The Cleveland Cavaliers have shipped Isaiah Thomas to the Los Angeles Lakers, but attaching a first-round pick to the trade lessens the possibility of another major trade on deadline day.
As ESPN’s Brian Windhorst points out, Cleveland can no longer use the Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 first-round pick in a trade.
Due to CBA rules, a franchise cannot trade a Round 1 selection in consecutive years. The Cavs did not a select a player in the first round of the 2017 draft, so they must stay in the opening round of 2018.
The only way for Cleveland to immediately navigate the rule is to acquire a different first-rounder. However, for example, the Los Angeles Clippers very likely would not be willing to send a 2018 selection to the Cavs in exchange for DeAndre Jordan.
Otherwise, Cleveland must wait to draft a player and send his rights elsewhere.
Although the trade sending Thomas to the Lakers is major news, it appears that will be Cleveland’s only massive move of the day.