While daunting at first, the Stepien Rule boils down to one thing: an NBA team cannot be without a first round pick for two consecutive years looking forward. Any completed drafts do not matter but protected picks do a great deal.

We have also seen swaps come into vogue as a way to work around the restrictions of the Stepien Rule since the rule only applies to being without any picks rather than a team’s own selection. Remember also that picking up a first round pick in a future year can open up previously restricted picks so the list can change for that reason as well.

I thought it would be a worthwhile exercise to put together what teams are presently limited by the Stepien rule and how it affects them right now.

Atlanta Hawks- No restrictions

Boston Celtics- No restrictions

Brooklyn Nets- Cannot trade a first round pick before their 2020 selection

Charlotte Hornets- No restrictions

Chicago Bulls- No restrictions

Cleveland Cavaliers- No restrictions

Dallas Mavericks- Cannot trade their 2015 first rounder until after the 2014 Draft

Denver Nuggets- No restrictions

Detroit Pistons- Cannot trade their 2015 first rounder until after the 2014 Draft

Golden State Warriors- Cannot trade their 2015 first rounder until after the 2014 Draft. Cannot trade any other first round pick earlier than their 2019 selection.

Houston Rockets- No restrictions

Indiana Pacers- Cannot trade their 2015 first rounder until after the 2014 Draft

Los Angeles Clippers- Cannot trade any first round pick earlier than their 2017 selection

Los Angeles Lakers- Cannot trade any first round pick earlier than their 2021 selection

Memphis Grizzlies- Cannot trade any first round pick earlier than their 2021 selection

Miami Heat- Cannot trade any first round pick earlier than their 2019 selection

Milwaukee Bucks- No restrictions

Minnesota Timberwolves- Cannot trade any first round pick earlier than their 2018 selection

New Orleans Pelicans- Cannot trade their 2015 first rounder until after the 2014 Draft

New York Knicks- Cannot trade any first round pick earlier than their 2018 selection

Oklahoma City Thunder- No restrictions

Orlando Magic- No restrictions

Philadelphia 76ers- Other than one of their 2014 first rounds, cannot trade any first round pick earlier than their 2020 selection

Phoenix Suns- No restrictions

Portland Trailblazers- Cannot trade their 2015 first rounder until after the 2014 Draft

Sacramento Kings- Cannot trade any first round pick earlier than their 2019 selection

San Antonio Spurs- No restrictions

Toronto Raptors- No restrictions

Utah Jazz- No restrictions

Washington Wizards- Cannot trade their 2015 first rounder until after the 2014 Draft