However, you often see agreements in principle–so, let’s say Miami picks whoever the Clippers want at #24 with a handshake deal that the Clippers will give them $5M for that player on “July 1st” (whatever the equivalent of July 1st ends up being this year). However, with the cap expected to plummet, it’s possible that the amount each team is allowed to trade will also proportionally go down next season. It’s also possible that the league chooses to not make that adjustment, or even increase the ability of wealthier teams to pay struggling teams additional cash in trades as owners who are deep in the red look for remedies to their debt.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Clips would be at a slight disadvantage given they don’t have their full cash amount to trade. Like in 2017, if I recall, the Warriors had slightly more to spend to get the 38th pick (Jordan Bell) and the Clips bought in at 39 (Juwan Evans) and 48 (Thornwell).

It’s interesting to think about which teams might have picks for sale. Miami is in some money trouble at 24, but you wonder if they couldn’t at least flip that for a semi-valuable future 2nd. In a weak draft, teams might hold on to a future pick in the 30s–but it only takes one team liking a guy at 24.

The Lakers at 29 are a candidate as well, since the Buss family isn’t as deep-pocketed. But the Lakers are also more TV revenue-driven than other teams and shouldn’t be as desperate in a no-gate-revenue season.

If the Warriors, with their bloated payroll and new arena sitting empty, had a low pick, you’d put them on the list, but they’ll keep the 1st overall (of course).

Once you dip into the early 2nd round, a cash crunch means teams are probably less likely to sell–a pick in the 30s should give you your best shot at a roster-level player for the rookie minimum.

Please take a guess, Robt, on how much cash a middle to late first rounder mite bring a team. I’ll throw out a number: 2 mil