Schilly]

Umm well I guess they can't

[i]Article VII, Section 8 (c)
A Team cannot trade any player after the NBA trade deadline occurring in the last Season of the player’s Contract, or after the NBA trade deadline occurring in any Season that could be the last Season of the player’s Contract based upon the exercise or non-exercise of an Option or Early Termination Option.[i/]

Straight from the CBA

Thanks SoCalBlazerFan

[H2O]

I'm almost positive you can't trade them when their contract is expiring. The only thing you can do is a sign and trade. So, no Dice on the Pippen idea. If I'm right, which I think I am. Sorry.