Players Who Can Veto Trades

When you think of players vetoing trades, you probably think of a guy who has a no-trade clause. In the NBA, however, a greater number of players have the ability to veto trades for reasons other than a standard no-trade clause.

The CBA stipulates that players who accept a qualifying offer or sign for a one-year contract that would allow them to have early Bird or full Bird rights at the end of the deal can veto trades as they see fit. If one of these players consents to a trade, he would only have non-Bird rights, giving him plenty of incentive to use his veto power. Players who sign an offer sheet, only to have it matched by their original team, can also veto a trade for one year after they sign.

Below is a list of the players with veto power in 2012/13, including the only four in the league to have negotiated no-trade clauses in their contracts, a privilege reserved only for long-tenured superstars, as you can see. The players listed under the last two categories would give up either early or full Bird rights if they consent to a trade. If there are any omissions from this list, please let us know in the comments. 

No-trade clauses

• Kobe Bryant, Lakers
• Tim Duncan, Spurs
• Kevin Garnett, Celtics
• Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks

Players whose offer sheets were matched

• Nicolas Batum, Blazers
• Eric Gordon, Hornets

Players accepting qualifying offers

• Ivan Johnson, Hawks (early Bird)
• Devin Ebanks, Lakers
• Darius Morris, Lakers (early Bird)
• Luke Harangody, Cavs

Players re-signing for one year

• Chris Wilcox, Celtics (early Bird)
• Keith Bogans, Nets (early Bird)
• Terrel Harris, Heat (early Bird)
• J.J. Hickson, Blazers
• Aaron Gray, Raptors (early Bird)
• Cartier Martin, Wizards (early Bird)
• Brandon Rush, Warriors
• Chauncey Billups, Clippers
• J.R. Smith, Knicks (early Bird)
• Boris Diaw, Spurs (early Bird)
• Patrick Mills, Spurs (early Bird)
• Alan Anderson, Raptors (early Bird)

ShamSports and Larry Coon's NBA Salary Cap FAQ were used in the creation of this post.