Trading down from a top-3 pick in the NBA draft is uncommon due to the value of rookie-scale contracts and the historical advantage of higher picks in securing franchise players. Since 1980, only 10 teams have traded down while remaining in the lottery, with notable trades including the Celtics’ move in 1980 and the 2017 trade that allowed them to select Jayson Tatum over Markelle Fultz. Currently, the Spurs and Sixers hold the second and third picks, respectively, with both teams considering trades amid concerns about fitting projected players into their existing rosters.
