From 2017 to 2019, at least one top-five pick was traded in three consecutive NBA drafts.
The Sixers and Celtics swapped the first and third overall picks (used on Markelle Fultz and Jayson Tatum, respectively) in 2017; the Mavericks and Hawks made a deal involving the No. 3 and No. 5 picks (Luka Doncic and Trae Young) in 2018; and the Lakers included the No. 4 pick (which became De’Andre Hunter) in their package for then-Pelicans star Anthony Davis in 2019.
We haven’t seen a top-five pick on the move since 2019, but trades involving lottery selections have remained relatively common. At least one lottery pick has been moved on or around draft night in each of the past four years, often by teams moving down a little in the first round.
In other words, while we can’t count on a high draft pick being included in a blockbuster trade every year, there’s clearly a precedent for top-14 selections changing hands in June. And this year’s draft features plenty of teams who could be prime candidates to deal.
The Mavericks, at No. 1, proved in February when they traded Doncic to Los Angeles that nothing’s off the table for them. But it sounds pretty safe to assume they won’t be moving the first overall pick, which they’ll use on Cooper Flagg.
That means the list of legitimate trade candidates in the lottery starts with the Spurs, who hold the No. 2 and No. 14 picks. Dylan Harper is widely considered the frontrunner to be the first player drafted after Flagg, but San Antonio already has De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle in its backcourt. Could that open the door for another team to trade up for that No. 2 pick, with the Spurs acquiring some extra assets while moving down in the draft and selecting a prospect who would be a better fit alongside their current core?
At No. 3, the top prospect on the Sixers‘ board might be Ace Bailey, but he’s widely viewed as a long-term play who might not be ready to contribute to a veteran team with title aspirations right away. The 76ers are reportedly eager to add some more youth and athleticism to a roster that was plagued by injuries in 2024/25, but perhaps they could trade down a few spots and still accomplish that feat.
There are no obvious reasons why the Hornets (No. 4), Jazz (No. 5), Wizards (No. 6), Pelicans (No. 7), and Nets (No. 8) would need to make a deal, but several of those clubs are loaded with future draft assets, which could put them in a good position to move up for a player they like.
The Raptors at No. 9 appear ready to transition to win-now mode as they prepare to incorporate deadline addition Brandon Ingram, while the Rockets at No. 10 are already very much in win-now mode, having struggled to find playing time for third overall pick Reed Sheppard last season. Will Toronto and Houston be looking to bring in another rookie or would they prefer to include their lottery picks in trades for more veteran help?
The Trail Blazers (No. 11), Bulls (No. 12), and Hawks (No. 13) round out the lottery, along with the aforementioned Spurs. And it’s worth noting that many of the deals in lottery-pick trades in recent years have involved these back-end selections — the 11th and 13 picks were included in trades in 2022, the 10th and 12th picks were moved in 2023, and the 14th pick was dealt in 2024.
We want to know what you think. Which lottery team is most likely to trade its pick? What sort of deal will that team be looking to make? How many selections in this year’s top 14 do you expect to change hands?
Head to the comment section below to weigh in with your thoughts!
Sixers should trade down with the Jazz to get one of their young players at a minimum. They need depth.
If Crimes walks for nothing,
I really don’t like McCain + Maxey as the core pair defensively because they’re both like 6’2.
It seems that 76ers are not able to trade No. 3 for 4-8 picks.
Suns want to trade Durant to Rockets for the Suns own picks in return.
How about this?
76ers trade McCain and # 3 to Rockets for Sheppard and #10.
Make it just the 3 for Tari and the 10 and we can talk
I’m sure the Sixers would do that. Not so sure the Rockets would. Rockets have had a hard enough time incorporating the young players they already have into their rotation.
Yeah it would depend on a few factors, can they resign Tari, do they see him in their long term plans, what’s the cost and do they like the upside of Ace, Tre, VJ, Kon more than Tari and the 10.
I fully expect Morey to keep the 3 and draft Ace….I would pick VJ, if we stand pat. It should be interesting
PhillyPhan69
Good trade, Rockets would absolutely do it.
