Mongolmike

Is there a league mandate that prevents teams from trading their first round picks in consecutive years? Seems to me there is or was something to this affect, mostly due to the Cavs trading all their first rounders away in the early 80's... (and if I recall, didn't the league at one point reinstate some of Clev's 1st round picks because the franchise was in such trouble?)

Anyway, if this is true, Clev currently owes someone their first non-lottery 1st round selection (Phox maybe?).... Clev makes the playoffs, they gotta give up their 1st round pick. Well, since Clev does not lose their pick this year, can they package this years lottery pick in a trade? Or because they already owe a 1st, they are prevented from trading or packaging any more 1st round picks til they original debt is paid?

Any clarification would be appreciated.

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When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading.

Storyteller

Yes

Yep. In fact it's sometimes referred to as the "Ted Stepien rule", named after the Cavs owner at the time.

It's my understanding that they could trade this year's first round draft pick only if:

1) They receive another team's first round pick (either this year's or next year's) back in the trade

or

2) They receive another team's first round pick (either this year's or next year's) back in a previous trade

Because, as you point out, next year's pick is potentially going to Phoenix, the only way they can trade this year's pick AND be assured of having a pick on the books would be for them to get another pick in trade.

The rule is that you cannot be without a first round pick in consecutive years. But it doesn't have to be your own pick - it can be another team's pick.

A last note - Cleveland could potentially get around this by drafting a player with their pick and then trading the rights to that player. Of course, the player would have matching value in a trade (his rookie scale amount) while the draft pick counts as $0 for matching purposes.

Mongolmike

Thank you So Cal Blazer fan.... I knew I could get help in here!

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When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading.

AdamIllman

the drafted player also has a value of $0 until he actually signs the contract

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Storyteller

Oops, you're right. What was I thinking?

A player counts against the cap in the amount of his salary slot before he signs his contract, but has $0 in trade value until he signs his contract. And once the contract is signed, he can't be traded until December 15th.