In the NBA, there are limited instances where players have the right to veto trades. The most common is the No Trade Clause, which players with eight years of service can qualify for with teams they’ve been on for at least four seasons. Bradley Beal is the only player in the league who currently has one.
Then there are veto rights, which are given to any player who re-signs with his previous team for one guaranteed season. This applies to any player who re-signs on a one-year deal, or two-year deal with an option on the second year. It also applies to restricted free agents who accept their one-year qualifying offers with their previous teams, or ones whose offer sheets get matched.
If a player waives his veto rights on a trade, his Bird rights clock would reset to Non-Bird. This was done to prevent teams from re-signing players for the sole purpose of making them walking trade exceptions. The new CBA allows players re-signing on such deals to waive their veto rights ahead of the season. D’Angelo Russell and Mo Wagner are the first to have done so, meaning they would lose their Bird rights if traded.
Here are all the players who can veto trades in the 2023-24 season.
Bradley Beal (Phoenix): No Trade Clause
Bradley Beal refused to waive his no-trade clause upon being traded to the Phoenix Suns. He remains in control of his destination while he’s on his contract should he and the Suns choose to part ways.
Matisse Thybulle signed an offer sheet with the Dallas Mavericks that was matched by the Portland Trail Blazers. He now has veto rights in a trade for a year and cannot be traded to the Blazers in that span.
Paul Reed (Philadelphia): Matched Offer Sheet
Paul Reed also signed an offer sheet that was matched by his previous team. He now has veto rights this season on any trade from the Philadelphia 76ers and cannot be acquired by the Utah Jazz.
Miles Bridges (Charlotte): Accepted Qualifying Offer
Miles Bridges accepted his $7.9 million qualifying offer, meaning he re-signed with the Charlotte Hornets for one season. He will have veto rights on any trade to protect his Bird rights for unrestricted free agency in 2024.
Mason Plumlee re-signed with the Clippers on a one-year deal worth $5 million. A trade would reduce his Bird rights to Non-Bird, limiting his new team to re-signing him to a $6 million starting salary.
Russell Westbrook (LA Clippers): One-Year Veto Rights
Russell Westbrook re-signed with the Clippers on a two-year, $7.9 million deal with a player option in year two. Because only the first year is guaranteed, he retains veto rights to allow him to become an Early Bird free agent next summer.
Kevin Love (Miami): One-Year Veto Rights
Kevin Love signed the same exact deal with the Miami Heat as Westbrook did with the Clippers. If both players make it to 2024 free agency with their current teams, they can be re-signed to market value contracts.
Josh Okogie (Phoenix): One-Year Veto Rights
Josh Okogie will have veto rights on a trade with the Phoenix Suns this season to protect his Early Bird rights. He signed a two-year deal with a player option on the second season.
Damion Lee (Phoenix): One-Year Veto Rights
Damion Lee will also have veto rights with the Phoenix Suns to protect his Early Bird rights. He signed a two-year deal with a player option on the second season.
Jae Crowder (Milwaukee): One-Year Veto Rights
Jae Crowder will have veto rights with Milwaukee to protect his Bird rights. He signed a one-year minimum deal with the Bucks.
Alex Len (Sacramento): One-Year Veto Rights
Alex Len will have veto rights with the Sacramento Kings to protect his Bird rights. He signed a one-year minimum deal with the Kings.
Montrezl Harrell (Philadelphia): One-Year Veto Rights
Montrezl Harrell will have veto rights with the Philadelphia 76ers to protect his Early Bird rights. He signed a one-year minimum deal with the Sixers.
Sandro Mamukelashvili will have veto rights with the San Antonio Spurs to protect his Early Bird rights. He signed a one-year minimum deal with the Spurs.
Story originally appeared on HoopsHype