With one week until the NBA’s trade deadline, moves are trickling out and rumors are flying fast. And within the connected realm of the draft, that means teams are shopping picks.
As with any asset, the trade value of a first-round pick is fluid and relative, but the baseline utility of owning one is always high. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand the worth of controlling a talented young player on a scaled long-term contract out of the gate, and being able to fit them into any salary cap structure.
For rebuilding teams, dangling useful veterans for draft considerations will always be a viable deadline stance, and first-round selections are often the keys to getting these types of deals done.