Analyzing NBA Draft Picks and Future Assets: A Comprehensive Guide to Teams’ Pick Situations

2023-09-30 08:56:00

Draft picks are a valuable asset in the NBA to strengthen your team. We look at the pick situations of all 30 teams and list who has how many first-round picks available in the future.

At this point, however, we are foregoing the second round picks, otherwise it becomes very confusing and they are constantly traded back and forth. But first-round picks have also been moved around quite a bit in recent years.

There are a few parameters to consider when it comes to trades:

NBA teams are currently only allowed to trade picks until 2030. Teams are not allowed to give up first rounders in consecutive drafts, this is the so-called “Stepien Rule”, which has its origins here. Many picks are protected. In some cases, the protection is released in later years, and it is often the case that this pick then converts to one or more second-round picks. If a pick is protected, the pick cannot be traded the following year. A good example of this is Portland. The Blazers owe Chicago a first-round pick, but it is protected until 2028. So unless the pick goes to Chicago, Portland can’t trade its own first rounder.

So much for theory, let’s take a look at all 30 teams.

Atlanta Hawks: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2024, 2028, 2029, 2030Pick swaps: 2026 (Spurs receive higher pick)Given picks: 2025, 2027 (each unprotected to San Antonio)Received picks: 2024 (from Sacramento, top 14 protected, then top 12th then top 10)

The Hawks gave up a lot of capital in the Dejounte Murray trade, but at least something is coming back with the Kevin Huerter deal to Sacramento. If the right is not redeemed by 2026, the Hawks will receive two second-round picks instead.

Boston Celtics: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2029Pick swaps: 2028 (with San Antonio; Spurs get better pick, top 1 protected) Picks given up: -Picks received: 2024 (from Golden State. Top 4 protected , then top 1, then unprotected)

Through the Marcus Smart trade, the Celtics got a Warriors pick from Memphis (the Iguodala trade in 2019), otherwise Boston has done good pick management in recent years. In 2028 there is still a pick swap with the Spurs (they get the better position). However, if Boston wins the lottery this year, they retain the right.

Brooklyn Nets: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2029, 2030Pick swaps: 2025, 2027 (with Houston; Rockets get better pick), 2028 (with Phoenix; Nets get better pick)Given picks: 2024, 2026Received picks: 2025, 2027, 2029 (from Phoenix), 2029 (from Dallas), 2027 (from Philadelphia Top 8 protected)

As much as the Nets once shelled out for James Harden, they recouped that much through the Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving deals. Brooklyn essentially controls the Suns’ entire draft. There is also a first rounder coming from Philadelphia, but he will be a second round pick in 2028 if he has not come to Brooklyn by then.

Charlotte Hornets: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030Pick swaps: -Picks given up: 2024 (to San Antonio, top 14 protected until 2025)Picks received: –

Anyone wondering why the Hornets have to make a pick will be scratching their heads. In 2021, the Hornets actually invested a pick to draft Kai Jones at number 19. Things haven’t gone so well so far…

Chicago Bulls: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2024, 2029, 2030Pick swaps: -Picks given up: 2025 (to San Antonio top-10, then top-8, top-8 and top-8 protected until 2028) Picks received: 2024 (from Portland, top -14-protected until 2028)

The Bulls have paid off their debt from the Vucevic trade, but now a pick is also going to San Antonio in the DeRozan trade.

Cleveland Cavaliers: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2024, 2030Pick swaps: 2026, 2028 (Utah receives higher pick in each case)Given picks: 2025, 2027, 2029 (to Utah)Received picks: –

The Donovan Mitchell trade was expensive, so the picks are looking bad. At least the Cavs can move once more next year.

Dallas Mavericks: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2026, 2027, 2028, 2030Pick swaps: -Picks given up: 2024 (to New York, top 10 protected in 2024 and 2025), 2029 to BrooklynPicks received: –

The Mavs still have to deliver a pick from the Porzingis trade to New York, which would become a second-round pick in 2026. For now, the Mavs can only trade a first-round pick (2027), although additional pick swaps are of course always possible.

Denver Nuggets: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2024Pick swaps: -Picks given up: 2025 (to Orlando, top 5 protected until 2027), 2027 (to OKC, top 5 protected until 2029)Picks received: –

Denver still has one signing from the Aaron Gordon trade. If the pick is not delivered by 2027, the right expires. And then there is a pick that has to go to OKC. That doesn’t happen until 2027 at the earliest, but it can also be pushed back because Denver still has a commitment to Orlando and consecutive picks cannot be traded. In 2029, Denver will definitely have to give OKC a second-round pick.

