A pick swap in the NBA is a type of trade where teams agree to swap their draft picks with each other. This means that the team receiving the pick swap has the option to choose between the two teams best picks for that year. Pick swaps are often used to get around the Stepien rule, which forbids teams from trading their first-round pick in consecutive years. By using pick swaps, teams can still trade away their first-round pick while ensuring they keep a first-round pick for that year.
Heres an example of how a pick swap works: Lets say Team A sends a pick swap to Team B in 2023. Team A doesnt make the playoffs and gets the No. 6 overall pick in the lottery. Team B also didnt make the playoffs but got the No. 14 overall pick in the lottery. Since Team B has the option to swap picks, it can take the No. 6 pick and send the No. 14 pick to Team A.
Pick swaps are becoming more common in the NBA, and they provide teams with a loophole around the Stepien rule. However, they are often disregarded in high-profile negotiations despite their critical nature. Only once every two years do trades involving draft selections take place.