They don’t have tax room to give Eason 3 or 4 years contract
It’s one of 3 or 4 trade back deals I would like. TBH I don’t think Houston would bite unless they really love a guy that will be gone long before 10. There was a sports writer from Philly and Houston going back and forth to find a deal for the 3 and 10 but couldn’t seem to find common ground including this one vetoed by the Houston writer.
Mavs should be willing to deal almost anybody on the team for the Spurs #2 pick
Will be very surprised if the Rockets don’t trade down or package this pick in an attempt to bring in an established veteran.
If I were a Suns owner,
After sending Durant to Rockets, I’d trade Booker for #2, Barnes, Sochan, and $25 million salary room
Save $200 million tax next season.
……Spurs still have enough assets to acquire Giannis.
No one is giving up all of that for Booker.
Most likely candidate is the Spurs for many reasons.
It’s time to push the timeline forward. Wemby has made it clear that winning is most important to him. Sounds like Dylan Harper is impressing to the point where folks feel he could be a generational prospect, and his fit with another team is probably better than it is with Fox and Castle is tow.
I think a few teams will try to move up to 3. In any of those scenarios I would have to dump PG8 but get actual value back.
The Spurs at #2 and the Sixers at #3. Should get the ball rolling. Will the Spurs make the major move for Giannis. That is what we all will be waiting for. Spurs could also go for a younger NBA talent and trade down. Or even just trade down and add more ready talent now. Imo Spurs will never be in a better position than they are now. I see them pulling the trigger on a Giannis trade. Give up both picks and keep Castle…….
Sixers are a vet supposedly contending team. The only 19 yr olds that make sense for them. Is Flagg and Harper. Well it ain’t happening. So it’s either trade down for more ready talent that fits team needs. Or find that in a trade for NBA talent. Here is where I can see lottery teams moving up. Jazz, Wizards, Nets, even Blazers. …..
Rockets are another team who could be in on a Giannis trade. They could have a better offer than Spurs. Then the top of lottery changes again.
The top talents here are all upside 19 yr olds. Who most will take 3-4 yrs to show. Just look at Jalen Green, Kuminga, and Cade all 19 yr olds from same draft ……. 2021 NBA draft that was also pegged as a loaded draft.
This draft has players that can help now. They may not have the upside of others. They are more a sure thing and will add depth next year.
A guy like Maluach not only can backup Embiid. He is also their insurance for him. Then they can move Drummond for a shooter ….. Sixers can trade down here ……
Raptors need a big to be relevant next year. More than any team. By adding a true big PF or C. They are a playoff team with depth. Maluach, Queen, Sorber fits the bill.
Imo this going to be a fun draft. With plenty movement …….
The later lottery picks – Rockets at 10, Hawks and Spurs at 13 & 14 seem most likely to be open to trades.
The Nets would probably offer all 3 some cap relief to move up into those picks, and enticing with one of their later picks.
Not much cap relief between those 3 teams necessary but I like the idea of 18 and 24 for 10 or 13
Terence Mann and 13 for Tyrese Martin, the 26 pick and Atlanta’s two 2nds the Nets have (26 and 28 i believe).
That gives Atlanta like $12M in addl cap space if they want to take a swing at say, Sabonis.
Yes Mann was the one player on all 3 teams I was thinking about too but they ( Atl and many ) seem to like his game ( I don’t see it either )
Good call , still like my 2 lower picks for one better tho as I wouldn’t want Manns 3/46 on the books if I’m Brooklyn
* so interested in seeing how Nets play this
I could see the Nets do the 2 for 1 also to move up.
Expanding the above to net the Hawks Sabonis probably requires the Hawks to flip Jalen Johnson to Sacramento and at least a FRP I guess.
Btw, I believe Bklyn *has to* spend at least 90% of their cap.. and so they certainly will be looking at ways up using their cap space to move up in the draft.
Yeah, it might not help the Hawks, but again if they did want to take a swing at a big player, they might need the extra cap space.
Similarly the Spurs might need to clear Barnes or KeldonJ if they make a run at Giannis. The Nets might take either one if they can get the 14 pick.