Detroit Pistons: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2028, 2029, 2030Pick swaps: -Picks given up: 2024 (to New York, protected until 2027, first top-18, then top-13, then top-11, then top-9 protected) Picks received: –

Detroit is in the process of rebuilding, but can only trade one pick because they have to cede an (extremely) protected right to New York.

Golden State Warriors: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030Pick swaps: -Picks given up: 2024 (to Boston, top 4, top 1 and 2026 unprotected) Picks received: –

The Warriors also only have one bond, otherwise all picks from 2027 are available. So if you still need help for Stephen Curry, at least two picks can be offered.

Houston Rockets: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2028, 2029, 2030Pick swaps: 2025, 2027 (Houston receives higher pick than Brooklyn) Picks given up: 2024 (to OKC, top 4 protected), 2026 (to OKC, top 4 protected) Picks received : 2024, 2026 (from Brooklyn)

The Rockets are not keeping their pick in the upcoming draft, another reason why Houston upgraded so much in the summer. There are also a few Nets picks from the Harden trade.

Indiana Pacers: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030Pick swaps: -Picks given up: -Picks received: 2024 (from OKC, Clippers, Utah or Houston)

The Pacers, on the other hand, still have the full arsenal at their disposal, plus they will get a pick in 2024. But it is the worst pick from the quartet of OKC, Houston, Clippers and Utah.

LA Clippers: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030Pick swaps: 2025 (OKC gets the better pick)Picks given up: 2024 (to Indiana), 2026 (to OKC)Picks received:-

The Clippers are slowly regaining flexibility, even if they still owe OKC a pick from the 2019 Paul George trade. After that, all picks are available.

Los Angeles Lakers: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2026, 2028, 2029, 2030Pick swaps: -Picks traded: 2024 or 2025 (Pelicans’ option), 2027 (to Utah, top-4 protected)Picks received: –

It is not yet certain whether the Lakers will have a draft pick next year. The Pelicans can decide until shortly before the draft whether they want to draft for the Lakers in 2024 or 2025. From the Lakers’ perspective, this is a bit annoying because only the 2029 (or 2030) first-round pick can be traded.

Memphis Grizzlies: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030Pick swaps: 2024, 2030 (Memphis gets pick from Phoenix or Washington)Picks given up: -Picks received: –

When will the Grizzlies make their big move? The picks are all there, in the pick swap with Phoenix and Washington the Grizzlies receive the worse pick, so presumably the Suns have the right to choose.

Miami Heat: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2024, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030Pick swaps: -Picks given up: 2025 (to OKC, top 14 protected, then unprotected in 2026)Picks received: –

It wasn’t enough for Lillard, but the Heat can continue to put together nice pick packages. With one exception, the Heat are in complete control.

Milwaukee Bucks: The future draft picks

Own picks: -Pick swaps: 2024, 2026 (New Orleans gets better pick), 2028, 2030 (Portland gets better pick) Picks given up: 2025 (1-4 to New Orleans, 5-30 to New York), 2027 ( to New Orleans), 2029 (to Portland)Picks Received:-

This cannot be said regarding the Bucks. With the Lillard trade, the Bucks gave up their last assets because they also have to pay the Pelicans. We remember, the Jrue Holiday trade in November 2020 was pretty darn expensive.

Minnesota Timberwolves: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2024, 2028, 2030Pick swaps: 2026 (Utah gets better pick)Picks given up: 2025, 2027 (to Utah), 2029 (to Utah, top 5 protected)Picks received:-

The Wolves are also not allowed to trade a pick; they also sacrificed everything for one player, in their case Rudy Gobert. After all, the law will remain in 2028.

New Orleans Pelicans: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2025, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030Pick swaps: 2024, 2026 (New Orleans gets better pick)Picks given up: -Picks received: 2024 or 2025 (from Lakers, option), 2025 (from Milwaukee if top- 4), 2027 (from Milwaukee)

The Pelicans are another team that might pull off a blockbuster sooner or later. The picks from LA and Milwaukee probably won’t be particularly valuable, but the Bucks right in 2027 might still be very interesting.

New York Knicks: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030Pick swaps: -Picks given up: -Picks received: 2024 (from Detroit if between 11-30), 2024 (from Dallas if between 11-30) , 2024 (from Washington if between 11-30), 2025 (from Milwaukee if between 5-30)

The Knicks have plenty of picks, but not a single quality one. That was also the problem in Mitchell poker last year. Still, you can’t have enough of it and the Knicks have plenty.

