First-round picks were at a premium at the trade deadline this year. None of them changed hands, even though the 2013 draft class might be devoid of superstars. Teams still value the idea of rebuilding through the draft, and perhaps none more so than the Cavaliers, who have stockpiled four future first-round picks without owing any to another team. That gives them the highest net first-round draft pick credit in the NBA. The Magic and Suns follow with credits of three first-rounders a piece, and they're followed by a team that isn't trying to rebuild through the draft as much as they're trying to simply reload — the Thunder. Here's the complete list of teams set to receive more first-round picks than they're giving up:
- Cavaliers: +4
- Magic: +3
- Suns: +3
- Thunder: +2
- Hawks: +1
- Bobcats: +1
- Bulls: +1
- Jazz: +1
On the other side of the equation are the teams that owe first-rounders. Thanks to the Steve Nash and Dwight Howard deals this summer, the Lakers have given up three of their first-round picks, the maximum allowed under the Ted Stepien rule. Here's the list of teams relinquishing more first-rounders than they're getting:
- Lakers: -3
- Grizzlies: -2
- 76ers: -2
- Heat: -1
- Knicks: -1
- Trail Blazers: -1
- Kings: -1
- Raptors: -1
- Mavericks: -1
- Pistons: -1
- Warriors: -1
- Rockets: -1
RealGM was used in the creation of this post.
Very interesting read!