Trade & FA 2025-26: Free Agency Starts 5pm CST/6pm EST

[Chicagojk]

What matters is whether you have a future first round pick in a particular year.  It doesn't have to be your own.  

2027:  Dallas doesn't have a pick
2028:  Dallas has a swap with OKC (so it has a pick)
2029:  Dallas has LA's pick and a swap with Houston (so it has two picks)
2030:  Dallas has a swap with SA (so it has a pick)

So, if you ship out the 2028 pick, you have to get one back or at least make another swap with the existing 2028 (which is what I've been advocating).  Alternatively, if you don't end up with a pick in 2028, you have to end up with one in 2027 from somewhere.  It would have to be a guaranteed pick and not contingent on something conveying or not.  Note that Atlanta's 2027 (from NO or MIL) is top four protected.  If it falls in the top four it doesn't convey and therefore can't be counted as a way to fulfill the rule.

I don’t believe the 29 pick is a swap.  I think it is lost.  I think Houston will probably get it but I believe it is tricky with multiple teams involved.  We do have the Lakers pick though