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