NBA teams trade down in first round to stay below salary apron
Several franchises, including the Knicks, Nuggets, Timberwolves and Cavaliers, moved their first-round picks to later slots to reduce salary commitments and avoid exceeding the league’s second-apron threshold.
On Tuesday night the NBA draft saw limited activity in the first round, with the first eight selections made without any trades. The first notable trade occurred when the Memphis Grizzlies selected at the 16th pick. After that, teams began shifting their draft positions to manage salary-cap implications.
The New York Knicks, holding the 24th pick worth about $3.37 million, traded down to the 47th spot, saving roughly $2 million. The reduction helps the defending champions stay under the second-apron limit, preserving flexibility for re-signing players such as Landry Shamet and accessing the taxpayer mid-level exception.
Similar financial motives drove the Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers. Minnesota moved from pick 28 to 33, cutting a projected $1.7 million salary as part of a broader payroll restructuring that included trading Julius Randle’s contract. Denver dropped from pick 26 to 35, lowering a potential rookie salary by $1.8 million to keep room for the non-taxpayer mid-level exception and address upcoming free-agency decisions. Cleveland swapped the 29th pick for the 34th and a future second-rounder, reducing a $3.04 million obligation to about $1.36 million.
Analysts note that these moves reflect teams’ efforts to avoid the “second apron,” a salary-cap threshold that triggers additional restrictions and tax penalties. By staying below it, franchises retain greater flexibility for roster construction and contract negotiations throughout the season.