Oklahoma City Thunder: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030Pick swaps: 2025 (with Clippers, OKC gets better pick)Picks given up: -Picks received: 2024 (from Houston, top 4 protected), 2024 (from Utah, top -10 protected), 2025 (from Miami, top 14 protected), 2025 (from Philadelphia, top 6 protected), 2026 (from Houston, top 4 protected), 2026 (from the Clippers), 2027 (from Denver, top 5 protected)

It’s a similar story in OKC, where GM Sami Presti appears to have made this a sport. Sooner or later OKC has to use them because they don’t have that much room on the roster to draft all of these potential players. In theory, OKC might offer up to eight first rounders, but no one can beat that.

Orlando Magic: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030Pick swaps: -Picks given up: -Picks received: 2025 (from Denver, top 5 protected)

Orlando is building slowly and they are also in a good position to trade for a star in the future.

Philadelphia 76ers: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2024, 2029, 2030Pick swaps: -Picks given up: 2025 (to OKC, top 6 protected, then top 4 until 2027), 2027 (to Brooklyn, top 8 protected until 2028)Picks received: –

The Sixers, on the other hand, are significantly limited; they can currently only strengthen their team with a potential first rounder. As a reminder, there must be two years between traded picks so that the commitment to Brooklyn can be pushed back.

Phoenix Suns: The future draft picks

Own picks: -Pick swaps: 2024, 2030 (worst pick between PHX, MEM and WAS), 2026 (worst pick from PHX, ORL, WAS), 2028 (better pick to Brooklyn) Passed picks: 2025, 2027. 2029 ( to Brooklyn)Picks Received:-

Similar to Milwaukee, the pick box in Phoenix is completely empty. Only a few swaps remain, with Phoenix always receiving the worse pick. That was the price for Durant or Bradley Beal.

Portland Trail Blazers: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2029, 2030Pick swaps: 2028, 2030 (Better pick with Milwaukee)Picks traded: 2024 (to Chicago, top 14 protected until 2028)Picks received: 2029 (from Milwaukee)

We already mentioned it in the introduction. Portland has protected the 2024 first rounder so heavily that they can only trade one pick for now. However, this obligation should soon be completed thanks to the rebuild. Added to this are the Bucks picks from the Lillard trade.

Sacramento Kings: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030Pick swaps: -Picks given up: 2024 (to Atlanta, top-14 protected, then top-12, then top-10 until 2026)Picks received: –

Sacramento has to give up a pick to Atlanta (Huerter trade), but that’s regarding it. This is a solid position for the coming years.

San Antonio Spurs: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2024, 2025, 2027, 2029, 2030Pick swaps: 2026 (with Hawks, Spurs get better pick), 2028 (with Celtics, Spurs get better pick, top 1 protected)Picks given up: -Picks received: 2024 (from Charlotte, top 14 protected), 2024 (from Toronto, top 6 protected through 2026), 2025 (from Chicago, top 10 protected), 2025, 2027 (from Atlanta)

Yes, the Spurs not only have Wembanyama, but also a whole collection of picks. The pick from Toronto is particularly valuable, as are the unprotected rights from Atlanta. Something can be done there.

Toronto Raptors: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030Pick swaps: -Picks given up: 2024 (to San Antonio, top 6 protected until 2026)Picks received: –

Is the pick that goes to San Antonio the reason Toronto isn’t rebuilding? The fact that they gave up such a valuable pick for Jakob Pöltl is quite astonishing.

Utah Jazz: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2027, 2029Pick swaps: 2026 (with Minnesota, Utah gets better pick), 2026, 2028 (with Cleveland, Utah gets better pick) Picks given up: 2024 (to OKC, top 10 protected until 2026) Picks received : 2025, 2027, 2029 (from Cleveland), 2025, 2027 (from Minneosta), 2027 (from the Lakers, top 4 protected), 2029 (from Minnesota, top 5 protected)

The trades of Gobert and Mitchell were real coups, Utah now controls the drafts of both Cleveland and Minnesota – and that until 2029. That will pay off sooner or later.

Washington Wizards: The future draft picks

Own picks: 2027, 2028, 2029Pick swaps: -Picks given up: 2024 (to New York, top 10 protected until 2026)Picks received: –

The Wizards didn’t get much for Porzingis and Beal, but Washington should be so bad that they’ll get good picks themselves. There are also veterans with whom further picks might come.

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