In his latest piece for Marc Stein’s Substack, NBA insider Jake Fischer delves into the evolving trade landscape that has emerged under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
One of the key trends is the growing number of multi-team trades, with more deals involving three or more teams becoming increasingly common.
This shift in trade strategy is a direct result of changes in the CBA, which has made it easier for teams to navigate complex deals that involve multiple franchises.
Another significant development is the changing approach to the mid-level exception in free agency. Under the new CBA rules, teams have become more cautious about using their full mid-level exception during the offseason.
This is because the exception can now also be utilized to acquire players through trades, creating new flexibility for teams to improve their rosters during the trade deadline instead of locking in contracts in free agency.
“That will be a new trend,” said one team strategist, acknowledging the shift in strategy. “More teams holding their mid-level exception open for the trade deadline.”
This trend reflects a growing sense of anticipation around the trade market, with teams looking to preserve flexibility and capitalize on potential deals later in the season rather than committing resources early on.
As the league adapts to these changes, the trade deadline could see an even greater flurry of activity than in previous years.
And-Ones: Simmons, Offseason, Trade Trends, RefMasters https://t.co/iu5ZFpjKhp pic.twitter.com/LJwfQWIFkX
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) March 17, 2025
