NBA Free Agency: An 8-Step Beginner's Guide 

San Antonio Spurs v Boston Celtics
Kyrie and IT trade deal last season was one of the biggest talking points last season

2. Unprotected pick:

  • What does it mean?

An unprotected draft pick means that if Team A trades a 2019 unprotected draft pick to Team B, they have full rights to the said pick. Team A holds no jurisdiction over it anymore except that their performance in the 2018 season will determine how good the 2019 pick will be.

  • When is it applicable?

Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.

Usually, if Team A thinks they are trading up to acquire a better player from Team B, they give up an unprotected pick. There are no such applicability rules to it.

Portland Trail Blazers v Cleveland Cavaliers
The Isaiah Thomas trade to Cleveland involved an unprotected draft pick.

Example:

1. Cleveland Cavaliers receive Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, Brooklyn's unprotected 2018 first round pick and Miami's 2020 second round pick. Boston Celtics receive Kyrie Irving.

Cleveland Cavaliers Nation! You can check out the latest Cleveland Cavaliers Schedule and dive into the Cavaliers Depth Chart for NBA Season 2024-25.

Quick Links

Edited by Amulya Shekhar
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications