NBA
How three-team trades occur in the NBA
In the NBA, a three-team trade happens when three separate teams come to an agreement to swap players and/or draft picks in a single transaction.
There was a major three-team trade last night. The transaction involves Kristaps Porzingis going to Boston, Markus Smart being traded to Memphis, and Tyus Jones being traded to Washington. In the trade, the Wizards will receive Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala, while the Grizzlies will give the Celtics the 25th pick in the upcoming draft and the first-round pick in next year’s draft.
Additionally, the Celtics will send the Wizards the 35th pick in the upcoming draft. The Grizzlies were looking for a veteran with playoff experience and a winning mentality, and they found that in Markus Smart, who is departing from the Celtics after nine seasons.
What is a three-team trade?
In the NBA, three-team trades involve exchanging players and draft picks among three teams in a single transaction. These trades are more intricate than two-team trades and involve multiple moving parts.
Here’s a simplified explanation of how three-team exchanges generally occur:
- Initial discussions: Representatives from the three teams, including their general managers, coaches, and front-office personnel, initiate conversations to explore potential trade scenarios. They negotiate terms, player involvement, and draft pick compensation.
- Trade framework: Once the teams agree on the basic structure of the trade, they work out the details and establish a framework that satisfies all parties involved. This includes determining which players and draft picks will be exchanged between the teams.
- Trade call with the NBA: The three teams submit the trade details to the NBA’s league office. The league reviews the trade to ensure all NBA rules and regulations are compliant. They examine salary cap implications, trade exceptions, and other relevant guidelines.
- Player physicals and approvals: Each team arranges for the players involved in the trade to undergo medical examinations to verify their fitness to play. Once the players pass their physicals, the work moves forward.
- Official announcement: Once the league approves the trade and all players have passed their physicals, the teams announce the work to the public through press releases or social media platforms. They disclose the players and draft picks involved in the trade.
- Execution of the trade: The teams complete the trade, exchanging players and draft picks as agreed upon. The NBA has specific deadlines and procedures for completing transactions, especially during the regular season or leading up to the trade deadline.
Three-team trades allow teams to address multiple needs simultaneously and create complex trade scenarios involving different assets.