NBA Players Able to Veto Trades in 2026-27
nba-players-who-can-veto-trades-2026-27
Only one NBA player will carry an explicit no-trade clause into the 2026/27 season: Damian Lillard, who secured the protection in his latest contract with the Portland Trail Blazers.
How no-trade clauses work
Under the collective bargaining agreement, a player can negotiate a no-trade clause only if he has at least eight years of NBA service, at least four seasons with his current club (not necessarily consecutive), and is signing a new free-agent deal rather than an extension.
Players can also pick up limited veto power without a formal clause. Anyone who re-signs with his previous team on a one-year contract—or a two-year deal containing an option—can block a trade during that league year unless he waives the right. The same protection applies for one full calendar year to players whose offer sheets are matched in restricted free agency.
Players with veto authority in 2026/27
Formal no-trade clause
- Damian Lillard (Trail Blazers)
Offer sheets matched
- Moussa Cisse (Mavericks)
- Spencer Jones (Nuggets)
One-year deals or two-year contracts with an option
- Thomas Bryant (Cavaliers)
- Simone Fontecchio (Heat)
- Javonte Green (Pistons)
- Al Horford (Warriors)
- Jonathan Isaac (Magic)
- Kenrich Williams (Thunder)
If any of these players approve a trade, they will finish the season with Non-Bird rights instead of Early Bird or full Bird rights. They would also retain veto power for any subsequent deal during 2026/27.
Players who waived their veto option
The following players signed qualifying one-year or option contracts but agreed to forfeit trade-veto rights, a choice enabled by the 2023 CBA:
- Harrison Barnes (Spurs)
- Charles Bassey (Warriors)
- Jevon Carter (Magic)
- Jordan Clarkson (Knicks)
- Draymond Green (Warriors)
- Bones Hyland (Timberwolves)
- Tyus Jones (Nuggets)
- Jock Landale (Hawks)
- Jordan McLaughlin (Spurs)
- Josh Minott (Nets)
- Pete Nance (Bucks)
- Day’Ron Sharpe (Nets)
- Jae’Sean Tate (Rockets)
These players can be traded at any point during the season without needing to sign off on the move.
Source: Hoops Rumors
